The Washington herald., 1910-07-18

posing Nine. Bernard with very mixed
feelings. The old lady looked on Lucie
very much as a hen does which has
Matched out a duckling among her brood
Nine Bernard was representative Of
the strictness Of manners, such as had
prevailed in France fifty years before.
Although dragon-rke in her manner.
Nine. Bernard was at heart a grand
mother. and that tells the tale. Lucie
was her idol, and the two years the
young girl had spent with her mothers
family in America had been one long
nightmare to Mime. Bernard. When she
returned she was the same Lucie, with an
added dash Of Americanism which fright
ened Nine. Bernard almost out of her
wits Nevertheless there was something
about this wild young creature. this half
American. something which gave Nine.
Bernard instructive confidence that she
could never commit the fearful error of
Sophie Ravenel
Nine. Bernard was now more than
seventy years Of age. and quite IN
equal TO opposing Lucies will, and Lucie.
at twenty years OF age. reigned over the
Chateau Bernard in manner that terri
fed and enchanted all under her sway.
She had, somewhere in her beautiful
sense-a thing which none of those
around her quite understood, only they
saw that Mile Lucie never came TO grief
In any Of her pranks and schemes. She
was. OF course. surrounded by admirers.
Nine. Bernard had been considering Of
fers OF marriage for her ever since her
eighteenth year. and had nearly ar
ranged one OF two for her of the most
advantageous description. but what
should this madcap Lueie do but laugh
al every one OF these desirable lovers.
declaring that she did not mean TO marry
until she was quite ready. and might not
marry at all This latter grotesque idea
mortified Nine. Bernard. who had al
ready promised no less than six am
bilious mammas that in a year or two she
was sure that Lucie would come to her
senses. Then Lucie was given to joking.
a practice which Nine. Bernard had
never heard Of any girl indulging, and
actually made fun Of the excellent parts
which Nine Bernard offered for her con-
sideTation. drew caricatures OF them,
wrote nonsense verses about them. and
otherwise amused herself at their ex-
pense
Nine Bernard observed that the sandy
haired young sublieutenant Paul Verney.
cool, calm. and matter-of-fact, seemed
TO have a singular influence. and that for
good, over Lucie.
Their meeting had come about in the
the most natural way possible. On
Lucie's return from America she had
gone to Bienville to pay Mime. Ravenel
that longed-for visit. Her coming upset
whole town. and was OF itself cyclone.
With the rash generosity of youth Lucie.
who now understood Sophie's sad his
tory, took on herself the task of placing
the Ravenels upon the footing which she
thought they deserved This meant
bringing. as she had promised to do in
her childish days long ago. retinue of
horses and carriages and servants with
her. likewise Of dazzling gowns and raw
ishing hats. and making her visit one
long fete The Ravenels. wiser than lit
tie Lucie. tried to curb her. but as well
try to curb a wandering zephyr as Lucie
Bernard. with a noble and generous i'm
pulse IN her heart. The people of Bien-
vile were a kindly set on whom the self
respecting seclusion of the Ravenels had
not been without its impress. When am
bilious mammas ana impressionable young
officers found that the only way to make
any terms with this child of brilliant
destiny was 10 accept those she loved at
the value she placed on them, il was
not so difficult to accomplish. The RAY
enels, in that fortnight of Lucie's visit.
got more invitations than they had re-
eeived In all the years they had lived in
Bienville.
Among the first was to drink tea in
the Verneys' garden-a modest form of
entertainment suited to the advocates
means. II happened to be Nine. Yer
ney's fete-day. a DAY which Paul al
ways spent with mis- mother, II possible.
Nine Verney had not only written. but
telegraphed. for Paul 10 get leave if he
possibly could. It was long distance TO
travel to spend twenty-four hours with
his mother, and Paul's two thousand
francs allowance. besides his pay, had a
habit Of walking OF mysteriously, just
like the allowances of other young off,
GERS, but one line at the end OF Nine
Ferney's letter settled the matter for
sublieut. Paul Verney. The line ran
thus-''Aille. LuGe Bernard viii be stay
Ing with the Ravenels-her first visit
since her return from Amerlca-and the
Ravenels are coming 10 tea with lis on
my fete-day. Paul went that moment
and asked boldly for a weeks leave
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.