The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-08-06

aloud. IF the governor had been here !
this would not have been allowed to |
run On. / am glad the governor is
coming back"
With thai the prisoner threw of the
cover from his shoulders and sat up
suddenly, with wild bright eyes star
ing at the jailer.
"Pietro! he called In establishment.
why, my dear old Pietroi" and flung
out his hands eagerly toward the man,
and would have sprung from the bed
to him.
But the jailer was at his side and
held him down, yet gently. BE quiet,
signor," he said respectfully. at is
only old Battista; you will see il you
look. Only Battista, who has taken
care of you these five years."
The brilliant dark eyes stared at
him hungrily; then with a sigh the
light went out of them and the head
fell on the pillow.
"Ah, Battista," he said, my good
Battista." A smile full of a subtle
charm made the worn face bright. He
spoke slowly. II thought it was my
friend-my best friend" he explained
gently.
''Will the signor take the DOCTORS
medicine?" Battista asked then, not
much noticing the words, for the sick
man was clearly light-headed, yet with
certain pleasant throb of memory
which always moved within him at the
name of Pietro. 1t happened that the
name stood for some one dear to the
jailer also. The signor took the medi-
cine at once, like good child.
"Will it make me better, do you
think, Battista?" he asked earnestly.
"But yes, signor; the doctor is
! clever"
Il want to be better; I must get
well, for have work to do as soon
| as come out of prison"
Surely, signor. That will be soon
now, think, for it is five years; they
will let you go soon, I believe" Bat
tista lied kindly.
you are good to me, Battista," the
boy said, "and just now you gave me
great pleasure. 1t warns me yet to
think of it, for, you see, thought you
we're Pietro-my dear Pietro-the
Marquis zappi"
Battista, breathless, stared, STAN
mered. "Whom-whom did you say
signor?"
But the prisoner had flashed into
reason. The color went out of his face
as the tide GIBBS. "Battista, did l say
a name? Battista-you will not betray
me-you will not repeat that name?
would never have said it but that
was not quite steady. 1 must have
been out of my head; have never
spoken his name before in this place
Oh, if l should bring danger to him
Battista, for Gods sake, you will no
repeat that manner"
Battista spoke low, glancing at tn,
heavy iron door of the cell. God for
bid, signor," he whispered, that
should speak, here in his own castle
the name of my young master"
There was long silence. The pris
oner and his jailer gazed at each othe
as If saying things beyond words
Then the boy put out his long hot fin
gers and caught the mans sleeve.
"Battista," he murmured, "Battist
lis that true? Is it possible? Do 20,
know-my Pietro?"
Know him, signor?"' Battista's dee
voice was unsteady. my fathers hav
served his for eight hundred years.
The man was shaking with loyalt
long pent up, but Francois lifted hi
head, leaned on his elbow, and locke
at him thoughtfully.
'Rut, Battista, know you now; b
has spoken TO me of you; it was you
son, the little Battista, who was hi
body-servant when they were chi
dren?"
, yes, signor"
Il did not dream of it; never kne,
what castle this was; never dreame
of Castleforte; you would not tell me
i Il could not, signor 1t was forbit
: den. 1t is forbidden. 1 am riskin
: my life every minute
J, go, Battista," and Francois pushe
him away with weak hands. Go ouicl
ly-you have been here too lon
There might be suspicion. 1 could ne
live if brought trouble on you"
: TT is right SO far, signor," Battist
answered. at is known you are i'll
l must care for the sick ones littl
] But mad better go now"
/ With that he slipped to his knee
!. and lifted the ieverish hands to h
! lips. THE friend If my young ma
ter" ne said simply. but his voic
s broke on the words. The tradition;
p faithfulness If centuries was strong !
Battista; the Aappis lad been GOO
masters; one had been cared for an
contented always; one was terrorize
s Ind ground 1own by these austria
a sw1ne;" the memory of The old ma
-ers, the personality of anyone CO.
nected nth them, was sacred. BATH
n to bowed lis lead over the hands !
:. own, then he stood up.
, II shall Dc Jack at bedtime, signor
a he 5aid quietly, and was gone.
u A person Of more Importance tina
S Battista lad fallen 1nder The spell
francois personality. rhe governc
, himself had been attracted by IL
1 Count Won Gersdorf, was vain, di
contented, brilliant Austrian, at ODD
l. with the world because he had n,
:, risen further in it. He was witho'
l. society in this mountain fortress
o his, and longed for it; he had fir
voice and no one to sing to; he like
e to talk and had no one to talk t
% Francois, with his ready friendl1nes
u with his gift of finding good in evel
W one, with his winning manner al
s. simplicity which had the ease of S
phistication, was treasure-trove
d amusement to the bored Austrian