The Washington herald., 1910-07-29

meanwhile. wrestling vigorously with the
baby whom Toni secretly encouraged in
his rebellion.
Nicolas followed Lucie and was de-
lighted at his own diplomacy. He reck-
oned her good for couple OF francs at
least. She showed him a side entrance
where in a small and shady courtyard.
the servants were drinking little Paurs
health and cutting a birthday cake ex-
pressly designed for them. Nicolas went
In and not only ate and drank in honor Of
the little child whose T. 5her ne meant 70
murder. but was provided with a good
meal by Lucle's orders. After ne had
eaten and drunk. he desired 10 stink
away, not thinking Il worth while TO risk
meeting Paul even in the pursuit Of the
couple Of francs which he felt sure he
could get out Of Lucie AS he slouched
rapidly across the lawn, ne looked IN
and saw on the terrace. Paul and Iucie
standing together All the guests had
left and Nine. Barnard had gone indoors.
but Toni. meaning 20 give Paul a word
Of warning. remained little while with
Denise waiting for his chance TO speak.
But his warning was not necessary. As
Lucie saw Nicolas shabby figure stink
Ing across the lawn. she said 10 Paul
There is a man that I found outside
the hedge and he has been a soldier. so
made him come In and he drank the
babys health with the servants. and I
made them give him a good meal be-
sides"
A glance Of recognition. which neither
Lucie nor Denise saw. passed between
Paul and Toni. Paul only remarked 10
her:
You should be a little careful. Lucie.
In introducing strange men among the
servants. even though they claim 70 be
soldiers. However. no harm Is done this
time"
But he said he was hungry, Paul. and
] cannot bear that any one at the Cha
teau Bernard or at our house should
want for anything on this delightful day
The babys first birthday"
As Lucie spoke, her eyes sparkled and
she laid her hand on PauTs shoulder.
Tdeir honeymoon had as vet. no break.
Toni then turned to 90 with Denise.
He maintained HIS outward calm
though inwardiy he was storm-tossed
He knew that Paul Verney suffered none
Of these qualms Of terror. but was per-
fectly cool. calm. and self-possessed.
"Oh. what a thing is courage" thought
Toni. ito be a brave man all around"
But he was learning 10 master his fear
little. or al least 20 control the outward
expression Of #. He and Denise walked
briskly through the park Denise. It be-
ing still their honeymoon, would have
liked to loiter a little in the twilight
shadows, but Toni. making the excus;
that he would soon be due at the bar
racks. they lost no time He took Denise.
hand In his. She thought il was a lover:
clasp but in truth he felt that old cling.
ing 10 Denise for protection as we'll a,
affection He wished that he could have
put his hand In his pocket and felt
Jacques. but Jacques was now the treas
ured possession Of the little Paul. Toni
was glad when he got out Of the park
and into the lighted streets.
He had to go 10 the barracks and
Denise was 10 return 20 their lodgings.
They parted under dark archway and
had the opportunity 10 exchange a fare
well kiss. Toni wondered II il would be
the last kiss he would ever give Denise
For the first time. Denise, looking into
TOMS troubled eyes. began 10 suspect
something was wrong with him. but she
said no word and went quietly home.
Il was then nearly o'clock and Ton
was kept busy at the barracks for ar
! hour or more. He was of duty thai
night and was allowed TO spend II al
home. and al 10 O'Clock he left the bis
! barrack yard TO 80 to his lodgings The
afternoon and early evening had beer
/ brilliantly lovely. but now a cold rair
Was itfully falling and the night sky
/ was dark with storm clouds which raced
across the face .. the moon. The street.
Of the little town grew deserted, anC
/ Toni, as ne walked rapidly along. saw
Nicolas and Pierre. In Imagination, be
hind every wall and tree and corner
! There was a short way tC his lodgings
which led through the narrow and darl
streets, but the long way led by the rail
way station where there were AWAY.
1 people moving about and a plenty o.
light. and Toni concluded TO take IN,
| long way home He ran nearly all IN,
way, longing to get TO the circle Of lgh
made by the railway station. There wa.
one place where he had TO cross a bridg,
which spanned the iron tracks, and &
was quite dark. Toni felt his hear
| humping and jumping as he neared thi.
place. Once across II. he would fee
comparatively safe, and would wall
along quietly in the glare OF the electri,
lamps
As he got TO this place he heard {
smothered cry. and. frightened as h
was. he stopped and peered over tn,
rail Of the bridge. Near the track tw,
figures were wrestling desperately. Il
the half-darkness, Toni could see thu
each one was trying to throw the othei
on the railway track Far off sounded
the roar and reverberation. the thunder
and shaking OF the earth. OF the fast
| approaching express train. Toni wal
/ thrilled with horror and frozen TO TIT
ground. He could not have moved u
have saved his life. In fact. there wa,
no way for him TO reach the two mer
struggling 20 destroy each other. except
by leaping over the bridge twenty fee
below. The huge headlight OF the on
rushing train cast a CHASTITY glare owe
tho black earth. intersected by lines o.
steel. and revealed 10 Toni that the Nv,
figures in mortal struggle were Nicolas
and Pierre. Nicholas was the stronge
Of the two. and no was trying to throw
Pierre under the wheels of the advanc
ing locomotive, but Pierre hung on witt
unnatural strength. He could not dral
himself away from the track, but h
chung hercely and desperately to Nicolas
! In an instant mora the train thnnderef