The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-19
CHAPTER xIII-COntinued.

He got to Bienville at noon on the great
day and at o'clock, when the little
festivity was Inaugurated in the garden
and the Ravenels entered. there was Paul,
stln pink and white and sandy-haired.
not spoiled with beauty. but adorned with
manliness. With the new affectation OF
the young French officers he adopted the
modern fashion of discarding his uniform
on every possible occasion and wearing
citizens clothes whenever he could, bat
on this day he could notsbut remember
what Lueie had said, a long time ago,
about his wearing a uniform next time
/ they should meet So he put on his hand
some new undress uniform and looked
soldier His mother admired him inn
mensely, so did his father. an so. in fact.
did Lucie, when that young lady, In
dazzling white costume and charming
white hat and white shoes, came trip
ping along the garden path. Paul blushed
from his head TO his heels as he made her
e beautiful bow. but Lucie, who had ac-
qulred the startling American fashion OF
shaking hands with any and everybody,
deliberately slipped her little hand in his
| and gave him a look from under her
long eye lashes which said as plainly as
words-"weleome, Paul" And by Nine.
Verney's tea-table in the little garden
their hearts were cemented without one
word being spoken between them.
After that Paul was with Lucie every
moment ne could contrive while he was
in Blenyllle. cursing himself meanwhile
for being william in forcing his COM
pany on that radiant creature with her
millions Of francs-he could rot help IL.
And when he found that he would short
~ be sent 10 Beaupre. in the immediate
neighborhood of the Chateau Bernard.
he was the happiest and likewise the
most miserable creature alive. Lucie
was unblushngly happy and demanded
that as soon as he arrived at Beaupre
he should present himself at the chateau
and pay his respects to Nine. Bernard.
Of course. he did it. wicked as he knew
It II be. with the result that he was the
only man whom Lucie really encouraged.
And In a little while as natures quickly
adjust themselves TO each other. Paul &C
quired a species Of control ever Lucie. a
thing which no one but Sophie Ravenel
had ever done before.
She generally wished to do what was
right. but on the occasions when she
. wished TO do what was wrong Nine.
Bernard saw that the sandy-haired young
: subiieutenant could turn Lucie from her
way In particular. he could dissuade
, her from doing many rash things. some
: times innocent. sometimes dangerous
She was an accomplished, though reek-
+ less rider and when she would have rid
den a horse which, rightly named Comet.
had run away once. and might be de-
Z pended on 70 do so again. Paul Yerney
had managed to do more with her by a
few words than all OF Nine Bernard s
i, prayers and the exhortstions OF the head
groom.
\ Paul often came over to the Chateau
Bernard and. on one special afternoon
; he found Comet saddled and waiting. and
when he went into the drawing-room.
J. Nine. Bernard implored him to try to
persuade Lucie not to ride Comet. Pres
!. emily Lucie tripped in, looking charming
In her riding-habit, and with the light
Of contradiction in her eyes Paul. she
; knew. objected 10 her riding the horse
and she was prepared to defy him.
/ 7 think Mademoiselle. said Pau
] quietly. 1T would scarcely be judieloul
for you 10 ride Comet"
LucIe who was proud Of her horse
manship, resented this promptly, and re
piled;
But 7 wish to ride Comet. I am per
II fectly capable Of managing him, and be
In sides, he is not really vicious"
e The last may be true, Mademoiselle
sr but 7 think you are mistaken in the for
re mer. You have no more real control owe
Comet than a butterfly has
For answer, Lucie tapped her viii
u smartly on the mantelpiece, and said;
q, Thank you very much. NJ. VeT
ir ney-I must beg you to excuse me-goo
IN afternoon and walked over from hi
SIS quarters, asked of Nine. Bernard:
r. Madame may have one of you
y. horses saddled. and follow Nile. Lucie o
te her dangerous rider"
he Indeed. you may" replied poor Mm'
Bernard. wringing her hands. take any
thing you may find in the stables.
IS Lucie burst out laughing. And do 20
k, mean to ride in that dress?" she asked {
Of Paul. who had on a frock coat an
al held q silk hat in his hand.
A 1T isn't the dress that would choos
"A to ride in, Mademoiselle. answered Pau
or laughing. L dare say I shall look quit
- ridiculous in this costume scamperir
NJ after you-nevertheless, shall CO."
ns But you will not. cried Lucie, runnir
ST. out Of doors to where the horses we
standing She was not equal to the in
pertinence of having her groom asst
ay her on horseback with an officer and
ut gentleman standing by. and furthernor
ng the groom understood the situation al
nd kept discreetly in the background. Pa
to further astounded her by directing Il
he groom to ride to the stables and have
horse saddled for him and brought
once Lucie was so angry that she h'
OF to wink her dark, bright eyes to keep Il
ne tears from coming. but Paul was as co
ID and as calm as possible.
Never mind, Monsieur" said Lucie.
a trembling voice, II shall ride Comet
- of that you may be sure. You may for
@ yourself on me to-day. but you cam
=, - do It every day, and shall ride VIII
:. horse I please"
- Paul. urged by his love ana tehueIhe
y for her. said words for which ne thong
he would have died rather than ha
"a spoken:
Nv Dear Lucie. II you are as reckless
that you will break my heart Forgi
me for calling you by your name, D
NJ doIet you remember. seven years ago,
the park at Bienville. you told me tn
to- when we were grown up We should e
each other Paul and Lucie In priyate'
Paul stopped He felt as If ne we
Do m. - -. l.. ~o-,g,s, tbesA vgor