Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-08-13

Nelson and MS braZen curiosity III
staying to hear the prisoners letter,
mighty when he knew that Francois
was alive. And she told him about
little old Coq-now an aged horse OF
25 years, spoiled n naughty, but YET
beloved and used only for his own
health's sake: she told how Coo would
run to her for sugar and burrow his
bold nose into her coat pocket, snort
thrown Nelson's little girl over his
head .twS months before as he used to
throw all of them.
So. on that long. bright. calm morn
ing at sea Francois lay in the han
mock and watched the million little
waves glisten and break for unknown
miles over the sunlit water. and list
ened to the voice he loved best In he
world. as 1t told him of those Others
whom he loved also. and OF he places
dear to him; and he wondered that he
had indeed ON through the long
nightmare of prison to this happiness.
Mr.. Hampton has been talking to
me about Virginia: it must be Il beau
tiful country" said Alike. II should
love the free friendly life OF those
great domains. I believe I could leave
France inc Vicques for such a coun-
try as that, where there are no poltti-
cal volcanoes on top of which one must
live. With us it is always plotting and
secrecy. Always q war to look back
on or to look forward to. l should like
to go to Virginia"
But" said Francois. with his great
eyes glowing. the war one now looks
forward to in France will be short and
glorious. And after that will be peace,
for there will De a Bonaparte ruling,
and that means strength and good
government"
sIny- van .hnlinvn ~, thN Hrno+ Hor
tain and in his blood" and Alike
smiled down at the pale face on fire
with it's lifelong enthusiasm.
One must" said Francois simply,
and paused, and went on. Fol me-you
know. Alike, how it is. How the star
of the B~onapartes has always seemed
to be my start! I believe that. I be-
lieve that my life is tied to that house.
NAPOLEON was more than human to my
mind. and his touch set me aside for
his uses in my CRADLE"
And made you a chevalier," Alike
considered. THAT was a true acco-
lade. Francois. You would have a
right to that title under another Bona
parte."
III believe so. Alike" N
and my father believes it. Sc you
must hurry m get well and come
back to France and be fit for work
when the prince needs you. Chevalier
Beaupre. My father has told you that
a movement is preparing? He is reck-
less. my father. and it troubles me. 1t
might be unsafe for him to live in
known"
Then you could come to Virginia
to CarnifaX," and Francois smiled.
But Alike flushed. THAT is Pietro's
estate. not ours" she said quickly; and
Ihen u rose n bent over the sick
boy. II must go to my father now
she said, and caught the pitiful hands
suddenly in both hers. But OH! Fran
co.'s. l wish I could tell you how it
changes all the world to have you back
again"-anG h was gone.
Francois, trembling with a rapture
he could not quiet, lay, not stirring,
because he feared to break the spell
of the. touch Of her hands; feeling
within him a rebel hope that yet he
would not let take hold of him. Could
1t be? Was it true? Did she care for
reason that in all these years she and
Fletro We're still only sister and broth
er! Yet. he caught and choked at the
thought. Even then he had no right,
ne could not. would not tell her what
she was to him. He would be Pietro's
friend always as he had promised LONG
ago; more. 1000 times more now, when
P1etro had given back to him freedom
n life and hope. Pietro loved her;
she would come to love Pietro in time;
he would never take her from him.
even II he could. What was his own
happiness compared to that OF these
Two so close and dear? And also it
was a bitter bliss t. sacrifice his low
for that of his seigneur, for the man
VINO had given him everything. To
Francois. smiling out at the sunny
ocean, giving up the love of his life,
came that other blessedness Of renun-
citation. n he was happy.
~ next day the general and Alike
put ashore in France, and the Iova1v
Lucy sailed on with young Henry
Hampton and Francois to Virginia.