Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-03-20

spoke slowly. Il thought it was my
friend-my best friend" he explained
gently.
will the signor take the doctors
medicine ?" Battista asked then' ho'
much noticing the words, for the SIGN
man was clearly light-headed, yet WIFI
a certain pleasant throb or memory
which always moved within him at inc
name Of Pietro. 1t happened that the
name stood for some one dear to the
taller also. The signor took the neul'
cine at once, like a good chlld.
will it make me better, 40 you
think. Battista?" he asked earnestly.
But yes, signor; the doctor Is
clever"
u want to be better; | must get
well, for | have work to do as soon
as ! come out Of prison"
Surely, signor. That will be soon
now, l think, for it is hve years; they
will let you go soon. | believe" Bat
tista lied kindly.
You are good to me, Battista, ne
boy said. land just now you gave me
a great pleasure. 1t warns me y"! to
think of it. for, you see, though you
were Pietro-my dear Pietro-the
Marquis Zappi."
Battista, b~reathless, stared, STAN
mered. "Whom-whom did you say.
~signor?"
! But the prisoner had flashed into
reason. The color ven out Of his face
as the tide GIBBS. "Battista, did | say
a name? Battista-you will not betray
me-you will not repeat that name? !
would never have said ii but that
was not quite steady. | must have
been out of my head; | have never
spoken his name before in this place.
Oh, II ] should bring danger to him.!
Battista, for Gods sake. you will not
repeat that name?"
Battista spoke low, glancing at the
heavy iron door of the cell. God for
bid, signor." he whispered, that
should speak, here in his own castle.
the name of my young master"
There was a long silence. The prts-
oner and his jailer 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 it; l never knew
what castle this was; l never dreamed
Il could not, signor. 1t was forbid
den. 1t is forbidden. am riskins
my life every minute"
GO, Battista,' and Francois pushed
him away with weak hands. 60 quick.
ly-you have been here too long.
There might be suspicion. / could no,
live If 1 brought trouble on you"
ut is right so far, signor." Battists
answered. 1T is known you are ill:
l must care for the sick ones a little
But | had better go now"
With that he slipped to his knees
and lifted the feverish hands to hi!
lips. THE friend OF my young mas
ter" he said simply, but his voice
broke on the words. The traditions
faithfulness of centuries was strong il
Battista; the Zappfs had beer goot
masters; one had beer cared for an,
%contented always; one was terrorizet
and ground down by these Austrian
swine;" the memory of the old mas
tiers, the personality OF anyone con
nected with them, was sacred, BATHS
ia bowed his head owe the hands II
his own, then he stood up.
81 shall be back at bedtime, signor.
he said quietly. and vas one
CTO BE CONTINUEDJ