Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-09-17
CHAPTER xxxv-(continued).

he began, Somebody must arrange
about the new harnesses; my time is
too valuable to be taken up with de-
tails. Uncle Jack says they are needed
at once. 1t has been neglected. / dc
not understand why things are so ne
elected"
Il have seen to it, father. They will
be ready in a week." Lucy answered.
Then the colonel noticed Francois.
Good day, C%hevalier," he spoke con
descendingly. abby the way'-he
put his hand into one pocket and then
another of his linen coat. "They gave
me a letter for you, CheValier, knowing
that you would be at Roanoke house
today. Here it is'-and Lucy saw a
light leap into Francois eyes as they
fell on the English postmark. about
those harnesses, Lucy. Why did you
not ask my permission before having
them made? / do not understand how
you can a SO much on yourself"
And Lucy spoke quietly again. IT
did ask YOU, father, but you did not
see to 1t and they were necessary. So
l did It," And then: "Chevalier, read
your letter. 1 see it is a foreign one"
Will m~ademoiselle pardon%'
AT thai moment an uneven step
came down the slope and Francois
flashed q 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 strolling up the shad-
owy, 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 engagement. II
have it," he announced. Don't you
want to see it?"
Wait, Harry" the girl glanced at
Francois. But the lad caught her
wrist. Look" he said. and opened
his free hand and a plain gold ring
glittered from 1T. With a quick move
ment he slipped it over the little third
finger. There" he said, that will
pc on to stay pretty soon, and then
Uncle Henry shall not badger YOU
about harnesses. He has made me
wait two years because he needed you,
put l won't wait much longer, will /
LucyI Next Wednesday-that is the
wedding day, Lucy" q
with that Francois turned around.
Ills face shone with an excitement
winch 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.
Ihen; Yes, mademoiselle, great
news ne said. THE prince has sent
Tor me. And am well and fit to go.
y have lived for this time; yet | am
grleved to leave you and Harry, my
two old friends
But Francois, you cannot go be-
Tore Wednesday" Harry Hampton
without YOU"
:. And Francois considered. mo. nor
before Wednesday," he agreed.
Ihat last French lesson in the sum-
mer house on the banks of the smooth
HoWing James river was on a Sat1r-
DAY. On Monday the Chevalier Beau
pre- rode over from Carnifax and
asked to see Miss Hampton.
! avn maueInoisslle Lucy" he said, Il
! will do it, Lucy promised blithe-
~, not waiting for details.
FRANCOIS laughed. You trust ono
Mademoiselle Lucy-that is plain
linen his face became serious. DO
you remember a talk we once had
playmate, Alixe?"
Inc brlde-to-be flushed furiouslv as
she recalled that talk. Then she nodded
IN a. matter of fact manner. 81 re-
member Very WELL" she said. "It was
Wnen threw myself at your head and
you said you didn't want me-
shoulders and hands
into ayes Went upward together
VIVA Q horror!" he cried. What an
manner to recollect that
talk! How can you? How can Won
be so brutal to me?"
Both OF them, at that, burst into
lig~nI-hearted laughter. Lucy was grave
But you have Something to ask me-.
Francois. You spoke of your-play-
mate-beautiful Alixe.'
II is only you whom I could ask to
DO this. Mademoiselle Lucy. i have
never told any one else about her. Only
you know of'-the words came slow
know It: Alike does not know. And I
may be killed. n sees, in this iightf for
the Prince. Quite easily. And Alike
VIII not know. I do not like that. In
iact. ! cannot bear st. So this is what
l ask OF you, dear Mademoiselle." He
out a letter and held it to her.
send it to Alixe?"
Lucy took the letter and turned it
over doubtfully. 81 do no like this
sort of post-mortem commission.
Francois: l feel as if | were holding
your death warrant"
But It Is not by a bit of writing, I
snail meet my finish, Mademoiselle. I
promise not to die one minute sooner
Tor that letter. 1t is only that 1T will
make me happy to know you will send
So Lucy, holding the letter gingerly,
agreed. But as Francois rose to go she
stood by him q moment and laid her
on his Goa sleeve. "FrancoisEl
want TO tell you something"
But yes, Observation-Disclosures. Lucy"
TITS something wrong"
"Yes-Lucy."
4 am going to tell Harry / said It."
Yes.
."Thfs is ii, then"-and Francois,
nynailfnU N Uyaffna s0nH4 khoro vr,n- Srnvn Cd.