South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-20
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emperOr's words. His SOice shook.
Rise Chevalier Francois Beaupre,
one day a Marshal OF France under
another Bonaparte. he cried.
thrilled through with the words which
he repeated.
The girl leaning forward, watched
him: with a gasp she spoke. Then
that is why you are really Chevalier
Beaupre? Did the emperor have the
right to-tc knight you2"
"Put YES. Mademoiselle," Francois
answered with decision. Il have
studied the question, and I believe
that the accoIade-the knightng-
always n right OF the monarchs OF
France, disused, perhaps az times, but
yet held in allegiance, a right. My
family did not agree with me. My
father. who was very practical,
thought that IL was a mere joke OF
the emperor's-o If not a joke, then
a caprice which carried no weight
But the seigneur-the General Gour-
gaud, who was one Of NapOleon's OF
GERS. and others. Mademoiselle, be-
1ieve as / do. And to my mind II is
impossible that the emperor's WORD
should carry no weight There has
never lived on earth a man OF 50
enormous a force. and even the small
est acts of his were history. If the
emperor, ordained, then, that lit
tie child OF the people. a peasant.
should be a noble-why. IL was well
within his power-it was done. And
i am that child"
The glance Of his brilliant eyes
met hers with a frank calmness which
showed that he claimed nothing
which ne did not feel; that this hap
hazard nobility had lived in his soul
and grown with his growth. and come
TO be part OF him. With gentle
humility, very winning as IL sprang
from his gentle pride. he went on.
Il know, MademOiselle, that I am
n peasant and that L must be content
with a small place in life at the pres
ent. L know this. And even that po-
sition which / have is more than my
brothers. For you must know,
Mademoiseile, that the others grew
UP to be farmers and tradesmen."
He hesitated, and then in a few words
told her Of General Gourgaud, the
seigneur Of Vicques and how he had
given the peasant boy all the oppor-
tunities which his own son could
have had. And as he talked he re-
membered how, after his fathers
ruin. he had stod inside the bare, little
tie, new cottage and watched through
the window his mother standing at
the gate and talking to the Seigneur,
who held Lisette's bride. IL seemed
10 him he could see the dark braided
hair OF La Claire, coiled around her
head. and the deep point of her
white northumberland. as she stood
with her back to him, and the big
bow of the apron tied about her waist.
The picture came wildly. And IL
opened his heart so that he talked on,
and told this stranger in n strange
land many things that had lain close
and silent in his heart. He told her
about the generals gruffness, which
could not hide his goodness; and how
he had come to be the child OF the
castle as we'll as of the cottage;
something of Pietro also he told her;
but he did not mention Alike.
You spoke of three children, Mon
sieur; who was the third?" asked
Lucy.
Francois went on as if he had not
heard the question. cit was a happy
life. Mademoiselle. he said. And it
has been SO ever since-even, for the
most part IN prison. / have wonder
with such kind people as l have met,
or if il is just my good luck"
Lucy Hampton had been reading
aloud TO her sick black NANNY that
day and some OF the words OF the
book she had read came 10 her. and
seemed 10 At. THE kingdom Of God
is within you she quoted softly, to
Francois. Then she considered a mo-
Monsieur. would it be impertinent
for me TO ask you a question: per-
sonal question:
II think not, Mademoiselle," he
smiled at her.
She went on, hesitating a little.
Father was talking OF how Prince
Louis Bonaparte served. a few years
ago. with the Italian revolutiOnists.
] wondered if-if by chance you had
fought under him"
He shook his head. Il had not that
happiness. MademOiselle.
The heir OF che Bonapartes now
Is that Prince Louis Napoleon, is II
nOt2" she questioned.
Yes NademOiselle"
And ne made an attempt on the
city OF Trasburg, a few months ago,
and was tried for it-and all that
father talked about il so much I could
not help knowing little about it,
but / don't remember distinctly"
But certainly, Mademoiselle. 1t
was the prince"
Then. haven't they Just done some
thing 20 him? Isn't there something
people are interested in just now
about that Prince Louis %
The grave bright smile flashed out
at her. In truth. Mademoiselle,
there is. The prince was shipped by
his 1ailers on the frigate Andromede
more than four months ago. for what
port Is unknown. one has not heard
or him lately. and there are fears
that he may have suffered sh 'nwrock
But I do not fear. It is the hope OF
France. IL is Frances destiny which
the AndrOmeAe carries. Ii will carry
that great cargo safely. The young
prince will yet come 20 his own. and
land perhaps YOU Mademoiselle-
who knows2-will cry for him 'Vive
lEmpereur'i"
The tone OF feeling thrilled through
the girl. She flushed and stammered
as she went on. but Francois. carried
away by his enthusiasm. did not
think OF H. IF YOU viii let me ask
YOU just one question more. Monsieur.