The Detroit times., 1913-09-02
CHAPTER VII.
(Continuod)

uucie Or aunt-tnere would In q short
time be no home and no living for
them until the broken father could
gather himself and begin again. LIT
tie Francois resolved that he would
not go. He would stay with his faith
er and prove that eleven was not too
young to make money. AS he stood
watching the sheriff. who moved
gloomily about his unwelcome duty,
he was aware Of horses hoofs beat
Ing down the road, and he turned. In
the midst Of his grief 1t was interest
ing to see the Baron-Gencral 0our-
gaud coming. on his bay mare Lisette
The general drew up beside him and
looked at him sternly.
Where IL your father?" he shot al
him, and threw leg over and vault
ed OF and flung the mares reins to
the lad. and swung into the great en-
try and through the open door into
the cottage.
Francois. though broken-hearted,
was but eleven, and II was proud
thing TO hold the seigneur's horse
and pleasant to see the spirited beast
paw the earth as he held her. He
was SO entranced with this occupa-
ton that he forgot his bruised life
and his lost career entirely. For Ar
teen minutes he forgot, and the other
children gathered around him, and he
ordered them away from the horse
and felt himself It's guardian and ali
important person, with complete sat
isfaction.
! And at that, out OF the house came
the seigneur big and black-browed
and solid Of tread, and with him that
broken-hearted father whose face re-
called all the tragedy.
Francois" his father spoke, NOR.
gently than ever he had spoken be-
fore, II have taken your future from
to give II back He wishes to make
you his child. Your mother consents
and II consent" His fathers arm
was about his neck The generals
abrupt voice took up the statement.
will you come and live with me
in the chateau. Monsieur the Mar
shal?" he demanded roughly, kindly.
II will treat you as a son--you shall
learn to ride horse and shoot gun
and be a soldier You shall fit your
self for the part which we know must
be played one day Will you conner"
Francois, staring up with his great
eyes stretched. was dumb. Just now
all that he had hoped for in life had
been snatched from him; more than
he had dreamed was now offered In
turn of the hand. For a moment It
seemed that heaven had opened and
miracle Of Joy come down: then 1t
flashed to his mind that this dazzling
gift had a price. He felt the toucn
of his father, the ruined, sorrowfui
father; he saw In the shadow Of the
entry his mother who listened; In
food he remembered their lifelong
love and his resolutions Of Ave min
utes ago-the hard life Of labor and
saving which he had planned for him.
self There IL no halfway with q
child. With a whole soul Francois
cast away the brilliant dream and
hardly felt an effort.
81 thank you a thousand times, my
Se.gneur," he answered with decision.
II can not go with you. l must stay
and work for my father and my
mother"
There was silence for minute IN
the sunshiny garden; the children
had wandered away; the men did not
speak; one heard only the mare
Lisette whom Francois held, who
stamped her light fosefoot and whin-
MED impatiently Then the generals
grave voice sounded, more gravely
than ever
Francois Beaupre, you own q fine
lad" he threw at the dropping pea
SAINT. II would like to have him for
mine. Since I can not, / shall try
at least to be his friend. Monsieur
the Marshal, It must be as you say.
But come to see me at the chateau
soon. l. shall have things to talk
over with you"
Little Francois. absorbed in admir-.
alton Of the easy way In which the
seigneur threw leg across the rest
less Lisette. wishing desperately that
he might learn to- ride such q horse,
was disconnected, as the dancing
brown feet cantered away. to feel his
fathers arms holding him suddenly,
closely, and wetnes son his cheek.
why are you crying, my father"
he asked wondering.
Three weeks later, of all the seven
children only Francois and the baby
were left with their father and moth
er. The others were portioned out,
one here. two there, among charit-
able uncles and aunts until the time
should come, II ever, when lie Fran
COTS should prosper enough again to
care for them all. He had rented q
small cottage at the other end of the
village, and Claire. in happy times a
quiet woman Of few words, had sud-
denly acquired pronounced gaiety.
The little feet Of her seemed always
moving about the poor place and she
sang at her work, which was q new
habit.
How can your" the elder Fran
co.'s asked one day, and she explain.
ed to him.
"A house without brightness might
as well not be-. In the other time
you we're cheerful always-at pres
you can not be, 30 do It for you.
With hope and work everything will
come right again. and dare not stop
hoping or working. / dare not let
grief take hold Of me. for II would
choke me. We have two children,
and we shall get back the rest. Do
not look backward. my Francois.
where there was joy. but forward.
where there will be Joy
And biv EranCofo hro,,v ht dc~vr IT.