Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-04-25

ment later she spoke again. 81 want
to finish telling you-and then we need
never speak OF 1t again / did think
you were-commonplac And yet
knew in my heart you were not, for
resented your seeming so. So l
urged you into danger. 1 wanted you
to be a hero. had that echo OF
schoolgirls romance about Francois
in my mind, and 1 chung. all along, to
the idea that loved him and that per-
haps he secretly loved me but would
not say it because he was poor and a
peasant; that he was waiting till his
future was made. Then, one day, only
the other day. he told me that he had
asked three wishes of life-tof the
good fairies he said. One was to make
Prince Louis Emperor, one was to be
Marshal of France; the third" she
stopped.
'eWhat?" Pietro demanded. his
mouth bit rigid.
Alike flushed and smiled and took
Pietro's big hand and covered-her eyes
with 1t. That I should-love you,
Monsieur. He said he had wished that
all his life"
May heaven grant him his wish"
said Pietro fervently, and then. reflect
Ing, at seems a strange wish for Fran
co.'s. You are sure, Alixe?"
YES, he said So" Alike insisted.
Our dear Francois" she went on soft
ly, and the blue intensity of her eyes
grew misty. Dear Francois" she re-
peated, cit is only he who could have
had those three wishes. The single
one that was for himself was not be
cause he cared for it himself, but be-
cause it was the Emperor's prophecy"
ct always thought" Pietro spoke
slowly, that 1t was not indeed for
himself that he wished to be Mar
shall some day, but because it might
make him, in a manner, your equal
1t was for you"
For mel" Alike was astonished. 81
never thought of that. I think you
thought of it. Pietro. only because you
cared for me-and thought Fran
| co.'s must care also"
Yes, I thought he cared" Pietro
considered. 81 can not believe other
/ wise yet"
you may believe it," Alike was
firm- For he said that what he had
wished always was that should've
you. 1 did it mostly to please Fran
co.'s" she added serenely.
And Pietro's response to that was
apt, but not to be given here. The
minds of these two happy lovers were
full of that third who had been sc
close always, to each of them.
| "Pfetro," Alike spoke earnestly, com
ing back to the same subject, "yor
know that 1 love Francois-of course
But you do not know in what way
I love him as If he were one of the
saints-but also as if he were a help
less little child. Yet not-Pietro-ai
If he were-the man / love-. / would
| give my life for him in rush of de
light, If he needed it. But know now
whatever were my vague dreams ii
past years, that 1t is not in Francoi
to care for woman as human man.
81 am not so sure" said Pietro. ant
shook his head.
You know l am not abusing on
Francois" Alike protested. why
Pietro, my father believes, and be
lieve, that If affairs should so harper
that he has his opportunity he ma.
yet be one of the great characters IL
history. My father says he is mad
up of inspirations, illuminations-an,
limitations"
YES" said Pietro thoughtfu1ly. "H
has the faults of brilliancy and fea1
lessness. He judges too rapidly.
he were afraid ever-if he saw tn
other side of a question ever, his jude
ment would be safer. 1t may well hal
pen that he will be one of the grea