The Coolidge examiner., 1938-05-26

satisfying look. I'VE must prepare
to entertain them / suppose" She
said it very calmly, but her heart
was ahutter. Two shiploads Of
French gentlemen, and a count; to
her that meant news Of the world
for which she longed, news Of la
belle France, Of Spain, Of opera,
books, theater, coiffures. modes =. &.
AS she rode back to the preside
to prepare for the entertainment Of
mind ran over the articles of her
own wardrobe. jewels and cosmet-
les.
Now" she sang, praise God.
something will happenl"
1t was late afternoon before the
frigates, the Astrolabe and the
Boussole were safely at anchor, and
the Governor, who had not left OIL
watching, saw two long-boats put
out for shore, seeming to thread
their way among the whales diving
and spouting about them.
AS the boats landed, strong bare
legged Indians assisting the sailors
who leaped into the water. Pedro
Fage stepped forward to greet a
pleasant round-faced officer. in inn
maculate epauletted uniform and
white curled peruke. and accom-
panied by several other gentlemen.
For an instant. even while he had
his hand stretched in welcome. he
had a moments panic. These were
Frenchmen, and he spoke no
French, that is no decent French.
But the Comte de La Perouse was
already greeting him in broken
friendly Spanish. and the Governor
seized the Counts hand gratefully.
When Don Pedro invited La Pc
rouse and his aide, lie Pante Dage-
let, a young man who spoke no
Spanish at ALL to dine with him.
saying that his wife expected them,
the stranger raised his eyebrows,
and accepted.
His wife!" ne said in French
aside to his aide. Surely there are
no ladies here in this God-forsaken
spot!"
AS they entered the adobe palaci0
they saw La Gobernadora framed in
candlelight.
La Perouse snatched his three
cornered gold-Iaced hat from his
faultless peruke. So did lie Pante
Dagelet Both gentlemen bowed
from the hips. deeply. amazedly.
The lady greeted them In French.
with a slight hesitation and tiny
accent Of Castilian that the gentle
men found delightful.
All through the dinner, which,
though strange to their palates, they
rehshed, they watched La Goberna-
dora in surprise. The Difference,
their obvious curiosity told the lady
of their admiration with every look
and gesture. So, though she was
bursting with things to say-things
which must be said-she played
the part of the Lady Governor with
dignity and chaste smiles, keeping
a wifely silence while her lord and
master made speech with his
guests.
But when the Governor and his
guests pulled their chairs around
the open fire, La Perouse began
speaking.
I'VE have been here in your Cali
fornia but few hours, Monsieur lie
Gouverneur, he said, land have al
ready met many surprises. First, il
was a surprise to find the place.
What fogs Is the weather this way
all the time? And then the whales!
Poi! 1 did not know they smelled
so badly, when they blow that beau
tiful geyser! 1t is a very bad per-
fume."
Pedro FACES laughed defensively.
I'VE do not smell that ashore here. "
La Gobernadora smiled.
VERY often" she murmured soft
ly in French.
The Governor looked at her sharp
ly.
La Perouse laughed. 1T is to be
hoped not" he replied in the same
tongue.
ITO BE CONTINUED