Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08
CHAPTER XXI.
The Unaccepted Lover.

OtrO Ola -'There IS always tomorrow.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Unaccepted Lover.
Paul de Sarazin came daily to Cambo.
and Hester surrendered herself to the en-
joyment Of the fulfllment of her bright
est dreams. He brought flowers and
books. he also brought fine ring, COM
posed of one magnificent black pearl;
but this the lady refused to wear. being
for the present satisfied with certain
knot of ribbon and a bunch of dead
primroses. Mrs. Tudor. therefore. took
temporary charge Of the proffered pledge.
and acted. so to speak. as chaperon. adj
wiser and referee; but in private she
demonstrated with Hester in no meas
ured terms.
my dear" she said. you are behaving
in most idiotic manner! I really
thought you had more sense! You are
fond Of Paul-honestly. you care for him
very much-at last you have your heart
desire. he asks you to marry him. and
he is attached to you, as one can see.
yet you put him -off-there must be a
period Of waiting. Of probation! Why
are you playing with fate in this way?"
Because am afraid my happiness may
not be real-may not stand the test of
time - =
.FTddlesticks! Test Of time. indeed.
think Paul. the spoiled darling Of various
nations. Is not a little astonished and
hurt by your reluctance to believe him.
won't be engaged now, but some day!
Have you heard the Spanish proverb-'By
the street Of By-and-by one comes to the
house Of Never Take care!''
s a taking ea1s caT rsn.s ss %Ta Tudor
You may be sorry tor yourself yet. I
know you are jealous. II you think you
can Din a man down to never looking at
or speaking to another woman. the sooner
you divest 70 rself of that illusion the
better. Paul will always be attrscted-
and attract I expect the story OF q
demi- has already III
tered out In Biarritz-people will know
that the much-in-request Marquis de
SaraZin does not give up all his engage
ments and come out to Cambo for moth
ing. He has been here four times this
week-he is here"-and she pointed to
the red motor-"now."
Hester kept her sutton at distance;
he was never permitted to claim the privi-
leges of an engaged man. A flower. a
look. faint allusion to the future was
bliss sufficient for her; and If there are
songs without words there are also looks
without speech, and in this accomplish
ment the Marquis de Sarazin was. even
as a child. unrivaled.
Although Mrs. Tudor disliked motoring
she dissembled her dislike and accom-
panied Hester on various excursions in
the red Mercedes car. What sacrifices
was she not making for the girl-her
afternoon snooze, her little local drives,
her correspondence-and yet there was a
certain amount OF stirring excitement in
whirling through the country. goggled and
yelled in company with her interesting
associates.
They visited the Pas de Roland and the
quaint old Basque town of Saint Jean
nj
crowned by fort. Here they lunched
and inspected the primitive market with
Its varied stock, the herds of cattle,
lambs. goats and mules, and the black
browed dealers-true Basques. with their
funny short jackets and hardy physique
They also penetrated to Roncevaux and
saw the old convent and the relics of
Charlemagne. This was long excursion.
and Mrs. Tudor felt, as a consequence.
very tired and cramped: so the following
short drive, which they concluded in
the village of Upper Cambo. There is a
straight shady road on the hill above the
river: at the farther end is Old Cambo,
with its convent. steep streets and an
cient Basque church, surrounded by
cemetery-the latter was one blaze of
Spanish iris in blue and purple splendor.
They bloomed on every grave and had a
moved about, scanning headstones and
reading out the strange Spanish and
BASQUE names. here were Lecagnoa,
Gastel Hobia. Maria Hastoy. Noblia Anti
chuberria.
"Antichuberria was certainly my coun-
tryman." said Paul. Il suppose he came
over the border and settled here. Now.
shall we go below the church to the plat
form which overlooks the river?" And
he gave his hand to Mrs. Tudor and
piloted her carefully down a few steps.
Here the trio halted high above the
shining Nive. gazing on valley which
literally seemed to smile beneath them.
There on the water was a boat and a man
colored oxen were working: q drove of
small ponies were being driven over the
bridge with the Basque cry of "Hu la!
HUI la! HUI lar a big dog and small
primitive. pastoral and peaceful What a
contrast to the glittering. restless world,
to which the three spectators belonged!
Now let us see the church, said Hes
Basque churches with their galleries-the
men above. the women below
1T Is not fiattering," remarked Mrs.
Tudor II asked the reason. and was in
beneath the mems feet. Such an ex-
ploded, medieval idea!'
THAT is SOL" agreed Paul. Truly no
one knows 1t better than myself"
Yes" muttered the old lady. slyly.
Of some fair one! Well. here we are
and she stepped down into the cool. dark
church.
The edifice was ancient, weather
beaten and poor. with nothing distinctive
about 1t except the carved galleries
carved pulpit ana carved stone font. After
the Kloriss of Burgos and Cordova 1t
seemed mean. indeed.
As they advanced UP the center aisle
Hester realised for the flrst time that
Paul was a Catholic. for when they ap-
preached the altar he bowed and crossed
himself. and in passing the holy water
he dipped his fingers ana touched hers
TT win do you no HARM" he murmured
with q smile.
Outside once moro, in the fun evening
light. the sun was setting. cows wero
coming homo with tho dogs, the Rreat
oxen In carts had accomplished their last
tourney. and tho rAd MAf0AdAa Rna avniA.