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

The Introduction.
The day after Mrs. Britten had de-
parted without social drum beat or any
special farewells. Mrs. Tudor resolved
that she would take Hester (now her sole
charge) for q long tete-a-tete drive. probe
her heart. admonish her and deliver a
serious lecture.
Hester. who happened to be free for
the afternoon, accepted the invitation
with alacrity and came down prepared to
start at o'clock. The carriage they al
ways employed was not Immediately
forthcoming. but in its place an elegant
horses. dashed up under the porch. The
driver wore the usual becoming coach
mans dress. the glazed hat with white
band. black Jacket with white braid. scar
let facings. cuffs and waistcoat orna-
mented with silver buttons; he looked
particularly smart and well set up. Hes
ter could not see his face. but she noticed
as she followed her friend into the car
rtage that he made an fmpudent signal
to two individuals who were standing
close by: therefore she was less sur
prised than her companion at his subse-
quent behavior. The Basques are excel
lent drivers and. on the whole. merciful
to their cattle: but this Basque drove like
Jehu. the son OF Nimshi; he whirled
round the street corners regardless of
consequences: he cracked his whip and
fed. so to speak. up the long hill leading
out Of BiarritZ. down the other side full
dered across the railway lines. regardless
Of how the two ladies were tossed as
shuttlecocks in the carriage behind him.
Look here. I don't like this mans
driving at ALI" cried Mrs. Tudor, as they
reached the open country; certainly the
carriage is most luxurious. but I believe
our driver is either mad or drunk
''Or BOTH" suggested Hester. with a
laugh. And. Joking apart. you need not
be at all uneasy. dear; these coachmen
are really trustworthy and never come to
grief"
But If this fellow is a lunatic? Did
you see him taking Off his hat to those
ladies in the victorian"
mo! How dared he?"
'How indeed. Well. watch the next
carriage" said Mrs. Tudor. grimly.
Sure enough, the next carriage they en-
countered the coachman saluted with his
whip. Then they passed a dog cart
driven by two girls, to these he actually
kissed his hand.
''Teil him to turn round. Hester" said
Mrs. Tudor. passionately. II really won't
have this! I never experienced such i'm
pudence. I'll certainly report him to his
master. Can you see his NUMBER"
mo. I don't believe he has one!"
Then poke him in the back with your
parasol-"
Hester stood up and poked him gently
dS requested. NO nOtlCc was VOuCnSdleu
by the cocher; no, no more than if a fly
had touched him.
"Give him good dig-here. let me have
the parasor': but the effect was precisely
the same. save that at the third and
really violent assault the driver burst
into a yell of laughter. The two ladies
now collapsed on the seat and stared into
one another's faces in blank consterna-
ton.
"Cocher! cocher! arretez! arretezr'
,nd ATvc I'D IN, bnr h oil fa1
setto. with the sole result that he drove
faster and yet faster. Were they being
carried off into the Pyrenees by a crazy
coachman? Caves. brigands. ransoms
fitted through the mind Of Mrs. Tudor,
who was also in momentary terror of be-
Ing upset. for they were taken up hill.
down dale and round corners at a truly
break-neck pace. Another landau was
ahead Of them: this they rapidly overlook.
and when alongside Of 1t their lunatic
driver exchanged loud salutations and
chan with the other cocher. and eventu-
ally challenged him to chariot race.
But this competition was altogether too
much for the chestnuts. who. from a flu
rious trot. suddenly sprang into gallop
and bolted. Their crazy driver. instantly
sobered. endeavored to stop the runaways
by might and main. He dragged. he
yelled at them. he also cursed them vehe-
oaths: but. in spite of all his exertions.
the frantic horses tor along with the
speed of a millrace. Naturally. every
thing they encountered scrambled out of
their way-men. carts. oxen and motors
and oh. what hairbreadth escapes! Mrs.
Tudor sat with a rigid countenance, her
eyes tightly closed. clinging to the hand
strap and saying her prayers. At any
moment now the catastrophe must be
accomplished!
Well. she was an old woman and had
lived her life: but the poor girl beside
her had never lived at all! In few min
utes they reached the top OF long In
cline. at the foot of which ran the rail-
way and a level crossing; a train was
evidently due. for the gates were closed.
With the fall Of the hill the carriage
gained increased impetus: it was now no
more than a bandbox at the heels Of the
horses and rocked from side to side in
manner that compelled Mrs. Tudor to
open her eyes. Yes. they were galloping
toward destruction; they must crash into
the great railway gates. AS they thun-
ceased his impotent excavations. half
turned and shouted something which was
unintelligible. But the gate was opening,
not a second too soon. The flag woman.
a brave Basque. had seen the approa CHI
ing runaways and. although the whistle
of train was In her ears, risked the
chance-the chance OF lives-and the lam
Another moment and the gates were
closed and the gatekeeper calculated a
breathless "C'est car
The career of the chestnuts began to
slacken as they started to ascend a long,
steep hill: half way up this the coach
man got pull at them. and in q short
time the pair were brought to a sober
standsflll. after an adventurous career OF
four miles. Where they had halted, out