The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-05-01

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Francois, though broken-hearted,
was but eleven, and II was proud
thing to hold the seigneur's horse and
pleasant to see the spirited beast paw
the earth as he held her. He was so
enfranced with this occupation that
he forgot his bruised life and his lost
career entirely. For fifteen minutes
he forgot, and the other children gath
cred around him, and he ordered them
away from the horse and felt himself
its guardian and an important person,
with complete satisfaction
1 Aud at that, out of the house came
the aeigneur. big and black proved and
solid OF tread, and with him that
broken-hearted father whose face re-
called all the tragedy.
Francois" his father spoke. more
gently than ever he had spoken be-
fore. i have taken your future from
You, my son. The seigneur wishes to
give II back. He wishes to make YOU
his child. Your mother consents--and
I'll consent" His fathers arm was
about his neck. The generals abrupt
voice took up the statement.
VIII you come and live with me In
the chateau. Monsieur the Marshal p"
ne demanded roughly, kindly. Il viii
treat you as sonyou shall learn to
ride q horse and shoot gun and be
soldier. You shall fit yourself for the
part which we know must be played
one day. Will you Gomez"
For moment it seemed to Francois
that heaven had opened and miracle
OF JOY come down. then 1t flashed to
his mind that this dazzling gift had a
price. With q whole soul Francois cast
away the brilliant dream and hardly
felt an effort.
y thank you a thousand times, my
seignetr," he answered with decision.
u cannot go with you. must stay
and work for my father and my moth
err
There was silence for a minute in
the sunshiny garden: the children had
wandered away; the men did not
| speak; one heard only the more Lis
ette whom Francois held, who stamped
her light forefoot and whinnied impa.
tiently Then the generals grave
voice sounded, more gravely than ever
Francois Reaupre, you own fine
lad" he threw at the dropping peasant
Il would like to have him for mine
Since ! cannot, ! shall try at least to
be his friend. Monsieur the Marshal
II must be as you say. But come to
see me at the chateau soon. shall
have things TO talk over with YOU"
/ On morning Francois was busy at
the new garden, digging beds for the
plants which the neighbors had eager
~ given them, and which, put in the
ground now, In the autumn, would rise
above them In brightness next spring
Into this contentment came, gailop-
Ing gloriously, hoof beats of horse
The busy spade, several sizes too big
stopped, and Francois leaned his chin
on the handle. the boy out OF drawing
Tor the tool The general stopped
which was heavenly surprise to
Francois each time that it happened.
Good morning, marshal WIN you
ask your mother II may speak to
herr"
Mother, mother. the seigneur wish.
es you,R Francois whispered piercing.
", but Claire was already on the little
front walk by the new garden
In a moment she stood at the gate
In her fresh calico dress, with a white
fichu over her head. and the big man
lowered and growled sentences friend.
! lily. Then the general trotted with
! jingling stirrup down the village street
and Claire stood with eyes following
! for moment.
What did the seigneur say, my
mother?n Francois demanded. did
he say ! might come to the chateau
tomorrow? May L? Am TO know
what the general said, my mother?"
| After his father came home to din.
ner he knew. He was to go each
morning to the chateau and do work in
copying for the general The general
was writing book, nothing less than
a history OF Napoleon himself The
boys great dreamy eyes glowed.
So the little lad. in his clean.
patched. peasant clothes, went up to
the chateau the next morning serious
and important, and was given a table
and corner in the library and words
to copy which thrilled his soul.
Often the general talked to him.
Eth bien, there, the marshall would
come laundering from the great table
across the room; and the scribe would
drop his pen and scuttle over the dim
wide place.
Yes, Monsieur the seigneur. am
here"
Listen then. my soldier am I'M
certain II this that have written is of
Importance. 1t is interesting to me,
because Gaspard Gourgaud was there,
yet ! do not wish to ram Gaspard
Gourgaud down readers throat"
Francois squatted on stool exactly
in front of the general, with his knees
together and his elbows on them, his
chin In the hollow of his hands. His |
les were glued on the generals face
- deep voice the general read. It
- a