Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-14

brielle.
You are already assured of it, monsieur,
for I know the offense will be but trihe.'
You must not trust all men, Gabrielle
put in Lucette briskly.
"Yet unwittingly 1 may have offended. 1t
was 1 who instigated the batting of M. de
Probable and the scurvy knave he calls his
secretary. knew when he would leave, and
set on Babillon to frighten him. l have
heard 1t was against your wish. and would
not have you blame your citizens for the
act of rough Bourbon soldier
What happened to them?' asked Lu-
cette. And when Pascal told her of Dau-
bans treatment. she laughed and clapped
her hands.
May 1 tack a condition to my pardon,
| monsieur" asked Gabrielle smiling.
Were 1 one of your cautious burghers. l
| would urge that the conditions be first
| specified
| at is that you do not leave with the
Bourbon forces tomorrow, but remain to
| be a friend and help to us ALL
'Then I pray you undo the lacking. Re
| member how sad a place Norvaix must
ever be in my memory
"Sad?' exclaimed Lucette Monsieur
II mean because of my many bereave-
mentS here"
'Bereavements, monsieur" said Gabri-
| ellie, with frown OF perplexity.
"Bereavements truly: what else? Twas
| here in MorvaiX l lost my WIFE after a
| union of but a few minutes; and after that
my newly betrothed was Snatched from me
| by memorable fate"
They both laughed, and Lucette said:
"'Then you are deSolate?"
"In truth could be otherwise? l am al
ways, and in earnest what Gerard was IN
masquerade for a few hours-a courier OF
fortune; and without the hope that the
fortune 1 chased may prove as charming
and delightful
Il would you could have stayed mon
sieur: and l thank you for your pretty
compliments, said GaDrlele, smilihS anu
blushng.
stand" said Lucette. DOUBTLESS there you
will find consolation
I'm Paris there may be distractions, even
if rot consola ton he answered gally. .
TRY to persuade him to remain. Lucette
said Gabrielle ~oing into the house. o
why will your not remain, NJ. Pascal?'
said Iucette half nervously and more
seriously than usual with her
Us not the answer there. with her.
Lucette. and here perhaps with you! lie
spoke lightly, but his eyes were serious. .
Il am not sure that l understand you.
And 1 am sure there is no need that
YOU should. They will be happy PAIR,
hope with all my heart; as l nope lhaeeu
that you will be happy with NJ. st. Jean
a prince of worthy fellows-even II trlf1e
disposed to jealousy. l have had much
talk with him in the last few days
She was silent moment turning over
ring on her fingers.
II hope you will be heppy also" Her
voice was soft and low and trembling
slightly.
ii
have health and strength sound body and
a modcum of wits, trust in myself ana
strong hope, and kindly memories to carry
with me from Morvaix. Why should not
be happy?"
Despite your bereavements?" And she
smiled.
"Or perhaps because of them, Lucette."
"a doubIe-edged sentence that, surely.
"And therefore best suited to the thought
behind it,
She lifted her eyes and looked at him
searchingly, and he met the look with an
easy smile.
II wonder what you mean?" she said, so
earnestly that her tone was almost sad
Your wonder is not greater than my
own he laughed.
I'm our worst troubles recently you
laughed. You have laugh for every
thing"
The finest mask with which nature ever
fitted man woman is laugh, Lucette.
Yes, l can laugh at my own follies and
wishes and troubles and-aye, even at my
own bereavementS.
The gaiety of his tone was just as bright
and free; and he continued to smile when
Lucette again looked at him earnestly
1T that smile a mask too? l would
gladly know what is behind it, she said.
81 think myself shall know better when,
say, there are twenty leagues between Nor
walk and me-
They stood looking one at the other
moment, and then Denys came out and
joined them.
gaily Here is Madame Burgher trying
to cross-eXamine me-.
AYE come and take a lesson in word
fencing, Denys." said Lucette.
You may need many lessons when you
fence with Lucette, my good friend
II know it," replied Denys with smile,
as he slipped his arm into hers and glanced
at her.
.'They would keep me in Morvaix." laugh
ed Pascal.
And not they alone, Pascal. Do you
know. Lucette, L have tried by the hour
to persuade him to stay. But he tells
me there are-shall 1 say it?" and he look
ed at Pascal, who shrugged his shoulders
There are a woman's eyes calling him
away
friend
Its the same thing declared Denys.
Maybe; but twas the term L used L
think have learned to read more warnings
than beckoningS in women S eyes. But us
the same in the end"
Lucette watched him steadily as he spoke
and then surprised Denys by saying very
seriously. and with something very much
IF that be the reason. it is well that
you go, Pascal
What, have you changed sides, Lu-
cette" cried Denys' rallyi ngn her ~ o,.or
will be-" laughed Pascal.
wherever you go, Pascal. 1 wish you
Godspeed with all my heart, said Lucette
tone; and gave him her hand, which he
carried to his lips.
"Denys will not mind that, at any rate
he said.
Lucette ShiVered.
Take me in, Denys, I am chilled" she
said; and without saying more or looking
again at Pascal, she hurried in.
Its a womans way, Denys, only and
always a womans way he said, as Denys
fingered a moment and then hurried after
her.
Pascal wa tched them with a smile until
they had gone. and then turned grave,
nodded once or twice, smiled again, and
again was grave, until with a shrug of
the shoulders he turned and swung away.
The next morning all was hustle and
commotion at the castle, for the Bourbon
troops were marching out. Gerard and Ga
brielle and all from Malincourt were there
to bid them farewell. They stood together,
the center of a large group, watching them
start, and Lucette and Denys were d little
apart from the rest.
Dubois, taciturn and quiet as usual, was
busy seeing that everything was in due
order; and Pascal, activity itself, moved
gaily here there and everywhere in the
ranks, with eyes for everything and every
body laughing and jesting in uncontrolla-
bic spirits.
His comnany was the last to start, and