The Dermott news., 1914-06-11
Aladenize, the host OF the Prince, .


| discussed and settled by letter for
weeks already. The work was care
fully arranged; there was almost moth
| ing to be changed, and the little com
pany of men who were trying so large
fate, scattered, with grave faces,
with quiet good nights to the Prince
who might tomorrow be their En-
| peror, to the Prince for whose sake
they might tomorrow night be any or
| all ruined men or dead men.
He sat erect and listened. Thelin
was brushing clothes with energy in
the bedroom. and through another door
there came a light sound of a paper
| turned. OF gay song sung softly. And
glow suddenly warmed the Princes
heart; here was some one who had
known his mother who had been, in
/ deed for few days her son: here
was some one who cared for him, he
! believed It. with a half-consuming
| flame of devotion Since the mans
arrival from Virginia six weeks before,
to have him near himself had been
pleasure to Louis Bonaparte; he
seemed to bring back the freshness
1 VI HIS tdii ddSS, Ol lu6 young GOHH-
! dence when his star shone for him.
distant perhaps, but undmmed by the
black clouds which drove now across
it. He Was bit superstitious about
Francois as well, with an idea, which
he spoke 10 no one. that pivotal in
terest of his career rested in the mod
est figure
He rose, this night in BouloRue. as
the paper rustled and the little French
provincial chanson sounded from the
room where Francois Beaupre, now
his secretary, had been installed. and
stepped to the closed door
De tous cote's ION que je sui,
bette"
Francois sang softly. The Prince
smiled. As he opened the door the
singing stopped; the young man
sprang respectfully to his feet, let
ter grasped in his hand and stood
waiting
Sire" he said.
Prince Louis flung out his hand witt
a gesture OF impulsiveness strange to
his controlled manner yet not out OF
drawing to those who knew him well.
All. Francois" he cried. Let the
titles 20 for tonight Say. Louis, as
on that day when we first saw each
other. when the four children played
together In the old chateau ruins And
/ Francois smiled his radiant exquisite
smile and answered quietly. But yes
my brother-Louis" And went on. ~
believe shall not sleep tonight, Louis
+ / I boy RI g1n
As one reads a novel for relaxation
in the strain of critical business af.
fair. Prince Louis caught at the dis.
traction of this side issue. The next
morning WAS planned to the last de.
tail. there was nothing to do till day
light. yet he could not sleep at pres.
ent Here WAS a romance OF some
sort lie sank back on the cushions
of the coach of Lieutenant Aladenize's
smoking room and put his feet up lux
urously, and slowly lighted cigar
OF Havana.
Tell me-" he ordered, and the gsn'
tleness OF appeal was in the order
Street.-The young man began-and
corrected himself Louis" he said.
The Prince smiled dimly. Since ouI
landing | have known that a wonder
full thing has happened 10 me. 1t is
he spoke lower-''it is the love of the
woman who is to me the only one In
the world
Il congratulate you. mon ami, Louii
said gently is it by any chance the
delightful little Mademolselle Alike OF
the old chateau
Beaupre turned scarlet He was q
marvellous man, this Prince Louis
How had he guessed? "She loves ms
l have here a letter in which she
tells me that she loves me WIN his
Highness read it," With an impetu
GUS step forward he held the paper
toward Louis Napoleon.
L thank you" the Prince said grave
ly. He read
Francois, what you have wished all
your life is true. The good fairies
have granted one Of your wishes be
fore the battle That they will give
YOU the other two on the day of the
battle is the belief Of your
"ALIXE."
And below was written hurriedly.
"Pietro sends his love"
The Prince gave back the letter with
a respectful hand; then looked al
Francois inQuiringly. What you
have wished all your life mon amir"
Francois laughed happily. One must
explain. II 1t will not tire his High
ness" And he told in a few words
OF that day when his self-restraint had
! given way and how, when his guard
was down and he was on the point OF
! telling his lifelong secret love, some
spirit OF perversity-but Francois did
not know 1t was an angel-had caught
Alike, and she had accused him OF
wishing always that she might love
Pietro. And how, meshed in that same
net of hurt recklessness, he had an,
| aN cred In her own nannar-"Yaa - ha