The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-09-06
CHAPTER Kill.
The Promise.

The Promise.
"MLn dieu!" said the general.
II was six years later. At the new
chateau not blade OF grass seemed
changed. The general stood In the
midst of close-crOpped millions OIL
blades Of grass as he stopped short
on the sloping lawn which led down
to the white stone steps which led
to the sunken garden. AT each side
OF the highest step lifted a carved
stone vase. blazing in the September
afternoon with scarlet geraniuras.
and garlanded with vines. At the
foot of the steps stood two more
vases. and at each side of the gravel
ed path, ribboned wit ha long flower
bed. at even intervals OF thirty feet,
another stately pair of them-the gray
stiff vases spilling intoxicating bright
ness Of red flowers. They led the eye
down q line till, q hundred yards
away, the line broke into circle OF
where sun-dial set on a fantastic
stone figure OF a satyr marked the
center Of a grass plot. Massive stone
seats held up by carved crOuching
toCCO CdCu OtuCI 0SIObS tuO
sun-dial; on one OF these. In the sunny
stiffness of the garden, sat girl and
young man. Alike, in her riding
habit, with a feather IN her hat, and
gauntleted gloves on her hands, was
80 lovely as to be startling. She
looked at the ground. half shy, half
laughing, and beat the grass with her
riding-whip. Francois was leaning
toward her and talking. and the gen.
eral, coming slowly down the lawn,
felt food OF pride rise in him as
of boy which he. had done so much
to fashion. The two had been riding
together. and Francois appeared, as
most men do, at his best in his rid
ing clothes. With that. as the gen.
eral marched slowly down the velvet
slope. unseen by them. regarding them
his girl and his boy this happy sis
ter and brother-with that the broth.
er lifted the sisters hand and. bend
over 1t, kissed 1t slowly, in a manner
unmistakably unbrotherly.
Mon dieu." gasped the general,
and turned on his heel and marched
back to his library.
Ali tina tafternoon he stayed shut
up In the library. At dinner he was
taciturn
well then, father" Alike said at
last. after the two had tried every
subject in vain to make him talk.
1T will be necessary now to buy all
the berries that are grown for ten
miles around"
Berries" growled the general. be-
wildered.
Surely"
why berries?" ferociously.
Al-e loked up at hi minnocently
isn't II berries which big bears live
on? Or yill you eat us. my father,
when you have bitten o,ir heads of
and torn us to pieces?
And the general, when he had been
betrayed into a laugh. sighed deeply
and got up from his chair, dinner not
being over, and stalked back to his
library. Never had such a thing hap
pened
what IL IT." Alike asked OF Fran.
co.'s. HE IL not ill--he told US that.
Have you done something. you wicked
sinful boy, to trouble him?"
Francois shook his head thought
fully. II can not think OF anything"
he said, and his eyes met hers truth
fully. But we shall know soon. He
ID az frank as q child; he can not
keep a grievance from the people he
loves"
Which was true Judgment, Cor
the next morning the general sent
for Francois to come to him In the
library. A letter had been brought
q short time before and was lying
open on the table by his hand.
Francois began the general in
his deep abrupt tones. II am in
trouble. Will you help me-"
Yes, my Seigneur." said Francois
quickly.
IF 1t means a sacrifice to your.
self?'
"Yes. my seigneur." Francois an.
swered.
I'VE shall see." The generals
strong lips were set and he said moth
ing more for q moment. but gaxed
thoughtfully at the letter which lay
under his big outspread fingers. AT
length, You remember Pietro's faith.
er, the Marquis Zappir he demanded.
Surely. my Seigneur"
"You remember the story I once
told you how he saved MY life in
Russian"
II have never forgotten H."
You realize that he was dearer to
me than any man on earth
II have always believed II so.' said
Francois.
IN (contInusd) W.