The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-07-16

ito be- 90. He viii have what--wflat I
would give my life for" Then he hur-
rfed on. II see how II is" he said
gently, t'and you are right to care 80
Loyalty for Pietro. He Is worth IL. And
you Must never care less, Alixe-never
He viii come back" The boy spoke
with effort. slowly, but Alike was too
much occupied with her own tumultous
thoughts to notice "He will surely
come back and-belong TO you more
than ever. He will come back dis
tinguished and covered with honors,
perhaps, and then-and then--Alixe,
do you see the chestnut tree at the cor
ner that turns to the chateau? IL Is
good bit OF soft road--we will race
to that tree-shaI we2 And then will
tell you something"
The horses sprang into a canter and
then gallon. and stretched their legs
and flattend down into q sharp run.
The girl and the boy were flying side
by side through the mellow landscape;
the gray towers and red roofs OF the
chateau were in the distance; the little
Cheulte lay TO the right, its pools like
string OF quicksilver beads spotted on
the fields; the mountain Of the Rose,
calm and enormous ana dark, lifted out
OF the country to the left Many q
time In the six years to come Francois
saw that picture and felt the vibrating
air as they rushed through it. He had
strained his very soul to talk at length
as he had OF his rival, Of his friend;
he felt sick and exhausted from the
effort; now We must tell her that ne
was going tomorrow, and he must not
let word or look tell her that he
lover her. The horses raced merrily;
Alike sat close to the saddle with the
light swinging seat, the delicate hand
on the bride, which were part OF her
perfect horsemanship, and over and
over as he watched her ride Francois
said to himself:
II will give my happiness for the
seigneurs--I said it, and 1 will. / will
be a friend to Pietro always--I said 1t,
and will"
over and over the horses flying feet
pounded out that self command, and
at length the music OF the multiplying
hoof beats grew slower, and with tight
ening rein they drew in and stopped un-
der the big chestnut. Alike was laugh
ing, exhilarated, lovely.
Wasn't ii a good race. Didn't they
go deliciously?" she threw at him.
And then, I'VE will go around by the
Delesmontes road; 1t Il only three miles
farther, and IL is early in the after
noon; there is nothing to do"
Francois spoke slowly. II am afraid
II must not. Alike. am going to the
farm tonight" "
ITO the farm!" Alike looked at him
in surprise. But you were not to go
till tomorrow. My father and will
ten2"
NO" said Francois, ST have not for
gotten-no, indeed. But am going
away tomorrow. Alike"
Going away?' Alike turned sharp
", and her deep blue glance searched
his eyes What do you mean. Fran
co.'s 2" And then, impertously: Don't
tease me, Francois! I don't like it."
Francois steadied, hardened his face
very carefully, and answered.: 1T am
not teasing you, Alike. did not tell
you before because he stopped for
his voice was going wrong--"because I
thought we would have our ride just
as usual today. / only knew about II
myself this morning. 1 am going to
Pietro.'
"Going-to Pierop' Alike was gasp
ing painfully. "Francois--it is a Joke
tell me 1t is poor joke. Quick!" she
ordered. Il won't have you play with
me. torture mel"
1T is not a joke" The boys eyes
were held by a superhuman effort on
the buckle of the bride rein lying on
his knee. There was a letter from
Pietro this morning. The seigneur
wishes me to go. / wish to go. I
am leaving tomorrow" .. r.. ~
|. . line gifts voice
was a wall. "You-taken away from
me-" Then In flash: II hate Pietro!
He Is cruel-he thinks only of himself.
He wants you-but / want you too.
How can j live without you. Francois P'
Then softly, hurriedly, while the world
reeled about the boy, sitting statue like
In his sadie: 1T is just as said. You
are as much part of my life as the
air breathe--and you and my father
and Pietro say quiet calmly, The air
Is to be taken away-you must do with
out 1T. can Tot, / will chokel" she
pulled at her collar suddenly as II the
checking were physical present fact
NO slightest motion, no shade of in
Election missed Francois; still he sat
motionless, his eyes on the little brass
buckle, his lips set in line, without
word, without a look toward her. And
suddenly Alike with another quick
blue glance from under the black long
lashes-Alixe, hurt, reckless desper-
ate, had struck her horse a sharp blow
and she was In the rnnd hnfnra hin,