The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-07-14

CnOugnS OF G09 o6CT0S passage ana Gne
vaguely outlined plan Of escape had
come to him the recollection Of Col.
onel Hampton's letter.and the long sea
voyage to Virginia.
So when Mr.. Henry Hampton landed
at Calais, a tall and very handsome
and very silent young man took quiet
possession of him and told him that
he was the Marquis Zappi and that Mr..
Hampton was to go with him to the
chateau of Vicques in the Jura- There
was certain gentle force about this
young marquis which made opposi-
ton to his expressed wish something
like banging ones head against a
stone wall. Mr.. Henry. Hampton had
planned going direct to Paris, but oe
went to 'Vicques. And on the journey
down the Marquis Zappi opened out
a plan which richly rewarded him for
his pliability. Mr.. Hampton had some
what clearer ideas on Italian politics
than his uncle; he knew enough to de-
test the Austrians and to have keen
sympathy for the long. horoic, losing
6ght-so far losing-of those devoted
men who we're counting their lives as
nothing for united Italy. The scheme
of helping to rescue a prisoner out of
an Austrian fortress was an adventure
such as made his eyes dance. Mr..
Hampton was twenty-one and full of
romance, romance as yet ungratifed.
So, P1etro told Francois, this long ex-
PLANTATION over. the Lovely Lucy was
anchored at an unlmportanJ lsIand out
side the port for which they we're
| bound, and Francois and the others
were to go on board and set sail
promptly for some port of France.
There the general, Alike, Pietro and
little Battista were to be put ashore,
and Francois was to sail across to Vim
| ginia with Mr.. Hampton and take pos
session for Pietro of his American es-
tates.
Francois, lying in bed with his eyes
glowing like lanterns. listened. But
as his friend finished he broke out
with sharp pain in his voice.
"Pietro! / want to see my mother. u
And Pietro was silent, laying quiet
hand over the unsteady one. Without
a word he sat 80 and let the sick man
think The line of red which came
into the pale cheeks told that he was
thinking intensely, and at last, with a
shivering sigh which went to the
others heart:
you are right, Pietro," he said. "h
Is wonderful plan for broken man
1t is like you to do everything right
| ~ hn q
the healthy life in Virginia-that ought
to make a man of me again soon
! ought it not, Pietro?"
| Pietro could not speak as he looked
at the wrecked figure, but he nodded
cheerfully.
GAS for your place, I'll have that il
order in month. and in a year it viii
be model for Virginia; and then II
come home"
Pietro smiled.
Come home and fight for the
princeton our Prince Louis. Do you
remember that afternoon at the chau
team, Pietro, and the strange boy, anC
how he fascinated us and how" thu
weak voice stopped at every syllable
but slipped on again cheerfully. Thu
familiar charm Of the boy Francois
was strong as he talked. And how ht
was not to be frightened by any dan
ger of an old wall" and Francois
stopped, smiling.
"And how you saved him." Pietr,
added.
That was a chance" said Francna
quickly. "But, Pietro, do you remem
Der how Alike turned on you. because
| had done it? Droll little Alixe!"
"She always scorned me because
was not wonderful like you. Francois
You were always the hero" Pietro sale
gently, and pressed the skeleton hand
under his own.
Francois eyes blazed up at him the1
as they had done so often in boyhood
mot that, Pietro. You do not under
stand. 1t was because Alike wished
always to see you first. 1 was olde
and had a certain quickness--sh'
wanted you to have my poor facility a
well as all Of your own gifts"
Pietro smiled his kind quiet smile
my Francois, have no gifts. And
Alike is more proud of You it Is right
for you are pride to all Of us and
am the last to grudge one particle O
honor or love to you. Francois
Pietro's deep voice stopped, and the
he went on in his straightforward, sin
pie way-"Francois, it Is not possibl
for me to tell you how glad am t
have You. my brother, back from tn
dead"
And weak, nerve-wrecked Francois
holding tight to Pietro's hand, turne
his face to the wall and cried.
Now that the end of effort was ovel
the strain of the long years shove
their effects in collapse; tn
/ l,nd