The Dolores star., 1914-10-09
CHAPTER xlv.-continusd.


CHAPTER xlv.-continusd
A pArson of more importance than
Battista had fallen under the spell Of
Francois personality. The governor
himself had been attracted by the
young Frenchman. The governor.
Count Won Gersdorf. was . vain. dis
contented. brilliant Austrian, at odds
with the world because he had not
risen further In II. He was without
society In this mountain fortress OF
his. and longed for It: he had . nne
voice and no one to sing to: he liked
to talk and had no one to talk to.
Francois. with his ready friendliness.
with his gift Of finding good in every
one. with his winning manner and
simplicity which had the ease of so
phistication, was treasure-trove OF
amusement to the bored Austrian.
Things stood &c with the prisoner
at the time OF his discovery Of the
identity Of his taller and of his jail.
The governor at that time WAS away
on visit to vienna. looking for . pro
motion; he came back elsts1 and
soqdhumored In the prospect Of .
eh4nge within the year. But the heart
Of Francois sank - he thought what
thS enAnge might mean to him.
"'0oDe day . marshal Of France un-
der another Bonaparts. he said to
himself one day. staring through the
bars at his window-he called the sky
%. He smiled. But that II nothing.
To help place my prince on the throne
q France-that 10 my work-my life. "
He talked aloud at times. - prison
srs come to DO. He went ON then. In
. low voice. ....
III there were good fairies. II had
xrAi shes: Alixe-the prince made
f-Francois Beaupre. . marshal
60 nce." He laughed happily. 1T
. c1dds play. Nothing matters OK.
espt that NJ life shall do its work.
Even that u 20 small: but I have .
great desire to do that. ! believe ]
shall do that know t." And he fell
- work on = book which he was plan.
sing, chapter BY chapter. In his brain.
But n he we're to escape ever. the
S0Au48 WuB luCICAEtu tuhutkGIy W tu0
eoing hack and forth to the governors
room. A new governor might keep
him shut up absolutely. Il had been
% while the count was away; then he
had been III. and the lieutenant In
command would not let . doctor SEQ
him till he became delirious: that was
the ordinary treatment Of prisoners.
Francois. thinking over these things
on . day. fell with Q sudden accent
on the steady push Of his longing for
freedom, tho conviction that no must
Get free before the count left. else op-
Dortunity and force for tho effort
would both be gone forever. And on
that day Battista brought In his mid
cay meal with look and Q manner
which Francois remarked.
what II IT. Battistaf" he asked
softly.
The man answered not . word. but
turned and opened the door rapidly
and looked out Il thought had left
the vatsr.pitchsr. All. here II isl
an stupid" he spoke aloud. And then.
anger on lip Dramatically. he bent over
the young man. MY son-ths little
Battista--has had q letter. The young
master wishes him TO come 70 him IN
France. TO serve him. He Il going In
too days" -
II was whispered euiskly. and Bat.
Vista stood erect
The signor's food viii get cold n
the sisnor DOES not sat t." hs spoke
gruhiy. II 10 not like 10 carry eood
food for prisoners who % not appre.
slate Il. shall bring les tomorrow. :"
But Francois. hardly hearing the
ssriy tones. had biz haad % Battiseas
AsD. was whispsring hack sassriy.
.wAsre does - %. b VfaaesS
TO vicques." the low answer cane.
1sNneees sank baek. tortured.
0elng y vicquss. the little Battiseai
Nseo onselsforts! And b. vsaaesls.
0nDe nv heee u priseai HI seal
- vsuag IN . sudden Wa Asos.
GooAe0. - vaals1 - 80 AliSA -
- - 0Don0s - - ~ oooogals .