The San Francisco call., 1904-08-14

ness to the truth of the Spaniard's
claims Men said that she was the
most beautiful woman that Paris had
ever seen; even women raved about
ner As Indifferent to the praises or
the one as to the envy Of the other.
esther carried her own secret and hid
II from the world as a precious thing.
GOOD sense forbade her to remember
the one romance of her life. and yet she
wished to remember 1t. That she would
see the Prince of Cadi sooner or late-
she never doubted. When she met hin,
after many days in the house OF the
spanish Duque de Rina she accepted
the encounter as inevitable The Prince
hVed in Paris now. and, naturally.
would meet her. He was not greatly
changed, she thought; certainly he had
lost nothing OF that attractive person
allty which won her interest five
months ago.
me night was a memorable one for
Esther in many ways. She had been in
tTOduced by Doctor Xavier TO splendid
scenes abundantly since she arrived in
Paris; but this scene at the house OF
the DuQue de Rina surpassed them all
Nominally a sOiree musicale for the
nomadic aristocracy Of the French
capital, to Esther Ii was chiefly a
vision of immense rooms and brilliant
women, Of soldiers and statesmen and
priests, but pre-eminently OF a glitter
ing thrOng which divided as she en-
tered upon Doctor Xavier's arm, and
watched her almost in silence as she
swept up to the dais whereon the Duke
and Duchess received their guests For
the first time then, perhaps. she knew
that the master-key- OF a womana
power had been entrusted to her. This
buzz of tongues. the envious eyes, could
not be mistaken. Everywhere In that
immense salon men were saying.
Marvelous!" women were ex-
claiming, Who is she2" Esther.
in her simplicity, did not dare 20
ask If the triumph were wholly hers.
or in part that Of curiosity
awakened by some tale OF the mar
velOus. She was dazed, IL may DO
frightened, by the very applause which
the master-mind had earned for her;
and when one by one the leaders OF
Paris were introduced to her, she an
swered them, scarce knowing what she
said.
The Prince had been standing in the
door OF the great conservatory which
gives off the Duchess boudoir. He
wore a white uniform OF a Spanish
regiment of hussars. and while his eyes
had followed Esther restlessly since
she entered the room, he made no
movement to recognize her until she
was alone. Then, without hesitation,
he crossed the room and held out his
hand.
At last" he said.
She looked up quickly and cOIored at
his ardent glance. The five months
which had elapsed since she saw him
had added something Of dignity to his
manner and robbed him of a little OF
his boyish imperiOUsness. But the
change was for the better. Esther
could admit that no salon of Paris had
yet shown her a figure more distin-
guished He. in his turn, was unable
to take his eyes from her face. H
knew not what 10 think or say Her
very beauty found him silent
You arc the good Samaritan" she
said. little imploringly. The Doctor
has left me, and the Pharisees pass by
on the other side"
He recovered himself with an effort
and offered his arm.
"Old Xavier, at least, is a generous
thief. he said; he leaves the treasure
behind him. Let US so into the con-
servatory. Miss Venn; I will promise
you wine if there is no OIL
He opened a passage for her through
the press of men and, discovering a
giant palm in a secluded corner and a
low couch behind it, he sat at once
and began TO talk with that easy
familiarity which the years had made
a habit.
You are greatly changed Miss
Venn; 1 hardly knew you II
did not wish to pay you a
compliment, / would ask you to be
angry. We do not recognize those who
become famous; we want to be recog-
nized by them. If old Xavier had not
taken himself off, I should have been
afraid. He can spare me ten min
utes. I am sure"
Esther answered very naturally.
Ten minutes! Oh. but that's long
timel And he Will be looking for me.
/ should be terrified if I missed him.
Prince. Imagine being lost in Paris
and advertised for in the newspapers!
DR.. Xavier might not think I was
worth a reward, you know!"
He fastened to contradict her with
a Spaniard's graciOusness.
"Old Xavier's riches would not be
reward enough" he said. THE Bank
of France would be ruined. Miss Venn!
l have been three years trying to lose
Francisco Xavier. and / have not Gu
ceeded. 1t is impossible to lose such
a man, assure you. He has enjoyed
your society for five months-is il not
so? Then 1 shall~no ask his permis-
sion for my ten minutes. Let US be
serious and ask what you have been
doing. You were going to Spain when
1 saw you last. You must tell me that
you like my country. 1t is the one
subject upon which am a bigot."
Esther was able to tell him that.
and she did so very prettily.
you have been very busy Prince 90
she asked He answered with a shrug
and took cigarette from a little gold
case.
Permit me-" he said; eft is a habit