The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-01
ct. I will lend you my diamond pend

ct. will lend you my diamond pend ant"
 "oh no. I can buy something
 Certainly not What, just for one occasion-all in a hurry.-and borrow ed things are lucky; I know you are superstitious."
 T am. and I cannot think why"
 Perhaps because you are born to be Spanish Duchess.'
 "No. indeed" blushing to her hair; ''but I hate one magpie, and would not wear an opal. and I never praise a thing without touching wood--all Ielics ot barbarism, but a wonderful relief to my mind. which. as you may observe. Is small"
 you my peacock brooch, but will send you over diamond heart" the old lady answered. with a nod of signih- canoe. Tt will be time enough if we start at ten."
 It was precisely ten minutes after ten when Mrs. Tudor and Miss Forde drove up to the Villa Andalusia. It was not large one in great grounds. like that of the Duquesa Mercedes. but was brilliantly illuminated. and there were number Of men servants about the hall and vestibule. The two ladies were conducted into an ante-room and then Into a drawing-room. already full of guests-chiefy Spanish and French.
 La Duquesa, seated alone on sofa. rose slowly. shook hands with Mrs. Tudor. and bowed to her companion.
 She was magnificent in white satin. and wore chain of pearls; her face was still handsome. but her hair was dyed. her eyebrows darkened. and she had distinct double chin. Shooting one swift glance at Hester, she began to talk to Mrs. Tudor in fluent Eng fish.
 "Ah, but you never come to see me now. Oh, you naughty little person; so you give up your old friends!"
 T am an old woman, Duquesa. and visiting becomes wearisome to old bones," protested the guest.
 Visiting only some. is 1t not?" re- joined la Duquesa pleasantly: and she gave her former friend a playful tan with her fan. Oh, they thoroughly un- derstood one another.
 Mrs. Tudor disapproved of la Du- quesa de San Telmo's gambling and extravagance; but for the sake of the English girl. her protegee. she was prepared to overlook much. Whilst. for her part, la Duquesa. with the prospect of wealthy daughter-in-ia ia W, was willing to Ignore many seasons of neglect. Then la Duquesa turned to Hester and asked the usual ques- tions.
 How do you like Biarritz. Miss Forde7''
 "very much indeed" she answered shyly.
 Have you been here some timer" re- stunned la Duquesa. looking her over with cold and dominant eyes, and talk Ing in every item of her toilette and appearance.
 "Ahout threa monthS"
 Shall you stay much longer?"
 T am not sure-I-we-have no plans. rve--rve not thought about 1t yet"
 "well, if you do remain. hope you will come and see me. like the Eng fish," and she smiled and turned her attention to another group.
 Mrs. Tudor was already deep in con- versation with an old French Marquis. a particular but long-lost intimate. and Hester felt an amused conviction that In former days her chaperon had been an accomplished fiirt: at the same time she found herself rather stranded. As she was standing by the wall looking at the fine paintings, the heavy chan deliers. the gaily-dressed, chatterinR crowd. she was approached by a state. ly lady who seemed strange and vet familiar. She was tail. slender. very dark with aquillne features and quantities of Wavy black hair; not young. hut stilI nandsone, and dressed with great mag nifcence. -''"
 T think we have already met-un-