Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1913-12-24

commune with this child and feeling
awkward and Ill at ease with the per-
feet novelty of his situation.
'Yes. monsieur. There is also Ole
Bull and Paganini."
VERY nice. ! am sure. May I walk
along with you. sir. to Signor Prati's?"
"Yes. monsieur. II you will. They
have these names because. grandmam-
ma says. their singing-at night. you
know. in the garden-is much like the
way my violin cries when | punish it
with my bad playing"
II see" Mr.. Van Zandt found the
little French boy adorable and enter
tanning both. And your grandmam-
ma is your playmate? For an old lady
that is remarkable. sir"
"Oh. monsieur The lads round
eyes opened to their widest. Grand
mamma is o old. not at ALL" he
laughed a little. "Oh. but no! You
should see her play with Paganini:
Figure to yourself. monsieur. She
runs for him with a ball and string
quite like ! do"
'ls 1t possible?" MI. Van Zandt's
imagination tool shape with the old
lady In the rocade and kerchief trip
ping somewhat stiff1y for the edifica-
ton Of the pussy cat and the boy.
And what is your name. sir. may l
ask"
The child looked at the man askance.
with the unconscious appraisal OF
childhood. Then he answered frankly.
"Pierre de la Quereau. monsieur"
Pierre" repeated Mr.. Van Zandt
with a smile.
"Yes. monsieur. For the English, it
is Peter. Grandmamma calls me Peter
sometimes. Monsieur my father was
the Marquis de la Quereau, but grand
mamma says there are no marquises
here"
And your father" - Why did Peter
Van Zandt question this stranger lad?
No matter: he did.
The child raised his cap from his
head and stood still. "Is gone. mon
sieur. to look for my mamma" His
bonny eyes were gazing up, up into
the clear blue of the November sky.
Mr.. Van Zandt took OF his hat, and
for a moment the two stood barehead-
ed. silent. in the leaf strewn walk of
the old parade ground.
'You ard madame. your grandmam-
ma, then. are ali alone, sir"
Yes, monsieur. except the cats"
Except the cats? Would you like
me to call you by your title flor the
title is yours. sir, in this country as
well as In France"
mo. monsieur" He shook his head
vehemently, and Mr.. Van Zandt's face
expressed the query which his lips did
not frame. The lad felt this. He was.
to be sure. but a young lad, only sew
en- or 50. but perhaps %precocious from
always having lived with grownup
people.
1T Is like this. monsieur. There is
grandpapa." He spoke softly, tenderly.
"Ah. you have also your grandpapa.
That Is good"
The little boy shook his head as Wig
orously as before. But, no, monsieur.
we have not. He was an American
gentleman. both Of him. One Of him
Is also gone away" Again the child
looked up; again both man and boy
barred their heads for a moments ST.
lence. THE other one l have not seen.
He was an American also. Grand
mamma has his picture. I ~think"-he
spoke with a doubtful emphasis-"in a
gold frame around her neck. don't
know. but ! am to be as they were.
monsieur-an American" He took a
long breath. resting after the many
words his unaccustomed lips had
spoken. Childhood Is ~staccato. and he
was tired with the continuity.
II see. sir. This Is Cottage place.
Do we turn In here?"
"Yes. monsieur. Signor Pratt will be
In the little balcony waiting. Hark!
You hear him playing on bis violin. SO.
That is very beautiful when n Is the
master of 1t. but l! The violin Is the
master Of me-"
ut is a difficult instrument" Mr..
Van Zandt was almost accompanying
the child to the gate OfINo. II.
''Monsieur. II You do not make It
your slave It shrieks and bowls and
makes crazy everybody near it."
Peter regarded the boy. He was a
strange boy. he thought. But perhaps
all children were odd. Peter did not
know.
"Will monsieur then enter and see
Signor Prati?" His small hand vas OF
the latch.
mo, sir; no. 1 thank you. l must be
getting down to my Office"
The same thought was in the mind
Of each. Why did not monsieur" tell
his name to the child? Van Zandt felt
his own breach Of etiquette. but
not as keenly rs the boy felt it. There
was even an %expectant, hesitant pause
at the wicket, then the man put out
his hand and said. Il hope to meet
you soon again. sir" Forty-seven has
innumerable reservations.
And the lad said. disappointed. but
gallant:
SsC~-l -r~.v ~n~~3ca thanh