The Detroit times., 1913-09-05


Just behind the great stone there.
Alike formulated. WAS the dogs bed
room. OF course, q great monsieur
| like the dog had his own bedroom
yes, and office, toO-and maybe his
dining-room'
And the joke was enough on that
lazy day OF vacation to set peals OF
light laughter ringing through the
ruins. Alike stopped laughing sud
denly.
who is that?" she demanded. Her
eyes were lifted to the hill rising be-
hind the green mound, and the glance
Of the others followed hers. A young
man, boy, was coming lightly down
the slope, and something in his figure
and movement made 1t impossible
even at q distance that 1t should be
any one of the village. Strangers
we're not common in quiet VicQues,
and why should stranger be COM
Ing over the mountain? The chill.
dren were silent as they watched the
figure drawing closer; 1t seemed as II
an event of importance was about TO
happen. Rapidly the boy sprang
down the mountainside; they could
see him plainly now: he was two or
three years older than the boys OF the
chateau; he was short. slender. COM
pact, with a thin aquiline face. with
something about him which the coun-
try-bred children did not understand
to be that subtle quality. presence.
He saw them, and came forward, ana
his cap was of quickly as he glanced
at Alike. But with a keen look at the
three. 1t was Francois to whom he
spoke.
rs this France?" he asked.
But yes, Monsieur" Francois an
swered wOndering-and in moment
he wondered more The strange boy
his cap flung from him, dropped on
his knees and kissed the grass that
grew over the Roman governors
foundations. With that he was stand
ing again. hooking at them unasham-
ed from his quiet gray eyes.
1T Is the first time / have touch
ed the soil of France since ] was
seven years DID," he stated, not as II
to excuse his act, but as II explaining
something historical. And was silent.
The children, going over this days
event many times after. could never
remember how It happened that they
had talked so much. The strange
boy talked very little; they could not
recollect that he asked questions, al.
ter his first startling question; yet
here was Alike, the very spirited and
proud little Alike anxious to make
him understand everything OF their
own affairs.
II am Alike" she began-and stop
ped short. seized with shyness. was
II courtesy to explain to the young
monsieur about her distinguished
father? Or was 1t Dragging? she
found herself suddenly In an agony
OF confusion. for all Of them were
laughing their quick young laughter
at her briel statement. 9Then the
stranger made low bow and spoke
in the gentlest friendly tones.
1T is enough. It Ia q charming
name, Mademoiselle Alike. l believe
| shall now think It the most charm
ing name in France"
And Alike, blushing furiously, yet
felt a satisfactory conviction that she
had not been at all stupid.
"She has more of name tnan that
however, Monsieur" and FRANCOIS
stepped across the grass and stood by
the little girl, her knight, unconscious
of the part ne played. 1T Is q very
grand name. the other one.
For our seigneur, the father OF
Alike. is Monsieur the Baron Gaspard
Gourgaud, a general Of Napoleon him.
self: he was indeed with the En-
peror at st. Helena
Francois had no false modesty, no
self-cons ciousness; he felt that ne
had placed Alixe's standing now In
the best light possible. The strange
boy felt 1t, too. 1t seemed. for he
started az Francois spoke OF Napo-
leon; his reserved face frightened
and his cap was OF and sweeping low
as he bowed again to Alike more deep
ly. Francois was delighted. It was
In him to enjoy dramatic effect, as
It IL In most Frenchmen. He faced
about to Pietro.
This one, Monsieur" he went on,
much taken with himself as master Of
ceremonies. lis Monsieur the Marquis
Zappi OF Italy. His father also fought
for the great captain"
The quiet strange boy interrupted
swiftly. II know" he said. "Of the
Italian corps under Prince Eugene;
also on the stan OF. Lannes. know
the name WELL" and he had Pietro's
hand IN nrm grasp and was looking
into the lads embarrassed face with
his dreamy keen eyes.
(Contlnued)
Vancouver. B. c., IL to have q new