Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-03

g - u " Perez and his beautiful WlIe
IL - \ started for Madrid upon the evening
Is z-Tfi after their marriage. They went to
III BSS9I the best hotel in Madrid, where. at
10 the inStigation of his wife and mother
NAV, + erez engaged the haudsomest suite
OF rooms upon the first floor.
Gradually it became known to all the finan-
Ga! world of Madrid that the beautiful girl who
went about with Pedro Perez was actually his
wife, and visits of ceremony and congratula-
ton became frequent in the amber satin salon
au premier.
So fur from repenting his marriage Perez
grew daily more devoted TO his wife and more
anxious to make her happy. He submitted to
sll Madame Quijada's exactions and allowed
himself 10 be led by the nose by his mother
in-law as well as by his wife. and in this happy
disposition he returned to Paris, where he at
once occupied himself in the task of selecting
fitting home for the lovely young wife of a
millionaire.
Everybody whom he knew in Paris had
heard Of his ma. rIags and he had to endure the
congratulations of his acquaintance which,
as he was particularly shy. were agony to him
After looking at goJl many houses Perez
finally decided upon one in the somewhat soli-
tary avenue ReihschOssen, which had been
built for famous actress during the palmy
days of the empire-the avenue being then
known as the Avenue Hortense-and which was
at least mile from the Arc du Triomph.
Dolores and her mother both admired the
house. and both complained of its surround
ings. The neighborhood was desert. 1t was
on the wrong side of the Bots for fashion and
beauty. Like all bargains, the property was
hardly worth having.
For once i'll a way Perez was resolute with his
charmer. He would buy that house and no
other.
SO the Italian villa in the Avenue de Reiffs-
chosen was bought. and Dolores was allowed
TO furnish tn new house after her own fancy
and without any consideration of cost. Only in
one matter did her husband exercise his au-
thOrity. and that was in the choice of the house
hold. All the servants were engaged By him
at an Office in Paris; but he allowed Louise
Marcel TO assist him in his choice, and to be
present during the negotiations. She was TO be
Lousekeeper in the new villa.
An open lOggia divided the apartments OF the
master and mistress of the house, and formed
a means of communication in summer time
and neutral ground where husband and wife
might meet In their idle hours.
Ihe installation in the villa took place very
quietly. though both mother and daughter had
suggested ball. or at least evening party.
in honor of the peapd1isOH lie Ia crentpIiere.
Finding that society was still forbidden fruit
Madame Quijada sank into slough of sensu-
Gus pleasures, and reioiced in the luxurious
surroundings, her daughters Gordon bleu. and
her sOp-in-laWs wine cellar. She had given
over the eurire duty Of housekeeping to her
niece. and rarely rose from her easy chair
except to drive out in her daughters Victoria
or to go 90 a theater i'll the luxurious coupe.
when Perez was Gisinclined to escort his wife,
Nothing had been heard of Leon since his
disappearance. and his aunt's most earnest
hope was that she would never see his face
or hear his name again. There were episodes
III her life which she wanted to forget now
that she bad attained to that responsibility
which wealth can give in moment TO the most
doubtful antecedents. II vas in search of
oblivion that she filed and reflled the little
Venetian goblet after dejeuner or dinner; and
there were times when she felt that all the
Chartreuse the good monks ever distilled
would hardly be strong enough to drown eer-
tain haunting memories.
Perez Peru noted his worthy mother-in- laws
induig ence in the pleasures of the table, and
remarked upon it to his wife
If you don't look after her better she II take
TO drinking. he said one evening as they drove
to a boulevard theater, leaving Madame Quijada
sitting opposite Louise at the little card table,
with flushed cheek and glittering eye.
Bah, if she has just une pointe now and
then Il can't matter, replied Dolores. care
lessly. Her dinner is the only thing that
amuses her. You won't let us give parties or
know any amusing people"
You very Ungrateful. Dolores" Perez
answered. with piteous look. Il have re-
fused you nothing. except to change my
manner of life. have always loved solitude
and hated strange faces. | should not be a
millionaire if L had not possessed the power of
Recommendation OF living on my own
thoughts
But now you are millionaire-and three
times miliionaire-you ought to enjoy life. -