Wichita eagle., 1888-09-30
ones, 81 am Runa, the Evening Start"

officer bent upon her; she waved her hand
majestically, 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 50 strange, so romantic, so beau
tiful; be recalled with pleasure her appear
ance, and dwelt with mingled wonder and
admiration upon her features. When at
length be 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
nent over tho 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
Spanish bride, the men averred that her gold
was the main attraction. But on one point
they were al agreed, and that was not to at
tend any Of the state receptions Of the hated
Spaniards, as such recognition might be con-
strued into an insult By the dear France they
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 q
few officers venturing to attend Among
these was the ChevaHer 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 or the streets,
did be catch 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 pleasant pro-
menade. His heart went back to France, to
his ancestral home, and the bright hopes Of
his childhood; and he sighed as he thought
Of the years that had been frittered away,
perhaps uselessly, in this remote corner Of
the earth. The sun was setting as it sets
nowhere else but in our glorious southland,
bathing earth and sky in mingled glow Of
crimson and orange and purple. He wan
dered on till New Orleans seemed like a
speck in the distance. Suddenly, BE- one Of
those peculiar physiological sensations that
can never, perhaps, be explained, he became
vaguely conscious of another presence in that
place, o presence that seemed to thrill him
blAcu liG0 W Az . Kill ILL.,
He turned almost inssinctively 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
golden image Of the sun.
Was Runa, then, al idolatress? He crossed
himself devoutly. as Il to exercise an evil
spirit; but still he fingered, still 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 bright star glinlmered in the
east. She advanced toward it and bowed
thrice to the earth, then, with sigh, she
turned to so and the chsvalier stood before
her. She reared herself majestically, and
proudly asked, "Hast thou dared to follow
me heref' And he answered, admiration
and respect curiously blended In his features,
may, beautiful Runa, too came hither to
see the sunset. not knowing that thou vert
here
She seemed satisfied and walked on silently,
he following respectfully. At length he
ventured to speak Tell me, fair Evening
Star, dost thou worship the SUM-"
81 am Christian" she answered simply
"Yet, thou wilt not deny that bnt a mo-
ment ago thou didst PROSTATE myself before
the sun and the stars.'
my mother" she answered, twas a de-
scendant Of the white robed virgins Of the
sun, the brides Of the imperial Incas. See, I
wear the emblem Of our royal lineage, and
though Christian, l cling to the traditions
of my race. But, ahl the golden age of my
country is fed, our dynasty is no more; am
here captive, and the light will never again
shine ON the hills and wales of my native
Perup'
"Thou dost love thy countryF
"Aye, as the child does love its mother. !
stifie in this cir; l cannot live without my
mountains; at night dream Of the snow
crowned Cordilleras, Of our ancient temples
glittering with gold and silver, Of my
heaven descended raceI" She wept, and
he, moved to pity at her beauty and her
tears, strovs to comfort her and took her
hand; but she hastily withdrew it, and to-
gether they approached the city. She
stopped at a by street that passed the rear OF
the senoI.'s dwelling, and pointing to the
popular thoroughfare said: THY way lies
thither!"
"No, beautiful Runa, let me remain near
theels
She shook her head.
''Shau no. see thee againf"
Tomorrow" she answered. 81 shah como
to see the sun SET"
So each day he left his gay companions In
the cafes to join the Indian maid ct her even
ing devotions, and, though he was often
amused ct tho singular compound Of Chris
tianity and idolatry her character exhibited,
he thought be sew beneath it profound rev.
erence for the Creator aud all bis works, and
Chided Ee- not. he presumed once or twice
to address her in the gay tones be was accus-
toned 10 use with the ladies Of his own race,
but be saw that it displeased her, and so he
adopted her Own lofty manner Of speech. 1t
times she was SO intense IA her patriotic and
spiritual expressions that he stood almost In
ave OF her; and again she was the woman,
gentle, compassionate, nerciful, mourning
like some beautiful Niobe for the sorrows Of
men; and each day lis respect FOR her grew
more profound, his love more exalted and
refined, and each day on leaving her be said:
Tomorrow will put my fate to the test
For he had nc. ventUred 10 tell her Of bis
love. She seemed spirit SO far above hin,
50 pure il heart, So true IN action, so differ
ent from all he had ever seen or net, tina. be
feared, he trembled, be longed to be more
worthy OF her.
One evening be returned TO his companions
and found the little colony in en- uproarious
state of excitement Jean Milhet, their de-
putty to France, had returned, bearing the
that the French king adhered to
the terms CT the treaty that he no longer re-
garded them as subjects, the eolonists must
submit to Spain Secret associations had
been organized, conspiracies formed, and