Page:A Gentleman From France (1924).djvu/77

 though he had been the only child of the great lady.

Every one on shipboard petted him, and admired his War Cross, for they soon understood that this was the shortest way to the graces of Madame.

Up and down the country in a luxurious private car the little soldier toured, written up by newspaper reporters and lauded by theatre managers, until he came to the college town of Meadowdale. Here he took matters into his own hands and thereby changed the current of his entire future life.

Pierre was not happy travelling in Madame's private car! Not as happy as he had been with old Jean or with the Colonel. He was fondled and played with by his mistress to his heart's content, and admired by all who visited the car, but that