Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-13

man mas ever WOrn lie wOulu nave
pressed the matter of the sash, but Req
anov. most indulgent of masters to this
devoted servant, was never patient of IN
sistence. Jon also regretted the powdered
wig and queue, which he privately thought
more BETTING a fine gentleman than his
own hair, even though the latter were thick
and bright He said tentatively:
Il notice these Californians still wear
the hair long: and with their gay rib
bons and snowy hats look much better no
doubt than If they followed fashion of
which 1t would seem they had not heard
and perhaps do not admire. l ventured
to pack two of your eXcellencys wigs when
we were leaving st. Petersburg
Good heavens, no!' cried Rezanov, ris-
ing - his feet and casting a last impa-
tient glance at the mirror. when a man
has escaped from a furnace does he run
back OF his own accord? My brain would
cook under a wig in this climate, and
need all my wits-for more reasons than
one" And he went up on deck.
There. while awaiting his horses and es-
cort he had another glimpse of the happy
Arcadian life of the Californians. Over
the sand hills through which he had
fioundered twice that day rode young men
the sunset along the western summts, on
the saddle before them These saddles
were heavy with silver, the blanket be-
meath was embroidered with both silver
and gold. Gay light lighter floated out
on the cool evening breeze to the little
ship in the harbor
ut has been good day" thought Re
zanov, lowering his glass. 1T is like her
to arrange charming a finale"
When he arrived at the Preside the
guitars We're tinkling and the sala was
full of eager and somber faces. The
Californians had come early. determined
to witness the arrival of the Russians.
Very pretty most of the girls We're and
by no means bevy of brunettes. There
was hair of every shade of brown. Topped
over the ears, drawn high and confined by
the high comb and the long pins an RAJ
faella Sal, with her red hair aand gray
eyes, was still celebrated beauty.
although no longer in her first youth
she was twenty-five, and should have been
a matron and mother long since. But she
looked very handsome and coquettish in
her daring yellow frock that no other red
head would have dared to wear, and she
displayed three ropes of Baja California
pears, one strand being the common posses
sion. The matrons. young and old, wore
heavy satins or brocades, either red or yell
low, but the maids were in Powered silks,
sometimes with coque-tish little jacket,
generally with long pointed bodice and full
flowing skirt. Conchas frock was mode
in this fashion. but quite different other
wise: aunt in the City of Mexico being
mindful at whiles Of the cravings of rela-
tives in exile. 1t was of a soft simmer
ing white stuff covered with gold spangles
and cut to reveal her young neck and
arms. She stood at the head of the room
with her mother as ReZanov entered,
and he noticed for the first time how
tall she She held herself proudly;
mschievous twinkle, nor child-like trust
nor flashing coquetry possessed her eyes;
which, even more star-like than usual,
nevertheless looked out upon her guests
with dignified Composure Her lips. her
skin, We're luminous. In this well-cut even
ing gown he saw that her figure was su-
perb: and that she could command state
illness well vivacity moved her toward
a pedestal in his regard that had been
occupied by few and never long.
Rezanov in his splendid uniform and
blazing orders, filled the sala with his
presence as he walked past the rows of
bright critical eyes toward his hostesses
delight and the men frowned. For the
first time William Sturgs felt the sick
ness of jealousy instead of its not I'M
agreeable pain. Davidov and khostov
both handsome and well-bred young men,
We're also in full naval uniform, and by
no means ignored; while Langsdorff, in the
severe black of the scholar, was an ad-
mrable foil.
Rezanov, wondering at the subtle change
in Concha. bowed tremendously and MUIR
mured You will give me the first dance,
senorta?"
certainly, eXcellency. Are you not the
guest of honOr?'
She motioned to the Indian musicians
fiddes and guitars fairly leapt to position.
and in a moment ReZanov enjoyed the
novel deluson of encrcling a girls float
ing wrath
I'VE can waltz you see?" Are you not
surprsed?"
1T is but one accomplishment the more.
| feared preference for your native
Dances but ventured to hope you would
teach me-
"They are easy to learn. You will watch
US dance the. contra DANA after this
with whom do you dance it?''
Her black eyelashes were very thick; he