Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-07-16

to DO 90. He will have what-what I
would give my life for Then he hur-
ried on. Il see hows1 1t is" he said
gently. "and o are right to care SO
loyalty for Pietro. He is worth 1t. And
you must eve care less. Alixe-never
He will come back" The boy spoke
with effort, slowly. but Alike was too
much occupied with her own tumultous
thoughts to notice. He will surely
come back and-belong to YOU moro
than ever. He will come back dis
perhaps, and thes-apd then-Alixe,
do you see the chestnut tree at the cor
ner that turns to the chateau? 1t is
a good bit of soft road-we will race
to that tree-shall We? And then l will
tell you something"
The horses sprang into a canter and
then a gallop, and stretched their legs
and flattend down into : sharp run.
The girl and the boy We're flying side
by side through the mellow landscape;
the gray towers and red roofs of the
chateau We're in he distance; the little
Cheulte lay to the right, its pools like
a string of quicksilver beads spotted on
the fields; the mountain of the Rose,
calm and enormous n dark, lifted out
OF the country to the left. Many a
time IN the six years to come Francois
saw that picture and felt the vibrating
air as they rushed through it. He had
strained his very soul to talk at length
as he had Of his rival, Of his friend;
he felt sick and exhausted from the
effort; now he must tell her that he
was going tomorrow, and he must not
let a word or a look tell her that he
lover her. The horses raced merrily;
Alike sat close to the saddle with the
light swinging seat, the delicate hand
on the bride, which We're part of her
perfect ~horsemanship, and over and
over as he watched her ride Francois
said to himself:
II will give my happiness for the
seigneur's-I said it, and l will. l will
be a friend to Pietro always-I said it,
and l WILL h
Over and over the horses flying feet
pounded out that self command, and
at length the music of the multiplying
hoof beats grew slower, and with tight
ening rein they drew in n stopped UNI
der the big chestnut. Alike was laugh
ing, exllllarated, lovely.
Wasn't it a good race. Didn't they
go deliciously?" she threw at him.
And then, I'VE will go around by the
Delesmontes road; it is only three miles
farther, and it is early in the after
noon; there is nothing to do"
Francois spoke slowly. II am afraid
farm tonight"
ITO the farm!" Alike looked at him
in surprise. But you were not to go
till tomorrow. My father and 1 will
ride over with o Have you forgot
temp"
gottenrno, indeed. But 1 am going
away tomorrow. Alike"
Going away?" Alike turned sharp
~, and her deep blue glance searched
his eyes. What do you mean. Fran
cois?" And then, imperiously: Don't
tease me. Francois! l don't like it,"
Francois steadied, hardened his face
very carefully, and answered: Il am
not teasing you, Alike. 1 did not tell
you before because he stopped, for
ms voice was going wrong-"because I
thought we would have our ride lust
as usual today. / only knew about it
myself this morning. I am going to
Pietro.' ~
~"Going-to Piero!f Alike was gasp
ing painfully. "Francois-it is a Joke
tell me 1T is a poor joke. Quick!" she
ordered. Il won't have you play with
me, torture mel"
1T is not a joke The boys eyes
the buckle of the bride rein lying on
ms knee. There was a letter from
Pietro this morning. The seipnenr
wishes me to go. l wish to 60. I
am leaving tomorrow"
.Golng tomorrow" The girls voice
"o9 q Will. ou-ldhe0 away from
me-" Then in a flash: II hate Pietroi
He is cruel-he thinks only of himself.
He wants you-but / want you too.
How can | live without YOU, Francois
Then softly, hurriedly, while the world
reeled about the boy, sitting statue like
in his sadie: 1T is just as 1 said. You
are as much a part of my life as the
ar L ~breathe-and O and my father
ana Pietro say quiet calmly, The air
is TO be taken aWay-you must do with
out IT I can nct. I will choke.' She
pulled at her collar suddenly as if the
chocking We're a physical present fact
No slightest motion. no shade Of in
llectlon missed Francois; still he sat
motlonless, his yes on the little brass
buckle. his lips set in a line, without
a word. without a look toward her. And
suddenly Alike, with another Quick
blue glance from under the black long
lashes--Alixe, hurt, reckless, despere
ate, had struck her horse a sharp blow
and she was in the road before him.
galloping away. ~
CONTINUED e x week.)