Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-03-17
"Francols ?, Pietro asked.

That day I realized how unbearable it
would be if anything happened to you.
But thought cared for Francois; If
he had spoken that day should have
told him that l cared for him. But he
did not; he went-and was in prison
five years"
"And all that time I believed you
loved him, and were mourning for
him." Pietro said gently.
swered Yet all the time was
jealous for you, Pietro, for it was still
/ Francois who was the hero-not you.
Then when there came question of
his rescue I was mad with the desire
to have you do it-and you did It,"
Her voice dropped. She laid her
hand against his shoulder and spoke.
in quick cautious way
But all that is immaterial. just
love you-that's the point" A mo-
ment later she spoke again. IT want
to finish telling you-and then we need
never speak of it again. / did think
you were-commonplace. And yet l
knew in my heart you were not, for
1 resented your seeming so. So 1
urged you into danger. wanted you
| to be hero l had that echo OF a
schoolgirls romance about Francois
in my mind, and l chung, all along. to
the idea that loved him and that per-
haps he secretly loved me but would
not say it because he was poor and a
! peasant; that he was waiting till his
future was made Then, one day. only
the other day, he told me that he had
asked three wishes of life-'of the
good fairies he said. One was to make
Prince Louis Emperor, one was to be
Marshal of France; the third" she
stopped.
"What?" Pietro demanded, his
mouth a bit rigid.
Alike flushed and smiled and took
Pietro's big hand and covered her eyes
with it. THAT I should-love you,
Monsieur. He said he had wished that
all his life"
MAY heaven grant him his WISH"
said Pietro fervently, and then, reflect
ing, 1T seems strange wish for Fran
co.'s. You are sure, Alixe?"
Eyes, he said So" Alike insisted.
Our dear Francois" she went on soft
ly, and the blue intensity Of her eyes
grew misty. Dear Francois" she re-
peated, ''it is only he who could have
had those three wishes. The single
one that was for himself was not be-
cause he cared for it himself, but be-
cause it was the Emperor's prophecy"
81 always thought" Pietro spoke
slowly, that It was not indeed for
himself that he wished to be Mar
shall some day, but because it might
make him, in manner, your equal
It was for you."
For met" Alike was astonished. II
never thought Of that. l think you
thought Of IT, Pfetro, only because you
cared for me-and thought Fran
co.'s must care also.'
Eyes, thought he cared" Pietro
considered. Il can not believe other
wise yet"
you may believe IT." Alike was
firm. For he said that what he had
wished always was that should've
you did it mostly to please Fran
coils" she added serenely.
And Pietro's response to that was
apt, but not to be given here. The
minds of these two happy lovers were
full of that third who had been SO
close always, to each Of them.
"Pietro," Alike spoke earnestly, com
ing back to the same subject, you
know that love Francois-of course.
But you do not know In what way,
love him as If he we're one of the
saints-but also as if he were a help
less little child. Yet not-Pietro-as
If he were-the man love. l would
give my life for him in rush of de-
light. If he needed it. But know now.
Whatever were my vague dreams in
past years, that it is not in Francois
10 care for woman as a human man"
Il am not so sure" said Pietro, and
shook his head.
You know l am not abusing our
Francois" Alike protested. "Why.
Pietro, my father believes, and l be-
lieve, that if affairs should so happen
mat ne has his opportunity he may
yet be one of the great characters in
history. My father says he is made
up of inspirations, uminations-and
limitations"
Yes, said Pietro thoughtfully, He
has the faults Of brilliancy and fear
lessness. He judges too rapidly. II
he were afraid ever-if he saw the
other side of question ever, his iude-
ment would be safer. 1t may we'll hap
pen that he will be one Of the great
men Of Europe; it may also happen
that by some single act of mismanage-
ment he will throw away his career
or his life. God keep him safe!" pie
tro said simply.
And Alike echoed it-"God keen him
safe!" And then, II am going to write
MIN, pletro-about us. My father
knows where to reac-l him at BON.
iosne am going to say just wood
that what he has wished for all his
lie is true. 1t will get to him the
night before the battle"
Are you sure Won ara r;obt Att, -