The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-07-16
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PROMISE.

THE PROMISE.
Nor dieu!" said the general.
1t vas six years later. At the new
chateau not a blade Of grass seemed
changed. The general stood in the
blades of grass as he stopped short on
the slophag lawn which led down to
the white stone steps which led to the
sunken garden. At each side Of the
highest step lifted a carved stone vase,
blazing in the September afternoon
with scarlet geraniums, and garlanded
with vines. At the foot of the steps
stood two more vases, and at each side
of the graveled path, ribboned with a
long flower bed. at even intervals of 80
feet, another stately pair Of them-the
gray stiff vases splitting Intoxicating
brightness of red flowers. They led
the eye Town a line till. 100 yards away,
the line broke into a circle where a
sun dial set on q fantastic stone figure
of a satyr marked the center of a
grass plot. Massive stone seats held
up by carved crouching %griffins faced
of these, in the sunny stiffness Of the
! garden, sat q girl n a young a
Alike, in her riding habit, with a
feather in her hat, n gauntleted
gloves on her hands, vas so lovely
as to be startling. She looked at the
! ! SA4Att Alail II iclil looSillliSJ dllo
beat the grass with her riding whip.
Francois was leaning toward her and
talking, n the general, coming slowly
down the lawn, felt a flood of pride
rise in him as he locke at this sue
| cessful picture of a boy which he had
done SO much to fashion. The two
had been riding together, and Francois
appeared. as most men do, at his best
in his riding clothes. With that, as the
general marched slowly down the vel
vet slope, unseen by them, regarding
them-his girl and his boy. this happy
sister and brother-with that the
brother lifted the sisters hand and,
bending over it, kissed 1t slowly, in a
manner Enthusiastically unbrotherly.
Mon Dieu!" gasped the general, and
turned on his heel n marched back
to his library.
Ali that afternoon he stayed shut up
In the library. At dinner he was tact
turn.
well then, father" Alike said at
last, after the two had tried every sub
ject in vain to make him talk. 1T will
be necessary now to buy all the berries
that are grown for 10 miles around"
"Berries?" growled the general, be-
wildered.
Surely"
why berries?" ferociously.
Alike looked up at him innocently.
isn't 1t berries which big bears live
IA vi WAL W. S1h ooy LAY 4 /
when you nave bitten our heads off and
torn US to pieces?"
And the general, when he had been
betrayed into a laugh. sighed deeply
and got up from his chair, dinner not
being over, and stalked back to his Ii
brary. Never had such q thing hap
pened.
What is it?' Alike asked Of Fran
co.'s. HE is not ill-he told US that.
Have o done something. you wicked
sinful boy, to trouble him?"
Francois shook his head thoughtfully.
IT cannot think Of anything" he said,
and hia eyes met hers truthfully. But
we shall know soon. FIe is as frank as
a child; he cannot keep q grievance
from the people he loves"
Which was a true judgment, for the
next morning the general sent for
A letter had been brought a short time
before and was lying open on the table
by his hand.
FRANCOIS" began the general in his
deep abrupt tones. II am In trouble.
Will you help me?"
IF it e a sacrifice to yourself? %
Eyes. my S%eigneur," Francois n
swered.
we shall see" The generals strong
lips were set and he said nothing more
for a moment, but gazed thoughtfullyl
at the letter which lay under his big
.outspread fingers. At length. You re-
member Pietro's father, the Marquis
Zappi?" he demanded.
Surely, my Seigneur."
"You remember the story l once told
YOU. how he saved my life in Russia"
II saave never forgotten 1t"
you realize that he was dearer to
me han any man on earth?"
II have always believed It So" said
Good, growled the general. You
will bear that In mind. l wish to tell
you now of an arrangement-a nope
which the Marquis Zappi n ] had
crown Of our friendship and its per-
nefiIation: it was to have been our
happiness together-it would bet will
be. &C. all goes well, the happiest thing
which could come to my life. now that
he IL gone. Would you break that
hope and take that happiness from
Z Francois. startled, caught a quick
breath. ..My Seigneur! You should
not ask. You know / would give my
happiness for yours"
The general glared at him, frowning.
eve shall see" he said again, and then
as a shot from q cannon
Alike owe you, Francois?
There was no installing What he
meant, and Francois did not evade it.
Al fame of scarlet crept in a swift d.
agonal across the warm brown of his
the generals searching look frankly.
He hesitated q moment.
.IlI think not. my seigneur." he
AM 49, Er. 80 AA-EZ