Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-08-20
AQmane Of Observation-Disclosures
1HE MARSHAL
@Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews
A W The Perfect TzHu1e. ETC
csp1risAs. The Bosbs.Mes.m cs.,~

young nephew n ward living in his
uncle's house-he was the owner OF
most OF h acres which made the plan
tation a great one. Colonel Hampton
considered that in his treatment OF
Harry. and Harry knew 1t well enough.
moreover. 1t was an unspoken secret
that Harry or Lucy had the right OF
strength over weakness In dealing with
the head of the house. Obstinacy com
plned sometimes with weakness. 1t Is
true. but yet the two youngsters I'M
derstood that the colonel was the head
only by a graceful fiction. So young
Harry Hampton felt no alarm at
the quality Of his uncle's tone.
The colonel a down in the
DIGEST chair. a chair throne-like in its
dignity: he faced the lad and pulled
Importantly at the end Of his mustache.
This troop Of cavalry is about or
ganized?" he demanded.
Well, that's rather a big name for
1t, Uncle Henry, but it Is going like
a streak. answered Henry, junior. I'VE
meet again today and tomorrow I think
we shall begin business"
Il approve OF it," Colonel Hampton
stated.
Harry bowed his head gravely. The
colonel went on.
1T is a well bred and appropriate
"A ~SlllcIIldIl
should know something of military af-
fairs. But-ah-the ranking and-ah-
arrangements? Such-details are not
unlikely, with gentlemen of the first
families, as you all are-except one
to crystalline into a-later Importance.
The man who has been the leader of
this company Of very young men will
not unlikely be the man thought of
a Notwithstanding of greater
moment to come. May I inquire who is
the captain?"
Henry Hampton looked troubled, i'm
patient.
why. nobody yet, Uncle Henry. We
have not got to that. But Of course, the
chevalier-"
Colonel Hampton interrupted him.
EXACTLY. I thought so. That is what
/ wish to avoid. The chevalier must
not be the captain"
The boy caught up the words hotly.
Uncle Henry, he has done it all. We
all want him."
Exactly. But you must not have
him.. l am surprised at you, Henry. Do
you remember that this man is peas
ant born? Do you want to be led into
by a person whose rank is not
above that Of our w servants? ?"
Led into battle?" Young Henry
laughed shortly. LED into a corn field
Is more like it" And then his glance
fired. Moreover, Uncle Henry, If there
were battle in the case, we should all
count ourselves lucky to be led by-a
"a hero!" Colonel Hampton shifted.
IA mere French peasant, by his own
account. OF course, l have-received
him, because Of your infatuation for
him. And-the young man has qualities.
He has been a success socially, 1 will
not deny. lam surprised by his success.
when 1t comes to putting him into
position above men Of birth, my blood
I request you, Henry, to use
your influence against this. I cannot
endure to have him give you COM
You should be the captain, be-
cause your social position has made
enterprise possible. But, yet, if
your misfortune-if some other seems
more fit A painful color darkened
boys face and his brows gathered.
The colonel went on. 81 should make
no objection to that. But"-again he
pulled at the corners of his mustache
with solemnity-"I must request you to
use you influence absolutely to prevent
this parvenu from being placed over
YOU"
Harry Hampton put his hand on the
table beside him and lifting himself
leaning a little OF the table as his lame
made it necessary, but yet a fig
IRE full of decision and dignity.
And must refuse absolutely, Uncle
Henry, to do anything of the kind.
not in question. AS you say, I have
misfortune. 1 shall use what influ-
ence l have to see that the Chevalier
Beaupre is made captain Of the COM
pany he has organized and is to edu-
cate. That Is fitting. I am proud to call
him my friend. and I am glad that I am
minded enough to realize that as
a mind as his is not to be meas
ured by petty standards. If he is a
prince or If he is a peasant is quite
lmmaterial. because he is first a very
great thing-htmself." He turned from
astonished colonel, and with his
hating step was gone.
Shortly the young masters horse
was ordered and he had left word with
the butler. as he went out,
he would ~ not no. be home TIL bed
Francois" he began, finding his
friend busy over his papers in that
same library, at that same carved ma
hogany desk, where today lie the pack
ages OF old letters-"Francois, I want
to speak to you-about something-be-
III meeting"
what then? The boy is out of
You have been running Black
Hawk again, my Henry-that horse
will complain Of you soo the strong
beast. What is 1t you are in such a
hurry to say that n must race across
country SO Of a good hour OF the morn
But Henry was too intent to talk
nothings. ut Is important" he said
we must have a captain for
the company at once, and 1t must be
YOU"
sabre de bois!" smiled Francois RAJ
dainty. The good idea! / cannot
imagine q fellow more beautiful to be
captain than I. Can your"
But Henry was altogether serious
minded. You will consent them" he
threw at him. i did not think Of 1t
till this morning, but / see It should be
done at once. We will all want you,
Of course. and want nobody else"
Now Henry Hampton not having
thought Of the question till this morn
ing, had no right to make this state
ment In q full round voice Of certainty.
Yet hs knew every man In the COM
pany. and he felt In himself tho force
to answer for them. He answered for
them without a hesitation. And with
that Francois laughing face grew
grave. He pushed the letters from him
and got up and came across to the boy
and bent and put his arm around his
shoulder as he sat stil and stiff. These
French ways OF his friend pleased
Harry immensely, hut they also petri-.
fled him with embarrassment. Fran
Coils was not In the least embarrassed