The Dermott news., 1914-04-02
CHAPT ER l.
he Prophecy.


 oen, on d sunehiuy morning of lS2o from the great entry of an old farm house in the valley under the Jura mountains. The grandmother. sitting vhite-capped in the center of the hub hub, heard one more willingly than the others. for not only was Francois her best loved, but also the story he asked for was the story she liked to tell
 Smiling, the grandmother began; You must know, my children, that 1t was on day in the month of May, in shs year 1913. that he came. You. Lucie, and you, Pierre, and Marie were not born, only Francois and Tomas. Francois was the older not quite three years old. The mother had gone to care for your Aunt Lucie, who was Ill, and l kept the house for your father IL was the year of the great -eonscripton. when the emperor took all the men to fight not only the strong ones. but the boys. and the old and infrm. If they might but drag themselves at the tail of regiment So the few mon who were not under the flag were sorely needed by their families. for 1t was necessary, If the women and children were not to starre, that some should stay to work fn the fields. Your father was of the .tew who had escaped in our village of iVfcques
 One morning man appeared in Axhs village and said that Napoleon would pass this way within few Hours
 Outside l heard the neighbors call Ing the same two words Napoleon omnes' called IL 10 another. If tho trumpet ot the angel sounded the end of the world. they could not have had more fear. Then your father kissed me. and kneeled and held you. Francois. and Tomas In his arms. and 1 saw tears. but he was brave-but yer. Courage. little mother. he said. for me and for the babies. Courage
 And at that your father. who was my little lad once. you know. my dears. had gone and stood with an ache where my heart should have been. and tor a moment I was stupid and could not think.
 As l stood so. like a blow there was rush of galloping horses in a shower Of noise down the street, and my heart stopie for the horses drew up q; this house So that I was still in the middle of the floor when the door opened
 It opened. that door there, and against the light saw men crowding "a, bright colors, and swords hung at their Edes. and on their heads were hats with trimmings of gold Then saw -NapOieon. With a step toward me hs spoke in a kind voice, half smiling
 Madame he said. will you lat US ase this room and this table for an hourg You shall not be disturbed in your work.
 T made my courtesy 10 these great eentiSnen as had beon taught, and found myself saying quite easily 10 hts majesty the emperor. as easily as If tAIked to Mon steur le Cure to whom l vas accustomed. that he was wei come that l would serve him gladly fl be wished 10 command mo And then l left them. went into the kitchen and began to get dinner. but l was 80 dazed that l could not seem to make the soup as usual When. suddenly. I heard a child cry and with no thought then but of my babies, Asw to the door of the great room and stood looking. for l could not pass the sentinel
 Among the officers in their uni. forms there lay on the floor little Fran co.'s in hte night-dress. and all the of. iicers looked at him and laughed The child. sleeping in the farther room. had walked at tho voices and had climbed down from his crib and tod dled out to see. The glitter of the uni. forms must have pleased him. and as they all bent over the papers on the tafae he had pulled at the sword of one whom l afterward knew to be the great Marshal Ney. He wore a dark coat all heavy with gold lace my chil- dren, and white pantaloons and high shining black boots. and across his kreast scarlet ribbon He sat next the emperor. The marshal. turning sharply at the tug. knocked the little ono over. IL was then Francois cried out
 'Napoleon himself who spoke as I peered under the sentinel's arm He shook hts finger at his officer.
 Marshal. Marshal he cried. are you not too quick to overthrow SO young soldier. so full of love for arms7'
 The emperor seemed to joke. for Ae laughed little. yet there was a sound in his voice as if some part was serious He turned sharply to the mayor What Is the childs nameP'
 The mayor was our friend and knew the babies. Francois Beaupre. sire, he answered tremblingly
 The emperor gave short nod. Make him kneel. he said Marshal. pour sword