Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27

laden with parcel, her hat blown TO one
side Of her head her hair shockinsly dis
heveled.
She was a tall. slight girl, in deep
mourning neither plain nor pretty
neither well. dressed nor shabby, neither
Young nor old-a combination of mega
tives Here was, in fact. our former
acquaintance Hester Forde, late OF
ShaIsSmoor.
As the newcomer approached the group
they ceased talking: apparently Sir Peter
and Mrs. Mac James were unknown 10
her for she colored with shyness as she
eccosted Mrs. Britten.
I've brought the three books from the
library" she faltered. The AdVen-
turess' is out, hut they will keep it. and
I've got the other things at the Bon
Marche" putting down a good-sized par
eel as she spoke.
MY dear your hat is over your left
car: you never beheld such a guy as you
are," was Mrs Britten's ungrateful re-
ionder .'Do look at YOURSELF and she
indicated the large mirror between the
windows
The girl glanced at her reflection and
became crimson as she realized her lu-
dicrouS appe aranCe with her crooked
headgear and her wild elf locks. When
she had hastily Strengthened her hat she
resumed:
II went ND to the golf links to ask for
your parasol: they could not find it in the
clubhouse-sona one must have taken 1t
by mistake" she stammered. apologet-
caIIy There is SUCH wind, L was
nearly blown away.
ooh. it wouldn't be 50 easy to blow
You away" retorted Mrs. Britten. with
a sharp, derisive glance. II discovered
the parasol behind chair in my room
lust after You had gone. but the walk Will
do you good. Was there any one on the
links"
The messenger merely shook her head.
well. | think you had better hurry OF
and make yourself presentable. con-
tinued Mrs Britten: 1.-The first gong has
sounded-and OH. by the way. as you re
going up you might just leave these BOOKS
and parcels in my room.
And Miss Forde. having collected the
volumes and parcels. promptly departed
with an air of meek obedience.
Now. do tell me who she is?' de-
manded Mrs. Mac James as she put down
her glasses: "she always sits beside you.
! know and she never opens her lips TO
a soul-that is all | have discovered about
her.
There is not much to discover" re-
joined Mrs. Britten, with a laugh: "she is
Just one of the commonplace herd Of
English women who are born. brought up
and die in groove.
"Yes?' CALCULATED the other lady. The
yes" was interrogative. inquisitive, i'm
perious. She desired further information.
and Mrs. Britten. who had but recently
been noticed by her companions felt that
it was an honor to be in a position to
supply her with intelligence.
''Of course. / can tell you all about her
if YOU like" she began. with affectionate
candor. Her father. a great invalid,
died six or seven months ago, and left his
only child almost alone in the world. he
had few relations, and with those he had
ouarreled. and the girl lived such miser-
ole monotonous life in an old house in
an old garden in old village that she
made no acquaintances: in fact. the poor
thing has never been young-neVer seen
the world
"And you. dear. kind little lady have
brought her out to BiarritZ for a change"
broke in the gallant knight, who had been
listening attentively. How more than
good natured of you. Now lively girl.
who could dance, and play bridge and
golf. would have been your appropriate
companion
We'll Sir Peter" lowering her eyes.
in bashful acceptance of his compliment.
1T was Just like this-and 1 could not
we'll get out of it. | happened to be stay
ing with my cousin. who lives near this
girls home. and was asking her If she
knew of any one who would go abroad
with me. for | cannot endure an English
winter: and although I am-well. not in
the Springtime of my youth-stlll-st1ll
- she heSitated.
mo. no. no. the summer. midsummer
midsummers eve amended Sir Peter,
with unctuous empressement.
And people talk so much. as you know.
dearest Mrs. Mac James and. unfortu-
nately, a poor little widow is always a
target for malicious tongues; and Char
lotte Levin said that this young lady
was ordered abroad by her doctor. as she
wanted sunshine. and change of scene
and variety. She assured me that she was
quiet and amable, steady as old time
and would be Just the very person for
me At first ] said No but Charlotte
that's my cousin, Mrs. Lewin-was most
urgent. and. indeed. rather insistent; she
declared il would be charity to take
the poor creature under my wing, and
tina; | should find her unobtrusive and
useful. And she was right as usual We
came out together two months ago and
suit one another remarkably we'll"
ION the principle that extremes meet
for one thing: you are q great contrast,
said Sir Peter. You see, you are so
briGht-and she is so dull!'
Perhaps she feels dull" remarked Mrs.
Mac James. who was secretly jealous of
the other lady's good fortune in securing
an invaluable companion and foil on such
ridiculously easy terms. Il have never
seen her at the casino she continued,
nor on the golf links. nor at any of the
teas or dances. My maid, Mitchell, has
Il far better time.
"Oh but dear Mrs. Mac James. your
maid likes to be gay and to talk to peo-
pie protested Mrs. Britten, with an I'M
becomingly heightened color. Now,
Hester f'Orde is painfully Shy-she
shrfvels mp if a stranger speaks to her.
She has ACT been accustomed to mix in
any society. She doesn't play golf. or
fridge. or Htance-her father brought her
III, so strictly. She has the most narrow
ideas ina einahle-even TO look on at gam
bling she would consider mortal sim
Poor thing.' calculated Mrs. Mac
james
and she is too nervous to drive or
motor continued Mrs. Britten, as if
anxious to thoroughly exculpate herself
in the eyes of her listeners. Naturally, |
always urge her to make friends with
other girls; but she is unaccustomed to
Young people and dislikes them. So L
let her go her way. I go mine-and We
arc both happy: Miss Forde devours
novels by the dozen. she takes long
walks. she Gazes at the waves or into
the shop windows: she buys bread for
starving dogs, flowers for herself. and is
acquiring fine supply of ozone, and
health and new ideas. She would loathe
my daily round and | should abhor hers.
One mans meat is another mans poi
SON
YES yes.' brskly agreed Sir Peter,
and talking of meat. there goes the sec
ond gong for the dejeuner, a welcome
break in this miserable day"
IL am afraid there will be no going out
with such a wind" said Mrs. Britten.
''WiH YOU play bridge at three. Sir Peter,
If | can get the general and Miss Spiller?'
Sir Peter was on the point of refusing
but 4 glance from Mrs. Britten's elo-
quent eyes induced him to hesitate.