The citizen., 1914-04-10

ment later she spoke again. Il want
to finish telling you-and then we need
never speak of it again. did think
you were-commonplace And yet |
knew in my heart you were not, for
| resented your seeming so. So |
urged you into danger. / wanted you
to be a hero. l had that echo of a
schoolgirls romance about Francois
in my mind, and clung, all along, to
the idea that loved him and that per-
haps he secretly loved me but would
not say it because he was poor and a
peasant; that he was waiting till his
future was made. Then, one day, only
the other day. he told ME that he had
asked three wishes of life-'of the
good fairies he said. One was to make
Prince Louis Emperor, one was to be
Marshal of France; the third" she
stopped.
"What?" Pietro demanded, his
mouth bit rigid.
Alike flushed and smiled and took
Pietro's big hand and covered her eyes
with 1t. THAT / should-love you,
Monsieur. He said he had wished that
all his life."
MAY heaven grant him his WISH"
said Pietro fervently, and then, reflect
ing, ut seems a strange wish for Fran
co.'s. You are sure, Alixe?"
Eyes, he said So" Alike insisted
"Our dear Francois" she went on soft
ly, and the blue intensity of her eyes
grew misty. Dear Francois" she re-
peated, ut Is only he who could have
had those three wishes. The single
one that was for himself was not be-
cause he cared for it himself, but be-
cause it was the Emperor's prophecy"
"T always thought" Pietro spoke
slowly, that 1t was not indeed for
himself that he wished to be a Mar
shall some day, but because it might
make him, in manner, your equal.
1t was for you"
For mel" Alike was astonished. 81
never thought of that l think you
thought of it, Pietro. only because you
cared for me-and thought Fran
co.'s must care also"
eyes, l thought he cared" Pietro
considered. 81 can not believe other
wise yet"
"You may believe it." Alike was
firm. For he said that what he had
wished always was that should-love
you. l did it mostly to please Fran
cois," she added serenely.
| And piofro5c racpanoa 20 that x,,o @
apt, but not to be given here. The
minds of these two happy lovers were
full of that third who had been so
close always, to each Of them.
"Pietro," Alike spoke earnestly COM
ing back to the same subject, you
know that love Francois-of course.
But you do not know in what way.
love him as IL he were one of the
saints-but also as if he were help
less little child. Yet not-Pietro-as
il he were-the man | love. l would
give my life for him in rush of de.
light, if he needed it. But know now
whatever were my vague dreams in
past years, that it is not in Francois
to care for woman as human man
II am not so sure," said Pietro, and
shook his head
''You know l am not abusing our
Francois" Alike protested. "Why
Pietro, my father believes, and be-
lieve, that if affairs should so happen
that he has his opportunity he may
yet be one Of the great characters in
history. My father says he is made
up of inspirations, illuminations-and
limitations"
"Yes," said Pietro thoughtfully. "He
has the faults of brilliancy and fear
lessness. He judges too rapidly. II
he were afraid ever-if he saw the
other side of question ever, his judg-
ment would be safer. 1t may we'll hap
pen that he will be one of the great
H y Ut t NNT |