The Washington herald., 1910-07-25
Copyright. 1877.
d. Appleton q Co
CHAPTER xvIII-COntipued.

green terraces ilo pidhHlIlB louHtdAloi
and the riot Of color In it's prim flower
beds The guests sat at many little ia
bles on the broad terrace, where the bride
and groom and the wedding party had a
very gorgeous one in the middle, just by
the fountain, which sparkled brilliantly
in the sunshine. A little way Off. in a
grove Of elm trees. table was set for
the soldiers who had acted as the guard
Of honor at the wedding ceremony. Their
wives and sweethearts were included.
and here Toni was the great man, second
only 20 Sergt. DuvaI who was the rank
ing noncommissioned officer present.
Toni was the bridegroom's humble friend
and everybody knew the closeness of the
tie which existed between them since
boyhood
Toni made a speech which was a mar
vel Of elegance and correctness. II had
been written for him by Paul Yerney
two weeks before, and he had spent the
whole fortnight getting It by heart. But
at the end Toni suddenly burst into an
impromptu speech OF hts own.
THE lieutenant" no said. 'is the best
lieutenant, he is the best man, he is the
best master, he is the best OF every
thing"
Here Toni, without the least expecta-
ton on HIS part suddenly found the tears
rolling down his cheeks. lie laugh and
could not imagine what he was crying
for and then his fellows all applauded
him vOclferously. and Toni sat down and
was not able to say another word. And
then, when they were through with their
breakfast, they saw the bride and groom
approaching. Lucie. holding up her
dainty white skirts, her hlmy veil noat-
ing about her. and with nothing on her
dark hair except her wedding veil and
wreath Paul carried HIS helmet with
its hOrse-hair plume In his hand, and the
sun shone on this happy sunburned face
as he led Lucle to where their humble
friends were making merry. Toni had
hauled out. from under the table. a mys-
terious box filed with fee and with long
necked bottles. and champagne was soon
bubbling in every glass. The sergeant
made a speech quite out OF his own head.
and much better than TOMS, IN which
he assured Paul Verney Of what ne knew
before-that his troop would die for him
10 a man. Paul returned thanks and de-
clared that he was conscious OF COM
handing the finest troop in the French
army. and then Lucie said a few pretty
words Of thanks and held up her arm
with the great bracelet on It and showed
that she had worn no other ornament
except that and the brldegroom's gift
Then there were more cheers, more
champagne. more OF everything. 1t was
a very happy wedding because n made
many persons happy.
The very happlest person at the we'd
ding. next 20 Paul and Lucie was Nine.
Verney- That excellent woman was fully
persuaded that by her efforts alone and
single-handed, she had brought about
this match between Paul and Lucie.
which otherwise never would have taken
place The relatives and friends OF the
Bernards were very grand people, indeed.
but Paul had no reason 10 be ashamed
o, his family contingent,
When the guests were all gone and
only the family remained. Toni requested
Paul 70 let the party from Bienviile,
consisting OF himself and the Duvals.
speak 70 the Bienville persons present
the Verneys and the Ravenels-and this
Paul very gladly cid. The Ravenels and
the Verneys were very kind. as was their
nature. 70 their humber friends from
their native town. Paul did Toni a very
good service by DroclaiminE before all
the BienviIle people. IN SerEt. Duvars
presence, that Toni was the best fellow
alive and the sergeant was doing well TO
betroth his daughter TO such an excellent
fellow. This was accepted by the Blen-
Vile people because on that glorious day
everything went well. They could not
but observe, however, that Toni was
clean instead Of being dirty, and Paul
assured them that he had become as
Industrious as he had before been idle
When the carriage drove of in the
summer dusk with the bride and bride
groom starting on their wedding journey.
Toni was the last person with whom
they shook hands, as he arranged them
comfortably. and then Toni whispered to
Denise:
1--WE will be Just as happy as they
some day"
The next morning Toni walked up with
feeling OF happiness which had been
gradually growing on him ever since he
had become a private soldier under Paul
Verney. This made him long to whistle
and sing Ike blackbird had not the
regulations forbidden soldiers 10 sing
like blackbirds while at their duties But
the first sight that greeted him, as he
marched on the parade ground. gave
him an unpleasant shock There were
Nicolas and Pierre IN the ranks. Their
terms Of Imprisonment had expired, and
these two unworthy citizens were restored
to their duties.
Toni avoided them all day long as much
as he could, and in the evening. being
off duty. ne went into the town to see
Denise. After spending half an hour
with her sitting or a bench in the public
square while Mile. Duval read her in
evitable religious newspaper. drizzle OF
rain coming on, he escorted his fancee
and his future aunt-in-laW to their lodg-
ing. then walked down into the town 10
spend the hour that yet remained to him
before he was obliged 10 turn in. The
night had grown dark and stormy, and
the rain had become determined down.
pour. The street lamps shone ftfully out Of
the gloom. but the windows OF the cheap
cafes. where the soldiers congregated,
were Respondent with lights
Toni was standing before one OF these
and debating whether he should 90 In.
when he felt an arm on each side OF him
He looked around and Nicolas red head
was close TO HIS ear, while Pierres
monkey face was on the other side OF
him.
Come" said Nicolas, II know where
we can get good bottle Of wine and
have a game Of cards"