Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11

selfish and a lady undoubtedly. There
was good old blood in her veins, despite
the Calvinistic grandfather; one had
only to notice the turn of her head and
her small taper hands. Now here was
chance for some impecunious younger, or
indeed elder, son. This G1O,OOO year
must not be thrown away or wasted In
undeserving channels. Mrs. Tudor's keen
blue eyes were searching all over Biarritz
in quest OF suitable sutton for her pro-
tegee. 1t was essential that he should be
of good family. with a good record; also
ne ne must be youngish. agreeable and not
Unlocking No, she would have nothing
to do with the foreign element. such as
the Count de Cassecou Baron Borrodno
or. above all. Paul de Sarazin.
When Paul sauntered up and accosted
the old lady Hester, who sat beside her.
felt little tremor of self-consciousness
creeping over her. She studied her fan
closely. then stole a swift glance. How
1.-the and distinguished he looked IN ms
evening dress-the scarlet hunt coat we'll
became his dark Spanish face, and with
what grace he stopped and kissed the
hand of her chaperon. In Hester's eyes
he was a preux chevalier Of the olden
times come once more to revisit the
gllmpSeS OF the moon. CallOuS, hard
hearted Mrs. Tudor did not present this
enchanting acquaintance to her compan-
ion. and he scarcely glanced at her as he
moved away.
How graceful he iS!' observed LADY
who sat within earshot.
And disgraceful too! His flirtations
are notorious responded her neighbor,
and her tone was spiteful.
Presently Hester was besieged with
PARTNERSHIP loved dancing and she
danced we'll. Amid the changes and
chances of the evening she had the ex-
traordinary good fortune to find herself
In the same set of lancers Paul de
SaraZin: she thought he looked at her:
she hOneH that yyhn she
was. When he and his partner duly Wis.,
tied her. to her very low curtSey he made
still lower bow. But unhappily this did
not constitute an acquaintance. For the
cotlllon after supper she was engaged to
Mrs. Tudor's pet parti, Gussie Bedford. a
fine tanned specimen of an average young
Brfton: capital oarsman and cricketer
rafting good fellow, the only son and
heir Of a needy viScoint. Here, in the
opinion of Mrs. Tudor was the ideal hus
band for Hester Forde. The young couple
duly took their seats in the wide inner
circle. Spectators and wallf1owers crowded
the outer row right up to the windows a
lady and her cavalier who were to lead
the cotillOn had already pegun opera
lions. This couple were Paul de Sarazin
and an italian princess. Hester stealth
lily watched his tall. slim figure as he
moved about issuing directions. There
a fund of nervous activity under all
the repose of that graceful carriage;
every movement was rapid and effective.
The leaders danced with wonderful "go"
and elan. and presently the cotillon was
in full swing.
To impart the honest truth Gussie Bel
ford found his partner, If light Of foot.
somewhat heavy on hand. She had not
word to throw to a dog, and Gussie-
who was himself of taciturn nature
had been in the habit of allowing his lady
friends to do the talking and to aniuse
him. But a girl with ten thousand
year evidently considered that it was his
business to entertain her. He glanced at
her as she sat beside him motionless
with her hands loosely folded. No. she
was not bad looking; she had a ripping
skin and hair, but she was about as dull
as ditchwater. How little one half of the
world knows of what the other half Is
thinking. Hester was watching-as she
believed unnoticed-every movement of
Paul de Sarazin, leader of the cOtillon
and best dancer in BiarritZ. AS he passed
he tossed her favOrs, the same as to other
ladies. and these favors were to her
neither more nor less than sacred treas
ures-a paper cap. a flag, bouquet a
ribbon and bells. which she wore in turn
and then hid away under her chair AS
she sat GREATNESS, watching the revolv
ing panorama of gay faces, paper caps
and brandishing banners, they passed as
mere cloud. out of which she only dis
tinguished one person. Then came the
supreme climax In a figure in which
the row of ladies and the row of men
and meet with crash, amid the pell nell
she found herself in the arms of Paul de
Sarazin. 1t was only happy accident.
but oh! the whirling exaltation Of the mo-
ment For a few bars of the waltz he
SKINNED round with her in his graceful
swallowlike flight, then hastily restored
her to her seat and, without a glance,
went his way-went to a stout handsome
and wonderful diamonds who welcomed
him with a happy laugh Well. Hester
had at least danced with her hero-would
she now die happy? Oh. no: for on
her chair she discovered that her treas
ures were gone. Who had taken them
the banner. the bouquet. the box? All
that was left to her was the cap and
bells. She could have wept with NOR
tification - yes, real salt tears; but
tears would not restore them. Some
greedy wallfiower who had never danced
had no doubt seized upon them and car
ried them away to exhibit later as her
own trophies. And all that remained
following the example Of another girl.
she placed the cap upon her head-Of
course an heiress may do odd things-at
any rate. it was safe in its present posi-
ton. and nightly 1t became her. In fact,
Paul de SaZarin. sitting at an adjoining
supper table. asked his stout partner
"Who was the charming Folly with the
cap on her head?" and she answered.:
oIi. TIE I-HSIISIlWOiIdH viii lLc DlS
fortune-she is as dull as an English din
ner''
But I fancy she has ideas. all the
same" he rejoined; and as his eyes met
those of Hester he sent her one of his
most deadly glances. a glance that threw
Hester into such confusion that she
helped herself to jelly along with her
plate of cold tongue The folly cap now
took the place of a long-defunct pink
camella. and certainly a most suit
able insignia of the unfortunate young
woman's state Of mind. Fortunately not
a soul dreamt OF her infatuation-even
Mrs. Tudor had no suspicion of the true
state of affairs. She had been much
gratiffed and complimented by the success
of her protegee, and the next afternoon
invited her to tea in her own sitting room,
in order that they might talk things over.
and discuss the ball and the events Of the
evening Surely this subsequent talking
over" is not the least of balls attrac-
tons.
'Well. my dear I am crumblng ruin
today" announced the old lady. as Hester
made her appearance. land did not get up
till / o'clock. Four in the morning is a
dreadful hour for poor old woman to
seek her bed. You are quite fresh. 1 see."
Yes" assented Hester, land ready for
another dance tonight" at which her
companion piously exclaimed:
God forbid. You are enjoying yorself!
All. what it is to be young and good
looking! You are lucky"
II lucky?"
Yes, you have youth and good looks.
II ne sert de rien d'etre jeune sans etre