The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-04-11

" AAo was Dlb buptTbiAtiOub dDOut
Francois as well, with an idea, which
he spoke to no one, that pivotal In.
terest OF his career rested In the mod
est figure.
He rose, this night in Boulogne, as
the paper rustled and the little French
provincial chanson sounded from tho
room where Francois Beaupre. now
his secretary. had been installed. and
stepped TO the closed door
DE tous cote's ION que je suis
bete."
Francois sang softly. The Prince
smiled AS he opened the door the
singing stopped; the young man
sprang respectfully to his feet, let.
ter grasped In his hand, and stood
waiting.
"Sire" he said.
Prince Louis flung out his hand with
gesture of impulsiveness strange to
his controlled manner, yet not out of
drawing to those who knew him well.
"Ah, Francois" he cried. Let the
titles go for tonight. Say, Louis as
on that day when we first saw each
other; when the four children played
together In the old chateau ruins. And
Francois smiled his radiant exquisite
smile and answered quietly. But yes,
my brother-Louis." And went on, II
believe shall not sleep tonight, Louis.
believe am too happy to sleep"
As one reads a novel for relaxation
in the strain of a critical business af-
fair, Prince Louis caught at the dis
traction Of this side issue. The next
morning was planned to the last de-
tail; there was nothing to do till day
light, yet he could not sleep at pres
ent. Here was a romance Of some
sort He sank back on the cushions
Of the coach Of Lieutenant Aladenize's
smoking room and put his feet up lux
uriously, and slowly lighted a cigar
of Havana.
Tell me-" he ordered, and the gen.
tleness of appeal was in the order.
"Sire"-the young man began-and
corrected himself. Louis" he said.
The Prince smiled dimly. Since our
landing | have known that a wonder
full thing has happened to me. 1t is
he spoke lower-"it is the love Of the
woman who is to me the only one In
the world"
Il congratulate you. mon ami" Louis
said gently. "Is 1t by any chance the
delightful little Mademoiselle Alike of
the old chateau?"
Beaupre turned scarlet. He was
marvellous man, this Prince Louis,
How had he guessed? "She loves me
i have here a letter in which she
tells me that she loves me. Will his
Highness read it," With an impetu-
Gus step forward he held the paper
toward Louis Napoleon.
81 thank you" the Prince said grave
ly. He read:
Francois, what you have wished al
your life Is true. The good fairies
have granted one of your wishes be-
fore the battle. That they will give
you the other two on the day of the
battle is the belief of your
"ALIXE."
And below was written hurriejly,
"Pietro sends his love-"
The Prince gave back the letter with
respectful hand; then looked at
Francois inquiringly. What you
have wished all your life,' mon ami?"
Francois laughed happily. zone must
explain, if it will not tire his High.
ness" And he told, in a few worde,
of that day when his self-restraint had
given way and how, when his guard
was down and he was on the point OF
telling his lifelong secret love, some
spirit of perveTsity-but Francois did
not know it was an angel-had caught
Alike, and she had accused him OF
wishing always that she might love
Pietro. And how. meshed in that same
net of hurt recklessness, he had an.
swered in her own manner-"Yes," he
had said, "it was that which had been
the wish of his life-that Alike might
love Petrol" And Francois laughed
gaily, telling the simple ENHANCEMENT
to the Prince, the night before the
battle. zone sees how she is quick
and clear-sighted, my Alike" he said.
For she knew we'll even then it was
not that / wished" He stopped, for
in the quiet contained look of the
listener an intangible something struck
chill to his delicately-polsed sensi.
tiveness. What is it, Louis?" he cried
out. You do not think l mistake her
-mistake-Alixei"
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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