The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-07-28

~~@Ss
then? The kindness was undoubted
ly there below the gravity. And 1t
was this monsieur who had saved the
life of the seigneur; that, after all,
was the whole matter. Francois vast
ed little time thinking of other peoples
feeling toward himself. He was much
too busy with joyful wonder of his
own at the ever new goodness of his
world. To the marquis, who hardly
noticed him, he proceeded to consti-
tute himself shadow. At the first
sign of a service to be done he was
up and at it; always quicker, always
more intelligent than the footman.
"You have thrown charm over my
boy Francois, Alessandro," the gen.
eral said, we'll pleased. And the mar
Quis answered thoughtfully:
at is a boy out of the common,
believe, Gaspard. At first ! thought
1t mistake that you should raise
child of his class to the place you
have given him, but see that you
understand what you are about. He
Is worthy of a good fate
The day came when, on the next
morning, the Marquis zappi was due
to start on his long journey to Amer
lea Out on the lawn. in the shadow
Of the beech trees he sat and watched
his son playing ball with little Alike
Then he was aware Of Francois stand
ing before him. The boy held some
thing in his closed hand, and with that
he opened his fingers and stretched
1t to the marquis. The marquis looked
inquiringiy at the yellow metal
What Is this?'' he asked; he was
prepared now to be surprised by this
boy about once in 80 often, so he sim
ply suspended Judgment at a thing
unexpected.
ut is for you, Monsieur the Mar
quis." Francois smiled radiantly and
continued to present the tenfranc
piece ut Is my own; the seigneur
gave 1t to me on my birthday, and my
father said it was to be mine to do
with as I chose. I choose to give It
to you. Monsieur the Marquis. So
that you may have plenty of money!
know well what 1t Is not to have
enough money"
The brown fist was outstretched, the
gold piece glittering in it, and still
the marquis stared speechless. Never
In his life had any one presumed 10
offer him money. He looked up at the
face CT the little peasant; it shone
with peace and good will; he put out
his hand and took the gold piece and
looked at 1t a long minute, and drew
i leather case from his pocket and
placed it within carefully, and put
it away.
THANK you, Francois" said the mar
quis. And then he considered again
the shining little face. why have
you done this, Francois?'' he asked
why do you always-do so much fol
ne?"
THAT thing in Russia, for my
seigneur. When you saved the life
of my seigneur."
Oh" said the marquis and stared
down at the boy anxiously explaining
81 have been afraid that l coulC
never show. you how l thanked 20,
} for the life of my Nseigneur. But
VIII uO nOT0. i Will % ITlSnQ U
Pietro. He is six months younge,
than 1; I can teach him how to climl
and how to fight and how to take car
of himself. And I will, because o
that thing you did. Because, too,
think well of Pietro and besides be
cause of your kindness to me-"
my kindness to your
2 Eyes, Monsieur the Marquis-be
) cause you have been so kind to me.
And the marquis, in the silence o
2 his soul, was ashamed.
The next day he went. AS the
: stood, gathered in the big carved dool
f way, he told them all goodby an
t lifted his boy and held him withou
word A. he set him down he turne
toward the carriage, but in a fias
he turned back as if by sudden il
spiratioa, and laid hand on littl
Francois shoulder
n you will remember that you prom
n ised to be a friend to Pietro, Fra1
" cois?"
yes, Monsieur the Marquis, a
e ways" the child answered grayely.