South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-31
Continued From Thursday
Copyright. The BobbsMsrrii Company.

continued From thursday
Francois considered. and. feeling no
fear in his soul, decided that he was
the man destined to take the key out
OF the dogs mouth and get the treas
ure, which he would at once transfer
intact TO his mother. He had no
need for treasure; there were things
more important. 1t was for him TO
become marshal Of France. NapOl-
con had said so; il must be so; but
he should like, on the way TO this
goal, to face the dog and take the key
and give his mother the treasure. He
knew she would like it, for he had
terday, "Ah Francois, If We had a lit
the more silver we could do that" 1t
would be pleasant TO arrange that for
his mother, and shortly after to be-
come a marshal Of France.
In the gaiety OF the thought, and
feeling both ambitions all but accom-
plished bv his decisio,., he lifted him
self on the palms of his hands and
kicked out lightly over the abyss. AS
he kicked there was a sudden strong
grip on his shoulder; he was jerked
backward and rolled on the grass.
Are you tired of life at this age
them" a strident voice demanded,
and Francois lay on his back and re-
garded, wondering, at ease, the bronx
over him. The two stared, and then:
You believe Yourself to be an eagle,
and you are on the point of flying?
Is that il? The abrupt Virile voice
threw the questions at him, and Fran
co.'s smiled sweetly. He knew this TO
he sarcasm, though he did not know
that name for il. and from the sweet
soundness of his soul the arrow OF
sarcasm slid off always as a glancing
brightness and left no poison. Fran
co.'s smiled: then laughed with aSsur-
ance of the others friendliness up in
10 the strange mans face. He got to
his feet and stood
mo. M'sieur," he said politely. Il
did not think myself an eagle. l was
only pleased at thinking what 1 am
going 10 be some day. Something
much better than an eagle and he
nodded with a confidence in the
strangers sympathy.
All" The deep strong voice seem
ed 10 be fired like a cannon-shot from
the ambush OF the bristling mustache.
I Great things are likely 10 happen TO
/ you, il seems then, you small peasant.
/ Is il permitted to ask what magnifi-
cence il is that you are TO be?''
Certainly II is permitted, Msieur,
Francois answered in his courageous,
courteous way. Il am one day TO be
I a Marshal of France, Msieur.'
! nt man. DiEs SolultA % ACooA =
and the little peasant boy, gentle,
/ hum bly, clad. unafraid, faced each
4 other a minute in silence. each inter
4 ested simply in the other as in new
| experience, each unconscious OF him
/ self and of the others interest.
! Then. "Ahi" the man said again
1 1T is a good business which you have
/ honored by your choice. You are
without doubt a close friend of his
! gracious majesty, King Louis Eigh-
I teenth, our ruler ?"
NO. M'sieur." little Francois has
| tened to set him right. Il am not OF
/ that party, M'sieur. Me. I am Bona
/ partist. I shall one day be a Marsha
/ OF France under another BOnaparte.
I The lads large eyes lifted and his
! gaze flOated away across the after
noon landscape as he quoted in a low
Tered voice the words which the en-
peror had spoken over him.
The stranger watched him. aston
/ ished, and then he laid his hand or
| the slim shoulder in it's homespuT
! blouse. and his grave voice was gentle
| My child, be careful how you say
words like those you may get youl
father into trouble. II is a good be
! lief 10 keep in ones heart, and yOl
| and / may vet shout 'Eive fEmper
| eur for a Napoleon again. Yes. an'
| you may be Marshal-who knows
( But keep your tongue inside YOU
teeth how: now is not the time 10 talk