South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-03

tenant himself looked very fine He had crisp,
fair hair and little fair mustache. Then his
eyes, blue and serious. looked slowly. carelessly
round the room. until they came to rest on the
puckered. wistful face OF Lucie Kingsford II
so easy for the soldier to take in the situa-
tion-the Uttered table. the wine-fun able. now
sleeping placidly in his chair after his hearty
meal. and the almost fearful glance OF the
friendless girl.
Sc that when Mademoiselle Lucie, finding
the air Of the cofee-room too sitting for her.
left the sleeping able and sought the pure air
OF the courtyard, where standing in the door.
way, she was able TO enjoy the hurry and hustle
going on there. the lieutenant also rose and
sauntered after her AS a man OF the world a
man who was something of gallant and who
never missed an opportunity TO study a pretty
face at close quarters. monsieur lie lieutenant
had soon scraped an acquaintance with the
wistful-eyed traveller. And very soon that
wistfulness was dispelled from her smiling
face: her sweet, shy eyes were raised so fire.
quently to his, that the young officer was
soon able to natter himself that he had made
an Immediate impression.
So, laughing and chatting they did not
notice the flight Of time. until heavy footsteps
sounded along the passage behind them and
the sonorous voice OF the able broke in upon
their pleasant tete-a-tete. But monsieus Table
had noticed what their eyes had failed to see
that the big yellow coach was already horsed
that the ostlers held the heads OF the eager
creatures champing their bits aud that the
men were busy getting into their greatcoats.
So the able drew Lucie straightway down the
steps. standing close by her he watched her
little box lifted up and packed away. Then Lucie
herself was assisted up the ladder, the able
following The driver took his seat, the con-
ductor blew the long brassy bugle, and the
'ostlers let go the leaders heads and sprang
aside. Then the wheels ratified over the cobbles
OF the yard heads were bent as they diVed
under the arch. AS they turned brskly up the
narrow street Lucie looked back The lieu.
tenant in his gay uniform was standing there
smiling toward her and waving his hand Then
bend of the road shut out the Hotel de France
from her sight and they numbered on through
the narrow causeway.
AT depot they paused 10 take up other pas
sengers then OF again through the mellow sun
shine OF the autumn day. And now there was
something more deeply beautiful in the wistful
gaze OF the lonely girl With her along those
weary miles travelled the memory OF the soldier
I'm blue and gold IL still with her, smil-
ing comforting, when they stopped for the
night at a busy country town And the next
morning, when they rose at daylight to catch
the first coach on the next stage OF their jour
ney, Lucie found the repulsive spectacle OF the
sleepsodden able less repulsive since on her
other side sat, in her imagination. the treas
ured memory OF gay uniform. True, II was
nothing but the elusive substance of memory,
drove OFF into the keen, cold air OF the morn
ing
The last stage OF their journey was made in
a rickety chaise with one lean mule to draw IL.
1t was growing dusk, and the able was lying
back wearied with his two days OF constant
travelling To OF his size and tempera-
ment IT was Supplying in effect So he dozed,
grunting in a corner while Luce, growing every
moment more and more anxious and expectant
a each mile brought her closer TO her new
home. leaned forward and stared eagerly out
OF the lowered window.
II was bleak country, this that lay about
the neighborhood OF Mardalle with a long
white road that went twisting and turning
across the nat landscape which lay ugly and
sombre under the pail of fast growing night.
Something OF fear began to catch at the girls
heart. Then, as the chaise turned a corner
and stumbled creaking and grooming down
lane Swallowed by trees she knew sudden
thankfulness that the long ordeal was over.
Soon she would have done with conjecture.
She would be folded into the affectionate arms
Of Madame de la Valannes.
Outside a closed gate, set between two high
posts OF broken stone, the cnaise came TO a
standstill. The able reused himself as he
heard the driver pulling down Lucie's baggage
and slapping il down into the Gust of the for
saken gateway. Getting out stinly. he pulled
laboriously at bell and presently an old
woman came tottering along the willow-shaded
avenue, and after much scrutinizng and
parley admitted the able and his charge Then
the boxes we're pulled inside. the gate reclosed
The house as they approached II, looked to
the girl the most dilapidated place she had
ever seen. II was dirty from the stains of
wind and weather, II sagged miserably TO one
side and its windows every one with grey
shutter, were all closed tightly. Lucie tried
TO quell the shivering that possessed her.
Within she found room of more comfort than
she might have expected. and toward them
came a small, shrinking old woman, who
glanced at the able. then at the girl whom she
kissed with cold lips on either side OF her face.
Madame de la Valannes here is Miss Kings
ford whom I have brought safely TO you,"
said the able
Madame de la Valannes thanked him ner-
vously made him a graceful bow as he babe
her farewell. and walked TO the door with him
He paused there TO take snuf. His sharp
black eyes twinkled with mischief-rather IL
was a wicked look he gave madame as he
added Il think mademoiselle knows little or