The San Francisco call., 1904-08-21
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Riviera and the sirocco kills you, or
you hibernate at Biarritz and bewail
your gloom. Here in Cadi, you may
take winter or summer as you choose,
the snow on the heights. the roses in
the valleys. There is no climate so
severe. none so gentle in the world.
Our invalids go five hundred yards up
to the hills and laugh at the doctors.
Consumption is unknown among US. If
a man coughs, he is a curiosity. We
are simple, gay, rich hospitable TO
strangers, and, as you will gather from
my words. exceedingly modest. In
another hour you will see the city it
self; l hope it will be surprise to
you; 1 feel convinced it will"
AT least, hope to find my husband
there" she exclaimed, caring little that
she interrupted him. IF Cadi puts an
end to my anxiety 1 shall always be
grateful to it."
1T can not fail to-" he responded
gayly.
mo one is anxious in this country
We shall not permit you to be the ex-
ceptlon."
She thought it to be an evasive an
swer, and was greatly harassed by the
persistency with which he ignored her
own position and the station to which
marriage entitled her That his polish
ed manner concealed something from
her she had been sure since she quilted
Merens. Yet what it was or what subtle
conspiracy prompted his actions was
beyond her power to imagine The
Count. meanwhile, had a hundred
stories to divert her and, presently
breaking off from them when they
emerged from the defile, he indicated
house upon the hillside and asked her
to regard it particularly.
LAS a friend of its owner" he said;
you will be interested in that place.
1t is very old but very beautiful; the
house of a man who has done much
for Cadi. / am referring, of course, to
the Minister, the Duke of Montalvan." :"
Esther was greatly interested. The
house he indicated stood in a cleft be-
tween hills with great woods in tiers
behind it and a pretty lake in the
hollow of its park. Massive ramparts,
fiankirg towers. the keep and bastion
of a castle justified its claim to great
antiquity She wondered if Doctor
Xavier were there now. Her sense of
that she was at the gates of her bene-
factors house and that the night might
bring him to her.
Il should greatly like to see Doctor
Xavier" she said with animation. 1T
is not a fortnight ago that he left me
in Paris. He was very kind to me in
England, as l think you know; 1 lived
more than six months in his house
OF course, he would r. very surprised
to see me. We said good-by like those
who will never meet again. Perhaps il
was not all so purpoeeless as it ap-
peared. l have long ceased to think
about it-for l cannc' fatter myself
that 1 am the subject of Doctor
Xavier's intentions. You would under
stand that. Count?"
Il can admit nothing" he said cava-
lierly. THE man who leaves woman
out of his calculations is poor fellow;
his political arithmetic cannot be worth
much. Let us say that the Duke did
not consider Cadi quite as amusing for
you as Paris. He would naturally re-
member that since you say he is your
friend
81 have believed him to be so. Count;
a friend to me and to my husband"
1t was a direct invitation TO him to
speak; but the old diplomatist skillfully
avoided the dangerous ground. Esther
could detect hesitation in every word
he spoke.
"Cadi owes the Duke much he said
reflectively, perhaps her very exist,
ence as nation. If she has beer
saved from the French, it is Francisco