South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-07
CONTINUED from ThursdayD
Copyright, The Bobhs- Merrill Company.

Continued from Thursday
Francois" his father spoke. more
gently than ever he had spoken be-
fore, Il have taken your future from
you, my son. The seigneur wishes TO
give it back. He wishes to make you
his child. Your mother consents
and consent" His fathers arm
was about his neck. The general :
abrupt voice took up the statement.
'Will you come and live with me in
the chateau, Monsieur the Marshal? -
he demanded roughly kindly. I
Will treat you as "A sOn-yOu shall
learn 10 ride a horse and shoot gun
and be a soldier. You shall fit your
self for the part which we know must
be played one day. VIII you come ?''
Francois staring up with his great
eyes stretched. was dumb. Just now
all that he had hoped for in life had
been snatched from him; more than
he had dreamed was now offered in
a turn Of the hand. For a moment it
seemed that heaven had opened and
miracle of JOY come down: then IL
flashed TO his mind that this dazzling
gift had a price. He felt the touch
of his father. the ruined sorrowful
father: he saw in the shadow of the
entry his mother who listened: in a
food he remembered their lifelong
love and his resolutions of five min
utes ago-the hard life of labor and
saving which he had planned for him
self. There is no halfway with a
child. With a whole soul Francois
cast away the brilliant dream and
hardly felt an effort
4 thank YOU a thousand times. my
Seigneur" ne answered with a decl-
sion. Il can not go with YOU. / must
and my father and
my mother"
There was silence for a minute in
the sunshiny garden the children had
wandered away; the men did not
speak; one heard only the mare Lis
cite whom Francois held, who stamp
ed her light forefoot and whinnied
impatiently. Then the generals voice
sounded. more gravely than ever.
Francois Beaupre. you own ilne
lad" he threw at the dropping peas
ant. " l would like. TO have him for
mine. Since I can hot, ! shaA try at
least 70 be his friend. Monsieur the
Marshal, il must be as YOU say. But
come 10 see me at the chateau soon.
1 shall have things TO talk over with
YOU
Little Francois. absorbed in admira-
ton OF the easy way in which the
seigneur threw a leg across the rest
he might learn To ride such a horse,
was disconnected, as the dancing
brown feet cantered away, To feel his
fathers arms holding him suddenly,
closely. and a wetness on his cheek.
Why are YOU crying, my father -
he asked wondering.
Three weeks later, of all the seven
children only Francois and the baby
were left with their father and moth
er The others were porttOned out,
one here. two there, among charitable
uncles and auuts until the time should
come, If ever, when lie Francois
should prosper enough again 20 care
Tor them all. He had rented a small
cottage at the other end Of the vii
lage. and Claire in happy times a
quiet woman OF few words. had sud
denly acquired pronounced gaie ty.
The little feet Of her seemed always
moving about the poor place ana she
sang at her work, which was new
habit.
How can you?" the elder Francois
asked onesday. and she explained to
him.
a house without brightness might
as we'll not be. In the other time YOU
were cheerful alWays-at present you
can not be, so / do il for YOU. With
hope and york @~prything viii come
right again. and ] dare not stop hop
ing OF working. / dare not let grief
take hold OF me. for il would choke
me. We have two children, and we
shall get back the rest. Do not look
backward, my Francois, where there