The citizen., 1914-02-13


never forget him because he has
gone away. He will come back" The
boy spoke with effort, slowly, but
Alike was too much occupied with her
own tumultuous thoughts to notice.
"He will surely come back and-be.
long to you more than ever. He will
come back distinguished and covered
with honors, perhaps, and then-and
then-Alixe, do you see the chestnut
tree at the corner that turns to the
chateau? 1t is a good bit of soft road
we will race to that tree-shall we?
And then ! will tell you something"
The horses raced merrily: Alike sat
close to the saddle with the light
swinging seat, the delicate hand on
the bride. which were part of her
perfect horsemanship. and over and
over as he watched her ride Francois
said to himself:
Il will give my happiness for the
Seigneur's-I said 1t, and | will |
will be friend to Pietro always
said it, and will"
Over and over the horses flying feet
pounded out that self-command, and at
length the music Of the multiplying
hoof beats grew slower, and with tight
ening rein they drew in and stopped
under the big chestnut. Alike was
laughing, exhilarated, lovely.
Wasn't 1t q good race? Didn't
they go deliciously?" she threw at
him. And then, I'VE will go around
by the Delesmontes Road; 1t Is only
three miles farther. and 1t is early
in the afternoon; there is nothing to
do"
Francois spoke slowly. II am afraid
Il must not, Alike. am going to
the farm tonight"
ITO the farm!" Alike looked at
him in surprise. But you were not
to go over till tomorrow. My father
and / will ride over with you. Have
you forgotten?"
mo-" said Francois, II have not for
gotten-no. indeed. But l am going
away tomorrow, Alike"
Going away?" Alike turned sharp
ly, and her deep blue glance searched
his eyes. What do you mean, Fran
cois?" And then, imperiously: Don't
tease me, Francois! don't like it."
Francois steadied. hardened his face
very carefully. and answered: Il am
not teasing you, Alike. l did not tell
you before because" he stopped, for
his voice was going wrong-"because
I thought we would have our ride just
as usual today. only knew about It
myself this morning. l am going to
Pietro."
"Going-to Pietro!" Alike was gasp
ing painfully. "Francois-it Is joke
tell me it is a poor joke Quick!"
she ordered. 81 won't have you play
with me, torture mel"
''It is not a joke" The boys eyes
were held by superhuman effort on
the buckle of the bridle-rein lying on
his knee. There was letter from
Pietro this morning. The seigneur
wishes me to go. / wish to go. go
tomorrow"
Going tomorrow" The girls voice
was wall. "You-taken away from
mel" Then in fash: q hate Pietro!
He is cruel--he thinks only of him
self. He wants you-but l want you
too. How can l live without you.
Francois?" Then softly, hurriedly,
while the world reeled about the boy,
sitting statue-like in his saddle: "It
is just as l said. You are as much
part of my life as the air breathe
and you and my father and Pietro say
quite calmly, The air is to be taken
away-you must do without it, /
can not. will choke!" She pulled at
her collar suddenly, as If the choking
were a physical present fact.
No slightest motion, no shade OF
infection missed Francois; still he
sat motionless, his eyes on the little
brass buckle, his lips set in line.
without word, without look toward
her. And suddenly Alike. with another
quick blue glance from under her long
lashes-Alixe, hurt, reckless, desper-
ate, had struck her horse sharp blow
and she was in the road before him,
galloping away.
He let her go. He sat quiet long
time. AS she turned in, still gallop-
ing, at the high stone gateway of the
chateau his eyes came back again to
the little shining buckle. It seemed
the only thing tangible In a dream
universe of rapture and agony. Over
and over he heard the words she had
said-words which must mean-what?
Had they meant It? Had he possibly
been mistaken? No-the utter happi-
ness which came with the memory of
the soft hurried voice must mean the
truth-she cared for him, and then
over and over and over he said, half
aloud, through his set teeth:
'I said that l would give my happi-
ness for my seigneur's; | said that
would be friend to Pietro; will"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)