The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-07-20

and manner. The entry in the visitors
book next morning settled the matter,
IN. 10 Vicomte dc Boisville ct domes
tique, Paris"
An English viscount--with a verifying
have been more satisfactory, but neither
the Hunters nor Pearsons had insular
prejudices, beyond possessing certain
amount Of nervous dread of bagman
"unawares. " The latter feeling made them
hesitate to make the vicomte's acquaint-
anco while they endeavored to obtain
further information through the usual no
tel channels. Discretion, however had
not been vainly written ON the lineaments
of the vicomte's valet, and the widest Ia
dies maids found him unappronchable.
Meanwhile public opinion in the Son
nensohein was unanimous on the point
that NJ. de Boisville's manners were as
distinguished as his looks and bore the
best social stamp. Caution and reserve
the Hunters and Pearsons, especially as
NJ. dc Boisville showed unmistakable
though well bred signs OF desire to make
the English ladies acquaintance Were
they who had lived but to grasp the skirts
of such chances now losing the best OPP
portunity which had ever come within
their reachY While hesitating, the two
mothers kept close watch on each other.
Four or five days had passed when Amy
Pearson ran breathlessly into her mothers
room one morning.
1.-THE Hunters have found out some
thingl"
How why?" Mrs. Pearsons excite
ment equaled her daughters.
IL saw Rosie talking to NJ. do Boisvillc
In the woods just nowl"
GOOD graciousl And they have kept
1t secret from usl What meannessl But
i will be even with Maria Hunter for all
that"
Shortly afterward Mrs. Pearson had an
interview with the head waiter-short, but
businesslike. In the evening she did not
occupy her usual place at dinner opposite
the Hunters She and Amy sat at the
other end of the table, with NJ. de Bots
willie between them.
The Hunters, on taking their seats
were first aware of the change and were
naturally filled with surprise and ohagrin.
1.-THE Pearsons have found out some
thing" Rosie exclaimed, land l was so
chilling with the man this morning when
he picked up my sketchbook in the woods. +"
She cast vindictivo glance ut Amy, who
was being anything but chilling to the
vioomte at the moment.
1T will be easy to correct the mistake,
dear, and the sooner you do it the better.
The pearsons have found out something
very satisfactory Trust Caroline Pearson
for that" said Lady Hunter. You must
DO polite to NJ. de Boisville in the draw
ing room after dinner and introduce him
to me. "
On the basis Of false assumption, which
plays such leading part In life's transac-
tons, the struggle for the vicomte began
that evening. The Hunters and Pcarsons
were so evenly matched that the contest
once entered on, engaged all their alton
ton. Doubt, caution and reserve were
completely abandoned What need to bark
back on them' Each party felt absolute
trust in the worldly wisdom and discrimi-
nation of the other.
The students of humanity-less respect
fully called gossips-who abounded in the
hotel, were observant from the beginning
hc NiSoihbc stcihcu itStii III tbc
hands of the rival mothers and responded
| with polite alacrity to every ruse which
threw him into the society of the rival
daughters. The fact that he only spoke
French made no difference in either case,
both girls speaking that language as flu
emily as their mother tongue. The battle
had varying fortunes. For some time the
sharpest observation failed to detect bal
ance in either direction. After n fort
night, however, the opinion that victory
was inclining to the Hunter girl began
to prevail.
Mrs. Pearson could not shut her eyes to
the situation. One hope kept her up. This
hope conferred in young Englishman,
John Navasour. He had been supposed,
In the previous spring, at Cannes, to be
engaged to Rosie Hunter. The affair,
however-through no fault Of Lady Hunt
er's-had not been finally settled, objec-
lions having come from the Vavasour
family. Absence had not obliterated the
impression made by Rosies big blue eyes
on Vavasour's heart. His appearance al
Engelberg might be looked for any day.
The arrangement had been made before
the advent Of NJ. de Boisville, and though
1t now weighed heavily ON Lady Hunter
could not, for many reasons, DO Cancelled.
| No element of doubt or hesitation, how.
ever, added complications to Lady Hunt
er's uneasiness, John Vavasour was not
a brilliant parti like the vicomte. In such
a situation mother might sigh, but never
falter
Nevertheless Mrs. Pearson, from her
point Of view, foresaw dramatic POSSIBLE
tiles In John Vavasour's appearance on
the scene. Her delight was unfeigned
when the long desired event happened one
afternoon. The time could not have been
more opportune. Only that morning Lady
Hunter had scored her greatest triumph.
She and Rosie, with the vicomte, had SGT
out at an early hour ON an excursion to
Trubsee.
Mrs. Pearson and Amy, in the absence
OF the Hunters, did tho honors Of Engel.
berg and warmly welcomed Vavasour.
He was put au courant of all the local
news, M. de Boisville naturally figuring
prominently In 1t. Naturally, too, the at
tractive foreigner aroused his strongest in,
terest. The Pearsons did full justice to
the vicomtes powers of fascination. Nc
weak jealousy made them minimize Ro-
sizes evident conquest of the Frenchman.
John Vavasour heard nothing but the
truth-it was his misfortune rather than
their fault II it ranked.
The ranking process became very evi
dent In the drawing room after dinner
The excursionists had not returned. Va
vasour's distraction Of mind and uneasi
ness were unconcealed. After fldgeting
for some time he finally jumped up and
went cut on the terrace. From the end
the roai winding up to the hotel showed
clearly n the moonlight.
Just rs the first sounds Of carriage ap
preaching the hotel reached the drawing
room Vavasour reappeared. There was q
curious change in his face, though he in
quired, with affected Indifference:
whit other man. besides the VicomtS
| de Boisville, was with the Trubseo partyS'
mo other man." said Mrs. Pearson
"Havs you seen themS Are they comingY'
" Yes; l saw the carriage on the road be-
low DE Boisvillo is dark, with straight
strongly marked eyebrowsf"
! That is he, said Mrs. Pearson. VERY
foreign looking as to the face. His man
ner and his tailor are more English"
Under the circumstances John Vava.
sour's undoubted popularity of speech and
expression seemed natural, though the
| Pearsons were puzzled to detect the feel
ing that prompted it. Was he jealous oil
piquedP How would he meet the Huntorsi
I He was not likely to make scene, but
neither was he man to walk captive in
the train Of triumphant rival. Tho stu.
alton could hardly fail to have interesting
Developments.
John Vavasour faced 1t at once with
characteristic determination. When tho
Trubsee party entered the hall from their
carriage, no stood there to greet them.
10th nathan and hannhfar INSTANTLY rao.