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

tails. Uncle Jack says they are needed
at once. 1t has been neglected. / 90
not understand why things are 80 me-
elected"
Il have seer to it, father. They viii
be ready In a week" Lucy answered.
Then the colonel noticed Francois.
Good day, Chevalier," he spoke con-
descendingly, ABBY the way"-he
put his hand into n pocket and then
another of his linen coat They gave
me q letter for. you, Chevalier, knowing
that you would be at Roanoke IA
today. Here it is"-and Lucy saw a
light leap into Francois eyes as they
fell on the English postmark. About
those harnesses, Lucy. Why did you
not ask my permission before having
them made? I do not understand how
you car take so much on yourself"
And Lucy spoke quietly again. Il
did ask you, father, but o did not
see to It and they were necessary. So
/ did It." And then; "Chevalier, read
your letter. I see II Is a foreign one."
"Will mademoiselle pardonT
AT that moment an neven step
came down the slope and Francois
flashed a smile at Harry Hampton and
retraated to the other side OF the sum-
.mer house with his letter; while the
colonel, murmuring complaints about
harnesses, wen strolling up the shad-
owy, bird haunted lawn.
Harry Hampton stood by his sweet
heart with a boyish air of proprietor
ship, radiant, as he had been through
these two years OF engagement X
have It." he announced. Don't you
want to see it?'
wait. Harry the girl glanced at
Francois. But the lad caught her
wrist. Look" he said, and opened
his free hand and a plain gold ring
sTakk "A NWYNkLLA -
ment he slipped II over the little third
Anger. There" he said, that will
be on to stay pretty soons and then
Uncle Henry shall not badger you
about harnesses. He has made me
walt two years because he needed you,
but / won't wait much longer, viii I
Lucy? Next Wednesday--that is the
With that Francois turned around.
His face shone with an excitement
which could not escape ven preoccu-
pied lovers.
what Is it, Chevalier2 You have
news--what is it?" the girl cried.
For a moment he could not speak.
Then: Yes, mademoiselle, great
news" he said. "@The prince has sent
for me. And I am well and At to go.
grieved to leave you and Harry, my
two old friends"
But Francois. you cannot 60 be-
fore Wednesday" Harry Hampton
cried out. We cannot be married
without you"
And Francois considered. mo, not
before Wednesday," he agreed.
That last French lesson in the sum-
mer house on the banks of the smooth
flowing James river was on q Satur-
day. On Monday the Chevalier Beau
pre- rode over from Carnifax and
asked to see Miss Hampton.
"Mademoiselle Lucy" he said, II
have something to ask OF you"
II will do 1T" Lucy promised blithe-
~, not waiting for details.
Francois laughed. You trust one,
Mademoiselle Lucy-that Is plain"
Then his face became serious. DO
you remember a talk we once had
together when / told you of my old
playmate, AIixe?"
The bftde-to-be flushed ~furiously as
b recalled that talk. Then she nodded
In matter of fact nj Il re-
very we'll" she said. 'Tt was
when l threw myself at your head and
you said you didn't want me-"
Francois shoulders and hands
and eyes went upward together
into an eminentiy French gesture.
What a horror!" he cried. what an
u~nspeakable manner to recollect that
talk! How can you? How can you
be so brutal to me?"
ngnt-hearted laughter. Lucy was grave
but you have Something to ask me,
Francois. You spoke Of your-play-
mate-beautiful Alike"
1T Is only you whom I could ask to
do this, Mademoiselle Lucy. I have
never told any n else about her. Only
NRnnn. RnnrWV - - % VI - $50
ly-"of my love for her. She does not
know II. Alike does not know. And I
may be killed, n sees, In this fight for
the Prince. Quite easily. And Alike
will not know. I do not like that. In
fact, / cannot bear II. So this is what
ask OF you dear Mademoiselle.s He
brought out a letter and held II to her.
~ hear that ! am killed, will you
Lucy took the letter and turned it
over doubtfully. Il do not like this
sort OF post-mortem commission.
Francois. / feel as IL / were holding
your death warrant"
But 1t is not by a BIT OF writing, I
shall meet my finish, Mademoiselle. I
promise not to die M minute sooner
for that letter. 1t is only that it will
make me happy to know 0 will send
SO Lucy, holding he letter gingerly,
agreed. But al Francois rose TO go she
stood by him a moment and laid her
hand on his coat sleeve. 'FrancoisH
want to tell you something"
but yes, MademoisenH yes, Lucy"
1T is something wrong"
"Yes-Lucy,"
7 am going to tell Harry l said It,"
yes"
.-This is it, then"-and Francois.
smiling, waited and there was deep ST.
lence In the big, cool, quiet drawing
room for as long as a minute. This Is
1t, then. / don't know how I a be SO
unreasonable-but I am. I love Harry
~ am happy. But / am ~qnite-jealous
OF Alike. And / think you are the most
wonderful person / have ever known-
much more wonderful than Harry. If
there had been no Alike; II you had
like mel can imagine having adored
you. I do adore you, Francois. Now,
how Is all that compatible with my JOY
in marrying Harry I don't know how
IT is-but 1t Is so. / am a wicked sim
full person-but II IL so"
Francois, bent over her two little
hands, kissing them more than once,
shook with laughter. II cannot guess
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