Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-04

DSzlsssAGV Ably assisted by
the crafty ques
tions and hints of this clever old woman
Hester gradually emerged from the cloud
of difidence which enwrapped her. and
soon Mrs. Tudor was in possession of a
short rough sketch of this quaint girls
life.
Her quick. intutive brain filed in many
gaps: hating sentence, a blush. af-
forded her ample clues, and in surpris-
ingly short space of time the ques:ioner S
mental eyes beheld the dull, isolated vii
lage: the Grange. with its two sour ty-
rants: the kindly but preoccupied parson.
Also the stern parent of Miss Forde,
with his own unfettered youth and over
bearing age: re secrecy. the aloofness,
the money-love. He had evidently flung
off the creed of Calvin-but the manner
remained. Calvinsm was bred in the
bone and no doubt. he was gloomy.
logged and mystical. The storing up of
riches was his passion, and he had robbed
this poor girl beside her of at least eight
years of her youth. for he belonged to the
middle ages and undoubtedly held the
doctrine that the chld-especially the
daughter-had no individual life. must
obey blindly and live in subsection. even
when elderly and gray haired! The mod
ern gospel OF the divine right. of self-de-
velopment had never reached his ears,
II was cruel to leave this ignorant, I'M
worldly dreamy creature to face the
Wild pitiless world. with the mind of a
child and the purse of a millionaire and
oh. what an easy prey for some proving
fortune-hunter,
designing little husband-hunter. Mrs.
Britten? This observant and discrimi-
mating old lady was already contemplate
ing rescue: at least she resolved to un-
dertake an. interesting social experiment.
II see she said. settling herself COM
fortably in her chair: you and your
father were all in all to one another:
when he was pretty we'll you helped him
hess. had family prayers and went to
ed at ten-that was all in the days
cork
Hester nodded her head.
And when he was i'll. you attended
him entirely: yes. you were a good daugh-
ter: and when your father died he left
you large fortune"
The girl started and looked nervously
at her companion as she faltered:
''Oh. how did you guess that?'
Il certainly should never have guessed -
reioined the old lady, with significance:
but I told of IT by a little bird OF
passage who flew through here en- route
to SPAIN
1T is true admitted Hester with a
sigh: II am rich and really don't know
what to do with all my money"
Then why not take lesson from your
friend. Mrs Britten? She gets enjoyment
out of her fortune"
Hester looked down fxedly at the book
in her lap. She could not explain that
ii was her purse which supplied that lady S
wants. and that all her expenses, even
the bill. No one out of the bureau was
aware that Mrs. Britten's weekly
'compte'' was invariably settled by the
demoiselle her friend.
Tell me- resumed the old lady. where
did you pick up Mrs. Britten. your gay
little chaperon2"
''She is related to our lawyers wife;
the DOCTOR ordered me abroad and Mr..
Levin kindly arranged everything"
''Oh. see" After a moments ref1ec-
ton she added: We'll. my dear. you
have interested me greatly and l hope
we shall be good friends Let us seal
our acquaintance with cup of tea. AS
she spoke she rang the bell.
Thank you, l shall be only too glad.
But ] cannot imagine why you should
take an interest in me. Mrs. Tudor" and
she gaZed at the old lady with grave in
terrogative eyes.
We'll then. l will tell you. I am an
idle woman: enjoy other peoples lives
it keeps me going. I have no near kin
dred I like your looks. and I shall be
anxious 10 see what you will make of
your life. You have great possibilities
for good or evil,'
You mean the money!" said the girl.
in low voice.
"Only partly-I mean the coming
years
Il think the best years of my life are
already spent"
"Do not say that and do not think it;
would YOU have your past days to live
over again? Come. now, answer me hon
estlv?"
Hester sighed and gazed into the fire
for long time before she replied.
II hope I am not he9rtleSS to say 1t,
but no. those long. drearv. colorless years
are passed-let them be dead and buried -
Now will YOU trust yourself to me for
little worldly pleasure? VIII you come
to the theater this evening and see Les
Cloches de Corneville'?'
Hester gave a gasp. THE theater!'
she repeated.
Yes you know you must begin some
time: so come along and take q plunge
with me- I will not lead you into mis-
chief harm. You really should see a
little of life before you decide that every
thing amusing and pleasant is-Wickedr'
That is quite true" responded Hester,
thoughtfully-
Possibly your Calvinistic grandfather
had been rake in his youth, sown a
fine crop of wild oats and subsequently
repented and compelled his unfortunate
descendants to repent in sackcloth and
ashes, Well. now il is all settled-we will
go 10 the theater: / will order tickets
and the carriage. Yes. you can pour out
the tea, I am old-fashioned; give me
two Jumps OF sugar
But. Mrs. Tudor. I cannot go to the
theater" protested her new friend;
what am I to do for a dress? 1 have
only my black evening gown
''Oh. you wear a hat and a boa! Have
you nice smart hat?'
NO. 7 am afraid I cannot say that my
hat is-snart." and she smiled back in
her companions face.
THAT shall he seen to tomorrow!
know a frst-class milliner. You really
must not wear these sort of things. my
dear" and she took hold of the girls
sleeve with two contemptuous fingers
At this moment a crowd of people en-
tered the room: foremost among them
was Mrs. Rritten. wearing a cap. a fur
motor cSat and a most becoming blue vel
tied under her chin. She was Immediate
" followed by Sir Peter and Mrs. Cox.
When she beheld the tea party by the
firepiace She came to an aStOnished halt.
Here was the Forde girl actually hob
nohbing with Mrs. Tudor, How had that
come about? She was particularly averse
from Hester forming any acquaintance
and the heiress reserve and desperate
shvness had hitherto proved most eff
fectual safeguard But now that the ice
was broken. where would it end? One
intimacy might lead to many: the girl
would he getting 10 know numbers OF
people. and no longer contented with the
sliops and the sea.
"Oh.'-she came forward and then
paused impressively-"so ! see you have
been eniOyi1u Yourself Hestero'