Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11
CHAPTER XIV.
Exit Mrs. Britten.

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1t Is a considerable time since we have
heard anything of Miss Forbes attractive
chaperon. Mrs. Britten remained at Pau
for a whole fortnight. when she dis
patched letters of excuses to her COM
panion-excuses chiefly based on Ill
health: in fact, they might be called bull
letins. But the little widow was really
in excellent case, and the true reason for
her prolonged absence was to be summed
up in the word peter" Sir Peter liked
Pau: he had as much bridge as he could
manage, had found several congenial old
friends and was disinclined to bulge; so,
what was poor Mrs. Britten to do? She
was afraid to trust him out of her sight
now that she saw the goal within reach.
On several occasions. chiefly after din
ner. he had become confidential and even
affectionate: had talked of his sisters and
nieces. his investments and his Wlll-all
these were encouraging topics; and once
oh! great moment!-he had pressed her
hand and said: You always understand
me. you dear little LADY, Also he had
given her flowers and some views or
Lourdes. The end was now so near that
1t would be madness to relax the pursuit.
But it was weary and expensive chase.
for she had not only to defray her own
hotel expenses but also those or her
friend. Mrs. Cox. However, 1T was well
was beginning to feel the hand Of Time.
Before long the day must dawn when he
would require some one to take care or
him. There was no reason why Mrs
Britten should not be that person. and
she was confident that she could manage
him admirably: she was intimately ac-
quainted with all his little fOibles Well,
they were not particularly llttle-he was
mean, quarrelSOme and selfish. However,
he was a member of a good old family,
IL ri
and one cannot expect everything.
So with her mind full of high hopes and
deep designs, Mrs. Britten still remained
at Pau for her health's sake and anx-
iously awaited developments
when is Mrs. Britten returning?"
asked Mrs. Tudor; cor has she departed
for good?"
IT really do not know" responded Hes
ter 'She is still keeping on her room
here: she talks of coming over next
week.
And meanwhile you are paying forty
francs a day for her apartments and the
anticipation of her company-is that not a
fact?"
II wonder how you guessed?"
Easily. Why, all the world mean,
the people who come here like myself
are aware that little Mrs. Britten Is not
ing her poverty, and inducing friends to
give her drives and tickets. and so on. on
that plea. Formerly, she had cheap
room in a cheap hotel; so. how could she
afford to keep on two sets nowhere and
at Pau? No, no, my dear. simple Hester.
you need not expect me to believe that
you are not paying.
well, after all, 1t is only for short
time"
ut is sheer waste of good money"
said Mrs. Tudor. with movement of irri-
tation. II wonder your thrifty Yorkshire
nature does not revolt. Now. look here;
you must write to her today and ask II
she Is returning. otherwise you will give
up the rooms. The hotel Is crammed,
and it is really not fair to the proprietor"
VERY we'll, then, I will see about it.
agreed Hester; but now must go and
get ready for this big tea picnic with the
LOTUS girls and the Herberts. What is
to be the end of all these gayeties, I won
der?" and she stretched out her arms
with little yawn.
II can easily tell you that in one
word"
Hester let fall her arms and glanced
Marriage"
mo. no. MOI" protested the girl with a
laughter Others not for me-" and she
shook her head and ran out of the room.
AS Hester was putting the finishing
touches to her toilet there was an i'm
perative knock at the door, and to her
surprise Mrs. Tudor entered.
II came" she said. Ito ask you to
and so catch the evening post; why waste
another forty francs? If it comes to that.
give 1t to the poor"
But I really don't know what to say
replied Hester; lit seems rather rude,
does 1t not?'
1T seems as If you would so very much
rather have her room than her company,
eh? Look here. my dear. am not a bad
hand at writing notes. agreeable and
otherwise. I flatter myself that 1 can
scribble a disagreeable-agree note
with any old woman in Biarritz! Come,
see you have writing table here" point
ing to the sitting room, land 1 will just
make you a nice little copy; then you
can send it off at once. May I?'
Certainly you may. 1t is very kind
of you to undertake a rather difficult
composition. You will find everything in
there. Please make yourself quite at
home"
While Hester, busy at the glass. pinned
on her hat, the old lady entered the adj
joining sitting room. opened the blotter.
selected a half sheet Of paper-she was
economical in little things-and sat down
to write. Just as she had indicted Dear
Mrs" she discovered something uncom-
Portable under the blotting paper and
turning over to see what it was discov-
cred. with curiously mixed feelings, the
wished-for truth Here was a photograph
group, bought no doubt out OF shop
window. 1t represented three young
Spaniards in fancy dress. The middle and
most prominent figure was iaunty re-