South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-11


4 believe so, indeed" said the gen
eraL He cares most to be with US
with her. An yes, I have no doubt
that he loves her. But why it goes
no farther-sapristi! II is beyond
me-thatl / would knock their fool
ish heads together. me-but that is
not convenient"
Does she love Pietro?"
Mon Dieu, How can a mere man
say that? She is a woman. DO not
know-not in the least, the general
exploded TO him.
but Pietro loves herr" Francois
asked again. his wistful smiling eyes
searching the generals face.
"Yes-I am sure Of Il"
And Francois smiled.
no one could help it," ne said half
20 himself.
In a day more little Battista came
into Francois cabin and put clothes
on him and wrapped him like a mum
my IN coats and rugs. and carried
him in his arms up on deck, and there
laid him In a hammock on the sunny
side OF the ship. And the salt air
blew on his face and he gulped 1t in,
and by and by Alike brought a chair
and sat by him and read to him. and
Francois lay quiet and wondered II
heaven could be any Improvement on
this.
Then. after while. the book lay
on the girls knee, and they fell TO
talking. She told him about his
mother and his father at the Ferme
du Val. and the brothers and sisters
grown up now, and some Of them in
homes OF their own. She told him
about Pierres new wife, who had been
Jeanne Courtois, Of Beaulieu. and how
much they all liked her, and how she
and Pierre lived at the farm and were
n HN4ea al taaF
Francois and Claire had gone.
About Tomas and his fine big shop
at DelesmOntes she told him, and how
little Lucie had married the school
teacher. and had pretty house IN d
street he knew well.
Then she told him about the ami
mals-how the great gay horses he
had known still drew the golden loads
Of hay in from the fields, with their
grandchildren drawing the next
wagon How the ducks in the pond
were hundreds now and were sent to
the market and made much money
for lie Francois. And how that old
gift OF his in choosing oxen was max
ing a fortune for him-only now he
never played cards coming home from
market day,-Or at any other time.
In fact, the gentle mother had made
one stern rule for her family-nO
one OF them ever played since that
time a game of chance.
And then Alike told Francois about
the castle. She told him about Jean
Philippe Nelson and his brazen curl
osity in staying 10 hear the prisoners
letter. and his address of thanks to
the Almighty when he knew that
Francois was alive And she told
him about little old COq-now an
aged horse of twenty-five years. spoil
ed and naughty, but yet beloved and
used only for his own health's sake;
k1uI my fn 20
for sugar and bUrrow his bold nose
into her coat pocket. snOrting impa-
tiently: and how he had thrown Moi
sons little girl over his mead two
months before as he used to throw all
of them.
So. on that long, bright, calm morn
ing at sea Francois lay in the ham
mock and watched the million little
waves glisten and break for unknown
miles over the sunlit water, and lis
tened TO the voice he loved best in the
world, as il told him of those others
whom he loved also. and of the places
dear TO him: and he wondered that
ne had indeed come through the long
nightmare of prison To this happiness.
Mr.. Hampton has been talking TO
me about Virginia; it must be a beau
tiful country" said Alike. Il should
love the free friendly life Of those
great domains. I believe L could
leave France and Nicques for such
a country as that, where there are
no political volcanoes on top of
which one must live. With us il is al
ways plotting and secrecy. Always a
war TO look back on or TO look for
ward to. I should like TO go TO Nir-
ginia''
But" said Francois. with his great
eyes glowing. "the war one now looks
forward TO in France viii De short
and glorious. And after that will be
peace, for there Will be a Bonaparte
ruling and that means strength and
good government"
How you believe in the Great
Captain and in his blood" and Alike
smiled down at the pale face on fire
with its lifelong enthusiasm.
lone must" said Francois simply
and paused. and went on. For me-
you know. Alike, how it is. How the
star Of the BOnapartes has always
seemed TO be my star, / believe that
I believe that my life is tied 10 that
house. Napoleon was more than hui
man TO my mind. and his touch set
me aside for his uses in my cradle
And made YOU a Chevalier,' Alike
considered. THAT was true accO-
lade. Francois. You would have a
right 10 that title under another
BOnaparte"
Il believe so, Alike"
And my father believes it. So you
must hurry and get we'll and come
hack 10 France and be fit for work