Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-26
so sure that your plan will work 80
we'll as you think"
CHAPTER XXI.
Iucle's Vanity.

we'll AS you Lnlnk.
CHAPTER XXI.
Lucle's Vanity.
Lucie was the millionaire's protegee.
In his luxurious home, amidst the
glittering display OF wealth, by sort
OF irony of fate, she reigned as a
queen, one might say. She had GER
tain grace and charm and seemed
quite at her ease in Kingsley's man
sion. The sumptuous surroundings
we're fitting frame for her undeniable
beauty. She did not seem at all as
tonished at her immense good fortune.
She accepted 1t with the same indif-
ference that she had shown when she
had been held in seclusion in the house
at Neuilly. She took everything as 1t
came. Her approaching marriage
with my adopted son, however, seemed
to give her entire satisfaction She
took great pleasure In treating me as
an elderly man of no consequence, and
one day when we were alone she
played little part that was not ex-
pecting.
Charles" she said. there Is deli
cate matter upon which l should like
to consult YOU
She rang for her maid
Bring me those boxes you placed
In my room this morning" she said.
The boxes contained the trousseau
that had been ordered for her when
was to have married her at Neuilly.
She unfolded the white bridal gown
carefully, shook the shimmering silk.
and said in q voice that was almost
reverent:
isn't it beautiful? Exquisite You
can understand how like 1t. was
obliged to bring it with me. I could
not part from 1t. And thought, per-
haps, you would not mind, Charles,
if''
For moment had nothing to say.
was on the point Of bursting out
laughing. and yet I had feeling OF
sadness. She at once put my silence
down to regrets, for she said. quickly
ooh! Charles, then you did really
love me, after all"
THAT did not" said idignantly.
Kingsley came in at that moment.
and, taking me Familiarity by the arm,
drew me into the smoking ROOM"
What is she bringing that bridal
dress out for?" he said, laughing. ITO
bring back the past and make you re-
gret, suppose"
I laughed.
'It is possible" said.
We had fixed the day Of the we'd
ding for the 26th. 1t was also on the
26th that the doctor and Evelyne were
going OF be married In Paris. Marca-
dian had written me a letter, four
pages long, telling me the preparations
that were being made and the date on
which they would be married, SO
Kingsley had fixed Lucie's wedding
for the same day. wanted to get
could turn more than ever to business
and thus take new interest In life.
One evening was at my hotel TAX
ing my cup Of tea when Polydore burst
in upon me excitedly. He dropped
into chair quite out OF breath.
1--WE can't get married on the 26th,
he said at last. sss
"Why?"
"It's all through that Jim! told him
to take Lucie's papers to the City
Hall for the legal formalities, but he
did not get t.lem there on time and
that puts the affair OF for some days.
He paused and wiped his forehead,
with his handkerchief. si ...s
"It's absurd, too absurd" he said.
as though talking to himself. TIA IA
What is?" asked, not understands
ing.
"Why, the way Lucie fascinates
men, She seems to be able to charm
any man, but In this case 1t Is ridicu-
lous-a Hindoo servants"
He broke into nervous laugh.
"She has made that poor Benga1ese
crazy over her. He continued. "He
would sacrifice his life for her. And
she laughs and mocks him! never
heard of anything 80 ridiculous"
why ridiculous?" said. II should
find it far more natural that little
milliner. should marry an honest valet
than to be in the position where she.
is now! Her beautiful eyes have
wrecked your life, and I am afraid
have made greater havoc than we
think with DR.. Kingsley's.'
Polydore looked at me, and then
said, in a slow, deep voice:
II am certain now that she does not
care for me any more than she cared
for William Kingsley. There Is only
one thing she loves In the world
that Is money, or rather, the brilliant
life that money can procure. That Is
her only passion" 81
Il found out that long ago." re-
piled. 'Lucie Is a beautiful woman
without soul, and her power OF
fascination is so much the more be-
cause she Is honest. She Is like a
beautiful light-she attracts the moths
and thew SINCE their wings, but 1t
does not hurt her."
$50 be It, I'll scorch my wings.
cannot reason. I love her too much.
She is so beautiful and pure.
Polydore's abjectness was pitiful.
II Think" said, after q silence.
"that from man like you and
schemer like Lucie the worst is to be
feared. Your passion has no excuse
and her influence over you no limit.
l think that Mr.. Kingsley has made the
biggest mistake OF his life in bringing
about this match. / have decided to
leave town tomorrow. You can get
married without me. Adieu my son."
Ana 7 ernt IN md loft hin,