The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-09-24

OF the chateau OF VicQues. And gag
ing so, he saw Pietro ON old Capt.
taine. turn from the shady avenue OF
the chestnuts and ride slowly TO the
house. With that he heard his moth
ar greeting Pietro below In the great
kitchen. then the two NOTES.-THE
deep one and the soft one-talking
talking. q long time. What could his
mother and Pietro have to talk about
SO long? And then Pietro's step was
coming up the narrow stair. and he
was there. In the room.
Francois" Pietro began In his di.
rect fashion, Il think you must 90
back to Virgins" nv
Francois regarded him with start.
led eyes, saying nothing. There was
a chill and an ache In his heart at the
thought OF yet another parting.
Pietro went on. Il have q letter
from Harry Hampton. The place
needs you; the people want you. and
Harry and Miss Hampton say they
will not be married unless you come
TO be best man at the wedding.
1 Francois smiled. Pietro went on
again. Moreover. boy. Francois
you are not doing well here. You are
too useful; but you are not At. You
must get away for another year or
two. Then you will be we'll and per
haps by then the prince will have real
work for you. And you must have
strength for that time. Your mother
says I am right" With that his
mother stood In the doorway, regard
Ing him with her calm eyes. and nod
ded to Pietro's words. So 1t came
about that Francois went back short.
ly TO Virginia.
On the day before ne went he sat
In the garden Of the chateau with
Alike, on the stone seat by the sun
dial where they had sat years before
when the general had seen him kiss
the girls hand. in that unbrotherly
way which had so surprised him.
Alike" said Francois, Il am going
to the end Of the world"
mot for the flrst time." Alike an
swered cheerfully
Perhaps for the last" Francois
threw back dramatically. 1t Is hard
TO have ones best-beloved discount
ones tragedies. And Alike laughed
and lifted q long stem Of spring
flower which she held In her hand
and brushed his forehead dslicately
with the distant tip of 1t.
Smooth out the wrinkles, do no,
frown: do not look solemn; you al
ways come back, Monsieur the Bad
Penny; you will this time. Do not
be melodramatic. Francois"
Francois. listening to these sane
sentiments. was hurt, and not at all
inspired with cheerfulness. Alike,
he said-and knew that he should not
say it-"there Is something | have
wanted all my life-all my life"
els thereY inquired Alike in com
complace tones. "A horse, par exem
ple?" He caught her hand, disregard
ing her tone; his voice was full OF
passion and pleading DO not be
lheartless and cold today. Alike. deal
Alike. am going SO far. and my very
soul 10 torn with leaving you-all"
1t takes no more than a syllable, an
infection at times. to turn the course
Of a life II Francois had left his sen
tence alone before that last little
word: II he had told the girl that his
soul was torn with leaving her, then
It is hard to say what might have hap
pened. But-"you all'-he did not
wish then to have her think that II
meant more to leave her than 70
leave the others. Alike readjusted the
guard which had almost slipped from
her, and stood again defensive.
(Continued.)