The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-05-29

Virginia. He could not 60 himself.
for he was In close connection with
the work of italian patriots outside
and inside of Italy; with Mazzini in
london; with others in other places
And he did not know anyone whom he
could send.
SO the matter stood when the big
little Battista had brought Francois
letter to Vicques And when Alike had
appealed to him to take Francois lib
Grafton on his shoulders, with the
thought of the secret passage and the
vaguely outlined plan of escape had
come to him the recollection of Col
onel Hampton's letter and the long sea
voyage to Virginia.
/ So when Mr.. Henry Hampton landed
at Calais, tall and very handsome
and very silent young man took quiet
possession of him and told him that
he was the Marquis Zappi and that Mr..
Hampton was to go with him to the
chateau of Vicques in the Jura There
was a certain gentle force about this
| young marquis which made opposi-
| ton to his expressed wish something
like banging ones head against a
stone wall. Mr.. Henry Hampton had
planned going direct to Paris, but he
| went to Vicques. And on the journey
down the Marquis zappi opened out
a plan which richly rewarded him for
his pliability. Mr.. Hampton had some
what clearer ideas on Italian politics
than his uncle; he knew enough to de-
i tvsr
sympathy for the long. horoic, losing
| fight-so far losing-of those devoted
men who were counting their lives as
nothing for united Italy. The scheme
of helping to rescue prisoner out of
an Austrian fortress was an adventure
such as made his eyes dance. Mr..
Hampton was twenty-one and full of
romance. romance as yet ungratified.
So, Pietro told Francois, this long ex-
PLANTATION over the Lovely Lucy was
anchored at an unimportant island out
side the port for which they were
bound, and Francois and the others
were to go on board and set sail
promptly for some port of France.
There the general, Alike, Pietro and
little Battista were to be put ashore.
and Francois was to sail across to Vlr-
GINA with Mr.. Hampton and take pos
session for Pietro of his American es-
| tates.
Francois, lying in bed with his eyes
glowing like lanterns, listened. But
as his friend finished he broke out.
with sharp pain in his voice.
"Pietro! want to see my mother"
i And Pietro was silent, laying quiet
hand over the unsteady one. Without
word he sat so and let the sick man
think. The line Of red which came
| into the pale cheeks told that he was
thinking intensely, and at last, with
shivering sigh which went to the
others heart:
| you are right, Pietro," he said. st
is wonderful plan for broken man.
1t is like you to do everything right
without word said. The sea voyage,
the healthy life in Virginia-that ought
to make a man of me again soon.
ought 1t not, Pietro?"
Pietro could not speak as he looked
at the wrecked figure, but he nodded
cheerfully.
las for your place, I'll have that in
order in month. and in year it will
be model for Virginia: and then I'll
come home"
Pietro smiled.
Come home and fight for the
princeton our Prince Louis Do you
remember that afternoon at the chau-
teau, Pietro, and the strange boy and
how he fascinated us and how" the
weak voice stopped at every syllable,
but slipped on again cheerfully. The
familiar charm of the boy Francois
was strong as he talked. "And how he
was not to be frightened by any dan
ger of an old wall" and Francois
stopped, smiling
And how you saved him." Pietro
added.
That was a chance" said Francois
quickly. but, Pietro, do you remem.
Der how Alike turned on you, because
l had done it? Droll little Alixe!"
She always scorned me because
was not wonderful like you, Francois.
You were always the hero" Pietro said
gently, and pressed the skeleton hand
under his own.
/ Francois eyes blazed up at him then
as they had done so often in boyhood.
Not that, Pietro You do not under
stand. 1t was because Alike wished
always to see you first was older
and had certain quickness-she
wanted you to have my poor facility as
we'll as all of your own gifts"
| Pietro smiled his kind quiet smile
MY Francois, have no gifts. And if
Alike is more proud of you it is right,
for you are a pride to all of us and
am the last to grudge one particle of
honor or love to you. Francois
Pietro's deep voice stopped, and then
he went on in his straightforward, sim
pie way-"Francois, it is not possible
for me to tell you how glad am to
have you, my brother, back from the
dead"
I