Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25
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fair mustache exerted himself to enter
tain his aunts guest. He looked at the
heiress with critical attention She was
decidedly good looking, and had even an
off by self-confidence and smart clothes.
but. although totally unaffected. she
seemed to be tired and out of spirits. He
wondered IL she realized. IL she knew.
that 1t was he who had set her life NOV
ine-he. Freddy Tudor. who had discov-
cred her wealth to an amazed and in
credulous community.
Yes. Hester was aware that she was
dull: they talked of Shalesmoor and of
the Colsons and then she really could
not think of any other topic. During
painful gaps in the conversation the foun-
tain sounded like falling rain: she could
see the palms through the open door, and
the stars shining down into the court
and so enchanting.
After supper coffee and cigarettes were
served in the patio. Mrs. Tudor kept
Dona Tulsa in countenance and. to Hes
ter's amaZement. smoked three cigarettes.
and shortly afterward the travellers re-
tired.
The following morning Mrs. Tudor.
pleading age and fatigue. dispatched He's
ter in charge of her nephew, to stroll
about Cordova and explore the town.
Indeed Miss Forde was rather glad of
the new escort for he would probably
suffer her to loiter and examine things
she wished to see, instead of being COM
PEELED to stare at objects that had no
interest for her. but for her chaperon,
and being ruthlessly driven along precise
ly as Mrs. Tudor pleased, for she was a
peremptory and tyrannical clcerone. Be
sides the little she had seen of Capt.
Tudor she liked; he was agreeable and
very English. the only person she had
met abroad that knew Shalesmoor and
,l,4 I0,vA
either. but still it constituted tie. and
she was neither shy nor frightened. but
felt at her ease in his company.
When the young people had departed
on foot the two elders sat themselves
down to discuss comfortably the most re-
cent family news and other engrossing
topics-such as wills. money and mar
riages.
And so you have taken this girl under
your wing Laura?" said her sister-in-law.
'.She seems ladylike and is striking look
ing-but is she not terrible response
biiity?'
mot at ALL" replied Mrs. Tudor. sharp
ly. "she never gives an atom OF trouble
Or uneasineSs.
IT mean her money" rejoined Dona
Luisa $50 many thousands-what for
tune for some needy foreigner! Is she
unreasonable? For here we have sew
eral handsome young caballeros OF very
old family. but without peseta.'
ooh well. as to that" responded Mrs.
Tudor there were plenty of poor cabal-
leros In Biarritz! She could have mar
her heart on a most hopeless parti-such
handsome. faithless fellow. l name no
Names"
mot" exclaimed Dona Luisa. and there
was a note of disappointment in her
voice. "And why not? To me. at least?"
Maybe I shall tell you some day! He
has behaved abominably. oh. shockingly.
And l have just taken this little jaunt
to see you for one thing, and to endeavor
to put him out Of the girls mind for an
other"
Easier said than done, IL he is. as you
say. SO handsome" remarked wise Dona
Luisa.
Her pride is touched" replied Mrs.
Tudor. land though I firmly believe she
cares for him. she will never forgive him
-never!
Laura, my DEAR" and Dona Luisa sud-
denly put her fat little beringed hand on
her knee and looked into her eyes-what
a chance for Freddy! 1t really seems as
II Providence had arranged it." pause.
Freddy will have it all his own way"
she resumed. ''Such a magnificent OPP
portunity."
Eyes. that is true" assented Mrs.
Tudor. after a moments reflection. And
1t is only human nature that you should
like to see that quarter OF million In
the Tudor family, but declare to you,
Luisa I never thought OF 1t before. How
ever. Hester Forde is a curious. tenacious
sort of girl-she is reserved in some ways.
and dare say is capable of an immortal
constancy 1 believe 1t will take her a
long time to forget the other-if she ever
does!'
"Oh. there is no fear of that said
Dona Luisa. with conviction, and she
suddenly lighted a cigarette. FREDDY
puff-"is not handsome
but he is we'll set-up. young and agree
able. He will be a baronet some day; the
title wants money sadly. Laura. you and
/ must help him. Come, do be sympa-
thetic and you can do much-you are so
clever
"Cordova in April, with a full moon.
has it's possibilities she said; land a
girl is often caught at the rebound; you
know that"
Eyes. indeed. Laura, and I sincerely
hope that Freddy will catch Miss Forde."
1T is possible, but if she dreamt for
one second that you and l were laying
our heads together like this she would be
off tomorrow morning!"
But surely it is all for her good!' pro-
tested Dona Lusa.
"And-Freddys,' added Mrs. Tudor.
with an emphatic nod. accompanied by a
rather bitter little smile. You see, she
had not been born Tudor.