The Detroit times., 1913-09-27
CHAPTER xxxviI.
(continuedp.

But all that Ia immaterial. / just
love you--that's the point" A moment
later she spoke again. Il want TO
finish telling you--and then We need
never speak OF II again. did think
you were--commonolace. And yet
knew In my heart yoi were not, for l
resented your seeming so. So | urged
you into danger. | wanted you TO be
q hero. had that echo OF school
girls romance about Francois In my
mind, and ! chung. all along, to the
idea that I loved him and that per-
haps he secretly loved me but would
not say II because he was poor and q
peasant; that he was waiting till his
future was made. Then, one day.
only the other day. he told me that
he had asked three wishes OF life
OF the good fairies he said One
was to make Prince Louis Emperor.
one was to be Marshal OF France:
the third" she stopped
What" Pietro demanded. his
mouth bit rigid
Alike flushed and smiled and took
Pietro's big hand and covered her
eyes with 1t. THAT should--love
yon, Monsieur. He said he had wish
ed that all his life"
May heaven grant him his wish. I"
said PietrO fervently and then, re-
necting. 1T seems strange wish for
Francois. You are sure, Alike"
Yes. he said So" Alike insisted.
Our dear Francois" she went on
softly, and the blue intensity of her
; eyes grew misty. Dear Francois,
she repe.ted. 1t is only he who could
have had those three wishes. The
single one that was for himself was
not because he cared for It himself,
but because II was the Emperor .
prophecy"
Il always thought" Pietro spoke
slowly, that II was not indeed for
himself that he wished to be Mar.
shal some day. but because II might
make him, In a manner, your equal.
II was for you"
For me-" Alike was astonished. {.
never thought of that | think you
thought OF it. Pietro, only because
you--cared for me-and thought Fran.
co.'s must care also"
Yes, / thought ne cared" Pietro
considered. II can not believe other
wise yet"
you may believe It," Alike was
firm. For he said that what he had
wished always was that I should
love you. ] did It mostly to please
Francois" she added serenely.
And Pietro's response to that was
apt. but not to be given here. The
minds Of these two happy lovers were
full of that third who had been so
close always. to each of them.
"Pietro," Alike spoke earnest, CON-
ing back to the same subject, You
know that I love Francois-of course.
But you do not know In what way. |
love him AZ II he were one OF this
saints--but also as II he were help
less little child. Yet not-Pietro-
as II he were--the man love. l
would give my life for him In rush
Of delight, II he needed 1t. But l
know now. whatever we're my vague
dreams IN past years. that II 10 not
In Francois to care for . woman - .
human man. Somehow, among all his
wonderful qualities that one thing
was left out. He never could have
cared for me 80 that-the touch OF
my hand counted, or--or 50 that all
other women should seem-~diRerent
think, indeed, that II some dear girl
should have loved him he might easily
have married her out Of pure friend
ship and gentleness, not knowing
what the real love of q man to
woman is like. That ID impossible
to him"
81 am not so sure" said Pietro,
and shook his head.
~You know / am not abusing our
Francois" Alike protested. why
Pietro, my father believes, and I be-
lieve, that II affairs should 30 happen
that he has his opportunity he may
yet be one Of the great characters IN
history My father says he ID mace
up Of inspirations. illuminatiom-and
limitations"
Yes" said Pietro thoughtfully.
HE has the faults Of brilliancy and
fearlessness. He Judges too rapidly.
II he were afraid ever-if he saw the
other side OF question ever, his
Judgment would be safer. It may
we'll happen that he will be one OF
the great men of Europe: II may also
happen that by some single act Of
ne will throw away
mia career-or his "'- God keep him
sase!" Pietro said simply.
And Alike echoed it-"God keep
him safe!" And then. II am going to
write him, Pietro about us. My father
knows where to reach him at Boulogne.
l am going to say jvst q word-that
what he has wished for all his life 10
true. It will get to him the night
before the battle"
Are you sure yow are right. Alixe?"
Pietro asked doubtfaIlly.
Sure" said Alike buoyantfy.
"Give him my lore, them" said Pie