The Washington herald., 1910-07-07
CHAPTER II.


Paul Verney was twelve years old. and
had never had any affairs Of the heart,
like Toni. But one June afternoon, in
the same summer when Toni had lost
and recovered Jacques. and had succumb-
ed 10 the tender passion, fate overlook
Paul verney in the person of Lucie Ber-
nard, the pret,iest little creature irpagin-
able, prettier even than Denise and very
unlike that small piece of perfection.
Paul. who was very fond of reading. took
his bookn which happened 20 be an Eng
lish one. 10 the park that afternoon q
fate, and was sitting on bench, labori-
ously puzzling over the English language.
when a beautiful little girl in blue, with
gigantic sash and large pale blue hat.
with roses blushing all over It. under
which her dark hair fell to her waist,
came composedIy up TO him and said:
'Let me see your book"
Paul was so astonished at being ad-
dressed " young lady, under the cir
eunstanees. that he promptly handed
over his book. and Lucie. seating herself
on the bench, proceeded 20 read It. Paul
was surprised TO see that the English
book through which he had been palm
fully spelling his way. seemed perfectly
easy to Luele. who. without a msments
hesitation. read on, remarking casually
to Paul:
Il can read English as we'll as l can
read French. Ny mother was an Ameri-
can, you know. and Americans speak
| English"
Paul did not know the piece Of family
| history thus conhded TO him. nor. indeed,
did he know anything about this little
nymph. but he thought In HIS honest
little heart that she was the most charm
| ing vision his boyish eyes had ever rested
| on. He admired her dainty little slip
pers. her silk stockings. her general air
/ of fashion, but blushed AT finding himself
sitting on the same bench with her. par
| ticuiarly as he saw his father, the gray
haired advocate. N. Paul Verney
approaching. He was Just about to
sneak away, leaving HIS book In the
/ hands OF the fair brigand when fierce
| looking English nursery governess sud
denly descended upon them, and seizing
Iucie by the arm. carried her of. The
governess threw PauFs book down on the
gravel path, and Paul picked it up.
Somehow, the book seemed to have a
different aspect after having been held
in the charming little fairys hands.
! Paul was possessed by a wholly new set
of emotions He longed 10 tell some one
of this startling adventures little girl
planting herself on the bench by him
| and taking his book from him without
the least embarrassment or even apology.
| What very strange little girls must these
be whose mothers were American! Pau
had plenty of friends among the boys Of
his own age and class, and among his
schoolmates. but he had never eonfideo
in any of them as he did IN Toni Marcel.
So, presently. wandering down by the
bridge. where he was certain to find Toni
at this hour of the day, he saw his
friend perched in the little Granny which
he called his own on the bridge above
the dark and ripping water Two small
boys could be squeezed into this place,
and Paul verney, climbing UP, sat side
by side with Toni, and with his arm
around his friends neck bashfully but
delightedly told Toni and Jacques, who,
Of course. heard everything that was told
TO Toni. all about this beautiful dream
like creature he had seen in the park.
Then Toni said, without any bashfulness
at all:
'I have got a sweetheart, too-h Is
Denise; come day am going to marry
her, and in the morning we viii cal
candy at mammals shop, and in the after
, noon we will eat cakes at Mile. Duvar'
shop"
! TOMS eyes, as he said this, shone witt
dark and lambert light. Paul Verney
on the contrary. had pair of ordinary
t light blue eyes, through which his hon
est, tender soul glowed. He was th'
most romantic boy alive, but ali his TO
3 mantle notions ne had carefully conceal
! ed from every human being until then
: A dream had come into his boyish mind
5 not Of munching bonbons and stufhnt
cakes, such as Tonis practical mind ha'
T conceived. but a dHeam of beautiful Lu
? Gle grown up, dressed in a lovely whit
i satin gown, with a tulle veil and orang
blossoms, such as he had once seen
T young ldu9 NtdI WilCn pilN Noo iAei ~
: to a dashing lieutenant in dazzling uni
t form. Paul neant to be a dashing lieu
2 tenant in a dazzling uniform some day
0 and then the vision Of Lucie. stealing in
5 stantly into his mind, seemed TO I'LL
: place already prepared for her there
D The two lads sat, Paul's closely cropped
a reddish hair resting upon TOMS dishevel
ed black shock. and felt very near to
r gether. indeed.
But how viii you ever see made
: moiselle again?" said Toni to Paul.
Paul's face grew sad
81 81 don't know how / ever shall" h
/ said. Il never had a girl speak to m
3 before, and 1 never played with girl
I don't think it proper. And the Englis
e governess was so cross to Lueie-for $
e she called her. But I shall walk ever
day in the park, and perhaps I shall Sc
e her again"
e Paul was as good as his word, an
e the very next afternoon walked in tn
: park by himself He was a neat DO
/ ! always. but that day his face shone wit