Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-04-16

black clouds which drove now across
1t. He was bit superstitious about
Francois as well, with an idea, which
he spoke to no one. that pivotal In
terest of his career rested In the mod
est figure.
He rose, this night In Boulogne, as
the paper rustled and the little French
provincial chanson sounded from the
room where Francois Beaupre. now
his secretary, had been installed, and
stepped to the closed door.
de tous cote's l'on que je snis
bette"
Francois sang softly. The Prince
smiled. AS he opened the door the
singing stopped; the young man
sprang respectfully to his feet, let
ter grasped In his hand, and stood
waiting.
"Sire!" he said.
Prince Louis flung out his hand with
gesture of lmpulsiveness strange to
his, controlled manner, yet not out Of
drawing to those who knew him well.
"Ah, Francois" he cried. Let the
titles. go for tonight Say, Louis as
on that day when we first saw each
other; when the four children played
together In the old chateau ruins. And
Francois smiled his radiant exquisite
smile and answered quietly. But yes,
my brother-Louis." And went on, II
believe shall not sleep tonight, Louis.
believe I am too happy to sleep"
AS one reads novel for relaxation
In the strain of critical business af-
fair Prince Louis caught at the dis
traction OF this side issue. The next
morning waS planned to the last de-
tail; there was nothing to do till day
light, yet he could not sleep at pres
emit Here was a romance of some
sort. He sank back on the cushions
! smoking room and put his feet up lux
uriously, and slowly lighted cigar
of Havana.
Tell me-" he ordered, and the gem
tleness Of appeal was In the order. :
"Sire''-the young man began-and
corrected himself. Louis" he said.
The Prince smiled dimly. "Since our
landing / have known that q wonder
ful thing has happened to me. II is
he spoke lower-'it Is the love OF the
woman who Is to me the only one In
the world"
II congratulate you, mon ami" Louis
said gently. els 1t by any chance the
delightful little Mademoiselle Alike Of
the old chateau7"
| Beaupre turned scarlet. He was a
marvellous man, this Prince Louis.
How had he guessedf "She loves me
II have here letter In which she
tells me that she loves me. VIII his
Highness read itY With an impetu-
Gus step forward he held the paper
toward Louis Napoleon.
Il thank you" the Prince said grave
ly. He read:
Francois, what you have wished all
have granted one of your wishes be-
fore the battle. That they viii give
you the other two on the day Of the
battle Is the belief OF your
ALIKE"
| And below was written hurriejly.
| 'Pietro sends his love-"
The Prince gave back the letter with
a respectful hand; then looked at
Francois inquiringly. what you
have wished all your life,' mon amir
Francois laughed happily. "One mast
explain, II It will not tire his High
ness" And he told, in a few words,
of that day when his self-restraint had
given way and how, when his guard
was down and he was on the point of
telling bis lifelong secret love, some
| spirit of perversity--but Francois did
not know II was an angel-had caught
Alike, and she had accused him Of
wishing always that she might love
Pietro. And how, meshed in that same
net of hurt recklessness, he had an
swered In her own manner-"Yes." he
had said, ut was that which had been
the wish of his life-that Alike might
love Petrol" And Francois laughed
gaily, telling the simple ENHANCEMENT
| to the Prince, the night before the
battle. '"One sees how she Is quick
and clear-sighted, my Alike" he said.
For she knew well even then 1t was
not that I wished" He stopped, for
in the quiet contained look of the
listener an intangible something struck
chill to his delicately-poised sensi-
tiveness. what Is II, Louis?" he cried
out. You do not think | mistake her
-mistake-Alixel"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
II