The Detroit times., 1913-09-09
CHAPT Err XIV.
(Continued).
what" asked Alike.

to ask that! You know as well as
that Pietro Ia a Bayard-without fear
and without reproach. He is un-
changing as the ocean-he Ia tn be be-
lieved In his slightest word. You
know that II would be commonplace
for Pietro to be killed rather than
play false to the smallest trust. He Is
a fanatic OF reliability
You make him out a slow worthy
person. said Alike. and drew up the
horses bride. you can respect
man with all those sterling qualities,
but-he isn't very-dashing to be like
that Is he? like a man TO have
initiative--some gift OF leadership"
Francois looked at her sternly.
"Dashing Initiative! DO you re-
member. Alike. what il is that Pietro
has done? Do you realize that Italy
is In the stress of a desperate strug.
gle for liberty? That a forlorn fight
against the power OF the Austrians Is
on her hands, and that Pietro went
back at lS to take his part with the
patriots? DO you realize what dan
ger that means? Danger not only OF
death. but of worse, OF years of i'm.
prisonment In some dungeon. Noble
men of higher rank than Pietro are
living In chains there now II Is our
playmate Pietro who is facing this
Pietro, who has breathed the free air
and ridden with us through this val
ley for 80 many years. He realizes
1t. He went with his eyes open. His
family are marked; he will be lead
or against the Austrians; he will be
one OF the first to be punished II the
AuStrians conQuer--and they are very
strong. He went back to Italy to a
lonely life. to q life OF intense effort
and activity and danger. as quietly as
II he were going back to school. And
you. you whom Francois stopped
and went on-"you whom he loves
better than any one in the world
wrong him"
BY now Alike was half sobbing.
How horrid you are, Francois, You
jump at conclusions. You are not the
only person who cares for Pietro. |
do not wrong him--riot in my
thoughts. abused him to you on
purpose. wanted to see what you
would say for him. One does that.
go really cares---foT peYs El.s,
mas the right Its is not dis;os 4ny =
| could abuse my father--I could SAY
ans horrid thing chose, and not
word, not shadow of thought
would be disloyal. because love him
SO that II would all be nothing COM
pared to that. I know Pietro Ia
brave; | know he has gone into dan
GERS IL SO very bad Francois? But
Il am irritated often with Pietro-
because you are always the hero. II
Is always you who do the brave thing.
and IL Is easy for every one to--to
adore. you. Francois. You seem only
to smile at person and they--they
care for you. And Pietro Is just
quiet and reliable. 1t isn't fair for
you 10 have-everything." There were
tears in her eyes now. and q culver
In her voice. and the last word was
punctuated by an indignant sob.
"Alixe--dear." then Francois stop
ped. you need not be afraid that
shall have more than Pietro,' he be-
gan uncertainty. For it Is not going
to be SO. He will have what--what
would give my life for Then he
hurried on. IL see how It is he
said gently. land you are right to
care so Loyalty for Pietro, He Is
worth II. And you must never care
less. Alixe-never forget him because
he has gone away. He will come
back" The boy spoke with effort,
slowly. but Alike was too much occu-
pied with her own tumultous thoughts
TO notice. He will surely come back
and-belong to you more than ever.
He will! come back distinguished and
covered with honors. perhaps, and
then---and then--Alixe, do you see the
chestnut tree at the corner that turns
to the chateau? IL il a good bit OF
goft road--we will race to that tree.
shall we? And then | will tell you
something"
The, horses sprang into canter and
then gallOp, and stretched their
legs and fiattened down into a sharp
run. The girl and the boy were flying
side by side through the mellow land
scape the gray towers and red roofs
Of the chateau were In the distance;
the little Cheulte lay to tn eright, its
pools like a string OF quicksilver beads
spotted on the fields: the mountain
of the Rose, calm and enormous and
dark, lifted out " the country to the
left Many time In the six years TO
come Francois saw that picture and
felt the vibrating -air-as- they rushed
through IT, He had strained his very
soul to talk at length as he had OF his
rival, vi UiS lIiCuu, iCit Dim oAO
exhausted from the effort: now he
must tell her that he was going to-
morrow. and he must not let word
or q look tell her that he loved her.
The horses raced merrify: Alike sat
close to the saddle with the light
swinging seat the delicate hand on
the bride, which we're part Of her
perfect horsemanship, and over and
over as he watched her ride Fran
co.'s said to himself
IT will give my happiness for the
seigneur's--I say 1t, and will. will
be a friend to Pietro always said
IS 1t. and I Will"
Over and over the horses flying feet
pounded out that self-command. and
at length the music OF the multiplying
hoof beats grew slower. and with
Tightening rein they drew in and STOP
ped under the big chestnut. Alike
was laughing. exhilerated, lovely.
Wasn't IL a good race? Didn't they
20 deliciously?" she threw at him.
And then, I'VE will go around by the
Delesmontes road; IL Is only three
miles farther. and II Is early In the
afternoon: there is nothing to do"
Francois spoke slowly. Il am
afraid must not. Alike. am going
to the farm tonight"
.sTo tbo farm =" Alive Looked Mt him