, 1888-09-23

lost His native politeness prompted him to
make his presence known and assist her in
her search. He stepped forward, and his
spur touched something metallic on the
ground; STOPPING he picked up the ornament
which she had dropped from her bosom, and
respectfully banded it to her. She took it
without looking at him and passed on; but
he caught her arm, and, seeing her in com.
pany of the Spaniards, hazarded O. question
in that language. in Gods name, who are
your And she answered, in pure, silvery
tones, Il am Runa, the Evening Starl'
There WINS n proud defiance on her brow as
she made this answer; yet her eyes, deep and
dark, fell ~ ieath the ardent gaze which the
officer ben. upon her; she waved her hand
mnjestcally, as though to dismiss him,
and Fastening on Joined her companions.
The chevalier prolonged his walk, bordering
upon the events of that night. He had seen
the sunny girls of France, had wooed the
dark Castilian maids, had smiled upon the
blue eyed Saxon, but never before had he
seen any one so strange, so romantic, so beau
tful; he recalled with pleasure her appear
ancc, and dwelt with mingled wonder and
admiration upon her features. When Mt
length he sought his quarters and retired it
was to dream that she was a star, far, far
beyond his reach in the heavenly blue,
and he, like the shepherds of old, could only
look up and worship her.
Morning found the city in a state of excite
ment over the arrival Of the governor and
his wife. 1t was discussed in the salons, in
the cafes, in the streets. The French ladies
criticised his lack of good taste in choosing n
Spanish bride, the men averred that her gold
was the main attraction. But on one point
they were all agreed, and that was not to at
tend any of the state receptions of the hated
Spaniards, as such recognition might be con
gtrt,aJ into m ipvnlt hrr +bo Joor E-.noa H..
were so anxious to conciliate. So, though the
Sonora de Ulloa threw open her salons three
times a week, it was to empty rooms, only n
few officers venturing to attend. Among
these was the Chevalier de st. Gervaise, and
he, not from allegiance to the new powers,
but animated by the hope OF seeing Runa
again. In this he was disappointed; for
many months, neither there nor on the streets,
did he catch a glimpse of her who styled her
self the Evening Star"
One evening he was walking along the
river bank, the only portion of the city in
which, owing to the swampy nature of the
soil, it was possible to enjoy a pleasant pro
menade. His heart went back to France, to
his ancestral home, and the bright hopes Of
his childhood; and he sighed 40 he thought
of the years that had been frittered AWAY,
perhaps uselessly, in this remote corner of
the earth. Tho sun was setting as it sets
nowhere else but in our glorious southland,
bathing earth and sky in a mingled glow of
crimson and orange and purple. He wan
dered on till New Orleans seemed like a
speck in the distance. Suddenly, by one of
those peculiar physiological sensations that
can never, perhaps, be explained, he became
vaguely conscious of another presence in that
place, n presence that seemed to thrill him
impressibly, and siren like to lure him on.
He turned almost instinctively and found
himself in the presence of Runa, but she saw
him not Her eyes were fixed on the reced-
ing sun; her lips moved as if in prayer. She
still wore a robe of spotless white, and the
chevalier saw what had before escaped his
notice, that the ornament on her bosom was
n golden image of the sur.
Was Runa, then, an idolatressl He crossed
himself devoutly, as If to exercise an evil
spirit; but still he fingered, stin he looked
upon her-he was young and she was very
beautiful. AS the last rays Of the sinking
sun were merged in the deepening blue the
pale crescent moon arose, and almost at the
same moment a bright star glimmered in the
east. She advanced toward it and bowed
thrice to the earth, then, with a sigh, she
turned to go and the chevaler stood before
her. She reared herself majestically, and
proudly asked, Hast thou dared to follow
me herep And he answered, admiration
and respect curiously blended in his features,
Nay, beautiful Runa, I too came hither to
see the sunset, not knowing that thou vert
here.n
She seemed satisfied and walked on silently,
he following respectfully. At length he
vertured to speak. "Ten me, fair Evening
Star, dost thou worship the sunT'
II am a Christian" she answered simply
Yet, thou wilt not deny that bnt a mo
ment ago thou didst PROSTATE thyself before
the sun and the stars.n
my MOTHER she answered, twas a de
scendant of the white robed virgins of the
Eur, the hr4aes-ef+ Asi imperial Incas- See, l
wear the emblem Of our royal lineage, and
though a Christian, / cling to the traditions
of my race. But, ahl the golden age Of my
country is fed, our dynasty ia no more; l am
here a captive, and the light will never again
shine on the hills and wales Of my natiye
Perur' o
''Thou dost love thy countryT'
"Aye, as the child does love its mother. !
sUifie in this cir; l cannot live without my
mountains; at night l dream Of the snow
crowned Cordilleras, of our ancient temples
glittering with gold and silver, Of my
heaven descended racer She wept, and
he, moved TO pity at her beauty and her
tears, strove to comfort her and took her
hand; but she hastily withdrew it, and to-
gether they approached the city. She
hvOpPSb = " pLo buuO pdsSeu VIC ISuT Cl
tho senoras dwelling, and pointing to the
popular thoroughfare said: "Thy way lies
ii. thcrf'
''No, beautiful Runa, let me remain near
thee"
She shook her hoad.
Shall / not see thee againT
Tomorrow, ~ she answered. az shall come
70 see the sun Set"
So each day he left his gay companions in
tho "a foo - {,g-, .l,n T,ly.,, n,a{l - zu.-
ing devotions, and, though he was often
amused at the singular compound Of Chris
tianity and idolatry her character exhibited,
lie thought he saw beneath it a profound rev.
crence for the Creator and all his works, end
canded her not. He presumed once o. twice
TO address her in the gay tones he was uccus-
toned to use with the ladies of his OWE race.