The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-23

monsieur" said Nine. Bernard grimly.
that seems to have been settled in sd-
vance by Lucis and yourself"
Lucie chased away the grimness from
the old lady's face by kissing her
Suppose We postpone consideration OF
this for short time-a week, perhaps,
you viii allow me"
Paul was about IN say, Certainly.
madame" when Lucie interrupted him.
say yes. Paul. il will amuse grand
mamma and won't hurt US the least in
the world" And then she kissed Nine
Bernard all over the face and cried:
GO home. Paul. and come early to-mor-
row. Grandmamma viii be dying 10 see
your
Paul left the chateau in much better
case than he expected and had a rap
turous ride back in the twilight with a
shy young moon looking and laughing
at him.
AS he rode into the barracks yard he
passed Toni. carrying a big bucket OF
water IN either hand. AS he rode past
he said IN a whisper:
You brought me good fortune to-day"
And it's all settled?' asked Toni, in
another whisper.
quite so, think" replied Paul. fling
Ing himself of the horse. IT will do a
good turn by you with the sergeant to-
morrow morning
When he got back TO his quarters, Pow
der, who had spent a lonly afternoon.
rushed at him with yaps OF delight
Paul, twisting the dogs ears. whispered:
Ny lad you and I have just got a new
commanding officer. Hurrah, you ras-
call"
And Powder Immediately gave a series
Of terrific yelps which he had been taught
to believe were hurrahs.
The next morning Paul had two err
rands which took him out very early
One was to send bouquet to Lucie. and
the other was to have an interview with
Sergt. Duval. He caught the sergeant
just coming out OF the riding-han. Ev-
erything had gone well that day and the
sergeant was smiling.
We'll sergeant" cried Paul, coming
up to him, $50 I understand that my old
friend Toni and Nile Denise are to be
married"
Il had not heard the news. SIR re-
sponded Sergt. Duvall, stiffening. II
thank you for acQuainting me with It
The fact is" said Paul. Toni is ter
ribiy afraid Of you. and he asked me to
make the communication. thought per-
haps something had passed between your
sister and TOMS mother, but, at all
events, you know as much about Toni
as anybody. He Is an excellent fellow,
fine soldier. and has been IN love with
Mile. Denise ever since he was small
boy"
There were moro small bad boys In
Bienville than any place ever saw, sir"
was the serseant's discouraging reply,
'and Toni was about the worst Of the
lot"
Come. now, sergeant. you are too
hard on Toni He was no worse than
was. All small boys are bad. but all
Of them that I have ever seen had some
thing good about them. Nine. Marcel,
you know, is welI-to-do, and when
TOMS time is up he can get place,
know. as instructor In a riding-schooI
at 800 francs the month. I don't think
Mile. Denise viii do III II you take Toni
for a son-in-law.'
The sergeant twisted his mustache re-
f1ectively.
And besides that" continued Paul.
who had become a marvel of duplicity.
81 understand that Nine. Marcel is smil-
ing on YOU A remarkably fine. hand
some man as you are. sergeant. and I
am not surprised that Nine. Marcel likes
you, but she would like you a great deal
better If you would give Denise to Toni.
You see, II would be a nice. family ar
rangement''
A pleased grin overspread the ser
geant's face.
well. sir" he replied. "a man does
not take husband for his only child
without looking well about him. It is
true that Nine. Marcel is well-to-do, and