Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08
CHAPTER XxXII.
He Cometh Not.

The long expedition to Roncevaux had
proved too much for Mrs. Tudor. who had
caught a chill and was confined to her
room for a whole week. Hester was se-
cretly miserable and consumed by a sud
den inward restlessness. 1t seemed to
her sensitive mental barometer that sumo
thing had happened to Paul. Already he
was changed: he had only come out twice
to inquire for the invalid, and remained
but for half an hour. sitting on the
piazza. smoking cigarettes and talking
with his usual mixture Of Difference and
delightful audacity-precisely like an
everyday friend. Hour after hour her
uncertainty and apprehension became
more acute.
Well. 1t was her own doing. She had
had her way; but Hester Forde was not
aware that. according to strict Spanish
etiquette. Paul. in her chaperon's alb
sence. had no business to visit her at all.
However. she was conscious Of one thing.
that his interest in other pretty women
was by no means dead.
Cambo Is always gay in the afternoon,
and as it was particularly attractive In
lovely April weather, crowds of people
arrived from Bayonne to dejeuner, or
English folA from BiarritZ for tea. Many
motors and victorias stopped at the river
side hotel. and Paul watched with keen
interest and undisguiSed admiration the
coming and going OF party of pretty
girls in a motor. He was acquainted with
one. and went and talked with her for
ten whole minutes.
this?" Hester asked herself furiously.
and then. If you are SO jealous. so hurt
by such a little thing as a man simply
speaking to girl he knows. what win
become of you when you are his wife?
Oh. what agonies are in store for your
Alas! real agony was in walt for her
that hour.
In q short time Paul had taken his de-
parture. with many hopes. regrets and
lingering hand-pressure, and Hester re-
treated alone into a corner of the piazza.
During the previous week the colors OF
the world had appeared very bright 10
her. now. as she sat alone. gazing across
the river on the quiet pastures. the out
look filled her with depression. How dull
it all seemed-how wanting in the glow OF
life. Was this because Paul had with
drawn his countenance, and in her heart
she felt her hold on him was weakening?
Two ladies who had driven out from
BiarritZ were seated at a little table taxi
ing tea. close to Hes.er-so Close inoeed.
that she might easily have been included
in the conversation-and she heard each
been addressed to herself. A name
caught her ear.
$50 that was the celebrated Paul d
Sarazin who went of in the motor just
now?' said the lady in the black hat to
the lady in the mauve toque. What a
good looking fellow he Is! could fall in
love with him myself. No wonder he is
such a heart breaker! What is he doing
in Cambo: do you know
81 am sure I cannot tell you" replied
she of the mauve toque: probably what
ne is doing in B.arritz-making love to Q
girl"
desa de Las Candalles. She Is his corsin
amazingly handsome. but what a bold
arrogant expression. I saw him with her
on the links"
yes" reioined the lady in the toqus.
and you may see them at the casino,
and you may see them motoring together
He is in her poke. all day long; I be.
lieye II is an old affair
"Oh. he has many old affairs" re-
joined the other with fretful emphasis
What was the story about the English
girl? People said he wanted to marry
that rich Miss Forde!''
ITO marry. yes: but he can still amuse
himself. Celia n'empeche past and the
other laughed. did you ever see the
heifcss?'
mo. but / hear she is quite nice look
ing. carries herself well, but is pitiably
shy. She has ten thousand a year-a
accounts. is drowned In debt"
You mean" corrected the lady in the
black hat that his mother is-de Sarazin
does not gamble; he has" and she
laughed "only one weakness"
Which runs away with money too"
interposed her companion.
''Oh. I don't know that, where he Is
concerned. La DuQuesa. his mother. ID q
headstrong person, incredibly extrava-
CANT. She has ruined the family. ! be-
neve Ell Duque is expected next week
and he will carry her or to Madrid"
Easier said than done. La DuQuesa
10 Q woman of Q violent and uncon-
trollabie temper and does as she pleaseG-"
'.And this Spanish beauty is her rela-
tive. am sure: she has such Q wicked
face"
60 be continued next Sunday.)