The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-01


 ed by Hester in white satin gown. heavily embroidered in silver. His heart gave a violent Iurch; on her white satin neck lay and sparl<led the Luck of the Sarazln!" For a moment he almost lost hold upon his usual sangfroid and self-possession. Yes. there was the great heirloom, which he had not seen for years. and on the restoration of which much depended. The dinner was. remarkably well ar ranged, the company proved congenfal. and Mrs. Tudor and old Prince Zorki enjoyed themselves conspiciously. Paul noted how many an outside wandering eye settled on the beauti- full fair girl with the superb orna- n1ent. Later as they sat together in the front of the opera box, he ventured to notice 1t.
 rive seen so many people admiring your necklace. Miss Forde. and no | wonder" he said. Tt seems familiar to me"
 That is because it is spanish, I than everything I possess; not that l possess very much"
 You possess much, MademoiseIIe, | that Is better than money or jewels" To this compliment she turned a deaf ear. her expression changed, and she took up her glasses to survey the house.
 Her companion. not whit abashed. icontinued: The necklace is Spanish and something more---it is very an- cient. and has notable history" "oh!" hastily putting down the opera glasses T was sure of that. Do you know it?--is there a story about it?" 1 lie nodded his head.
 "Are you going to tell 1t to me7" she asked.
 T will. with pleasure. but not here; It is too long tale You paid large sum for 1t, did you not?' Yes" and she shifted her fan un- | easily. T did"
 May I come and relate the history of the necklace tomorrow"
 And may Mrs. Tudor listen to It
 Certainly, I shall, be honoredr'
 Then. will you come. please, at five o'clock:'
 All right then that Is settled"
 T am longing for. the chronicle of the necklace" confessed the lady. T have a theory that 1t has only been worn by good and noble peopte--tin now"
 "Tin nowr' he repeated: and now, are you not both?" he asked. in a low voice.
 f AO tuiS QuEStlOn mere was no Tepiysi
 Have you often worn it?" he per
 Only few times; 1t seems too too magnificent for an unmarried wom-, an. l believe people think so." Mademoiselle has it in her power to remedy that-tomorrow. T wore 1t once in Madrid" cooiy ignoring his remark, and assure you 1t made me quite nervous--the Spanish ladies looked at me strange ly and, for once. realize mat 1t means to be 'devoured by peoples eyes.''
 That must be an everyday experi- ence!" he assured her, as he met many glanees directed at the box--and no wonder! The Marquis de Sarazin and Miss Forde were pre-eminentIy hand- some couple.
 'Don'tP she cried with unexpected vehemence. q am not la Condesa Dol. ores!' then she became scarlet, and could have bitten her tongue out.
 'No--you're not!' he assented ex. pressively. ''She is about to be mar rfed again Oh. not to me! There is only one that shall ever marry--the
 A pause. Hester's fan slid through her trembling fingers; as she received 1t from her companion she would not meet, his eyes. No, he should not as- sert his old power: yet resistance was ebbing fast, and she was sensible of an intoxicating sense of recovered hap piness.
 Presently her attention was caught by a little saIlow face staring I'D at i her with eyes of keen recognition. It was the little Boutwell, who had spubbed her so mercilessiy at Biar- ritz The suburban Miss Boutwell, had never before been to the opera. and was not only filling her ears. but her eyes. There above her. in a box, splendidiy dressed. and wearing jew els fit for a regalia, sat the red-haired girl who used to slink about the cor riders of the Bellevue!
 Yes. is she not superb?" said her friend, following her gaze. That Is Miss Forde, a great heiressl The old gentleman who is bending over to speak to her is Prince Zorki."
 "oh. ipdeed" rejoined the small person with the pinehed lips T know her slightly: I-er-met her in Biars ritz; her mother was a Boutwell, and a cousin of ours! I must make my people go and call" she added lan- guidiy. T suppose she is in the Red Book"
 At five to the minute. Mrs. Tudor's sleek butler announced The Marquis
  self once more in Mrs Tudor's pretty, cool, drawing room. charming room, full of flowers and books. and an air of tasteful friendliness that seemed somehow to enfoid you and make you feel at home: but. save for the cat, the apartment was empty. Presently Miss Forde entered; in one hand she carried a red morocco case. the other she offered to the visitor, as she said:
 Mrs Tudor is engaged. but she will be here directly; I am to make tea, and I have brought the necklace for you to look at and tell me whether you really have ever seen 1t before"
 Paul took the case: no. this was not emblazoned with the arms of the Sarazins. it was a modern makeshift. He opened 1t. and gazed upon the lost heirloom for some moments in rever. ent silence; then he resolved to speak the truth, and nothing but the truth. as become a Sarazin and a gentleman. "Mademoiselle," he said, ''I am go- ing to tell you a strange thing" and there was something so unusual in his