Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-03-17

from the lawn, and in moment more
the colonel was upon them. Lucy,
he began, somebody must arrange
about the new harnesses; my time Is
too valuable to be taken up with de-
tails. Uncle lack says they are need
ed at once. 1t has been neglected. l
do not understand why things are so
neglected."
81 have seen to it, father. They will
be ready in a week." Lucy answered.
Then the colonel noticed Francois.
Good day, chevalier," he spoke con-
descendingly. abby the wayne
put a hand into one pocket and then
another of his linen coat. They gave
me letter for you, chevalier, knowing
that you would be at Roanoke house
today. Here it is"-and Lucy saw
light leap into Francois eyes as they
fell on the English postmark.
And Lucy spoke quietly again. i
did ask you, father, but you did not
see to it, and they were necessary. so
| did it," And then "cheyalier, read
your letter. see it is foreign one"
will mademoiselle pardon?"
At that moment an uneven step
came down the slope and Francois
flashed smile at Harry Hampton and
retreated to the other side of the sum-
mer-house with his letter; while the
colonel, murmuring complaints about
harnesses, went str6lling up the
shadowy, bird-haunted lawn.
Harry Hampton stood by his sweet
heart with a boyish air of proprietor
ship, radiant, as he had been through
these two years Of his engagement. Il
have it." he announced. Don't you
want to see it,"
wait, Harry" the girl glanced at
Francois. But the lad caught her
waist. Look" he said, and opened
his free hand and a plain gold ring
glittered from it. With quick move
ment he slipped it over the little third
| finger. There" he said, that will be
on to stay pretty soon, and then Uncle
Henry shall not badger you about har-
nesses. He has made me wait two
years because he needed you, but
won't wait much longer, will l. Lucy?
day, Lucy"
With that Francois turned around.
His face shone with an excitement
which could not escape even preoccu-
pied lovers.
What is it. chevalier? You have
news-what is it," the girl cried.
For a moment he could not speak.
Then: Eyes, mademoiselle, great
news" he said "The prince has sent
for me. And l am we'll and fit to co.
have lived for this time; yet l am
grieved to leave you and Harry. my
two old friends"
But, Francois, you cannot go before
Wednesday," Harry Hampton cried
out. I'VE cannot be married without
you"
And Francois considered. mo, not
before Wednesday," he agreed.
That last French lesson in the sum-
mer-house on the banks of the smooth
flowing James river was on Satur-
day. On Monday the Chevalier Beau
pre- rode over from Carnifax and asked
to see Miss Hampton.
"Mademoiselle Lucy" he said Il
have something to ask Of you"
81 will do it," Lucy promised blithe-
ly. not waiting for details.
Francois laughed. you trust one.
Mademoiselle Lucy-that is plain.
Then his face became serious. DO you
remember talk we once had together
when l told you OF my old playmate,
Alixe?"
The bride-to-be flushed furiously as
she recalled that talk. Then she nod
ded in a matter-of-fact manner. Il re-
member very WELL" she said. 1T was
when threw myself at your head and
you said you didn't want me-"
Francois shoulders and hands and
eyes went upward together into an
eminently French gesture. What a
horror!" he cried. What an unspeak-
able manner to recollect that talk!
How can you? How can you be so
brutal to me?"
Both of them, at that, burst into
lght-hearted laughter. Lucy was grave
suddenly.
But you have something to ask
me, Francois. You spoke of your
playmate-beautiful Alike"
1T is only you whom | could ask to
do this, Mademoiselle Lucy. / have
never told anyone else about her. Only
you know of''-the words came slow
ly-"of my love for her. She does not
know it, Alike does not know. And
l may be killed. one sees, in this fight
for the prince. Quite easily. And
Alike will not know. I do not like
that In fact cannot bear it. So this
is what l ask of you, dear mademoi-
selle" He brought out a letter and
held it to her. IF you hear that am
killed. will you send it to Alixe?"
Lucy took the letter and turned 1t
over doubtfully. Il do not like this
sort of post-mortem commission, Fran
co.'s. / feel as if / were holding you.
| death-warrant."
But it is not by bit Of writing l
| shall meet nv finish, mademoiselle. |