The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-04-10

ment later she spoke again. 81 want
to finish telling you-and then we need
never speak of it again. / did think
you ere-commonplace. And yet |
knew in my heart you were not, for
| resented your seeming so. So /
urged you into danger. / wanted you
to be hero. l had that echo of
schoolgirls romance about Francois
in my mind, and l chung, all along, to
the idea that loved him and that per-
haps he secretly loved me but would
not say it because he was poor and
| peasant; that he was waiting till his
future was made. Then, one day, only
the other day, he told ME that he had
asked three wishes of life-'of the
good fairies he said. One was to make
Prince Louis Emperor, one was to be
Marshal of France; the third" she
stopped.
WHAT" Pietro demanded, his
mouth bit rigid
Alike flushed and smiled and took
Pietro's big hand and covered her eyes
with it. THAT / should-love you,
Monsieur. He said he had wished that
all his life"
MAY heaven grant him his WISH"
said Pietro fervently, and then, reflect
ing, ''It seems strange wish for Fran
co.'s. You are sure, Alixe?"
Eyes, he said So" Alike insisted.
"Our dear Francois" she went on soft
ly, and the blue intensity of her eyes
grew misty. Dear Francois" she re-
peated, ut is only he who could have
had those three wishes. The single
one that was for himself was not be.
cause he cared for it himself, but be-
cause it was the Emperor's prophecy
81 always thought" Pietro spoke
slowly, that it was not indeed fol
himself that he wished to be a Mar
shall some day, but because it might
make him, in a manner, your equal
1t was for you"
For mel" Alike was astonished. %
never thought of that. l think you
thought of 1t, Pietro. only because you
cared for me-and thought Fran
co.'s must care also"
Eyes, thought he cared" PietrC
considered. 81 can not believe other
wise yet"
"You may believe it." Alike wal
firm. For he said that what he hat
wished always was that 1 should-lovt
you. l did it mostly to please Fran
co.'s" she added serenely.
And Pietro's response to that was
apt, but not to be given here. Th'
minds of these two happy lovers wer,
full of that third who had been 81
close always, to each of them.
"Pietro." Alike spoke earnestly, com
ing back to the same subject, "yol
know that love Francois-of course
But you do not know in what way
love him as If he were one of tn,
saints-but also as if he were a help
less little child. Yet not-Pietro-at
If he were-the man love. l would
give my life for him In a rush of de
light, if he needed it. But know now
Whatever were my vague dreams il
past years, that it is not in Francois
to care for woman as a human man.
Il am not so sure" said Pietro, ant
shook his head
You know l am not abusing GU
Francois" Alike protested. "Why
Pietro, my father believes, and be
lieve, that if affairs should so happier
that he has his opportunity he ma.
yet be one of the great characters il
history. My father says he is mad,
up of inspirations, luminations-an,
!, limitations"
Eyes" said Pietro thoughtfully. III,
has the faults of brilliancy and fear
lessness. He judges too rapidly. l
he were afraid ever-if he saw tn
other side of question ever, his judg
ment would be safer 1t may we'll hap
pen that he will be one of the grea
n II IIllT