The Washington herald., 1910-07-13
CHAPTER v1I-Continued.


They even reached the point of courage
10 go sometimes and SIT on the terrace
where the band played. and where the
people sat at little tables. eating and
drinking. One afternoon. shortly after
Lucie had left, they were actually invited
20 sit at the same table with the YER
neys. The Ravenels walked on the ter
race. evidently looking for a table. but
there was not a vacant one. There were.
however two unoccupied seats where
NJ. and Nine Verney and Paul sat,
drinking eau sucre. The Rayenels
were about 20 leave, when Nine. Yerney
whispered something to her husband.
NJ. Verney at first shook his head
but Nine. Verney persisted. That dream
of her Paul marrying the beautiful,
charming heiress into which Lueie Ber-
nard was certain TO develop had haunted
the good woman's brain. and she urged
her husband. in a whisper, TO invite the
Ravenels 70 take the two vacant seats.
NJ. Verney, like good. obedient hus-
band. could not hold out long against
his wife; and when the Ravenels passed,
not dreaming that any one IN Bienville
would share table with them, Monsieur
Yerney rose. and said politely:
IF you are looking for place. mon
sieur. there are two chairs vacant here
we shall be most happy II you win oc-
oupy thCm."
Ravenel stopped. amazed. and the color
poured into Sophie Raveners beautiful
pale face. and IN an instant more they
were seated with the Verneys. the first
social recognition they had had since
that day when Delorme's blow drove
Sophie Into Ravenels arms. After thank
ing NJ. and Nine Verney, the Ravenels
gave their modest order. and then, ac-
cordlng 10 the polite manner of the
French, they began TO talk together.
Capt. Ravenel at once recognized Paul,
and made the boys heart leap with de-
light.
And this young gentleman recoilect
well, as having been most polite and at
tentive TO Nine Ravenel once. when she
fell III in the park"
The Verneys had known nothing OF
Paul's share In that scene, and did not
identify him az all with that memorable
occasion which was Rnown all over Bien-
Vile, when Sophie Ravenel had been 50
cruelty insulted So NJ. and Nine. Verney
beamed with delight. while Capt. Ravenel
gravely thanked Paul
The boy gased at Nine. Raveners re-
fined and melancholy beauty. and felt
a renewal of the charm which she exer-
cised over all sensitive natures. Then
his heart began to beat furiously as his
mother said;
Il have often admired. madame. the
little girl that have seen with you ia
the park-your sister, I believe"
Yes. replied Sophie. my little half
sister, OF whom I had the charge during
all her babyhoOd, and who is Ike a child
to both OF US"
''She is very. very pretty said Nine
Verney, hoping that embodied prettiness
would one day belong to her Paul. to-
gether with all that went with II.
And very good-hearted" replied
Sophie, smiling "she is not a French
ehild-lef stepmother was American, and
Lucie is like her. unconventional and
even wiIlful. but good and tender-hearted
beyond any creature that I have ever
known. She lives with our grandmother.
and grandmothers. you know. are not
very severe mentors, so I am afraid my
little sister does not get as good discip-
line as she would have If her morh-
er had lived: and when she comes 20
visit US. Capt Ravenel spoils her So
Sophie stopped. turning her full. soft
gaze on Capt. Ravenei. She thought him
the best. the noblest Of men. and did not
love him the less because he was so IN
duIgent to Lucie.
NJ. verney, putting his hand on
PauFs shoulder. told Capt Ravenel that
there was the future Murat Of the French
army. Pauls father way always joking
him, but the boy did not mind Il in tho
least. and laughed at the notion OF be-
ing a great cavalry officer.
$50 you are going into the cavalry.
eh?" asked Capt. Ravenel why not
the artillery" Ravenel himself had been
an artillery oflcer.
Because am not clever enough, I
am afraid" replied Paul frankly: IAN
officer has to be very clever to be in The
artillery--clever at his books. I mean,
and l am not very clever at my books"
I'VE do not complain" said NJ
Verney. in response TO this speech. "he
does very well at HIS books, but he has
always wished TO be in the cavalry. so
I presume that Is where he will land
eventually"
After a little while the Raveneis rose
they were not persons who outstayed
their welcome-and went away with graf
itude in their hearts TO the vernsys. This
was a little thing. but It was the entering
wedge of something Ike social recog-
milton IN Bienville The next time they
meet on the terrace, it was N. Yer