Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-03-07

little window in the stormy sunset for
a better light as he dropped the medi-
cine.
Conceive" he counted the drops
carefully up to nine, and then glanced
at the prisoner on his cot in the cor
ner. who tossed, and talked rapidly.
disjointedly. 1T is high time that the
doctor saw him." the jailer spoke half
aloud. IF the governor had been here
this would not have been allowed to
run on. 1 am glad the governor Ii
coming back"
With that the prisoner threw on the
cover from his shoulders and sat up
suddenly. with wild bright eyes star
ing at the jailer.
'Pietro!" he called in establishment
why, my dear old Petrol" and flung
out his hands eagerly toward the man.
and would have sprung from the bed
to him.
But the jailer was at his side and
held him down, yet gently. BE quiet,
signor," he said respectfully. 1T is
only old Battista; you will see If you
look. Only Battista, who has taken
care of you these five years.
The brilliant dark eyes stared at
him hungrily; then with sigh the
light went out of them and the head
fell on the pillow
"Ah, Battista," he said, my good
Battista." A smile full of a subtle
charm made the worn face bright. He
spoke slowly. Il thought it was my
friend-my best friend" he explained
gently.
"Will the signor take the doctors
medicine?" Battista asked then, not
~, -i,Ir
man was clearly light-headed, yet with
a certain pleasant throb of memory
which always moved within him at the
name of Pietro. 1t happened that the
name stood for some one dear to the
jai1er also. The signor took the medi-
cine at once, like good child.
''Win it make me better, do you
think, Battfsta?" he asked earnestly.
But yes, signor; the doctor is
clever"
81 want to be better; I must get
well, for 1 have work to do as soon
as come out of prison"
Surely, signor. That will be soon
now, 1 think, for 1t is five years; they
will let you go soon, l believe" Bat
tista lied kindly.
You are good to me, Battista," the
| boy said, land Just now you gave me
a great pleasure. 1t warns me yet to
think of it, for, you see, 1 thought you
were Pietro-my dear Pietro-the
Marquis zappi.''
Battista, breathless, stared, stam-
mered. "Whom-whom did you say.
signor?"
But the prisoner had flashed into
reason. The color went out of his face
as the tide GIBBS. "Battista, did l say
| a name? Battfsta-you will not betray
| me-you will not repeat that name? I
would never have said it but that I
was not quite steady. l must have
been out of my head; 1 have never
| spoken his name before in this place.
Oh, If 1 should bring danger to himi
Battista, for Gods sake, you will not
| repeat that manner"
Battista spoke low, glancing at the
heavy iron door of the cell. God for
bid, signor," he whispered, that I
should speak, here in his own castle.
the name of my young master"
There was long silence. The prfs-
oner and his jai1er gazed at each other
| as if saying things beyond words
Then the boy put out his long hot fin
gers and caught the mans sleeve.
"Battista," he murmured, "Battista
is that true? Is it possible? Do you
know-my Pietro?"
Know him, signor?" Battista's deep
voice was unsteady. My fathers have
served his for eight hundred years.
The man was shaking with a loyalty
| long pent up, but Francois lifted his
head, leaned on his elbow, and looked
at him thoughtfully.
But, Battista, l know you now; he
| has spoken to me of you; it was your
son, the little Battista, who was his
| body-servant when they were chill
| dren?"
Yes, signor.''
81 did not dream of 1t; never knew
1 what castle this was; never dreamed
of Castleforte; you would not tell me-"
q could not, signor. 1t was forbid
| den. 1t is forbidden 1 am risking
my life every nlinGte.,,--~
60, Battista." and Francois pushed
! him away with weak hands. GO quick
| ly-you have been here too long.
There might be suspicion l could not
! live if l brought trouble on you"
1T is right SO far, signor." Battista
answered 1T is known you are i'll;
/ must care for the sick ones little
But / had better go now sssss1E
With that he slipped to his knees
and lifted the feverish hands to his
Hips The friend OF my young mas
ter" he said simply, but his voice
broke on the words. The traditional
tfaithfulness of centuries was strong in
Battista; the Zappis had been good