The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-23
THE SECRET OF TONI
By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL.
Author Of The Victory THE spEishtIy Mac SC

raging now and you knew there would be
desperate battle tomorrow. what
would you say to me now. II you thought
this was the very last interview we were
to have before you went out on the fir
Ing liner"
Paul Verney was a man, after all, and
his reply to this was very obvious.
Il should say. Lueie. love you.
he replied, holding out his hand in which
Lucie put hers.
Thank heaven" cried Lucie, lat last
would have proposed TO you long be-
fore If you had given me the least en-
enlargement. for I had made up my
mind to marry you just as soon as you
made UP your mind that you loved me"
She was laughing. but her eyes were
dark with feeling ana bright tears.
Il have not asked you to marry mex
whispered Paul, his voice trembling a
little. Il told you I loved you-no man
ever loved q woman more than I love
you-but I don't think that I am any
match for you, Lucie, snd IT never
| seemed to me quite right that I should
take advantage Of all the childish things
you said to me when we were boy and
girl. or of your rashness and imprudence
now. for Lucie. you are a very rash and
imprudent girl"
Il am the most prudent person lfv-
Ing" whispered Lucie, siding up to him.
Il don't wish TO be married for my mon
ey and you are the only man I know
who could marry me quicker without
my fortune than with it-so Paul.
Paul made one last hopeless and quite
desperate stand.
"oh, Lucie." he said. what a villain
am ever 10 have gone near you after
! saw"
so you saw II. did your" said Lucie.
smiling but still trembling. Everybody
else saw ft-the groom knows it, actu-
ally-.t's quite ridiculous then
Paul surrendered. A sudden revelation
came TO him from Lucie's eyes that his
two thousand francs a year mattered
no more than her milllons-that II was
not a question OF francs. but Of the
great master passion. which. when II
enters lordly into the abode OF a mans
or womans heart, drives out every
thing else and reigns supreme.
They sat on a fallen tree and talked
In whispers. those echoes OF the heart,
until the shadows grew long, and It was
Lucie who had to remind Paul that IT
| was time to go home. The horses, which
had stood meanwhile. cooked their ears
knowingly at Paul when he swung Lucie
Into her saddle, They never saw the
belated groom at all. nor cared what
had become OF him as they rode back
through the dying glow Of the autumn
afternoon to the Chateau Bernard. Lucie
ran up the stone steps OF the chateau,
followed by Paul At the prospect OF
meeting Nine. Bernard, THIS dashing
young sublieutenant OF dragons felt as
hopeless and helpless as a drenched hen.
II was one thing 10 tell Luc!e Of his
love IN the forest glade. TO the music
OF the sllvery. ripping spring, with the
red sun making a somber glory all
around them 4nd with no one except the
horses TO listen, but to tell the chate-
lane Of the Chateau Bernard about HIS
two thousand francs the year was almost
more than Paul could stand. Lucie led
the way into Nine. Bernard's little draw
ing-roOm. a wood IRE was cracking on
the hearth. for the evening had grown
chilly. and Nine, bernard. stately and
timid. imposing and nervous, with her
everlasting embroidery, sat by the table
on which stood candles IN tall silver can
dle-sticks. Lucie went up, and putting
her arm around the neck of the fierce
eyed and craven-hearted old lady, and
seating herself on the arm Of the chair,
tipped the handsome old face up and
kissed her.
posed and been accepted. Paul says he
will marry me-
Paul glared at Lucie She was such
an unconscionable joker. He came for
ward. however, and said in his best man
ner which was very fine manner:
Madame, It is who proposed to Mile.
Lucie. II I did not love her so much I
should apologize for It. because I feel
that she is entitled to more of birth and
of fortune and of rank than I can give
her. But can give her more devotion
and loyalty than any other man living
of that ! feel sure"
Paul fully expected Nine. Bernard TO
box his ears and call footman 10 throw
him out OF the house, but Nine. Bernard
did nothing OF the sort. She sighed
little and looked at Paul. She would
have liked a duke. at least for Lucie-
she had got a count for Sophie, but how
wretehedly had that match turned out.
The habit Of obedience was strong upon