The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
Happiness.


dressing.
Brunei surveyed his master from
the tip of his shining boots to his
sleek. fair head. His expressive eyes
said: Monsieur lie Capitaine is looking
we'll tonight"
Brunei had never before given his
master direct compliment. His eyes
only had che habit of expressing ad.
miration, and the manner in which
he performed his duties. his devotion,
were his forms of compliment. But
Sabron's long illness and absence, the
fact that he had been snatched from
death and given back to the army
again. leveled between servant and
master the impossible wasl of eti.
quette.
There will be grand dinner to-
night, will there not Monsieur lie
Capitaine? Doubtless Monsieur lie
Colonel and all the gentlemen will be
there Brunei made comprehen-
sive gesture as though he comprised
the entire etat major
Sabron. indeed. looked we'll. He
was thin. deeply bronzed by the ex-
posure on the yacht. for he and Tre-
mont before returning to France had
made long cruise. Sabron wore the
look of a man who has come back
from far country and is content
And never shall forget to the end
Of my days how Monsieur lie Capitaine
looked when met the yacht at Mar
seilles!"
Brunei spoke reverently, as though
he were chronicling sacred souvenirs.
Il said to myself. you are about to
welcome back hero, Brunei! Mon
sieur lie Capitsine will be as weak as
a child. But l was determined that
Monsieur lie Capitaine should not read
my feelings, however great my emo
ton"
Sabron smiled. At no time in his
simple life did Brunei ever conceal
the most trifling emotion-his simple
face revealed all his simple thoughts.
Sabron said heartily: Your control
was very fine. indeed"
Instead of seeing a sick man, Mon.
sieur le Capitaine. splendid-looking
figure, with red cheeks and bright
eyes, came of the boat to the shore.
l said to myself: Brunei, he has the
air OF one who comes back from a VIC
tory No one would have ever be.
ieved that Monsieur lie Capitaine had
been rescued from captivity"
Brunet's curiosity was very strong
and as far as his master was con.
cerned he had been obliged to crush
1t down. To himself he was saving:
Monsieur le Capitaine is on the eve
of some great event. When will he
announce it to me? Y am sure nv
master is going to be married"
Pitchoune, from a chair near by.
assisted at his masters toilet, one
moment holding the razor-strop be.
tween his teeth. then taking the
clothes brush in his little grip. He
was saying to himself: 81 hope in
the name OF rats and cats my master
is not going out without me-"
Brunei was engaged to be married
to the kitchen maid of the Marquise
d'Esclignac. Ordonnances and soul.
lions are not able to arrange their
matrimonial affairs so easily as are
the upper classes.
Monsieur lie Capitaine," said the
servant, his simple face raised to his
masters. Il am going to be mar.
ried."
Sabron wheeled around: Mon
brave Brunei, when?"
Brunei grinned sheepishly.
In five years, Monsieur le Capi.
tame" at which the superior officer
laughed heartily.
is she an infant. are you educat.
ing herr
When one is the eldest of a wild.
oW, said Brunet with a sigh, and
the eldest of ten children"
The clock struck the quarter. Sab.
ron knew the story of the widow and
ten children by heart.
is the taxi at the door,"
Yes, Monsieur lie Capitaine.'
Pitchoune gave sharp bark.
You are not invited" said his mas
ter cruelty, and went gayly out, his
sword hitting against the stairs.
The Marquise d'Esclignac gave
brilliant little dinner to the colonel
or Sabron's squadron There were
present general or two, several men
OF distinction, and among the guests
were the Due de fremont and Madame
de la Maine. Sabron, when he found
himself at table. looked at everything
as though in dream. Julia Redmond
sat opposite him. He had sent her
flowers and she wore them in her
bodice. Madame de la Maine bent
upon the young officer benignant eyes,
the Due de fremont glanced at him
anectionately, but Sabron was only
conscious that Julia's eyes did not
meet his at all.
They talked of Sabron's cantivitv