Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01
CHAPTER XVIII.
Las Veraldes

Las Veraldes.
At o'clock the next afternoon the big
landau. containing three ladies. was
crossing the Calahorra bridge Ito Hester
the bridge Of smiles), and turning into
the Campo de Veradad en- route to Las
Veraldes At the eleventh hour Capt.
Tudor had manufactured an excuse. "a
touch of the rock fever" and had set
tied down comfortably in the patio with
the Field. the Naval and Military and the
Pink I'm.
Freddy Tudor had not much ear for
music. and no ambition to play on that
despised instrument known as second
fiddle! Nor had he any desire to enter
into competition. on his own ground, with
the too-accomplished Spaniard.
Dona Luisa pointed out as they drove
along every TEXTURE Of interest-the vari-
Gus ruined castles, the ancient convent Of
st: Jerome. built with the remains of a
celebrated Moorish palace. which ABB
darrahman III had constructed for his
favorite Az-Zahra-a palace so splendid
that its wonders of art md luxury were
said to have surpassed by far those Of
the Alhambra, and its cost to have been
fifty millions.
Now on it's site" said Dona Tulsa.
"is an old convent which has been turned
into an asylum for the insane-what a
contrast"
AS the roau WOun0 UPHILL, overlooking
the rugged banks of he Guadalquivir.
they came among vast Enclosures of pas
lures. where were bred horses and bulls
for the ring. These latter. a fierce black
race. could be seen herdad within in great
ccrrals. or dotted In numbers over the
hillsides. Near the foot of the slope,
among trees and orange groves, large
white villa came into sight.
This is Las Veraldes." said Mrs.
Tudor i've not been here for years
-, ~. - -
was closed for a long time.
Yes" said bona Tulsa, until the de
Trubias were installed
why did the duchess leave it," asked
Hester
"Oh. she got tired of it. After she had
made t beautiful-and she has wonderful
tas e-and had spent a fortune on It, and
could not think of anything else it lack d.
she strut it up and went away. She is a
capricious lady, feverishy restless and IL
at is GER ainly remote" said Mrs.
Tudor: "but oh what beautiful spot"
The grounds. as they assembled the
winding avenue. were wonder of rare
shrubs trees and towering crnepers from
South America. 1t was evident tina no
axrense lad been SIP red to beautify the
within Of a woman with an extravagant
Imagination and full purse.
In the por leo the visitors were well
coined by Paul. the Conde and Condesa-
niece Casilda de Trub'a. pretty girl
with an oval face and archod dark brows.
who made the two elder ladies the most
sweeping of curtsins and kissed their
hands with enchanting grace.
La Ccndesa carried them away to pre-
para for dinner. end the girl took eager
charge OF Hester. being warmly interested
in this particular CUES.
Casilda was educated at school at a
convent in England and spoke the Ian
rx-f
please come to my ROOM she said,
land take eff your hat and then we will
show you he villa" and she led the way
up a flight of wide. shallow stairs and
into what Hester supposed was the typi
cal bedroom of Spanish girl.
1t was cool. lofty and beautifully fur
nished: on the floor cane mat ing and
rugs: on the bed l'y an open fan and
knot of ribbons in the Spanish colcrs;
glass of lemonad and some vases of car
nations stood on center table; on chair
lay guitar; in a little recess was pre-
Dieu. while over the looking glass there
hung a ros ry.
1T is untidy'' said Casilda. "Oh. you
is kept in England-ch so mat! I am
glad YOU came" she chartered on. I've
heard of you from Cousin Paul.
Hester made no reply. but, turning
away to the glass, began to take the pins
out of her hat.
You think him handsome. don't your
continued the viz cious senorita.
Yes she answered. Il think he is
"Dios! what hair!" exclaimed the girl,
as Hes er removed her best hat. 1T is
II do not like it myself" she said. gaz-
ing at her reflection with little frown.
"AlI. then you have no taste! 1t is
Paui's color added his cousin. with
flash of wickedness.
well. it is the same shade as his
mothers: no doubt that is the reason"'
Cas;lda burst into ringing laugh.
why la Duquesas real hair is as black
as nine
what a lovely view. Do you live
here?" inquired Hester. walking over to
the windows, being nervously anxious to
divert the conversation.
II am at Las Veraldes a good deal: /
keep my aunt and uncle company but
so much money-he is now very poor. Ell
Duaue has been good to him, and Paul
so thoughtful: but he is that always"
I'm Spain: I suppose" suggested the
character i'll France; they think he is
"Ah yes. he flirts. does he not? and
dances. and plays golf and makes love?
has he to do? He is obliged to live there
with la Duquesa. She cannot ever be
alone. Leon is in the army and Paul is
his mothers favorite; he has influence
with her. No one else has that" and
she held up pin.
"She is a little peculiar. 1 suppose?"
.Peculiar-she Is mad!" Casilda put
her finger to her pretty lips and said:
please do not say / said so. but / think
she should be shut UP In the convent at
st. Jerome. with all the other mad peo-
ple"'
'Oh. no: why, she is as sane as I am
''She is mad on one subject-money; 1t
is such an expensive craze. She has
nearly ruined the family.
THAT is dreadful"
e'YOu see. 1t touches me. Look, now,
will tell you a little secret"