The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-17
The Spanish Necklace
BY BERTHA M. CROKER
Copyright 1908. B. M croker Rights Reserved, u HMMnnuMnmzmnmuIuHu uHuMuMuMuMuMuH

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 She was manufacturing shapeless white mass with enormous wooden needles; as she knitted she now and then glanced over her spectacles and stealthily contemplated her companion "a pale. thin face. delicate features, a delicate skin, and heaps of hair why was she not better looking? Why had she such a lifeless, tame appear ance? Who would believe that this girl was probably the richest woman in the Bellevue? We'll she would try an experiment. and see if ten thousand a year would obey her. and stoop at Her command? If she did. so much the better. It might lead to an agreeable acquaintance. Presently a fat ball of white wool roolled out of the old lady's lap, and so to speak, ran away to some distance.
 Pick 1t up." said Mrs. Tudor in clear. authoritive tone.
 Were you speaking to mel" inquir- ed Hester, slowly raising her head.
 Who else is there to speak to?" re- joined the experimenter. T asked you" here she indicated the ball of wool. "to pick 1t up."
 Without a word the girl rose obedi- ently. laid down her book. and fetched the desired article. She did it with an air of one accustomed to such er- rands who had enjoyed the advantage of disciplined past. and yet not with out touch of dignity
 Thank you; but did not say please. did I?" said the old lady. es she receiv- CT her property with a smile.
 Hester made no reply as she resumed her seat.
 Did I?' she reiterated persistently.
 'Nom stammered the girl, and her face became quite pink, as if she had been the culprit.
 q am an unmannerly old witch, am I not? Tell me young lady. why are you not out enjoying yourself this lovely afternoon?"
 Hester laid down her book with a stifaed sigh as she replied
 q really don't know! I went for long walk this morning."
 "All alone?"
 But are you not here with friend?'
 with Mrs. Britten, yes-but she plays golf and hates walking; she pre- fers to drive or motor"
 Driving and motoring are expensive amusements. I wonder she doesn't treat you to an excursion now and again?"
 "Treat mew repeated the girl, and then was silent
 Mrs. Tudor was delighted; she re- solved to pretend that the heiress was a pauper.
 Have you been to any of the sights7" she continued-"Fuente-r San Sebastian. and so on?'
 'No. but T have been to Bayonne in the steam tram, and seen the cathedral
 A~~ 10 -"the cheap-hat shop-that is all"
 Dear mel" calculated her compaion. you must find 1t rather dull sitting at home whilst your companion is away all day"
 'T'-a pause-'well. perhaps 1t is. It never occurred to me before, but Mrs. Britten has numbers of friends here, and I know no one. She thinks motor ing would be bad for me, and driving I might take colds you see, am here for my health"
 For that matter, We are all here for the same purpose! feel confident that driving would suit you as we'll as it does me. I cannot imagine a girl com ing to a place and not seing anything beyond the streets and the sea. Do you know that this is a most interesting part of the world?'
 "Yes, have been reading about it, :" and she held out "Futente-rabia.'
 "Oh yes, two birds with one stone information and French. You speak 1t, of course?"
 "Yes; some people would call 1t murder. learnt French at school, but that was ages ago, and I have never had the chance of speaking 1t until now. I have picked up a few sem tences from the chambermaids, and I can make myself partly understood in the shops and that's about all"
 Have you ever been to the Casino, young lady?"
 "No.-oh, never!" she answered with emphasis.
 ''or the theatre?"
 Hester stared in the fire, and shook her head.
 May I ask why? Are you afraid of taking cold?"
 No, indeed; but was brought up to think that theatres and gaming were wrong"
 "where were you brought up, my good girl? Do tell me little about and Mrs. Tudor edged her chair few inches nearer to her neigh bour. "I must inform you that I al ways get on we'll with by juniors. am fond of young people-they inter est me-
 But I am not young. Ms"
 Tudor. I believe your name is 
 ''Yes, Hester Forde. was twenty five yesterday"
 q call that quite young! My dear Miss Forde you have, if you choose, life and possibilities before you-they are all behind me. am seventy-two-
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