Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-08-12

plan which richly rewarded him for his
pliability. MI. Hampton had some
what clearer ideas vi Italian politics
than his uncle; he knew enough to de-
test the Austrians n to have a keen
sympathy for the long, heroic. losing
flght-so far losing-of those devoted
nothing for a united Italy. The scheme
Of helping to rescue a prisoner out OF
an Austrian fortress was an adventure
such as made his eyes dance. Mr..
Hampton was p and full Of romance,
romance as yet unqualified. So, Pietro
told Francois, this long explanation
over, the Lovely Lucy was anchored at
an unimportant island outside the port
for which they were bound. and
Francois and the others were to go on
board and set sail promptly for some
port of France. There the general,
Alike, Pietro and little Battista were
sail across to Virginia with Mr..
Hampton n take possession for
PtetrO Of his American estates.
Francois. lying in bed with his eyes
glowing like lanterns, listened. But as
his friends finished he broke out, with
a sharp pain in his voice.
"Pietro! l wan to see my mother"
And Pietro was silent, laying a quiet
hand over the unsteady one. Without
a word he sat so and let the sick man
think. The line of red which came in
to the pale cheeks told that he was
thinking intensely, and at last, with a
Shivering sigh which went to the
others heart:
You are right. Pietro." he said. TT
is a wonderful plan for a broken man.
1t is like YOU to do everything right
without a word said. The sea voyage,
the healthy life in V~irginia-that
Il 00lRhf tn mako a MAJ rf IN ocroin
soon, ought it not. Pietro?"
Pletro could not speak as he looked
at the wrecked figure, but he nodded
cheerfuly.
A for your place. I'll have thai in
order in a month, and in a year it will
be a model for Virginia; and then ri
come home"
Pietro smiled.
Come home and fight for the prince
for U Prince Louis. Do you re-
member that afternoon at the chateau,
Pietro, and the strange boy. and how
he fascinated US and how" the weak
voice stopped at every few %syllables,
but slipped on again ch%eerfully. The
familiar charm of the boy Francois was
strong as he talked. And how he was
not to be frightened by any danger Of
an old wall and Francois stopped,
smiling.
And how you saved him." Pietro
added.
That was a chance" said Francois
quickly. But, Pietro, do you remem-
Der how Alike turned on you because
I had done 1t? Droll little Alixe!"
She always scorned me because I
was not wonderful like you. Francois.
You were always the hero Pietro said
gently, and pressed the skeleton hand
under his own.
Francois eyes blazed up at him then
as they had done so often in boyhood.
Il "Nnf fhQf Pfatrn Won 1o MI Nil
stand. 1t was becaus- Alike wished
always to see you first. 1 was older
and had a certain %quickness = she
wanted you to have my poor facility as
Well as all of your w gifts"
Pietro smiled his kind quiet smile.
My Francois, I have no gifts. And If
Alike is more proud of you it is right,
for you are a pride to all of us and
am the last to grudge one particle of
honor or love to you. Francois
Pietro's deep voice stopped. and then
he went on IN his straightforward.
simple way-"Francois, it is not pos
sible for me to tell you how glad 1 am
to have you, my brother, back from
the dead"
And weak. nerve-wrecked Francois.
holding tight to Pietro's hand. turned
his a to the wall and cried.
Now hat the end Of effort was over.
the strain of the long years showed
thetr effects in a collapse; the stretched
chord had fallen loose, relaxed as II
1t might make music again.
When the time came to leave the sail
boat Of Luigi and go aboard the Lovely
Lucy, he effort was too much for the
man who. two night before, had shown
the nerve n agility of an acrobat,
When he leave the boat and make
the change, he tainted, and, wrapped
in a blanket, CHASTITY white, uncon-
scious, the little Battista carried his
light weight up the ladder Of the
American ship.