Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-09-16
CHAPTER
THE THIRD WISH.

e0A
On the day when Francois in Lon
don read that letter of Lucy Hampton's
which had awaited his return from
France. a letter from Lucy Hampton
reached Alike at the chateau of Vic
ques.. She carried it to Pietro's room
dow which looked over Delesmontes
valley and the racing Cheulte river. and
village strung on the shores. His
elbow on the stone window sill, his chin
IN his hand, he stared at the familiar
picture.
Alike, coming in without knocking at
the open door, stopped across and stood
oy him. and he did not yet lift his head.
ms hstless eyes did not yet shift their
gaze from the broad landscape. Alike,
looking down at The black head with
It's snort curls set in thick locks-after
Ine manner of the curls of Praxiteles'
Hermes-was startled to see many
bright lines of ray through the dark
mass. Was everybody getting old?
FRANCOIS with the broad band Of white
IN ms halr-and now Pietro-big little
lPietro, who had come to them and
learned to ride Coo and PLAYED with
them: Was Pietro getting old and
gray? NN
By n Of the sudden impulses char
acter1stic of her, her hand flew out and
rested on the curled head as if to pro-
tect it. motherly, from the whitening of
time.
And Pietro turned slowly and looked
up at her with eyes full of hopelessness
and alteration. Such a look he had
never before given her; such a look no
could mistake except a woman who
would not let herself understand.
1T is good to be up and at the vim
dow, isn't it?" Alike spoke cheerfully,
and her hand left his head and she
Went on in a gay disengaged tone.
You viii be down stairs in two or
three days now, and then it is only a
Jump to being out and about. and then
then in a minute you will be we'll
again.
ooh, yes" Pietro answered without
animation: 1T will not be long before
I I'm WE'LL"
Look. Pietro''; Alike held out the
paper in her land 'Such a queer let
ter! From Virginia. From the little
Lucy Hampton of whom Francois talks.
l don't understand it. Will you let me
read it to your
Surely" said Pietro, and waited
my lear Mademoiselle," Alike read.
Il am writing to beg your forgiveness,
as I have begged that Of the Cheval-
Ter Beaupre, for the cry great fault I
have committed. The Clearwater
trusted to me a letter for you which
or q certain event; by a carelessness
which,, unmeant as it was. o shal
never forgive myself I gave it with
other letters to U negro Sambo to be
posted at once. By now it may have
reached you. I can not tell If I have
made trouble or not, but in any case.
I can not rest without saying to you
AS we'll as to the Chevalier-how sorry
I am. II you can find it in your heart
to forgive me please do so. dear Mad
emoiselle. That I should have made
trouble for one as dear to the Chevalier
as you are is a. deep grief to me He
has talked to me Of you. With q very
earnest prayer again for your forgive
ness I am. Mademoiselle. yours faith
1lliy and sincerely-Lucy Hampton
Pietro looked %bewildered. s.What IN
1t about?" he asked.
II wonder" and Alike laughed and
frowned at the paper in her hand. .'It
seems Francois wrote me a letter and
left 1t with little Mistress Hampton
What event? What a strange thing
Ior to do! And then he came
to US here and said nothing Of mvs:
ferrous letters left cooking in Virginia
I can not make it out. Pietro-can
Not /" said Pietro.
THE letter Of Francois has not come.
that Is certain; I wonder IL the negro
Sambo lost it." Aee4o
Probably" Pietro said. ut hou,d
nave come before this one, otherwise"
IT Is q riddle Alike decided. and
! never guess them" Then.
INTO q seat on the wide window six
are letting yourself be-
The gray eyes met hers with some.
thing that seemed q wall of reserva -
Ineir steady glance. IT think possihiv
I NUS naving no exercise" he said. a
about" SOU : can GET
,s Aii1e looked at him. sYou are eating