The Washington herald., 1910-07-18
By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL,

foredoomed TO hel-fre. and that he
would probably lead the procession.
Toni took the attack on himself very
meekly. but said
Il assure you Mademoiselle, there were
some good people in the circus-some
good women. even"
Good women. did you say?" screamed
Mile Duval, wearing tights and span
giles, and turning somersaultsl"
Toni bethought him OF the time when
there was an outbreak of scarlet fever in
the circus company and how these same
painted ladies In tights and spangles
stood by one another and nursed each
other and each others children day and
night, and uttered no word OF complaint
or reproach. He knew more than Mile.
Duval on the subject OF the goodness and
the wickedness which dwell in the hearts
of men, he told Mile Duval, however,
the story Of the outbreak OF scarlet
fever. He had a natural eloquence which
stood him in good stead. and Mile. Du-
val. who was one Of the best women in
sharp tongue. was almost brought to
tears by TOMS story
Just then Denise's cavalier brought her
back TO her aunt. and Toni. jumping up,
profoundly saiuted Denise His soul
rushed into his eyes. those handsome.
daredevil black eyes which the prirn and
proper Denise had secretly admired from
her babyhood- She glanced back at him
as she courtesied 70 him with great pro-
priety. and something in her face made
Toni pulses bound with Joy. There was
softness. almost tenderness, In her
look which Toni. having some knowledge
Of the world, Interpreted to his own ad-
vantage. Denises own heart was pal
pitating. not unanimously like Tonfs,
but with gentle quickness which was
new 20 her
Denise Mademoiselle for the first time,
how well I remember you in my happy
days at Bienvllle. when you used to give
me buns under the acacia tree"
He stopped soft blush came into
Denise's fair cheeks She smiled and
looked at him and then away from him
Denise remembered the bench under the
acacia tree and all that had happened
there well enough. Denise knew then
and knew now. that when the Toni OF
those days gave up something to eat to
& small girl. his feelings were very deeply
engaged to her. She recorected in par
ticular the first afternoon the Ravenels
took tea with the Verneys that Toni
had selected one beautiful. ripe plum, and
after eying it lOngingly. had put his arm
around her neck and put the plum in her
mouth, and what he had said then. Her
blushing now revealed II all to Toni.
Suddenly the band struck up a waltz,
Toni politely asked Denise TO favor him
with her hand for the dance, and they
went of together. The moon smiled
softly at them. and even the electric
lights had kind OF tenderness in their
glare, when Toni clasping Denise in his
arms for the first time. began TO whirI
around with her 70 the rhythm OF the
music. He felt himself raised above the
earth-all his fears. all his evil-doing had
departed from him-he felt, poor Toni. as
II he would never be afraid OF Nicolas
and Pierre again. and as If that waltz
was foretaste OF Heaven for him.
And Denise. too. was happy He saw II
in her shy eyes. in the softness Of her
smile, and presently Toni drew her closer
to him and whispered:
Denise. Denise. do you remember p
and Denise whispered back. yes. Toni.
I remember all"
And so as it was with Paul Verney
and Lucie Bernard. they called each other
by their first names when they were
alone.
/ Presently in the mazes OF the dance
Toni looked UP and there was Paul Yer
ney passing through the square. He
caught TOMS eye and Toni grlnned back
at him rapturously. When the music
stopped, Toni. putting Denise's hand
within his arm, escorted her back to the
bench where Mile. Duval sat knitting in
/ the electric light. He contrived to pass
directly in front of Paul Verney. whom
he saluted respectfully. and Paul bowed
low to Denise and said to her:
Mademoiselle. we are both natives of
Bienviile. and 1 am most happy TO see
you here with your worthy aunt and your
respected father" and then Paul with an
eye single to TOMS interests, walked on
the other side Of Denise I'D 10 where
Mile. Duval sat and promptly claimed ac-
/ quaintance with her. In the old days at
Bienville there had not been such a ire
mendous difference between Paul verney,
the poor advocates son, and the children
OF the pastry shop and the confectioner.
Now Paul was an officer. but he was
very pleasant and gentlemanlike, how
ever, though quite dignihed, and gave
himself no naughty airs he inquired
| with the deepest sOlicitude after Nile,
Duvars health, remembered gratefully
sundry tarts and cakes she had given
him in the old days, and then said 70
her. In the most unblushing manner:
And. MademoLselle. we have here
another citizen OF Bienville, Marcer'-it
was the first time that Paul had ever
called Toni. Marcel, in his life-"who,
/ assure you, is worthy of our old town.
He is strictly attentive to his duties. and
the best rider in my troop. I predict
that he win be a corporal before his en-
listment is out"
And thus having advanced TonPs cause
with his prospective aunt-in-law. Paul
Verney withdrew. winking surreptitiousIy
at Toni as he went on Il was impos-
sible that Mile. DuvaI should not revise
her opinion OF Toni after this testimony
from his officer. so Toni at once found
himself In a most acceptable position
with Mile. DuvaL he danced twice more
with Denise. carrying her of in the face
OF couple Of corporals. and. by his de-
voted attentions and insidious hatters
Of Mile. Duval. gained that ladys good
will. He would have liked to escort his
old friends back TO their lodging, but, as
he explained. he barely had time to reach
the barracks before the tap Of the drum,
and he seurried of. the happiest trooper
in Beaupre that night
! When he neared the quadrangle on
which the barracks faced, he overlook
Paul Yerney, and as he rushed past he