The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-21

Let me see him too, my mother"
the silent, grave young man begged
1T may be that | can help you. l
wish to help"
In a moment Fritz introduced a
slight alert person whose delicate face
was made remarkable by a pair OF
eyes large and brilliant and full OF
visionary shadows, yet alive with fire.
One saw first those uncommon eyes
and then the man. If they had not
been entirely concerned with his mes
sage they might have remarked that
he trembled as he looked at the
Princes face; that his voice shook as
he answered the Queens question.
81 have the unhappiness, your Maj
esty, to bring you bad news" he said.
speaking to her, but still gazing ca
gerly at the Prince. THE Marquis
Zappi, my employer, is i'll. He was
taken suddenly last night, and today
is much worse, and there is no chance
that he can travel with your Majesty
tomorrow"
The Queen threw out her hands with
gesture Of hopelessness. What can
we do?" she exclaimed. Am to plan
and plan and have always an uncon-
querable obstacle? Can l not save
my boy? l might have known that
everything seemed too bright this
morning, too good to be true. Yet 1t
is not possible that after all they
should''-she looked at her son; her
courage came springing back. They
shall not take you" and her eyes
flashed defiance at a world Of enemies,
and she went over and threw her arm
about his neck. Louis. don't let your
self be excited, dearest. They shall
not take you. | can save you"
1t was as If she put a spur to her
brain; there was moments silence
and the two lads watched her brows
drawing together under the concentra-
ton of her brain.
"Of course" she said suddenly and
laughed-a spontaneous laughter
which seemed to food her with youth
fitness She turned her blue glance
swiftly on the newcomer, the slender
boy with the luminous eyes. You are
in the employ Of the Marquis Zappi,
MONSIEUR"
But yes, your majesty. l am the
secretary of Monsieur le Marquis
She paused a second, seemed to take
stock of the young man, of his looks,
his bearing, his accent.
you are French. Have you a sym
pathy with the family of my son, with
the Bonapartes?'
It was as if n door had been opened
Your majesty, would give my life
for his highness," he said quietly. The
impassive face of the young prince
turned toward the speaker, and the
half-shut heavy glance, which had the
Napoleonic gift of holding a picture,
rested on him attentiyely. Louis Bona.
parte seemed to remember something
What is your name, monsieur" he
asked, and it might have been noticed
that his head lifted a little from the
pillow as he waited for the answer.
Francois Beaupre, sire" The young
man seemed to be out of breath.
"Sire!" Louis Napoleon repeated. And
then, Il have seen you before. Where
was it? Not in Rome--not in Switzer-
land-ah!" His hand few out, and
with that Francois was on his knee by
the bedside, and had kissed the out.
stretched thin fingers, and the princes
other hand was on his shoulder fra
ternally.
THE old chateau of Vicques-my
playfellow. Francois. I told you then
was going to remember, didn't II"
Louis Napoleon demanded, laughing
boyishly. Mother, he saved my life
from the falling wall. Do you remem.
Der the story of my runaway trip?"
And Hortense, smiling, delighted to
see her sad-faced boy so pleased and
exhilarated did remember, and was
gracious and grateful to the young
Frenchman. 1T is a good omen to
have you come to US today" she said
with all the dazzling charm which she
knew how to throw into a sentence.
And then, eager with the headlong
zest OF hunter for the game, she
caught the thread which wove into the
pattern of her scheming. You would
risk something to save him, would
you not? You will take the place of
the marquis and travel with us, tomor-
row, and help me carry away the
prince to safety?'
The dark young face was pale.
Your majesty, 1t is a happiness had
not dared to hope for yet"
YETI" the prince demanded laconic-
ally. He saved words always, this lad,
but he always said his thought
The other boys face turned to him,
and he answered very simply, But
yes, your highness / have known al
ways that | should have part in your
highness' fate"
In the gray dawn of the next morn
ing there was n slight stir through the
palace, and out between the lines of
drowsy Austrian sentinels passed a
procession OF whose true character
they were far from aware, else history
had changed. The guard watched the
DEPARTURE the sick lady Hortense-
late queen of Holland, as they all
knew more or less clearly, drove away
slowly in her travelling caleche, and on
the box was young man In the liv-
cry of a groom whom no one of the
half-awake soldiers knew for Prince
Louis Napoleon; in the middle of
the seco1d carriage sat another youth
of two or three years younger who
was, the queens servants had been
told the MARQUIS Zappi Their pass-