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

production Of Paul de Sarazin In the garb
of a matador, with his hand on his hip
and a daredevil smile on his good looking
face. So that was it:
Alas! hapleSs Hester was another Of
PauTs victims. Her case was probably
hopeless. and she herself had so pontedly
avoided Paul and all his belongings-to
what good? The discounted old lady
hurriedly turned back the leaf and set
about the copy Of an ultimatum to Mrs.
Britten. saying to herself.
IF this girl. to whom I have taken a
fancy, has taken a fancy to Paul de Sara
Yin. of what good will all my plans avail
nfe?''
Presently Hester entered. gloves and
parasol in hand. and while she copied the
note Mrs. Tudor stood behind her. staring
round the room. possibly seeking for
further signs of the miserable girls in
fatuation. The apartment was exceed
ingly neat. There were quantities of flow
ers and books. few ornaments. and on
the chimney piece in the pace of honor,
the ball program and the cap OF Folly-a
fatal and melancholy token of the own
er's condition. When her protegee had
driven away, Mrs. Tudor retired to her
own apartment and sat for long time
ostensibly reading the newspaper. but in
reality she scarcely glanced at it. The
active-minded old person was meditating
rate a new plan of campaign.
After all. If Hester were seriously in
terested in this hare-brained Spaniard.
why should she not marry him? He
would not be always feather Drained and
wild. If he could be separated from his
reckless associates. from his mother and
her encourage, he might become. like his
father. one of the first and finest gentle
men at the Spanish court. Hester Forde.
of nowhere in particular. would be one
day the Duchesse de San Telmo. The
old lady grinned to herself as her active
imagination sketched in the picture. Hes
ter the shy, at the formal court of Mad
rid closely surrounded with state and
ceremonies! Was 1t not the hereditary
privilege of the Duchesse de San Telmo
to hold the queens fan?
Well. perhaps the affair might work
satisfactorily; the arrangements and
amount Of interest, excitement and
qualification.
If Hester was deeply in love with Paul.
and Paul would only consent to be lured
into matrimony and to steady down. all
would be we'll. Yes, undoubtedly it is
these warm interests in other peoples
lives which keep one young" said the old
lady. as she extended her hand and rang
the bell for tea.
The Observation-Disclosures little note
had the effect of bringing Mrs. Britten
drove UP to the hotel she passed Hester
on foot walking with another girl, and
could scarcely believe the evidence of her
own eyes. What a marvellous change in a
little more than a fortnight! That dainty
figure. with silken frills. high-heeled shoes
and an obviously French frock!
We'll. SO I've come back. you sect! she
began. the moment Hester entered the
hall. ION revient toujours, etc.
Yes. and I hope you have enjoyed
yourself?"
Enormously! There is no place like
Pau"
Shall we go up in the lift to my sit
ting room?"
Your sitting room". she repeated. with
raised eyebrows: what a plunge you
have made! Oh. yes. by all means!"
And your luggage?" suggested Hester.
II have not brought 1t with me. 1 am
going back tonight; only rushed over to
overfriendly curiosity, she added. why.
I declare I should scarcely know you. YOU
are so smart! Where did you get the
dreSs?"
Here. in Biarritz." replied Hester.
quietly. Wont you sit DOWN."
What has happened to the grip the
chaperon asked herself. for it was not
only her appearance. but her manner.
cool and almost distant note! Mrs. Brit
ten, having selected the most uncomfort-
able chair she could find, now proceeded
to compose quarrel.
II see you have been having a good
time!' she remarked: your name in the
papers. at the balls and the bazaar. OF
course. it all comes of giving out that
you are an heiress-it makes wonderful
difference. does ii not?"
Yes. suppose so; but I never. as you
call it, gave out that was an heiress."
Come. come, Hester: why. Of course
you did, contradicted Mrs. Britten. with
a touch of her bullying manner; 'and I
always thought you were SO superior to
Excuse me-" interrupted her listener.
stitfiy. but you are mistaken. A cousin
of Mrs. Tudors, who had seen me at
Shalesmoor. recognized me when he was
passing through Biarritz. and told her
Yes. and she Immediately took you up
ind thrust me aside!' said Mrs. Britten.
Now 1 understand why l am left out in
the cold!"
II really don't know how you can say
so. when you went away to Pau of your
own accord"
II went to Pau for a most necessary
change. and I particularly wished to take
you with me. Perhaps you will kindly
remember that you came out here under
my charge"
Eyes. I can remember that rejoined
Hester. with faint smile; but l think
you must allow that I have not been
mucn OF a responsibility.
What are your plans?" demanded Mrs.
Britten. abruptly. Are you coming over
to Paul.
mo. I shall remain at Biarritz until
the middle Of April. and then possibly go
into the PyreneeS or to SPAIN"
"Oh. indeed! Well. 1 suppose that am
quite de trOp now; APPARENTLY you can
manage your affairs without me-" Dead
silence. II can see but too plainly" con-
tinued Mrs. Britten. gurgling in her
throat. that somebody has been making
mischief and setting you against me.
You are completely changed. I am sure
l don't know what Tom Levin will say
when 1 tell him.
Mr. Levin is my solicitor" replied
Hester. with unexpected hauteur: he is
not concerned in my travelling arrange
ments. AS for any one having made mis-
chief between us. you are mistaken. I
have gained a little experience and seen
something of the world-that is ALL
Seen something Of the World!' re-
peated Mrs. Britten. with a derisive
laugh. LET me warn you that you will
find it an awful mustake to mix with
in life. OF course. they only run after
you for your money-any fool can see
that-and half of them are paupers and
sharpers. who flatter you before your
face and laugh at you behind your back!
Anyway. after such smart society. you
will find it terrible change when you
return to Shalesmoor."
PERHAPS I may: If I ever do return.
which is doubtful
but where else will you live? What
are you going to do?" inquired Mrs. Brit
ten. with blazing eyes. Was she about to
lose her sinecure?
7 nd In