The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1914-10-07

Pietro. And then he told her of the
peasant boy in Riders Hollow in the
gray morning light after the night of
his escape-and how, by hand on the
bride and seat in the saddle, and at
last by the long curl of the black lash
es he had known the peasant boy for
Alike.
Lucy Hampton, listening, was so
] thrilled with this romance of a life
long love that she could silence her
aching heart and her aching pride and
could be-with a painful sick effort
but yet could be, utterly generous.
There is no midway in case between
entire selfishness and entire seldess-
ness. The young southern girl, wound
ed, shamed, cruelty hurt in vanity and
in love, was able to choose the larger
way, and taking it, felt that sharp Joy
of remuneration which is as keen and
difficult to breathe and as sweet in the
breathing as the air of a mountain
top. Trembling, she put her other lit
tie hand on Francois hands.
81 see," she said, and her voice shook
and she smiled mistily, but very kind
ly. you could not love anyone but
that beautiful Alike. IL would not
have you"
And Francois bent hastily, with
tears in his eyes, and kissed the warm
little hands. The uncertain sliding
voice went on:
81 am not-ashamed-that said
/ that-to you. would not have said
it-not for worlds. Thought you
were killed. didn't know what
said. But / am not ashamed. / am
glad that lam enough of a person to
have known-the finest things-and"
her voice sank and she whispered
the next words over the dark head
bent on her hands-"and to have loved
| them. But don't bother. 1 shall-get
| over it."
The liquid tones choked bit on
that and Francois lifted his head
quickly and his eyes famed at her.
"Of course you will, my dear little
girl, my brave mademoiselIe.' 1t is not
as you think; it is not serious, mon
annie. 1t is only that your soul is full
of kindness and enthusiasm and eager
ness to stand by the unlucky. 1 am
alone and expatriated; have had a
little of misfortune and you are sorry
for me. 1t is that All, 1 know. am
very old and wise. me. 1t would never
do" he went on. 1.-THE noblesse of
Virginia would rise in a revolution If
it should be that the princess of Roa-
noke house gave her heart to French
peasant. I am come to be a man of
knowledge" And he shook his head
with as worldly-wise an expression as
II one of Guido RENTS dark angels
should talk politics. He went on again,
smiling a little, an air of daring in his
manner. Moreover, Mademoiselle
Miss Lucy, there is a fairy prince who
awaits only the smallest sign from
you"
Lucy smiled. mo-" she said. And
then, "a fairy prince-in Virginia?"
"Ah, yes, Mademoise1le Miss Lucy.
OF the true noblesse, that one. A fine,
big, handsome prince, the right sort
"Who?" demanded Lucy, smiling
still.
"Of such q right sort indeed that 1t
is no matter-ah. no, but perhaps just
the thing to make one love him more,
that he Is lame"
Harry" Lucy's smile faded.
But yes, indeed, mon annie" and
Francois patted the little hand with
his big one. Henry, indeed. Henry,
who is waiting to kill me for love OF
you; Henry, the best truest fellow, the
manifest bravest fellow. Who rides
like Henry? Who has read all the
books in all the libraries like Henry!
Who is respected by the old men, the
great men, for his knowledge and his
thinking and his statecraft almost
like Henry? Who has such great
heart and brain and such fearless
courage as Henry?"
"You are very loyal to your friends"
Lucy said, half pleased, half stabbed
to the soul.
Certainly. What for is qualification
worth, otherwise?" Francois threw at
her earnestly. There were few Eng
lish words too much for him still;
gratitude" seemed to be one. He stood
up and his great eyes glowed down at
her "Mademoiselle," he said, two
women of earth, my mother and Alike,
are for me the Madonnas, the crown of
women" and his glance lifted to the.
ceiling as If to heaven, without pose,
unconscious-a look no American
could ever have worn. "And, VOLTA,
mademoiselle, my little scholar Will al
ways stand next to and close to them"
He bent over her hand and his lips
touched it long and tenderly. 'Is 1t
right between us, mon annie? Are we
friends always? 1t is indeed so for
life with me-"
And little Lucy felt healing peace
settling on her bruised feelings and
heard herself saying generous words
of friendship which healed also as she
spoke them.
Then, 81 must find that savage boy
Henry, and beseech him to spare my
life," spoke Francois at last my life
is of more value today, that it pos
sesses a sure friend in Mademoiselle
Lucy" he said and smiled radiantly.
And was gone.
HE said-that Harry loved me!
What nonsensei" Lucy whispered to
herself. And the broken-hearted one
was smiling.