The Detroit times., 1913-09-08
CHAPTER XIII.
(Continued).

Good" growled the general. You
will bear that In miI.d Wish 10 tell
you now OF an arrangement hope
which the Marquis Zappi and I had
| formed together. Ii was TO be the
crown of our friendship and Its per-
petuation; II was 10 have been our
happiness together: IL would bet
will be. II all goes well. the happiest
thing which could come to my life.
now that he is gone. Would you
break that hope and take that happi-
ness from me?"
Francois, startled. caught a quick
breath. My Seigneur. You should
not ask. You know | would give my
own happiness for yours"
The general glared at him. frown.
ing. I'VE shall see." he said again
and then-suddenly as shot from a
cannon-"Does Alike love you. Fran
cois?'
There was no mistaking what ne
meant, and Francois did not evade il.
| A ilame of scarlet crept In swift
diagonal across the warm brown OF
his boyish cheeks. hut his clear eyes
met the generals searching look
frankly. He hesitated q moment
II think not, M Seigneur,' he
answered liz a low voice.
l. The general drew In an enormous
sigh Of relief. Thank God" he said
devoutly, and then put out his haDd
and laid hold of Francois strong
lean fingers. My Francois. you are
dear az my own son; you know 1t.
You are next to Alixe-before Pietro
--ah, yes. much before Pietro. You
will understand II is not from any
lack OF affection that I put him be-
lfore you in this"
Francois. high-strung. deeply STIR
red, felt his hand throb suddenly In
the generals. and the general felt II,
boo
y Il am hurting you" the deep voice
said--and only one or two people IN
the world had heard that voice SO
full Of tenderness. Il am hurting my
son. But listen. Francois. Ii was the
dearest wish nj Pietro's father-it
has been my dearest wish for years
that. Alike and Pietro should one
day be married. II IL that which
would be the crown of a friendship
forged In the fires of haItleaelds, tem-
pered in the freezing. starving snow
fields OF Russia. fnished--I hope new
er finished in all eternity"
The generals great frame was
shaking; silence cut across his
speech. He went on:
Such marriage would carry on
ourselves. our friendship, and keep
it living thing on the earth long al
ter we had left. That thought ID
thrilling to me: II Is my greatest
wish. Do you see now why was
troubled when yesterday saw you.
In the garden. kiss Alixe's hand? ]
was afraid the child had given her
heart to you, and that my dream,
Alessandro's and mine"-he spoke
this as to himself-"mfght never be
trealized."
Francois, his head bent. his eyes on
the generals hand which held his. an
swered very quietly. Il see," he said
II forgot" the general went on, al.
most as II he were alone and were
talking aloud to himself Il forgot
they were not real brother and sister.
II was mad OF me. Such beauty as
my Alixe-sueh q wonderful lad az
my Francois. Yet I did not dream OF
the change till yesterday. have
gone through much since then. but,
thank the good Lord, 1t Is not too
late. She does not love him. II has
not gone further than what saw.
Francois? He fred the words at the
young fellow in his natural manner
again. You have not put ideas into
her head more than what saw"
mo, my Seigneur." The voice was
without infection; the look was still
on the big hand which held his own
fast.
You would not take her from Pie.
tro. who, am sure, loves herr"
Francois looked up sharply, but the
general did not notice. He spoke
slowly Il promised Pietros father
the boy seemed to be out OF breain
TO be Pietros friend-always. ne
said. .,...
The general smiled then and let
the fingers 60, and turned to the let
ter on the table before him. Good.
he said. "You are always what
wish. Francois" and It was quite EVIL
dent that the load was on his mind.
'"I am contented that no harm has
been done to either of my children,
As for you, however, you are twenty
You are full Of ambition and soiuier.
craft and politics and flghting-there
is small place left for love IN such a
boiling kettle OF nsh as you. II my
girl has touched your heart q bit. as
III looked yesterday the general
chuckled geRtly--"wsl, You. are
twenty-five wound will heal. he
.sla apped the. letter or the table. Il
must now have a long talk with you
ON an Interesting subiect--yourseh
The general was by this time IN
'hfgh good~ humor. "A spasnf- caught
the face of the boy and left it pale
but the general. busy at putting on
his spectacies, did not see. When ne
turned to look at. him Francois was
% "s"e'. s."e'.---------.@-----.--- ----...-----
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- - CHAPTER KIN - ---
WITH MHiI MY sout -
The genera1-swung. around Ia the