South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-29
Continued From Saturday,

Continued From Saturday,
Lucy's hand in his stiffened but
yet she did not draw it away. Fran
co.'s had not begun the way a lover
begins-she felt that surely-but-it
was Francois. What faithfulness and
truth there was in any one answered
always to the truth and faithfulness
of this man. In Lucy Hampton there
was much of both; she left her hand
lying between the strong hands OF the
man who did not love her.
In as few words as might be- he
told her of the peasant child who had
been lifted out of his poverty bound
life with such large kindness that no
bond which held him to that poor,
yet lear life had been broken; who
had been left all the love OF his first
home and yet been given home and
a training and an education which
set him ready for any career; he told
OF the big-souled, blunt, Napoleonic
officer the selgneur; Of the gray, red
rooted castle, with its four round
towers; of handsome silent Pietro,
and OF the unfailing long kindness OF
them all. Then, his voice lowered.
holding the girls hand STILL he told
her OF Alike, Of the fairy child who
had met him on that day OF his first
visit and had brought him 10 her
father, the seigneur. He described a
little the playmate OF his childhood.
fearless bOyish in her intrepid cour-
age. yet always eXquisitely a girl. He
told Of the long summer vacations of
the three as they grew up. and the
rides in the Jura valley. and OF that
last ride when he knew that he was to
go to Italy next morning, and of how
he had faced the seigneur and told
him that he loved his daughter and
had given her up then. instantly, for
loyalty to him and to Pietro. And
then he told her of the peasant boy in
Riders Hollow in the gray morning
light after the night of his escape
and how, by hand on the bride and
seat in the saddle. and at last by the
long curl of the black lashes he had
known the peasant boy for Alike.
Lucy Hampton. listening. was so
thrilled with this romance OF a life
long love that she could silence her
aching heart and her aching pride
and could be-with painful sick eff
fOrt-but vet could be. utterly gener-
Gus. There is no midway in such a
case between entire selfishness and
entire selflessness. The young south
ern girl, wounded, shamed, cruelty
hurt IN vanity and in love, was able
TO choose the larger way, and taking
IT, felt that sharp JOY of remuneration
which is as keen and difficult to
breathe and as sweet in the breathing
as the air of a mountain-top Tremb-
ling. she put her other little hand on
Francois hands.
81 see" she said and her voice
shook as She smiled mistily. but very
kindly. You could not love any one
but that beautiful Alike II would
not have YOU
And Francois bent hastily. with
tears in his eyes. and kiss the warm
little hands. The uncertain sliding
voice went on
Il am not-ashamed-that l said
that-to you. / would not have said
it-nor for worlds. Thought you
We're killed. didn't know what
said. But l am not ashamed. l am
glad that lam enough OF a person
20 have knOwn-the finest things
and"-her voice sank and she whis-
pered the next words over the dark
head bent on her hands-"and 10
have loved them. But don't bother.
l shall-get over H."
The liquid tones choked a bit on
that and Francois lifted his head
quickly and his eyes famed at her.
"Of course you Will, my dear little
girl. my brave Mademoisene II is
not as YOU think; IL Is not serious.
mon annie. IL is only that your soul
is full OF kindness and enthusiasm
and eagerness TO stand by the un-
lucky. / am alone and expatriated .
I have had a little OF misfortune and
you are sorry for me. 1t is that. All,
I know I am very old ana wise. me.
III would never do" he went on. The
nOblesSe Of Virginia would rise in q
revolution il IL should De that the
princess Of Roanoke House gave her
heart 10 a French peasant. ] am
come TO be a man OF knowledge"
! And he shook his head with as world
| ly-wise an expression as II one ~
Guido Rents dark angels should talk
politics. He went on again. smiling
a little. an air OF daring in his man
ner. Moreover. MademOiselle Miss
Lucy. there is a fairy prince who
awaits only the smallest sign from
you"
Lucy smiled. No. she said. And