The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-03-21

accolade--the knighting--was always
right OF the monarchs OF France,
disused, perhaps at times. but yet held
In allegiance, right"
The glance OF the brilliant eyes met
hers with a frank calmness which
showed that he claimed nothing which
he did not feel; that this haphazard
nobility had Lived in his soul and
grown with his growth, and come to
be part of him. With gentle humil.
ity, very winning as It sprang from
his gentle pride, he went on.
II know, Mademoiselle, that am a
peasant and that l must be content
with a small place in life at the pres.
ent. l know this. And even that
position which l have is more than
my brothers. For you must know,
Mademoiselle, that the others grew up
to be farmers or tradesmen." He he's.
itated, and then in a few words told
her of General Gourgaud, the seigneur
of Vicques, and how he had given the
peasant boy all the opportunities
which his own son could have had.
And as he talked he remembered how,
after his fathers ruin, he had stood
inside the bare, little, new cottage and
watched through the window his
mother standing at the gate and talk
ing to the seigneur, who held Lisette's
bride. 1t seemed to him he could
see the dark braided hair of La Claire,
coiled around her head, and the deep
point Of her white northumberland
as she stood with her back to him,
and the big bow of the apron tied
about her waist. The picture came
wildly. And It opened his heart so
that he talked on, and told this strang-
er in strange land many things that
had lain close and silent In his heart.
He told her about the generals gruff-
ness, which could not hide his good
ness; and how he had come to be the
child of the castle as well as Of the
cottage; something of Pietro also he
told her; but he did not mention Alike.
You spoke OF three children, Mon
sieur; who was the third?" asked
Lucy.
Francois went on as IL he had not
heard the question. 1T was a happy
life, Mademoiselle," he said. And it
has been so ever since-even, for the
most part, in prison. have wondered
at times IL the world is all filled with
such kind people as have met, or II
1t is just my good luck"
Lucy Hampton had been reading
aloud to her sick black nanny that
day, and some Of the words of the
book she had read came to her, and
seemed to fit. THE kingdom of God
and was tried for it--and all that-fa-
Their talked about 1t so much l could
not help knowing little about 1t, but
l don't remember distinctly"
But certainly. Mademoiselle. 1t
was the prince"
Then, haven't they Just done some.
thing to him? Isn't there something
people are interested in just now
about that Prince LOUISE"
The grave bright smile flashed out
at her. I'm truth, Mademoiselle,
there is. The prince was shipped by
his jailers on the frigate Andromede
more than four months ago, for what
port is unknown. One has not heard
of him lately, and there are fears that
he may have suffered shipwreck. But
/ do not fear. 1t is the hope of France,
it is Frances destiny which the An
dromede carries. 1t will carry that
great cargo safely. The young prince
will yet come to his own, and land
perhaps you, MISUNDERSTANDING
knows?-will cry for him 'Vive rEm.
pereur!"
The tone full of feeling thrilled
through the girl. She flushed and
stammered as she went on, but Fran
co.'s, carried away by his enthusiasm
did not think of it. IF you will let
me ask just one question more, Mon.
sieur, will promise not to ask any
after"
The flicker of amusement lighted
his face. ASK me a thousand, Mad
emoiselle."
mo, only one Did that seigneur-
that General Gourgaud-did he have
any-any daughter?"
The Frenchman rose in a business
like way, the way of a teacher of Ian,
guage at the end of a lesson.
One" he answered briefly in mat
ter-of-fact tone. And then, made