The Raymer enterprise., 1914-09-03

40 WI -
little window in the stormy sunset for
better light as he dropped the medi.
cine
"One-two." he counted the drops
carefully up to nine. and then glanced
at the prisoner on his cot in the cor
ner, who tossed. and talked rapidly.
disjointedly. 1T is high time that ths
doctor saw him." the jailer spoke. half
aloud IF the governor had been here
this would not have been allowed to
run on. am glad the governor Ia
coming back"
With that the prisoner threw of the
cover from his shoulders and sat UP
suddenly, with wild bright eyes star
ing at the jailer.
"Pietro," he called in astonishment
Why. my dear old Pietro." and flung
out his hands eagerly toward the man.
and would have sprung from the bed
to him.
But the jailer was at his side and
held him down, yet gently. BE quiet.
signor." he said respectfully. 1T is
only old Battista; you will see II you
look. Only Battista. who has taken
care Of you these five years."
The brilliant dark eyes stared at
him hungrily; then with sigh the
light went out of them and the head
fell on the pillow.
"Ah, Battista." he said, my good
Battista." A smile full OF subtle
charm made the worn face bright. He
spoke slowly. Il thought 1t was my
friend-my best friend" he explained
gently.
"Will the signor take the Doctors
medicine?" Battista asked then, not
much noticing the words, for the sick
man was clearly light-headed, yet with
a certain pleasant throb of memory
which always moved within him at the
name OF Pietro. 1t happened that the
name stood for some one dear to the
jailer also. The signor took the medi-
cine at once, like good child.
will 1t make me better. do you
think. Battista?" he asked earnestly.
But yes. signor; the doctor is
clever"
i want to be better; | must get
well, for | have work to do as soon
as come out OF prison."
Surely. signor. That will be soon
now, think, for 1t is five years; they
will let you go soon, | believe" Bat.
tista lied kindly,
You are good TO me. Battista," tho
boy said. "and just now you gave me
great pleasure. II warns me yet to
think OF 1t. for, you see, thought you
we're Pietro-my dear Pietro-the
Marquis Zappi."
Battista, breathless, stared, stam-
mered. "Whom-whom did you cav.
signor?"
But the prisoner had flashed into
reason. The color went out OF his face
as the tide ebbs. "Battista. did I saw
names Battista-you will not betray
me-you will not repeat that name.I
would never have said 1t but that
was not quite steady. must have
been out OF my head, | have never
spoken his name before in this place.
On, II ! should bring danger to him,
Battlsta, for Gods sake, you will not
repeat that manner"
battista spoke low. glancing at the
heayy iron door of the cell. God for.
Did, signor." he whispered, that I
should speak, here in his own castle,
the name of my young master"
There was long silence. The pris.
oner and his jailer gazed at each other
as II saying things beyond words.
Then the boy put out his long hot fin.
gers and caught the mans sleeve
"Battista," he murmured "Battista
is that true? Is it possible? Do vou
know-my Pietro?"
Know him, signor?" Battista,s daer
"A.
voice was unsteady. MY fathers havs
served his for eight hundred years"
ne man was shaking with a LOYALTY
long pent up. but Francois lifted hie
head, leaned on his elbow, and looked
at him thoughtfully.
But. Battista. / know you now. he
mas spoken to me OF you; 1t was your
son, the little Battista, who was his
oody-servant when they were chill.
dren?"
Yes, signor."
did not dream Of 1t; l never knew
what castle this was; | never dreamS.d
OF eastleforte; you would not tell ma.
could not, signor. 1t was fory
oen, 1t is forbidden. am riskins
my life every minute"
Go, Battista." and Francois pushed
MN away with weak hands. Go quick.
ly-you have been here too long.
anere might be suspicion. l could not
I'VE II brought trouble on YOU"
II Is right so far, signor," Battista
answered. 1T is known you are iii:
! must care for the sick ones 4 little.
But had better 60 now"
with that he slipped to his knees
ana lifted the feverish hands to his
ups. The friend Of my young mas.
yer. ne said simply. but his voice
broke on the words. The traditional
/nt Hx.I-
laitniulness Of centuries was strong in
Battista. the Zonrt. 80 -