The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-03
CHAPTER xx. The Duel.

 Tudor, Hester Forde, and the marquis de 6arazin had been the means of bringing together two old friends, Marietta-Hester's maid-and Pedro Paul's trustworthy valet-a Spanish Basque of five and forty, with a bullet head, shrewd, deep-set eyes, blue chin, and 6 powerful uare-shouldered form. His arms were seemingly too long for his body his hands were generally plunged into his pockets, and the eteF- nal cigarette smouldered between his lips. Pedro's individuality was sharp, and his humor occasionally sardonic. Marietta was also h Basque, but from St. Jean Pied du port. She had plain, dark, aI..nated face, inc teeth. and a slight figure. No matter when Marietta was summoned, she was ale ways to be found trim. quick, tallSa- tive and resourceful. Indeed her self-possession and worldly wisdom were the boast and admiration of her circle. She liked nothing better than a little gossip; and this she now en- 5oyed each morning when her old ad- mirer, Pedro Yotti, bought her dow- CTS for the ladies, and generally a note for one-not her mistress.
 A day or two after Hester's visit to the Villa Andalusia found Pedro and Marietta conferring together within doorway in the courtyard of the hotel She held in her hands two exquisite offerings of vioietS and camsllias which Pedro had just made over to her with letter, and now he proceeded to lounge in his accustomed attitude against the wall.
 Well, how goes it. Pedro?" inquired Marietta, with a smile that showed all her fine teeth. "Mademoiselle vit- ited Madame la Duchesse on Tuesday all alone."
 'Alors, ca commence a marcher." he answered, knocking the ash off his ci- garette with his little finger; then he closed his eyes.
 If I were Mademoiselle Forde. with her millions. would not look at your gay Marquis" declared Marietta scVrn- fully.
 "why not" demanded Pedro. speak ing with closed eyes. But of course you would. Walga me Dios! He is the handsomest caballero in Spain."
 "Bahi Looks don't go far. What a life he will lead her! He is a worth less bargain
 well. if the fool did not go to the market, the bad stun would not be sold." muttered Pedro. .,ot that he is bad--he Is of the best"
 "Yes-to men, I dare say"
 He plays with the women, I'll allow; but they don't leave him alonev
 He will play no tricks with my lady" asserted Marietta: Mrs. Tu- dor knows him too we'll"
 'tAh, Madame Is sharp-like a dog who has one eye on the frying-pan, the other on the cat"
 Don Pablo has no mind to marry, they say" resumed Marietta, snlIng one of the bouquets. But the Duque, his father, commands him to take a wife; and 1t were well he should, be- fore he breaks his neck in some mad prank.-You know his last?"
 Pedro suddenly raised his eyelids and1ooked at her.
 ''What?" he asked grufly.
 ''Why dressing up as cocher and nearly killing my two ladies'"
 'Ah, yes, joke; but that was weeks ago."
 Marietta reflected in silence, then she said:"What has he been doing now? Something is on your mind. Yes, come. see 1t in your face, Pedro mio."
 "Then. you see nothing but Pedro's ugly countenance.
 NO, you have a secret. my friend 0 secret about your master, or between you and him. Tell 1t to your old eriend. little Marietta. who is So pru- dent"
 May, and if there were a matter, you know our ptoverb: A secret be- tween two is Gods secret; a secret between three belongs to the world We'll" rousing himself and straight ening his back. ,'now I will tell Mari etta something: I think her young lady will be the Duquesa chosen by my master; and hope so."
 "Why?" demanded Marietta sharply. Because then I shall see you all ways"
 ''Bah! with your compliments. Pe- dro-give me one honest reason"
 Well, God knows, ne has talked with many; but lately I have heard him sing as he dresses:
 Me gustan todas,
 Me gustan todas
 Me gustan todas las demes Pedro Aquella Rubia-Aquella Rubia, AquelIa Rubia-me gusta mas.' Which as you know. means: T love them all three times, but the red-hair- ed one the best"
 "He does not care a straw for her or her hair-it is he money"
 God Knows it Is sorely needed! La Duquesa is pouring away the fortune of the Sarazins with both hands," Nothing has yet been said about the ''No. my master Is sensible he knows that to the loosened stone and spoken word there is no return. '" "Bah you and your old proverbs! He has spoken to hundreds. What of the Italian girl last year?" They quarrelled about something" "And-Dona Dolores?" Here Mari | etta looked at him with an intsrroGa- st-a smile not wholly goods