The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-19

been very much in love with Suoile1t
Paul verney, ever since they had been
children together IN the park at Bien-
viii. and wished him to know it, and she
was in love with the best part OF him
his courage, his modesty, his good sense,
his clean and upright life, and having the
American archness in her nature, she
saw the humorous side or It and could
not forbear laughing at poor Paul.
But l think" she said, "a gentleman
should keep his word You promised me
that you would call me by my first name
in private, and you have only done it
once, and now you speak as II you would
never do it again"
Paul secretly thought Lucie just as he
had always done. very improper little
person, but quite irresistible.
AT all events said Lucie alrily, flick
ing. the blossoms of a tall. blue hydran-
gea nodding grayeiy in the sun. I In
tend 10 call you Paul, in private that IS
and I don't think I shall go 10 ride
this afternoon"
And promise me-" said Paul. coming q
little closer and looking at her earnestly,
that you won't ride Comet any more
Lucse"
Il promise then. Paul." replied Lucie,
with an affectation Of a meelyness which
was far removed from her. and which she
only used for purposes of her own. Then
the horses were sent away. and the two
walked together across the lawn and into
the drawing-room where Nine. Bernard
sat In an agony.
II shall not ride this afternoon. Grand
mamma" said Lucie. M. Paul would
insist on going with me. and he
would look SO utterly ridiculous on horse
back dressed as he is that was ashamed
to be seen with him; so. instead. ne will
stay and have tea with us. and mean
while we shall go and play billiards."
This charmed Nine. Bernard, who con-
cluded that the next time Lucie was re-
fractory she would send post-haste for
sublieut verney 10 manage her. It is
not to be supposed that Nine. Bernard
did not see the possibilities Of the future
as well as Nine yerney had done long
1 years before, when Paul and Lucie had
played together as children But Nine
Bernard, like many other women who
know much Of the world. was beginning
dimly to reach just estimate Of things.
After having seen many marriages and
a considerable number OF divorces she
had realized that 1t was the man, and
not the title or the estate. with which a
woman must reckon And Paul was SO
very attentive 10 Nine. Bernard, pick
ing up her ball Of worsted when She was
knitting, and giving her his advice. when
asked. regarding the colors OF her en-
broidery, that she had begun TO wish
Paul Verney had az least a family tree
if not a title Money she was not so
particular about, as Lucie had plenty OF
that. But he was only a sUblieutenant
J and his father was an advocate in a
small way in a provincial town. Nine.
Bernard groaned when she thought OF
these last things.
When billiards was proposed, the old
lady made no objection whatever. but
followed the two young people into the
} large, cool billiard room with its par
quet floor and ground glass ceiling, and
embroidered industriously while the two
/ played q merry game and Lucie beat
Paul two points to one. She could beat
him at billiards, at tennis. and az cards;
she sang and played much better than
l I he, and rode quite as well; and she de-
5 lighted in showing her skill over him:
but, having a great deal OF sense In her
: pretty head. she realized that In all con-
: siderable things Paul stood near the top
He took his defeats so pleasantly, for he
: was the most modest fellow alive. that
: Lueie often declared there was no pleas
ure in beating him.
!. This particular afternoon Lucie beat
: him most shamefuIly. but Paul had his
T reward in the enjoyment of her exquisite
grace in playing the most graceful
p game in the world. Nine. Bernard. APP
parentIy absorbed in her embroidery, was
: watching every taRe and motion and saw
d that they were playing another game far
s more interesting and with much greater
stakes than any game Of billiards. And
II as she had a presentiment that Lucie
n would have her own way in the matter Of
a husband. Mime. Bernard, with calm
2. resignation, was quite reconciled to Paul
: and was glad in the present instance 3
was no worse. They played through thu
u whole afternoon, and Nine. Bernard
If asked Paul TO stay TO dinner, but this n
Id was obliged to decline. much to his vexa
ton. A sublieutenant OF dragons is no
e master OF his own time, so Paul wen
i, away reluctantly. and was followed b.
tie the vision of charming figure, SHOWING
g the most beautiful hand and arm in tn
world. and dealing the most deadly shot
lg to her antagonist
re When dinner was over, Lucle came AM
Il IL al
st drawing-room as the old lady stitched a
a her embroidery under the evening lamp
e, "Grandmamms, she said quietly, afte
I'd a long pause, what do you think 0
al Paul Verney?"
he "a most estirnable young man" re
a piled Nine Bernard.
at His family are not at all rich or dis
I'D tinguished." said Lucie. but they ar
he very dear. I wish you could see hi
ol father. so kind. so pleasant. so gallar
toward Nine. verney. and like an olde
in brother to Paul And Nine. Verney
IL sweet-I love TO see them together. Pal
&c and his father and mother. And the
OF they are so kind to poor Sophie and Cap
at Ravenei."
Whenever Sophie Ravenel's name We
IS mentioned, it was like knife 10 Nm
1T Demands proud. weak, sensitive hear
We II was not only that Sophie's conduct Ia
been sinful, but, what was worse,
as was such bad form. Lueie meditated
We while and then added:
ut 2And Paul is a poor man even for
in sublieutenant, and. he VIII not have
at easy time of it. He has no family il
all fuence or powerful friends 70 push nj
. forward, and he viii only get on by h
re own merits. But that always tells in q
DIS long run. When Paul is forty, all h
I'D superiors viii know what a fine man an
~. what a fine officer he is He will
RS given things for the asking, that 9th
e - ..-i..o ana strn1arle for and