The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-09-29


II have studied enormously. my
prince. All known books on warlike
subjects, all could borrow or steal
have studied. All. yes. know much
of these things"
Louis Bonaparte, with an exhaustive
military education, a power of appli-
cation and absorption beyond most
men in Europe, let the CLEAN of a
smile escape. He listened with close
attention while Francois told of his
organization Of the youth of the neigh
borhood into cavalry company. and
of their drill twice week.
And you are the captain. Mon
sieur?"
Francois smiled crafty, worldly
wise smile-or perhaps it was as if
child would seem crafty and worldly
wise. No, my prince" he answered.
shaking his head sagely. THAT would
not be best am little known, a for
eigner. They think much of their old
families, the people of these parts.
/ So that 1t is better for the success
of the company that the captain should
be of the nobility of the country. One
| sees that. So the captain of the COM
pany is Monsieur Henry Hampton, the
younger, the kinsman of Monsieur lie
| Colonel, and young man of great
goodness, and the best of friends to
me. Everything that can do for his
pleasure is my own pleasure"
The prince turned his expression
less gaze on the animated face Mad
emoiselle Lucy likes the young mon
sieur?"
But yes, my prince likes ev-
cry one, Mademoiselle Lucy. 1t is sun
shine, her kindness; it falls every,
where and blesses where it falls. She
loves Henry-as brother"
las a brother!" the prince repeated
consideringly. yes, a brother. You
find Mademoiselle Lucy of-of kind
disposition"
Beyond words, and most charm
ing" Francois answered steadily, and
flushed little. He felt himself being
probed. With that the facile, mystic
rious, keen mind of the prince leaped
it seemed, worldwide chasm. THAT
most winning little girl of the ruined
chateau of Vicques-our playmate
Alixe-you remember how she stated
I am Alike and was at once ship
wrecked with embarrassment"
Il remember" Francois said shortly
and was conscious that he breathet
quickly and that his throat was dry
and that the prince knew of both trou
bles.
as she still 'Alixe'-the sam,
. Alixe?" inquired the prince, turning os
: tentatiously to the window. Has sh,
grown up as sweet and fresh and bril-
liant a flower as the rosebud prom
ised?"
Francois, hearing his own hear
beat, attempted to answer in a par
ticularly casual manner, which is dit
ficult and sophisticated trick. He fail
ed at it. They say-I think-sh
has-oh, but yes, and think''-h
stammered and the prince cut shor
his sufferings. "Ah, yesi l see tina
it is with you, as with Monsieur Her
ry, case of devoted brotherhood. Yo
love her as brother-you will no
boast of her.
You have done well, Chevalie
Beaupre. You have done so we'll tina
when the time is ripe again-it vii
not be long-for Strasburg must b
wiped out in success-that l shall sen
for you to help me, and shall kno0
that you will be ready. l see tina
the star which leads us both is tn
only light which shines for you.
holds your undivided soul, Chevalie
}. i am right?"
Francois turned his swiftly chan.
p ing face toward the speaker, draw
/ with a feeling which swept over him
for moment he did not answer. The
he spoke in a low tone.
when a knight of the old tim
went to battle" he said, "he wore o
. his helmet the badge of his lady an
> carried the thought of her in his hear
A man fights better So"
And the silent prince understood.