Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-07-16

that Louis"
Louis. Louis!" the general growled
In repetition, staring sternly at the
slim figure which faced him. You
happen to remember, Francois, that the
lad whom you call Louis so easily nay
one day be emperor Of France?"
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PROMISE.
Mon dieu!" said the general.
1t was six years later. At the new
chateau not a blade Of grass seemed
changed. The general stood in the
midst of cl-oss-cropped millions of
blades of grass as he stopped short on
the white stone steps which led to the
sunken garden. At each side Of the
highest step lifted a carved stone vase,
blazing in the September afternoon
with scarlet geraniums, n garlanded
with vines. At the foot Of the steps
Of the graveled path. ribboned with a
long flower bed, at even intervals of 80
feet, another stately pair Of them-the
gray stiff vases splitting intoxicating
brightness Of red flowers THEY led
the eye down a line till, 100 yards away,
CIlG lOl0 DIOho l1lkO b CiEClc NIlClo
sun-dial set on a fantastic stone figure
of a satyr marked the center Of a
grass plot. Massive stone seats hold
up by carved c%rouching griffins faced
each other across h sun-dial; on one
Of these, in the sunny stiffness of the
garden. sat a girl and a young man.
Alike, in her riding habit, with a
feather in her hat, ard ga1ntleted'
gloves on her hands, was SO lovely
as to be startling. She looked at the
ground, half shy, half laughing. and
beat the grass with her riding whip.
Francois was leaning TOWARD her and
talking. and the general, coming slowly
rise in him as he looked at this sue
cessful picture Of a boy which he had
done So much to fashion. The two
had been riding together, n Francois
appeared, as most men do, at sis best
in his riding clothes. With that, as tire
general marched slowly down the vel
vet slope. unseen by them. regarding
them-his girl and his boy. this happy
sister and brother-with that the
brother lifted the sisters hand and,
bending over it. kissed 1t SLOWLY in a
manner Enthusiastically unbrotherly.
Nor Dieu!" gasped the general. and
turned on his heel and marched back
All that afternoon he stayed shut up
in the library. AT dinner he was tact
turn.
well then. father" Alike said at
last, after the two had tried every sub,
ject in vain to make him talk. ut will
be necessary now to buy all the berries
that are grown for 10 miles around
Berries" growled the general. be-
wildered.
Surely"
why berries" ferociously.
Alike looked up at him innocently.
'.Isn't it berries which big bears live
on? Or will you eat us. my father,
when you have bitten our heads off and
torn Us to %pieoes?"
And the general. when he had been
betrayed into a laugh, sighed deeply
and got up from his chair, dinner not
being over. and stalked back to his Ii
brarv. Never had such a thing hap
pened.
what Is it?" Alike asked of Fran
co.'s. .'IIe is not ill-he told us that.
Have you dom something. 0 wicked
sinful boy, to trouble hfm?'
|. Francois shook his head thoughtfvlly.
FL cannot think of anything" he said,
and his eyes met hers truthfully. But
we shall know soon. He Is as frank as
a child; he cannot keep q grievance
from the people he loves
Which was a true Judgment. for the
next morning the general sent for
Francois to come to him In the library.
A letter had been brought a Short time
before and was lying open On the table
by his hand.
Francois" began the general in his
deep abrupt ones. 7 am In trouble.
Will you help meT
Eyes, my SeigneuE." said Francois
II it means. q sacrifice TO yourself? o.
Eyes, my Seigneur," Francois an
Lswered.
II - = ~ ro{ = v0<Hfnr rokro
for a moment, but gazed thoughtfully
at the letter which lay under his big
outspread fingers. At length, you re-
member Pietros father, the Marquis
Zappi?" he demanded.
Surely. my S%eigneur.s
You remember the story I once told
you. how he saved my life in Russia 2"
II have never forgotten It"
you realize that he was dearer to
me than any man on earth?"
81 have always believed it So" said
Francois.
Good growled the general. You
will bear that In mind. I wish to tell
lyou now Of an arrangement hope
which rthe Marquis Zappi and I had
formed together. It was to be the
crown Of our friendship and its per-
ispetuation; it vas to have been our
!! happiness together-ft would bet will
lbe, il all goes well. the happiest thing
b WHICH COulO NOAAt0 ~ AAAy az tsAA
xhe is gone. Would you break that
hope and take that happiness from
me?" .
Francois, started, caught q quick
Fbreath. My Seigneur!! You should
not ask. You know I would Give my
own happiness for yours"
The general glared at him. frowning.
eve shall see" he said again, and then
suddenly as a shot from q cannon
Does Alike love You. Francois q
There was no nlistsking what he
meant, and Francois did not evade II.
a fame 81 scarlet crept IN 9 swift d.
,Iagonal across the warn brown of his
\ boyish cheeks, but his clear eyes met
1.-THE generals searching look frankly.
He hesitated q moment.
ii think mol, my seignNur." he