The Detroit times., 1913-09-18

pc captain! ne snot at the Otner DOt-
ishly.
And with that Francois arm was
about his shoulder again as the two
stood together, and Francois was
laughing. But yet" he said. Il
should like II. That Is a secret" His
face was brilliant with laughter You
only may know, my Henry, that | am
vain-ah, very vain" he repeated
sadly. Never tell IL. love titles
and honors and importance. like to
De called CEevalier-though indeed
that is my right" he added with a
quick touch OF dignity. And | should
like very much to be captain OF this
company OF fine young men,. the now
ers-does one say?-of the South
But 1t is not best" lie held up his
forennger and looked enormously
worldly-wise. mo. You would not
mind; the young messieurs would
not mind, perhaps--but the fathers
ali, the fathers." He threw back his
head and gazed at the ceiling with
eyes of horror. Then with q start
and a hand flung out. And the moth
ers. Mon Dieu But the mothers,
Henry! They would make-what you
call it--a hell OF q time. Is it mott"
Harry roared with Joy at the terri
| ned whisper. But | have neither
father nor mother" he suggested.
"Ah. Henry" argued Francois with
deep satisfaction, In his tone. that
makes you so suitable"
"Suitable?" inquired Henry.
But yes, my friend. II kills jeai-
ousy. All Is grist. one says, that
| comes at your mill All Is fathers,
all IL mothers to the poor orphan
and besides that, there IL Monsieur
the Colonel. One sees that the uncle
OF the captain will be contented. And
whom should | wish to content but
my first host, my frst benefactor in
this land? | believe, indeed, he
would be displeased II | should take
the place. believe he IL not salts
fed OF my birth"
And beneath the nonsense of Fran
co.'s, Henry could but acknowledge
the clear-sighted logic So 1t happen
ed that Henry Hampton became cap
tain OF the Jefferson troop, to the en-
tire satisfaction OF all concerned.
Yet Colonel Hampton, who had the
unconquerable clinging Of a weak
character to post-M ortems, could not
resist barking back to the possibility
which had offended him. He did not
like to cross swords again with Har-
ry on the subject, having found that
young persons blade heavy; so he
went to his daughter. That tiny ex.
ccutive person with basket OF
big keys. which. to a southern house
keeper. is more than a badge, came
out on the shady gallery where the
colonel sat In immaculate linen, for
the day was like August, and slipped
mint julep made OF the tender
leaves Of second growth OF the mint
bed. made of sugar ground with mint,
OF ice powdered fine in a napkin, of
Bourbon whisky poured In to the top
OF all. The frost on the silver cup
stood like snow-drift; the fresh
mint spears lifted In stiff ranks
above; II was beautiful julep; one
would have thought the colonel could
not be Querulous with such q bou-
quet In his hand But the colonel was
allowing himself to be irritated.
Young Allen Fftxhugh has just
been here" he began and his daugh
ter knew from the tone that some
thing was wrong.
Eyes. | saw him. He and Harry
have ridden to Carnifax."
Those lads talk great nonsense"
growled the colonel.
Yes" Lucy agreed Il like to hear
them
Il don't" With that the colonel
brought his fist down on his chair
arm, and jOggled the beautiful julep
and spilled some Of 1t on his white
linen trousers. Lucy laughed. The
colonels temper was not improved.
'Pernicious nonsense they talk
About this absurd young Chevalier,
as they call him-though where he
got his title | can not guess"
What about the Chevalier?" Lucy's
blue eyes were serious.
oh, about his virtues and his
charms" the colonel grumbled vague
ly. And about his undoubted right
to have been captain of the troop and
his fine spirit In refusing. A pest!
AS II he dared accept! As II we vir.
ginians would see q common peasant
set over our children"
There was a complete silence on
the broad, shady gallery for a mo-
nent. The breeze rustled in the i've
oak trees and went on beyond as II
light.footed ladies In silk petticoats
had slipped past. Out at the cabins
one heard two Negro women singing
In rich voices:
Nellie was q lady
Last night she died.
The women sang far away. Bees
hummed In the garden. The colonel
slipped at his mint-julep.
Then Lucy's soft falling voice
spoke very clearly: II think the boys
are right. father. | agree with them
That the Chevalier showed a fine
spirit"
The colonel turned angrily. You
don't understand what you are talk
ing about he shot at her peevish-
ly. II am astonished at you. Lucy!
You--a lady--a Hampton, to encour-
age this man of low birth, who has
worked his way into our society,""
But Lucy answered him quite cas-
lily. quite firmly. You know you don't
believe that. father. You know he
has not worked his way among US.
but that everybody has been delight.
ed to welcome him in Why, you like
him, fatLer--you are as friendly to
him az any one when he comes here"
The colonel looked worried. oh
friendly--of course. In my own
house. And besides. society has &C.
cenfQd him. he In n manner NJ ccle-