Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-02-25

I
afterward; it was fairly certain that a
military company. originating with the
Chevalier Beaupre, would succeed.
And it succeeded. Three days later
it was started with the cordial sane
ton of the fathers and the enthusiasm
OF the sons. Francois was. Of couIse,
the moving spirit and the responsible
head, and Francois was hard at work
calling back the old lore of his school
days at Saint-Cyr and reading books
on tactics and all military subjects.
Henry" said Colonel Hampton one
morning after breakfast at Roanoke
House, Il want to speak to you mo
ment in my study"
Harry went calmly into the dim,
pleasant, old room, with its paneled
walls and portraits set into the panel
might say, for he was not merely the
young nephew and ward living in his
uncle's house-he was the owner Of
most of the acres which made the
plantation a great one. Colonel Hamp-
ton considered that in his treatment
of Harry, and Harry knew it well
enough Moreover it was an unspok.
en- secret that Harry or Lucy had the
right of strength over weakness in
dealing with the head of the house.
Obstinacy combined sometimes with
weakness, it is true, but yet the two
youngsters understood clearly that the
colonel was the head only by a grace
full fiction. So young Henry Hampton
felt no alarm at the quality of his
uncle's tone. The colonel sat down in
he biggest chair, a chair throne-like
in its dignity; he faced the lad and
pulled Importantly at the end of his
mustache.
This troop Of cavalry about organ
ized?" he demanded
We'll, that's rather a big name for
it, Uncle Henry, but it is going like a
streak" answered Henry. junior. I'VE
meet again today, and tomorrow
think we shall begin business"
Il approve of IT," Colonel Hampton
stated
Harry bowed his head gravely. The
colonel went on.
[
method oi amusement. A gentleman
should know something of military af-
fairs. But--ah-the ranking and
arrangements? Such-details are
not unlikely with gentlemen of the
first families, as you all are-except
one-to crystalline into a--later impor-
| lance. The man who has been the
leader of this company of very young
men will not unlikely be the man
thought of as leader in--ah-affairs
of greater moment to come. May /
inquire who is the captain"
Henry Hampton looked troubled,
impatient.
Why nobody yet. Uncle Henry We
have not got to that. But, of course,
the Chevalier--"
Colonel Hampton interrupted him.
Exactly. l thought SO. That is what
l wish to avoid. The Chevalier must
not be the captain"
The boy caught up the words holly
Uncle Henry, he has done it all. We
all want him."
Exactly. But you must not have
him. | am surprised at you, Henry!
Do you remember that this man is
peasant born? Do you want to be led
into battle by a person whose rank
is not above that of our own serv-
ants?"
LED into battlel" Young Henry
laughed shortly Led into a corn
| field Is more like it," And then his
glance fired Moreover. Uncle Henry,
If there were battle 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, have-received
him, because of your tnfatuation for
him. And-the young man has quail
i ties. He has been a success socially.
/ will not deny. I am quite surprised
by mis- success. But when ii comes to
putting him in a position above men
OF birth. my blond revolts. | request
you, Henry. to use your influence
against this. | not endure to have
him give you couralands. You should be
the captain, bee use your social posi-
ton has made tie enterprise possible.
But, yet. if-you misfortune-if some
other seems NOR it," A painful color
darkened the DO. face and his brows
gathered. The colonel went on. Il
should make no cbjection to that. But
again he pulled &c the corners of his
mustache with soiemnity-"I must re-
quest you TO use your influence abso-
lutely to prevent this pa;venu 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, 10 do anything of the
kind. | am not in question. As you
say. have-a misfortune. | shall use
what influence / have to see that the
Chevalier Beaupre is made captain Of
the company he has organized and is
to educate. This is fitting. I am
proud TO call hin my friend, and ] am
glad that | am la~ge-minded enough to
realize that as large mind as his is
not TO be measured by petty standards.
II he is a prince or IL he is peasant
is quite immateral. because he is first
very great thlng-himself." He
turned from the astonished colonel |
, 4. ~