The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

ever the good part of "Lucie" will bear reading over more than once for by so doing only can we be sure to catch the gems of thought and diction which are too often hidden amid a tawdriness which distracts from their notice.
 r. ORD ALFRED vARGRAvE sat
 moodly eating his breakfast in his - apartments at Bigorre, that fash ionable watering place within the shadow of the purple Pyrenees, when his ser want handed him a letter. As soon as he glanced at it there came a sudden tumult to his heart and mind. Tha. fla miiar writing, that subtle smell Of Vio- lets, How did they bring up to him past which he had supposed was closed forever and cause to fit before his fancy a face which he had thought to look upon never again.
 The younger son of an old English fam iiy Lord Alfred had been for some years in the diplomatic service, and had neither attained fame nor fortune, though he longed for both His nature was one or those cratic ones which give great prom ise one moment and, as the watcher seems to see form of greatness deVel- oping before his eyes the outlines De- come faint and vanish away. Lord Al fred had become, although still young man, tolerant only of the world-a car low cynic. amusing himself with his cyn- ic,su a "collector' of rare books ana ourios. A dilettante with an aimless life. No, He had one aim just now, and that was to marry Matilda Darcy, sort ol cousin of his, who was possessed oi youth beauty and-what was or stiii more importance to Lord Alfred-money. ue had even gone to the trouble of per suading himself that he was in love with the heiress, but really he knew pe'- ter: il was only little game he played with himself to while away the time. 6,t this letter which was now placed in his hand gave a new complexion to affairs.
 As he broke the seal and read the con tents his thoughts flew back to that tine in Paris, three years before, when ne and Lucille de Meyers had thought them- selves in love with each other for time. A time which, brief c5 IL Tas' was long enough for each to become heartily tired of the caprices of the other. But really, had Lucille been urea of Alfred? He could not be sure, but was certain that he had tired or her iealousies. her reproaches, her tears ana her clinging submission. So, after a dozen or so of quarrels, they had part ed-"as friends" of course. And now she wrote to him. .,-s..ssy,t,.,..,.. s54s
 q hear that you are at Bigorre, she wrote and are going to marry Mss Darcy. long time ago, so long that perhaps you have forgotten 1t, when we parted as friends soon to grow strangers to each other, you made me a promise. The time has now come, my lord, to fulfill that promise. The letters which I once wrote to you and which, upon our parting you retained, I ask you to return. desire to receive them from your hands. l am stopping at Serchon and shall remain in these mountains for month. The distance between Serchon and Bigorre IS snort and perhaps Miss Darcy will foreso one brief page from her summers TO- nance and spare you long enough for you to come to me here. For one day you must vacate your place at her feet-for one brief day resign yourself 10 be without the light of her fair Eng lish face. l desire nothing more and l hope you feel that l desire nothing much 1 am always your friend-Lu- oile."
 It was with many conflicting emo tlons that Lord Alfred Vargrave read this letter from the Countess de Ne vers He walked up and down the room meditating, he scarcely knew upon what, but thror gh all his musings he saw Inc face of 1.ucile. After their separation she had been very i'll in Paris Then he had heard of her quite restored to health. as the belle of Ba- den and other famous watering places, with a train of suitors always paying her court Why had she not been married long ago. Was il possible that she still loved Alfred Nargrave? He did not love her--no, he was in love with Miss Darcy and was going to mar ry her. There was an end of that.
 And yet the sight of the familiar, writing, the subtle odor of those vio- lets-these little things affected him strangely. As the young man unused the door suddenly flew open and in' came-iilie a human cyclone--his cousin John-Joh1 l who was troubled by no romantic introspection. John the prac- teal man of the world, ruddy, healthy and farseeing a man without imasin- alton. q am fool, Here l am travelling about with Matilda, running her err rands and looking after the health of her pet dog and she all the time in love with you and scarcely noticing me except when she gives me one of her absurd orders. It is: Dear Cousin John, will you leave the bracelet which you broke at the jewellers? And see the doctor, l think Beau has the humps; tell him to come directly. And don't forget to older-my saddle and horse And son on. I am tired of it, I tell you." "Then," said Lord Alfred soberly, civiny his cousin a searching look, "why do you subni 1t to it?' "Oh, simp- ly because have nothing elese to do that is the only reason.'
 Alfred threw upon the table the letter which, until now, he had held in his hand. Read that said he. John read and gave low whistle. Don't you go," said he, at length "Why not?" Because can you not see that this Is only trick to bring you back to her feet? An. the s-s- dxa t, ath ,r