Lucile Triumphant   By: Elizabeth M. Duffield

BY ELIZABETH M. DUFFIELD

AUTHOR OF "LUCILE ON THE HEIGHTS," "LUCILE, BRINGER OF JOY," "LUCILE, THE TORCH BEARER"

WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. RACINE, WISCONSIN

Copyright, 1916 By SULLY & KLEINTEICH

All Rights Reserved

Printed and Published By Western Printing & Lithographing Company Racine, Wisconsin

Printed in U. S. A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE I. "GREETINGS, FELLOW TRAVELERS" 7 II. ECHOES OF THE CAMP FIRE 12 III. A LATTER DAY MIRACLE 19 IV. COUNTING THE HOURS 25 V. AS THOUGH ON WINGS 31 VI. "OH, FIRE, LONG YEARS AGO " 35 VII. THE MAGIC CITY 42 VIII. ENTER JACK 50 IX. HURRAH, FOR EUROPE! 59 X. WHIRLED THROUGH THE NIGHT 65 XI. "ALL ASHORE WHO ARE GOING ASHORE!" 72 XII. MONSIEUR CHARLOIX 79 XIII. ROMANCE 86 XIV. A VAIN QUEST 93 XV. "LAND, HO!" 102 XVI. THE RED LETTER DAY 111 XVII. THE GLORY OF THE PAST 119 XVIII. GREAT EXPECTATIONS 125 XIX. THE BREATH OF THE WAR GOD 132 XX. CROSSING THE CHANNEL 141 XXI. THE OLD CHATEAU 146 XXII. THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY 152 XXIII. LUCILE TRIUMPHS 161 XXIV. "TWO'S COMPANY" 167 XXV. THE THUNDERBOLT 175 XXVI. THROUGH SHROUDING MISTS 183 XXVII. HOME 186

[Transcriber's Note: Table of Contents was not present in the original publication.]

CHAPTER I

"GREETINGS, FELLOW TRAVELERS"

The great news was out! Two girls regarded their companion in open mouthed astonishment.

"Europe!" cried Jessie. "Lucy, will you please say that all over again and say it slowly," she begged leaning forward tensely.

Lucile's eyes danced as she repeated slowly and with great emphasis, "I said just this Dad is going to Europe and he intends to take me with him."

The girls were incredulous.

"But, wh when are you going?" stammered Evelyn, dazedly.

"In three weeks at the outside, maybe sooner," Lucile answered, then added, with feigned reproach, "you don't, either of you, seem a bit glad."

"Oh, we are, we are," they protested, and Evelyn added, "It just took our breath away, that's all."

"Lucile, it's the finest thing that ever happened to you," said Jessie, impulsively throwing her arms about her friend.

The latter returned the embrace with equal fervor, but her eyes were retrospective as she answered, "Oh, it's wonderful, of course, and I haven't even begun to get used to it yet, but I don't think it's any greater than "

"Oh, I know what you mean," Evelyn broke in. "You mean Mayaro River and Aloea and ranks and things like that "

"Exactly," laughed Lucile, her face flushing with the memory, "and honors and guardians and races and "

"Oh, stop her, someone, quick," begged Jessie gayly. "If you don't she'll keep it up all day," then more gravely, "It was wonderful and none of us will ever forget it but, Lucy, do, oh, do tell us more about Europe before I die of curiosity!"

"Oh, yes, please go on," urged Evelyn; "we want to hear all about how it happened, and just when you're going to start and how long you expect to stay and "

"Slow up a little," begged Lucile, in dismay. "I'll tell you everything in time, but I must have time!"

"Come out, time, you're wanted," cried Evelyn, pushing aside the bushes as though in search of the runaway.

"I suppose you think you're funny," sniffed Jessie, disdainfully. "But I feel obliged to tell you as a friend "