The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-18

T declare we have done splendloiyl cried her chaperone exultinsly. You have brought me luck. Now let us go and take our rlaces for the play
 The pretty little theatre was full as the two ladies passed to their seast in the balcony. and here again Hester recognized many familiar faces. known to her by sight in the hotel and on the Page. Such pretty toilettes. such smart hats. and. above all. such jewelsl She had a secret passion for precious stones--no doubt the legacy of some bygone ancestress--and knew most of the ornaments in the shop windows by heart; yet her cautious Yorkshire nature held her back: when she would have entered to buy her heart failed her.
 The play was. of course. musical, and exceedingly gay and animated. Hester could not make out half the plot, but her good-natured chaperon explained 1t to her. The actors acted and sang with spirit and Eaiety that were infectious. and Hester. shaking off prejudices along with dull care began to smile and look about her. Presently. in a box near the entrance door. she deserted Paul. de Sarazin. The mere fact of his presence added a new sensation to the evening. and she was conscious of a strange tingling eGClLetueuIs SittAHN TAT abOVe nlH f1eh. ter cast many stealthy glances in his direction. Paul gave the chief part of his attention to his companion and the audience. How good-looking he was. how noble his airi Secretly she studied his smile. hls laugh his va- rious expressions. grave and gay usually gay. Every one seemed to know him undoubtedly he was a gen. Aral favorits. Presently he rose and aat s.,rk S4I I. ktx~1s, women smiled and the men nodded a greeting. It was the end of the act, and most of the audience also depart ed and were subsequently, absent about five and twenty minutes. Yes. 1t is a tiresome habit" ex- plained Mrs. Tudor: but they all swarm out to gamble. Next time we too, will go, and I will take you into the baccarat room. where you will see | real play. and where people lose thou sands and thousands and thousands" What sort of people?" inquired He's ter. opening her eyes to their widest extent.
 "oh. all sorts--French. Spanish
 Russian and English. 1 believe the | old Spaniards and the young English
 are the most inveterate of any. car
 show you young fellow who bas | cleared 5000 pounds between these  who must have lost as much. She |: tncorrigible. The Duchesse de Can Telmo comes here by way of benefit. ing her health. but in reality to play haccarat-such an awful example tC her sons"
 DO they accompany herr"
 'Yes; the Due never leaves Spain He Is proud man. three times grandee. with the bluest of blood ir his veins; but one of the sons accom- panies his mother every season" "Does he play. too"
 With hearts only. He Is cele. brated lady-kilier, Paul de Sarazin." Hester could hardly control her voice to ask the next question--oh | such vital question:
 "Do you know him?"
 "oh yes. since he was in Jackets Always naughty boy. but irresistIbly good-looking. He Is supposed to bt here on guard over his mother. Sci a thief to catch a thief"
 "Is he--is he-?" The question stuck In Hester's throat.
 "Oh. he Is wild, but not bad hearted He has been terribly spoiled by women ever since he could smile--I won't even say speak-fond of dancing and fenc- Ing and practical jokes. It is such a pity, that he has no career. I believe he was once at an Embassy but his pranks were found to be insufferable. However, to be the heir of the Due de San Telmo Is considered a sufficiently splendid career for any young man"
 DO you visit his mothAr?" ask ed the girl. with her eyes fixed on the drop-scene.
 "Very rarely--I don't approve of her but I go to the receptions of the Duchesse de Soriano: she Is his aunt. the Dues sister. really great lady and very stately and pious. She has a beautiful villa. the Villa Flora. Her sister-in-law has a much smaller es- tablishment--the Villa Andalousia; her money disappears at the tables here and at Monte Carlo--I believe she Is frightfully in debt. and has half ruined the Due. Paul will be compelled to marry a South American heiress and" with a sagacious shake of her wise old head. T shall be sor- ry for her."
 'Oh. Mrs. Tudor. but why?"
 "Ah' from the tone of your voice, my dear young lady, I gather that you have seen Paul. I grant you his good looks. his good manners, and his good nature. but you might as we'll try to cage a swallow, or the west wind. as Paul do Sarazin! Come, the curtain is going up again that was a tiresome walt" To her. but not to her fascinated listener. who would have