The Washington herald., 1910-07-27


the regiment. as he had done in the old
DAYS at Bienvine when he ran away from
the little Clery boys. He did not. there
fore. experience the usual panic which
often attacks the stantest-hearted BRIDE
groom. and went through the wedding
breakfast with actual courage. He
absolutely forgot everything painful in
his past life Nicolas and Pierre melted
away-he did not feel as II they had ever
existed. The secret which had haunted
him was mere fantasy. that vanished
In the glow Of his wedding morning.
Paul and Lucie cdme in during the
breakfast and Paul proposed the bride
groom's health with his hand on TOMS
shoulder. Toni srinning in ecstasy mean
while. Paul spoke Of their early init
macy. and Toni made a very appropriate
reply-at least Denise and Nine Marcel
thought 50. After che lieutenant and his
vile had left. the fun grew fast and fu-
rious- II was as merry a wedding break
last as Paul's and Lucies. even though
the guests were such simple people as
would come TO the corporars wedding
with the sergeants daughter. Toni could
have said with truth that II was the hap
piest day Of his life.
When the wedding party dispersed. and
they returned 10 the Duvals lodgings
that the bride might change her dress.
The sergeant, being left alone in the little
sitting-room with Nine. Marcel. grew
positively tender. saying 70 her in the
manner which he had found perfectly
killing with the girls twenty-five years
before:
Now, madame, that we have seen our
children happily married We should think
somewhat Of our own future. The same
JOY which those two children have may
be ours"
Nine. Marcel. who had heretofore re-
ceived all the sergeant's gallant speeches
with an cir Of blushing consciousness.
suddenly burst out laughing in a very
sef-possessed manner. and said:
"Oh, we are much too old. monsieur:
we should be quite ridiculous If either
one Of US thought Of marrying
The sergeant received a shock ar this.
particularly as he considered himself still
young and handsome.
Ny dear Nine. Marcel" he replied
imrressively. certainly age has not
touched you, and iatter myself here
he drew himself UP and twirIed the ends
Of his superby-waxed mustaches-"that
so far time has not laid his hand heavily
or me.
IF YOU wish 70 marry, monsieur. re-
piled Nine Marcel, still laughing, you
ought 10 marry some young girl AEen Of
( your age always like girls young enough
10 be their daughters and she laughed
/ again cutie impertinently.
The sergeant frCwned at Nine. Marcel
/ He had never seen this phase Of her
character before.
Il assure you. madame" he said stiff
ly. that if care 10 aspire 10 the hand
Of young woman Of my daughters age.
I might not be really considered too old:
but I prefer maturer person ike your
self"
I Nine. Marcel. seeing that the sergeant
was becoming deeply chagrined. deter
mined not TO dash his hopes too sudden
: ~. so she reassumed her old manner OF
( girlish embarrassment and said.
well. monsieur, one wedding makes
many, YOU know; bat a wedding is a IA
/ tguing business TO go through with, par
tcularly at our age. It viii take US bot1
al our time Of life. several weeks TO re-
cover from this delightful event. and we
may then discuss the project you men
ton"
This was slightly encouraging. and as
the sergeant had nothing better 90 com
fort himself with, he contrived TO extract
some satisfaction from IL
When Denise appeared. dressed in
/ her neat gray travelling gown. the
/ Verneys' handsome victoria was at
the door 70 take her and Toni 10 the
station. Toni and Denise felt very
/ grand. as well as very happy. sitting
up in the fine victoria with the pair
OF prancing bays, and although they were
conscious that the foctman and coachman
were thrusting their tongues into their
cheeks, Il mattered very little 10 Denise
and Toni. whose black eyes were lustrous
with delight At last. he reflected joyous
ly, he had some one who would be Obliged
TO look after him the rest OF his life
| When they reached the station the train
was almost ready 10 depart. Toni had
wished. on this auspicious day. 10 travel
to Paris second-class, but the prudent
Denise concluded that as they would
90 through life third-class they had
better begin on that basis. So
Toni selected a third-ciass carriage which
was vacant. and, tipping half franc 10
I the guard. he and Denise found them
selves in it without other company. It
was their first moment alone since they
had been made one Toni put his arm
! around Denise and drew her head on his
| shoulder With the stransest feeling in his
heart Of being protected, and Denise, for
her part had the sense Of having adopted
this fine. handsome laughing fellow. TO
shield under her wing the rest OF her life
/ Yet they were lovers deep and sincere.
! No French gentleman had ever treated
! his fancee with greater respect than
Toni. ;he corporal. had treated Denise.
OF ever had a higher rapture in their first
long kiss.
He was reused from his dream in Para
disc by the consciousness OF a sinister
/ presence near him. and his eyes fell on
! the red head Of Nicolas peering ike the
! serpent in the Garden Of Eden in at The
window OF the railway carriage. II the
place or eternal torment had yawned be-
I fore Tonrs eyes he could not have felt
a greater horror. And this was increased
/ when Nicolas coolly opened the door OF
the carriage and got in. followed By
Pierre, and the two seated themselves
directly opposite the newly married pair
Almost Immediately the train moved Of
Toni had only one thought in his mind
70 keep Denise from finding out that ter
rible secret Of his-why he hated and
feared these men. He hated and feared
thar, nm No.. tlan o..a- h.-t snrn,n mn