The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-11

speecnes ana an occasional cup or tea.
 Beside her sat little Mrs. Britten. an
 with pair of crafty black eyes. a
 remarkably gay smile. and indomitable social ambition. The lady wore a
 tailor made gown of purple cloth,
 which displayed to advantage her
 well-moulded figure: her burnished
 and puffed out in fashionable style a.
 round plump. well-featured face.
 Fine turquoise earrings. a studded
 chain, and brilliant rings were the
 artistic trifies which completed her
 toilette. Everything about Mrs. Brit
 ten gave the impression of finish and outlay. and from her well-arranged ed
 eoiffure, and her polished hnger-nails.
 to her smart shoes, she altogether pre- sented an attractive appearance. If there was a fault to be found, the hypercritical might say that both face and air were little artificial; and | there was no question of the fact that she was striving to capture the good pinion of her two companions. and, as | far as the man was concerned. her l efforts were crowned with unmistak- able success.
 This gentleman, Admiral Sir Peter Potts, k. c. B.. was a short. square | old bachelor. ean-shaven. and pre- | cisely dressed: he had chock of | white hair. the largest nose in the hotel, and was a formidable bridge | player.
 It was the private opinion ofMrs. Brit | ten that Sir. Peter would make her a
 suitable husband. and at the moment
 she was listening with an enchanted
 expression to his description of a
 rubber at the club the previous after | noon.
 We only wanted four to get out, dye see." he explained, and l made
 1t clubs-I always like to be on the 1 safe side"
 Mrs. Britten nodd sl emphatioalIy: 1t | was also her own standpoint. Well, when my partner put down
 his hand" Sir Peter went on, he had l eight hearts-ace, king queen, knaye
 ton, and three others! He gave me a
 furious look, got up, and walked
 straight out of the card-room. What | do you say to that?
 T say that it wasa unpardonably
 rude." replied Mrs. Br4tten with an air | of indignation; T should never play
 with him again; in fact, I should feel l inclined to cut him dead"
 For my part. don't agree with
 either of you" interposed Mrs. Mac
 it. Think of 1t; five honours in hearts! You ought to give your partner the 1 credit of having something" And supposing he had a spade 1 hand? demanding the Admiral, and his
 tone was fierce.
 "Oh. yesw cried Mrs. Britten anxious
 to please both parties; but even so, you would have brought 1t off, Sir
 Peter; play does tell in the long run!'' That friend of yours looks as if
 she'd had "A long run! muttered Sir | Peter, as a young lady came stumbling | towards them. laden with parcels, her 1 hat blown to one side of her head, her hair shockingly dishevelled. She was tall. slight girl. in deep | mourning, neither plain nor pretty, l well-dressed nor shabby, neither young nor old combination of nega- tiSss. Here was. in fact, our former
 acquaintance. Hester Forde. late of iShalssmoor.
 group, they ceased talking; apparently Sir Peter and Mrs. Mac James were
 unknown to her, for she coloured with | shyness as she accosted Mrs. Britten. i've brought the three books from | the library" she faltered. The
 Adventures Is out, but they will keep 1 1t. and I've got the other things at the Ron Marche." puttiRg down a good sized parcel as she spoke. My dear. your hat is over your left ear; you never beheld such a guy ss 1 you areY' was Mrs. Britten's ungrate- 1 full rejoinder. Do look at yourselfp 1 and she indicated the large mirror be- | tween the windows.
 The girl glanced at her reflection,
 and became crimson as she realized her ludicous appearance with her
 crooked head-Eear and her wild elf
 locks. Whom she had hastily straight 1 ened her hat. she resumed (COntinued T0morrOw.)