South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-23

Prince Louis. in his dingy parlor at
the inn. looked at his visitor from be-
tween half-shut eyelids. and measu
ed him.. soul and body. He considered
the invitation for a silent moment.
This was one OF the great men Of the
country. The prince had already
heard his name and the name OF his
historic home. 1t was we'll 10 have in
fluential friends, more particularly as
no letter awaited him as he had hoped
from his uncle, Joseph Bonaparte.
with the American i~ntrOductiOns for
which he had asked. A visit of a few
days at this place OF Roanoke could
do no harm and might lead TO good.
i thank you very much, Monsieur
Il Colonel" he said %gravely, yet gre
ciously. You are most good TO de-
sire that / visit you. l will do so with
pleasure"
The people Of Norfolk were awake
20 the fact that an exiled prince had
suddenly dropped among them, and
when an aquiline-faced, fOreign-loOk-
Ing, small. young man rode out from
the city by Colonel HamptOn's side,
sitting his horse like an accomplished
cavalryman. more han one citizen
10 look with cOmprehending interest.
To a southerner ii would seem not out
Of proportion that the car OF Russia
and the mOnarchs OF England and
4 4 III HAAOuAu LOEGlntI WISH MS city
and in offering them his best he would
rest content as To their entertainment,
which IS surely the well-bred attitude.
So that the good people OF Norfolk
who stopped to gaze a moment at the
future Emperor OF France. the kins-
man OF one OF earth's greatest con-
querOrs, were not unduly impressed.
One and another lifted his hat and
bowed deeply 10 Colonel Hampton
with a smile OF approval. 1t was right.
IL was traditional. that the HamptOn's
OF Roanoke house should take charge
OF n distinguished stranger, and.
moreover, it was extremely pleasant
for the stranger. And impassive
Prime Louis. who appeared TO look
at nothing. missed neither the self
respecting interest OF the citizens in
himself, nor their prOfounder sense of
the Importance OF his host. Very lit
tie passed within range of those dull
gray eyes which was not filed away
for reference in the mind behind the
mask.
out they rode through the sun
lighted. wind-whipped country, doing
restfully through its last winter nap.
stirred already at the step of lively
April on the threshold. The air was
sharp, and nipped at the princes Ting
ers and toes. but il was e~Xhilaration
to be across a horse again. and the
exile'S spirit-the CaSe-hardened heart
os steel which failure and misfortune
never broke till il broke forever at
Sedan-grew buoyant. That some
thing about the outside Of a horse
which is good for the inside of n man
worked it's subtle charm on this fin
ished horseman and horse lover. and
he was gently responsive as the colo
mel talked fluently on.
It was Of his own affairs hat the
colonel talked. of his thousands of
- .-I.a1n nF ] nNraG hTG
methods. his crops, his tobacco, and
then Of his family and their history
here IN Virginia, and at last, most alb
sorbing topic OF all. ne talked o. him
self. He explained TO the prince how
Il was that he came TO speak French
SO well. and not a gleam IN the Luiny
gray gaze betrayed the princes opln-
ion. But a pause came in the stream
OF words, and Prince Louis
voice filled il.
Does it go happen, Monsieur lie
Colonel. that there is in these parts a
Frenchman of-Of instruction. man
whom I might use as a secretary /
shall have need tomorrow TO write
letters. Would you know of such a
man. Monsieur 1e COlOnel?'
Nothing pleased Monsieur le Colo
mel more than TO be master of the
situation. Most certainly, he an
ewered blandly and felt that the
prince IA 49, 1900
could find Colonel Hampton at a loss.
Most certainly. My daughters
French master would be the very Eel
low He is intelligent and well edu-
Gated. and what is more. he is a most
ardent adherent of your family,
prince. He has talked 10 Miss Hamp-
ton with such a vehement enthusiasm
that by the Lord Harry. L believe she
expects 10 see you fly with wings, sir
I believe she does" and the colonel
laughed loudly and heartily. 1t was as
good a Joke as he had ever made.
\ vague movement twisted the
muscles OF the princes mouth, but II
was a regretful smile. He was Won
dering IL the inn parlor would not
have been better thar this fine land
scape and good horse with Colonel
HamDton-s steady conversation. But
he had plenty OF French pol1tleness.
eft is good OF MademOiselle 10 give
me her favor" he said g~raciouSly.
'AIademoiselle is young-a little girl
Hobo, Not at all, Far from II.
YOu'n find IL dangerous 20 say Jhat
90 Miss Hampton herself. prince.
She would most likely answer some
thing saucy 10 convince you or her an
|tiouity. Sixteen she Is. and our
southern girls mature young. Accord
ing 20 my fancy she Is OF a marriage
able age. and ] will tell you in conf
dence. sir. what I would not tell every
man nave selected the man she Is
10 marry"
All" the prince murmured. Ger
tainly the inn parlOr would nave beeh
better than condolences. And then, as
the %colonel's air seemed TO demand