Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-07-15

Il have never forgotten it."
you realize that he was dearer TO
me than any man on earth?"
Il have always believed 1t So" said
Francois.
Good" growled the general. You
will bear that in mind. I wish to tell
now OF an arrangements hope
which the Marquis Zappi and I had
formed together. It was to be the
crown OF our friendship and its per-
petuation: it was to have been U
happiness together-it would bet , VIII
which could come to my life, now that
he is gone. Would you break that
hope and take that happiness from
me?'
Francois. startled. caught a quick
breath. My Seigneur! You should
not ask. You know I would give my
own happiness for yours"
The general glared at him. frowning.
I'VE shall see." he said again. n then
suddenly as q shot from q
Does Alike love you. francois!
There was no m%istaking what ne
meant, and Francois did not evade -.
A fame Of scarlet crept In a SWIFT al
agonal across the warm brown Of his
,boyish cheeks, but his clear eyes met
the generals searching look frankly.
He hesitated a moment.
Il think not. my seigneur." he
In q low voice.
sigh aNe Of s relief. Thank Cod" he said
devoutly, and then put out his hand
and laid hold Of Francois strong lean
fingers. INV Francois. you are dear as
nay own son; you know 1T. Q are
x to Alixe-before Pietro-ah. yes.
much before Pietro. You will UNDER
lection that / put him before you In
this
Francois, high strung, deeply stirred.
felt his hand throb suddenly In the
generals and the general felt it. too:
Il am hurting you," the deep voice
said-and only n OF two people IN
Of tenderness. Il am hurting you son.
But listen, Francois. It was h dear
est wish OF Pietro's father-it has been
dearest wish for years-that Alike
and Pietro should n day be married.
It is that which would be the crown
Of a friendship forged in the fires OF
battle fields. tempered in the freezing.
starving snow fields of Russia, finished
hope never finished in all eternity"
The generals great frame was
shaking; a silence cut across his
speech. He went on.
Such a marriage would carry on
a living thing on he earth long after
had left. That thought is thrilling
me; 1t Is my greatest wish. Do o
see now why I was troubled when
yesterday I saw you, in the garden.
kiss Alixe's hand? I was afraid tho
that my dream. A~lessandro's and mine
he spoke THIS as If to himself-"might
reveH be realized"
Francois, his head bent, his eyes on
the generals hand which held his.
answered very quietly. Il see." he said.
most Il forgot Or I'll the v general c,on vent anS on; vs a.,
aloud to himself. Il forgot
they were not real brother and sister.
1t was mad Of me. Such a beauty IA
A1ixe-such q wonderful lad as my
Yet I did not dream OF h
change till yesterday. I nave gone
God. thank the good God. 1t is not too
late. She does not love him. It has
not gone further than what I saw,
He fired the words at h
young fellow id his natural manner
again. You have not put ideas into
head more than what I saw"
without infection; the look was still on
the big hand which held his own fast.
You would not take her from Pietro,
who. ! am sure. loves herr"
Francois looked up sharply. but the
general did not notice. He spoke slow
4ys = RAVAAAA6OA ASAV0 A0SAASe ~
boy seemed to be out Of breath-"to be
friend-always," he said.
The general smiled then and let the
fingers go, and turned to the letter ON
tho table before him. "Goodl" he said.
"You are always what I wish. Fran
co.'s" and It was quite evident that the
load was of. his mind. II am contented
that no harm has been done to either
OF my children. AS for you. however.
you. are 20. You are full Of ambition
and soldier-craft and politics and fight
ing-there is small place left for love
in such a boiling kettle Of fish as you.
II my girl has touched your heart q
bit. as 1t looked yesterday."-and the
genera. chuckled gently-"well, you are
2G-the wound will heal" He slapped
the letter on the table. II must now
q long talk with you on an inter-
esting subject-yourself."
The general was by this in high good
humor. A pas caught h face Of
the boy and left 1t pale, but the general.
busy at putting on his spectacles. did
no. see. When he turned to look al
him, Francois was an usual.
CHAPTER XIV.
wrru AT. NV a0rr.