Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-07-08

sell consciousness; he felt that he had
placed AliXe'S standing now in the best
light possible. The strange boy felt it,
too, it seemed. for he started as Fran
co.'s spoke of Napoleon; his reserved
face frightened and his cap was off
and sweeping low as he bowed again
to Alike more deeply. Francois was de-
llghted. 1t was IN him to enjoy dra-
matte effect. as 1t is in most French
men: He faced about to Pietro.
This one. Monsieur" he went on,
much taken with himself as master of
ceremonies. "is Monsieur the Marquis
Zappi OF Italy. His father also fought
for the great captain
The quiet strange boy interrupted
swiftly. II KNOW" he said. the
Italian corps under Prince Eugene;
also on the staff of L.Annes 1 know
the name well,'' and he had Pietro's
hand in a firm grasp and was looking
into the lads embarrassed face with
his dreamy keen eyes.
The children. surprised, were yet too
young to n much that a boy
scarcely older than tt. emsefves should
have the army OF Napoleon at his
fingers ends; he gave them no time to
think about 1t.
one sees, without the names, that
you are of the noblesse," he said sim
ply, embracing The three in his sleepy
glance. FIe turned to Francois. And
you. Monsieur the spokesman? You are
also OF a great Bcnapartist house?"
Francois stood straight and slim: his
Well knit young body in his military
dress was carried with all the assur-
ance OF an aristocrat. He smiled his
brilliant exquisit smile into the older
boys face.
"Me-1 am a peasant" he said cheer
FULLY. II have no house" Then into
the silence that fell he spoke simply.
''Ihere are no officers of my family,
no battles where my name was known"
The controlled glance of the stranger
rested on him ~attentively. With that
n look of Francois changed in a flash;
his eyes blazed as he threw out both
hands In a strong gesture. 1T makes
no difference" he cried. MY life was
consecrated from its start to the SER
vice of the house OF Bonaparte. 1t will
count: l Nv because l believe that. 1
know surely that I shall vet do a thing
worth while for a Bonaparte."
A curious vivid glance shot at thee x.
cited boy from under h dropping lids
OF the newcomer. Monsieur" he said
quietly, II" But NJ one had time
to hear the rest. Because Alike had sud
denly thrown her arm about Francois
neck, n was crying out impetuous
words.
81 is a ~peasant-yes. But he is also
our brother, Pietro's and mine, and no
prince is better than Francois-not
! one."
or half so good" Pietro put in with
his slow tones.
You are likely right" the stranger
agreed laconically.
And then without questions asked,
IN rapid eager sentences, the three had
told him how it was; how Francois, re-
Iuslng to leave the cottage. was yet the
son of the castle: how Pietro had come
and had stayed, how the boys were at
school together; how in the vacations
they were still sister INT brothers.
whether at the castle or the farm: ali
this and much more the three poured
out tn the silent lad who listened, who
seemed to say allnost nothing, yet
managed to max them feel at every
moment that he cared to hear what
they said. With that they were talking
about the village of Vicques. and it's
antiquity. n then of the old chateau;
and one told the legend of the treasure
and of the guardian dog.
Just over the wall there is the OPEN
ing where he appeared to old Pierre
Iremblay," Francois pointed out."And
Pierre was half witted ever after. ID
know, for l have seen him myself He
~mumbled."
That is interesting" The stranger
spoke with more animation than he
0u Hi1o"n peloie-ae was, after all,
TOR all of his reserve. a boy. II should
ike an interview with that dog. 1
must at least see his kennel. Over that
wall? I will climb the wall"
"but no." Francois put in quickly.
1T Ss unsafe these last five years. I
nave climbed 1T, but not in these last
years. You can go around and get in
by another way and see the hole of
the dog"
The older boys eyes narrowed. "1
think ! should prefer to climb the
WALL" he said.
Alike spoke. IF Francois can not go
1t is impossible. He is the best climber
of all the country, are you not then.
Francois?"
Eyes" said Francois.
And Pietro echoed. But yes. All
the world knows it,"
II think I should like to climb the
wall" the stranger repeated gently.
And he did. The others watching
a~nxiously, he crawled out on the UNI
certain pile 10 feet in air. A big stone
crashed behind him; he crawled on.
Ihen, II see it," he cried, and waved
a triumphant hand, and with that there
was a hoarse rumble of lossened
blocks close to his hands-he was Slip
ping-he had jumped. And as he
Jumped a heavy square of stone tum-.
blcd with him and caught him. felled
him pinned into the tumbling wall by
his coat. And. above, the wall swayed.
Then, In the instant of time before the
catastrophe. Francois had sprung like a.
cat into h center Of danger and los
sened the coat and pushed the other
boy. violently Keeling, across the grass
out of harms way.
| AliYa ccraapoo1 oroo clo,-1. 49,