The citizen., 1914-03-13

III lnere were Dattle IN the case, we
should all count ourselves lucky to be
led by-a hero"
"A hero" Colonel Hampton shifted.
"A mere French peasant by his own
account. OF course. I have-received
him, because of your infatuation for
him. And-the young man has quail
ties. He has been a success socially.
| Will not deny. l am quite surprised
by his success. But when it comes to
putting him in position above men
Of birth, my blood revolts. request
you, Henry. to use your influence
against this. / can not endure to have
him give you commands. You should be
the captain, because your social posi-
tion has made the enterprise possible.
But, yet, if-your misfortune--if some
other seems more fit-" A painful color
darkened the 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-'T must re-
quest you to use your influence abso-
lutely to prevent this parvenu from
being placed over you"
Harry Hampton put his hand on the
table beside him and lifting himself
with that aid stood before his uncle,
leaning little on the table as his
lame foot made it necessary, but yet
figure full of decision and dignity.
And | must refuse absolutely,
Uncle Henry, to do anything of the
kind. am not in question AS you
say, have-a misfortune. | shall use
what influence l have to see that the
Chevalier Beaupre is made captain of
the company he has organized and is
to educate. This is fitting. am
proud to call him my friend, and am
glad that am large-minded enough to
realize that as large mind as his is
not to be measured by petty standards
If he is prince or if he is a peasant
is quite immaterial, because he Is first
a very great thing himself" He
turned from the astonished colonel,
and with his halting step was gone.
Shortly the young masters horse
was ordered and he had left word with
Ebenezer, the butler, as he went out,
that he would not be home till bed
time, and was off toward Carnifax.
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 etters-"Francois, | want
to speak to you-about something-be-
fore our meeting"
What then? The boy is out of
breath. You have been running Black
Hawk again, my Henry-that horse
will complain of you soon, the strong
beast. What is it you are in such a
| hurry to say that one must race across
country so of good hour of the morn
ing?"
But Henry was too intent to talk
nothings. at is important" he said
briefly. I'VE must have captain for
you"
Sabre de bois." smiled Francois ra-
diantly. "The good idea! l can not
imagine fellow more beautiful to be
captain than /. Can you?"
But Henry was altogether serious
minded you will consent then?" he
threw at him. 81 did not think of it
till this morning, but see it should
be done at once. We shall 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 full round voice of certainty.
Yet he knew every man in the com.
pany, and he felt in himself the force
to answer for them. He answered
with that Francois laughing face grew
grave. He pushed the letters from him
andgot up and came across to the boy
and bent and put his arm around his
shoulder as he sat still and stiff.
These French ways of his friend
pleased Henry immensely, but they
also petrified him with embarrass-
ment. Francois was not in the least
embarrassed. He patted the broad
young shoulder affectionately.
"My good Henry" he said gently.
what loyal heart-and what reck-
less one! How then can you answer
for all those messieurs?"
Harry flung up his head and began.
They will--if they do not shall make
them"-but Francois stopped the bold
words.
NO" he said quietly-yet with a
tone of finality which the other recog-
nized. THAT will not be necessary. And
the messieurs are my good friends;
they will treat me with honor; they
will be better to me than deserve.
know that WE'LL" There we're SO few
people in the world who did not, to
Francois, seem his good friends. But,
my Henry, l will not be the captain.
have thought of that, If you have not.
Look here"
He swung to the desk and slipped
81