The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-19
CHAPTER Tx ssvRa.S.- G~A~ NaR.ss

"EEesfeF Sees Ltfes will you lend me your white boa. If you are not going to the Casino this 1 eveninGT'
 As Miss Forde entered her compan- ions room with this bold request. Mrs. Britten. who was studing the effect of new toQue in a and-giass. turned her head and stared at her steadily. What a dowdy object she looked in her country made black gown--of ex- cellent material but villainous cut; the only touch of colour to enliyen the toilette was rather shrivelled pink cameiiia.
 Pray. how did you scrape acauaIn- tance with old mother Tudor? was her sole answer to the girls ques- tion.
 T picked up her ball of wool ana she spoke to me-"
 Dear me. howt dramatic! and she picked you up." remarked Mrs. Britt ten. still gravely contemplating a back view of her head. Do you think the lady has her Ideas and has taken a fancy to you for yourself. or for les beaux yeux de votre cassette? Has any one been talking. do you suppose 7'' and she suddenly put down the hand glass. and confronted her companion.
 Hester remembered the little bird who had flown into Spain, and blushed NtNAuAys 4l HUB to nave SuCn tell-tale and treacherous complex ioni
 An hal sec they havel'' exclaim- ed Mrs. Britten. in tone of suppressed passion. Now, you have broken your promise to mel"
 When srossing the Channel, and feeling miseralbly ill--in fact, almost at the point of death--Hester's cheery and robust escort had implored her, n faVnmF haf- nt.N .N,a secret, otherwise 1t will be so un- pleasent for you and me-" declared this bold Sapphira; you will be be- set by the most awful people and" with helpless gesture. "who am to defend your"
 Hester the seasick. the ignorant, the provincial. meekly gave a promise and Mrs. Brttten from that moment in- vested herself in the Hons robe, the peacock feather. or whatever may in- dicate the role of a superior condi- ton.
 T assure you that I have never opened my lips about the moneyi-- indeed. Mrs. Tudor is actually paying for the tickets and carriage" pleaded the supposed cuiprit.
 T am glad she does not knowI" exclaimed Mrs. Britten. who was evidently relieved by this intelligence. T should hate to be taken for the heiress's bear-leader." (The ruler she had hitherto been. the meeker and meeker her charge had becoms-it paid to be insoient.)
 'I do not think there is much of the bear about mel" said Hester stiffly.
 "The manners only-''
 You mean, that I forbear7'
 How witty! What blaze! I de- clare. you'll extinguish the electric lightw Here there was knock at the door.
 Madame Tudor is awaiting mads- moiselle."
 Coming" she said Then turning to her paid companion; And the
 (The boa woulJ be just the thin end of the wedge. similar to this visit to the theatre. Hester's social tendencies called for immediate suppressIon)
 No. I'm really sorry I can't adorn you" said Mrs. Britten with a sheer; fits at the cleaners. Anyway, you cannot be too quietly dressed at the Casino. l wonder I must confess that you can go. considering all things. You should be more consistent! Tell me, what would your father have said?"
 My father was not subject to his parents--he ordered his life as he pleased. Now that he is dead I in- tend to do the same with mine." and having made this bold and staggering avowaI, Miss Forde went out and shut the door.
 Mrs. Tudor. beautiful in lace and feathers and chiffon. awaited her in the carriage. and five minutes later they were at the Casino.
 The Casino was brilliantly iIlunnin- ated; crowds of well dressed visitors were fiocking in; the sound of a de- licious string band was audible. After passing the Vestibule the two ladies entered the salle de jeu, on route to the theatre. Here were tables deli cated to les petItis chevaux. and about these a crowd had gathered. Hester noticed various familiar faces as the horses skinned around and around and very gradually came to a stand sfill. Money was raked in by the eroupiers. or paid out. and then began the usual cry: "Msssieurs, faites vos ieuxl' Many francs and solid i've