Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1925)

38 Picture s and Pichjre $uer FEBRUARY 1925 your side sooner. I could not. I was in prison !" She hung her head, but he only patted her hand and stroked her hair as a wise parent would that of a child. "Well? What of it?" " You do not mind?" " Once I offered to help you. It was because I loved you, as you must have guessed. I found you in the Cave, Toinette, and one does not go to the Cave to study theology. But I knew that then, and I loved you then. Can I know more. Why should I love you less?" "E7ven so, you do not understand all," *-*' Toinette went on. " That I might be by your side I planned and planned to break out of gaol. But no opportunity offered until to-night. Tonight in the air raid, the prison was hit, and my way was clear. In the turmoil I escaped and I came straight here. Perhaps that was indiscreet. Perhaps it was unfair to you?" It was delightful of you !" " But you don't understand even yet. I am — I am still a convict My very clothes are prison clothes, and at any moment they may come for me ! How can you love me, knowing that. We can never hold up our faces in public. If I remain free and you marry me how shall we live? Where shall we live? How can you progress in your career with me by your side? Always will remain that dread fear. Always shall we be waiting for that rough hand on the shoulder of — your wife. Randall, it is unthinkable." " So long as you love me," he vowed, " all will come well. And love me you must, Toinette. Say it Let me hear the words on your , own lips." " But — but I mustn't, Randall It wouldn't be right." "Right?" " To you." " Bah ! I have been in the trenches, my darling, for three long years. Do I care for myself any longer after that. I want just to take care of you. and—" " Listen !" Che clutched his arms in alarm, and ^ pointed to the door. From the corridor outside came the sound of voices and one of those voices fell like a cold hand on the hearts of both. It was the voice of one who was at once enemy and friend, the friend of the lover, the enemy of his beloved — La Roche, the chief of the Paris Police. "They have come for me already!" she whispered. " I must hide you !" he cried. " Never !" said Toinette. " At least I will spare you that last indignity — the pain of having your lover found hiding in your room. Let them come. If it is not to be — " Che broke off. The door opened and into the room came Mrs. Marshall Carey and La Roche. Carey flushed and bit his lip, and Toinette lowered her eyes before the official uniform of her enemy. " I am ready to come with you," she said in a low voice. " Believe me, please — Mr. Carey has acted in ignorance of — " " But my dear lady," La Roche interrupted. " I have not come to take the ' Humming Bird.' " "What!" cried Randall Carey, starting forward. "You did not know?" asked Toinette demurely. " I did not even guess." " But—" " Pardon me," La Roche broke in, " You," she said with a smile, "have captured the 'Humming Bird' after all." " but my time is limited and I mus: come to the point at once. I seek nor the ' Humming Bird,' but Toinette who enlisted the Montmartre Wolves in the early days of the war. I come to tell her that because of that, the facts of which have only now reached them, the Government grant her a free pardon. I come to bring you the Croix de Guerre, won by your staunch com rade Zi-Zi, the last of your little band of heroes, who, dying, bequeathed it to you." Randall Carey looked in frankest amazement from Toinette to La Roche and back again. This news was news to him indeed; and his expression showed as much. "The Montmartre Wolves?" he murmured. "The Montmartre Wolves; yes," said La Roche. " You know of them? You have heard of them?" "Heard of them? More than that. I met them. ' • "I saw them and was side by side with them in their most glorious exploit. "It was in their fiercest engagement that I was wounded first. And you mean to tell me — " " That they were raised by Toinette here. Indeed they were. And their valour and their exploits are a lasting memorial to this little lady. What more can a grateful government do than show its gratitude in this form." Carey turned to Toinette and took her hand. " My darling," he said softly, "I always loved you, as you know, and as I want my dear aunt and my good friend here to know now ; but I am proud of you as well — prouder than I thought I could ever be of anyone. "T knew Zi-Zi — for a time I was his friend in the trenches; and there was no one there would have thought he came from the Cave in Montmartre. The country had reason to be proud of him. Equally proud it must ever be of the little woman who was his inspiration and the inspiration of all his fellows. My Toinette!" La Roche handed the cross to her with a graceful bow, and blushing prettily she pinned it on her bosom. Then with a smile he added : " Bless you my children," and with heavy playfulness took his departure. A moment or two later Mrs. Marshall Carey followed him, and Randall and Toinette were together alone. " And so," he said, taking her in his arms, "you are the 'Humming Bird?' What, Miss, have you to say to that?" " Only," she said with a smile, "that vou have captured the ' Humming Bird,' after all." " And I mean to hold it fast," he assured her, " so that it will never go free any more. Are you frightened?" " No, for the ' Humming Bird's ' wings are clipped. Besides there is no need to fly." And Toinette pressed her lips to his.