The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-09-17

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TT can not bel" he gasped.
And Alike lifted her face. and the
exaggerated black lashes lifted, and
the blue glance lifted and rested on
PietroSs black hair bent down where
the light shone on the silver lines
through It Up flashed her hand inn
pulsively, gently-as Alike did things,
and touched the thick lock with an
Infinitely delicate caress. "Your hair
lis all turning gray" she whispered
In w quick breaths, and at that, in
some occult fashion Pietro knew.
IT makes little difference CT what
wood the match is made which sets
fire to h mine; II makes little differ
ence what words are spoken wher
that a Is telling. Anything says IT.
AT a certain moment a man might re-
mark that grass was green. and a
woman might answer that IL appeared
pink to her-and IL would be love-
making. The voice and the look and
the very atmosphere about would do
the work; words are a detail. So does
the soul out-fly its slow vehicle OF
speech when the rushing mighty wind
OF such a feeling lifts and speeds Il.
Pietro knew: for all his self distrust
ne drew her into his arms and held
her without one shadow OF doubt that
she loved him and belonged to him.
For moments they had no need Of
that makeshift, language; the great
mouse was very quiet. and one heard
the horses stamping in The paved
court yard and the grooms singing. and
yet one did not hear 1t. Distant sounds
came from the village. but one only
knew that long after, in remembering
that morning. All they knew was that
the ghost OF a lifelong affection OF
brother and sister stood before them.
changed by a miracle 10 a shining
angel into whose face. for these first
moments. they dared not look. Then
Slowly, exquisitely, courage came and,
hand close in hand they looked at each
other astonished, glad. II was Pfetro
and Alike still. the ancient play-fel-
lows. the childhood friends-aI the
dear familiarity was there vet.
but no longer were they brother
and sister. And then, after a while
Lney oegan to compare notes OF things
When did you begin-to ike me-
this way. Ptetro?"
II don't know" answered Pietro
stupidity. Does It make any differ
"A great deal" Alike insisted. TITS
important. It's historical"
but this isn't history" said Pietro.
Alike. however, returned to the
charge. Last year 2"
Last year-what?" Pietro asked: he
had already forgotten the question. "Oh
that ! began to-Mon Dieu-no. Last
yearl Why. I think II was the day I
came n saw you riding COG"
"Oh, Pietro-if you will talk only
~nonsensei" Alixe's voice was disap-
pointed. But why, then, didn't you
ever say SO before this? We are both
a Thousand years old now. II you
loved me"-she spoke the word in a
lower voice-why, then, were you as
quiet as a mouse about it all these
W9nTAF- ~ LL-H# gA.
Il thought you cared for Francois"
Pietro said simply. And added, Didn't
Alike considered. Il don't-think-I
ever did. Ptetro, Not really. I thought
l did perhaps. he dazzled me-Fran-
cois-with his way of doing all sorts OF
things brilliantly, and that wonderful
something about him which makes
everybody love- him. He believed in
his star; there was around him the ro-
nance or the Emperors prophecy and
the romance OF the career which is. we
believe. about to begin now; there was
always a glamour about Francois"
yes" Pietro agreed. 'sThe glamour
Of his courage, Alike, OF loyalty and UNI
selnshness; the qualities which make
what people call his charm. Francois
is unlike he rest Of h world, I be-
lieve, Alike"
Pietro stopped, then went on with an
h1dCChSlOllGu GlOQuGHCNs w. #.NH#.H -ra.a
Whatever may be the fibers from
which souls are woven, those OF Fran
COTS were so adjusted from his birth
that things hard to most of us are
easy to him. 1t has never been an ef-
fort for Francois to love mankind and
to believe the best Of every one. Also,
things unreal to most are his realities.
He lives very close to that line over
which is inspiration or madness-men
call IL either, according as It succeeds
or fails In this world. There are ques-
tons yet to be understood, i believe,
which will account for Francois trick
Of vision-seeing. Perhaps a hundred
years from now, perhaps 500, people
viii know things about the human
mind which may make clear that
strange gift OF his. It may be that
there are powers of h mind not now
understood. There may be a world Of
mental possibility beneath conscious
ness"
Pietro talked on, the silent Pietro. as
IL delivering a lecture. He had read
much and thought much; 1t was seldom
he spoke OF the speculations which
often filled his scholarly mind; today II
seemed easy to talk OF everything. JOY
had set wide all the doors OF his be-
ing. Alike opened her eyes In astonish
ment.
"Pietrol" You are-talking like a
book! But 1t Is true; something OF
that sort has come to me, too-which
proves 1t to be true. / have felt always
that Francois had notes in him which
are not on our pianos" Pietro smiled.
looking at her.
And yet, Alike. you do not love
Francois. with all these gifts and all
his power over hearts-but only COM
monplace me?"
Alike Strengthened against his arm
Monsieur the Marquis Zappi, the gem
tleman Ecare for, Is not commonplace.
/ thank you not to say It" she shot at
him, and then melting to a sudden In
ltensity, b put a hand on each side of
his dark face and spoke earnestly.
"Pietro, dear, listen. I believe I always
cared for you. When / was little it hurt
me to, have Francois forever the n to
do the daring things. Do o remember
how / used to scold at you because you
would not fight him2" Pietro smiled
again. 'aThen he was captain OF the
school and you only a private, and /
cried about that when / was alone at