The Yale expositor., 1914-01-29

And you must never care less, Alike |
never forget him because he has
gone away. He will come back" The |
boy spoke with effort, slowly, but
Alike was too much occupied with her
own tumultuous thoughts to notice
"He will surely come back and-be-
long tc you more than ever. He will
come back distinguished and covered
with honoTs, perhaps, and then-and
then-Alixe, do you see the chestnut
tree at the corner that turns to the
chateau? II is a good bit of soft road
we Will race to that tree-shall We?
And then ! will tell you something"
The horses raced merrily; Alike sat
close to the saddle with the light
swinging seat, the delicate hand on
the Bride, which were part of her
perfect horsemanship, and over and
over as he watched her ride Francois
said to himself:
IL will give my happiness for the
Seigneurs-I said il, and / will.
will be a friend to Pietro always
said it, and l will"
Over and over the horses flying feet
pounded out that self-command, and at
length the music of the multiplying
hoof beats grew slower, and with tight
ening rein they drew in and stopped
under the big chestnut. Alike was
laughing, exhilarated, lovely.
Wasn't it a good race? Didn't
they 20 deliciously?" she threw at
him. And then, I'VE will 20 around
by the Delesmontes Road; it Is only
three miles farther, and it is early
in the afternoon; there is nothing to
do"
Francois spoke slowly. "I am afraid
i must not, Alike. | am going to
the farm tonight"
ITO the farm!" Alike looked at
him in surprise. but you were not
to go over till tomorrow. My father
and will ride over with you. Have
you forgotten"
NO" said Francois, 81 have not for
gotten-no. indeed. But ! am going
away tomorrow, Alike"
Going away?" Alike turned sharp
". and her deep blue glance searched
his eyes. What do you mean, Fran
co.'s? And then, imperiously: Don't
tease me, Francois l don't like it,"
Francois steadied, hardened his face
very carefully, and answered: Il am
not teasing you, Alike. l did not tell
you before because" he stopped, for
his voice was going wrong-"because
l thought we would have our ride just
as usual today. / only knew about it
myself this morning. / am going to
Pietro."
"Going-to Petrol" Alike was gasp
ing painfully. "Francois-it is joke
tell me it is a poor joke. Quick!
J she ordered. 81 won't have you play
with me, torture mel"
ut is not a joke" The boys eyes
we're held by a superhuman effort on
, the buckle of the bridle-rein lying on
his knee. There was a letter from
Pietro this morning. The seigneur
wishes me to go. | wish to go. | &c
tomorrow"
Going tomorrow" The girls voice
was a wall. "You-taken away from
mel" Then in a fash: Il hate Pietro!
! He is cruel-he thinks only of him
/. |
} too. How can live without you
. Francois?" Then softly, hurriedly
, while the world reeled about the boy
sitting statue-ike in his saddle: II
: is lust as | said. You are as mucl
a part of my life as the air breathe
and you and my father and Pietro sal
quite calmly, The air is to be takeT
away-you must do without it
can not. will choke!" She pulled a
her collar suddenly, as if the choking
were a physical present fact.
No slightest motion, no shade o
infection missed Francois; still h
sat motionless, his eyes on the littl
brass buckle, his lips set in a line
without a word, without look towar'
her. And suddenly Alike, with anothe
quick blue glance from under her lon
lashes-Alixe, hurt, reckless, desper
ate. had struck her horse sharp blov
and she was in the road before him
galloping away.
He let her go. He sat quiet lon
time. AS she turned in, still gallon
ing. at the high stone gateway of tn
chateau, his eyes came back again t
the little shining buckle. 1t SCENE
the only thing tangible in a dream
universe of rapture and agony. Owe
and over he heard the words she ha
said-words which must mean-what
Had they meant II? Had he possibl
y. been mistaken? No-the utter happ
It ness which came with the memory c
If the soft hurried voice must mean tn
D. truth-she cared for him, and the
over and over and over he said. ha
Of aloud, through his set teeth:
lie Il said that would give my happ
1t ness for my seigneurs; ! said ths
e would be friend to Pietro; | will
- CTo BE cONTINUED)