The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-04

stnl ciinsing miserasly. heiplessly. to her side.
 May Ursula. how can ,ou be so merry? ." admonished Margaret, in voice almost choked with tears; think if the Duchess of Lincoln were to hear of this adventure--orf Her Ma jesty herself--ohi ."
 But Ursula's gay, madcap mood was proof against Margarets tears.
 "Oh! ahA ahr' she calculated, mim- fckig her friends tones of horror, "oh" she aded with mock seriousness, well then, of course, there would be trou- ble, Margaret mine! sweet Mar garetl such e lecture !! 1! - and oh! oh! oh! such black looks from Her Majestyi "" we should e'en-think on it!--bAve to look de- mure for at least two days, until our sins be forgiven us ."
 She paused awhile, mischief appar- ent even beneath the half-transparent lace which hid her laughter-loving mouth. She drew her trembling com panion closer to her, and, still laugh- ing. she coaxed her gently:
 There. there. sweet. she mur- mured. cheer up, I pray thee, cheer up "Seei we have come to the end of our journey. We have baffied those persistent gallants and this is the witch's tent. Margaretw she added with an impatient tap of the foot. "art a goose to go on crying so? vow I'd have come alone, had I known thourt such a coward"
 "UrsulaW said Margaret, somewhat emboldened by her friends assurance, "could you guess who were those two gallantsT"
 "Nayw replied Ursula indifferentIy, lone of them, methinks, was the Mar Quis de Suarazes, for I caught sight nf hfa hlarIk ai1lx hnea hut what dO HVa care aboue these nincompoops, Mar garet? Come and see the witch-we have no time to lose"
 Eagerly she turned towards the booth, and somewhat awed, anxious, yet not wholly daring, she ga7ed up in astonishment at the gaudy draperies. the tall fiagstaff, the weird black dag sudden resolution she planted her foot upon the bottom step. "Wilt follow me. sweetT she asked. [. Even as she spoke Abra in tall peak ed cap and flowing mantle emerged from within the tent.
 Margaret, who was screwing up her courage to follow her+ friend, gave a shriek of dismay.
 ''No! mol. no! Ursula" she said. clinging to the other girl. not daring to look up at the awesome figure of the lean magician, T implore you. give up the thought"
 Give up the thought?" rejoined Ur- sula. boldly trying to smother her own superstitious fears. "when I've gone thus far"
 q cannot think what you want with that horrid witch!' pleaded Margaret
 At sight of Abra's long white beard his wizards wand and cloak covered with cabalistic signs. even Ursula's courage had begun to ebb. She had hastily retreated from the steps and followed Margaret once more within the protecting shelter of the shadows.
 q want to know my fortune. Mar garet mine." she said in a voice which was not quite as firm as before, and l hear that this witch can see Into the future. 'Tis said that she has mar vellous powers"
 Why should you want to know the future?" persisted timid, practical Mar garet, lis not the present good enough for your
 His Grace of Wessex comes back to court today" rejoined Ursula, after an absence of many months
 Well? what of him@"
 What of him? Margaret art stupid? or art not my friend? Is it not natural that I should wish to know whether l am to be Duchess or Wessex or abbess in a holy but uncom- fortable conventT'
 "Yes, 'tis natural enough, assented Margaret thoughtfully, but
 (Continued TOmOrrOw)