Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-22
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will that they should motor. drive and
dance together: and he was far too well
amused to combat it or offer her any re-
sistanCe. 1t was Dolores who. had ar
ranged that her costume was to be the
pendant to his own at the fancy ball
Most people knew of his realistic matador
dress. but he had no idea that Dolores
intended to present herself as his part
ner till she had Joined him in the vestf-
bule of the casino. flung aside her wraps
and taken his arm to enter the ball
room.
Well. he would have done with Do
lores: undoubtedly she had been his
mothers tool: and now that her task
was accomplished she was leaving for
San Sebastian to visit friends
That same evening at the Villa Anda-
lusia the departure of Mrs. Tudor was
discussed with unconcealed jubilation on
the part of the Luquesa and her niece;
the latter bantered Paul. with audacious
glum silence. Was it possible that he
cared for the girl after all? she asked
herself: certainly the fortune was loss;
but then. her Aunt Maria was so pas
sonately determined that there should
be no marriage. For her own part, she
had enjoyed flirting with Paul: but money
good. solid English moneys power.
Paul had made a clean breast Of 1t to his
Aunt Mercedes. and from her he had OBJ
tanned Mrs. Tudor's London address. To
this he Immediately dispatched two let
ters written in his most touching and
impaSsioned style-he was ever most sue
cessful in the role Of penitent; but on
the present occasion Paul was In earnest
sincerity was stamped on each line.
Many. many days elapsed. and he re
ceived no reply. Then the Marquis de
Sarazin had visions of following Miss
Forde to England; naturally he cared
for her more than ever now that she
seemed far beyond his reach! She was
good and beautiful. pure and innocent;
her heart was as white as her hand
could more be said? Honestly. it was
not her money that he sought; but II he
started in pursuit his friends would say.
Paul de Sarazin is a fortune-hunter!
The truth was that Mrs. Tudor. having
read his epistle OF charming contrltlon,
had torn 1t up and cast it with scorn
into the waste-paper basket: ana. after
a few seconds hesitation. the note in
closed and unopened, also torn across
and across. followed suit.
The episode was ended. Paul had been
granted every chance: If he had been her
for him. She thought bitterly of her
motor rides. her numerous excursions
and exertions: and he had f1outed both
her and her protege-oh. it was just his
way! Hester would forget him: for the
sake Of her peace she was acting as her
truest friend in Withholding this letter.
The unusual air Of depression which
seemed to envelop Paul was not lost
upon his brother Leon. What had be-
come of his buoyant spirits? One even
their den. he said suddenly:
Paul my good friend, what Is 1T?
What is the matter with you? Tell me
in one words 1t debt?"
No" reioined his brother. CURLY; .,
'Then. Of course, 1t Is the usual thing.
said Leon. watching ring of cigarette
smoke: II mean-a woman"
Yes" and Paul heaved a sigh as he
flung his cigarette into the fire. Il be-
haved like beast to that girl!'
(which OF them?" asked Leon, with q
twinkle in his eye.
''Oh. you know-La Rubia. the Engl-
lish one"
y e., am truly sorry. for liked her-and
"Well. you see. I asked her to marry
me-yes. I did. out at Cambo and she
actually put me off for month to think
it overland find out IL 1 was in earnest
And you were not, interrupted Leon.
You never are"'
Paul made a gesture of Impotence as
he resumed: "And while 1 awaited a
verdict Dolores came-you know the
rest"
Truly I do" said Leon. rising as he
spoke. Miss Forde and her chaperon
were at the ball-they saw you. The
pleasures Of illusion and blindness. were
not for them. Yes. they witnessed your
infatuation. and not making allowances
my brother. they have said to you
'Adios!' and departed. Behold, now you
are penitent: but you cannot have your
cake and eat it-amuse yourself with one
lady and keep a hold on another! Dios!"
star ling. What is all this uproar in
the drawing room? They are fighting
listenv'
Paul sat erect. then sprang to his feet
"Yes-it is ell Duques voice; he is doubt
less angry with my mother. OF course
they are talking of her debts. Shall We
go?"
He paused, irresolute. AS he hesitated
the door was thrown open and their
father. with a corpselike face and fam
ing eyes. stood on the threshold. He was
evidently laboring under intense excite
ment. as he said, in a high. hoarse
voice:
Paul and Leon, my sonns-come here"
La Duuuesa Mercedes had been dining
at the villa: she. Dolores ell Duque and
his wife were playing cards, when sud
denly. in the most unexpected way, the
conversation turned to the necklace: a
joke about good luck" had brought. 1t
on the tapiS.
Maria said Aer husband. abruptly,
1.-The Luck is here. is it not?''
She nodded quickly and hastily pushing
the cards toward him, said:
ut is you to deal. Gaspar."
His black eyes surveyed her sharply: a
hasty decision was formed in his mind.
Then bring the necklace. Maria," he
said. thrusting away the cards and lean
ing back in his chair. 81 would refresh
my eyes with the sight of the most
precious thing in our possession"
"Dios! Gaspar!" she protested. Most
Of the servants have gone to bed-the
places are locked-and my keys"
Never mind the servants" he inter-
rupted fiercely. but get it now" Sus-
picion was dawning, and in his voice was
a threat.
"Oh. yes. Tia Maria chimed in Do
lorak. with a caressing gesture; may
we not all see the Luck? and l want
the Luck to see me and give me good
fortune
mo moro talk" said ell Duque. rough
ly 'but let it be brought" With this
command his lips closed.
La Duauesa, pale and secretly shaking.
without a word left her seat and the
ROOM She was absent for a long time,
while her husband, with folded arms,
remained as impassive as a stone statue.
Shall I go and find out what-is keep
ing herr" asked Dolores. looking from
one to the other of her companions with
her restless black eyes.
mo" Numbered her uncle; "sit still"
After another quaking silence there
was a cropping sound at-the door. which
was pushed open. and la Duquesa en-
dition. carrying in her hand an open
empty case
Il have been robbed!' she screamed,
as she flung it on the table and cast
herself into chair in wild Mysteries.
FL Duuue was momentarily stunned;