Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25

Casteiars and the Duquesa absolutely
stupefed. for this English senorita. I'M
\ conscious of her dignity. was actually
wearing that famous Spanish heirloom,
Inc Luck of the Sarazns!''
Hester could not fail to notice the i'm
mediate attention her ornament was ac-
corded. When people addressed her
their gaze seemed riveted not on her face
but on her necklace. Well she honestly
preferred that her necklace should re-
celVe more admiration than herself.
AS dinner was announced the company
formed solemn procession through the
anterooms and proceeded below stairs,
again passing through a long suite. The
fuil-lenKth portraits of the Castejars
ancestors. which included two notable
Velasauez.
The table was decorated with flowers
and some wonderful ancient gold candle
sticks. and the dinner was most recher-
che: the only dish that seemed at all Pc
culiar was one of "caracoles.' or edible
snails (served with kind of salad); they
were something like shrimps. and greatly
appreciated by the Spanish people, as well
as by Mrs. Tudor.
BY degrees Hester ventured into French
and talked little to her supporters on
either side. men who were agreeable and
fluent. and admired the English senorita.
but their eyes constantly strayed to the
necklace-indeed. IT continued to be a
magnet to most of the party. Hester
caught glances right and left. and some
times these eyes met others and ex-
changed whole volumes. Conversation
was brisk. especially in Spanish: the ladies
knew no tongue but their own. and
could not communicate with Miss Forde
save by gracious little signs and the Ian
guage of the eye. Yet it seemed to her.
when she encountered their dark glances
across the> golden candlesticks, that there
was something indefinable behind their
smiles-an expression of wonder, and was
1t disapproval or disdan?
But to the best of Testers knowledge
she had never seen these handsome.
naughty women in her life; why their
glances of imperious Interrogation? Did
they suppose she had stolen the necklace?
For their gaze flashed from her throat to
her face. her face to her throat, with an
expression Of sarcastic wonder. The gen
tlemen. her neighbors, talked to her Of
motoring. golf and polo. "Oh. yes. in
deed they play golf and polo at Madrid.
and why not?" and for their part they
questioned her respecting Biarritz and
her impressions of Spain so far. Did she
propose to make a long stay? Was she
going to Toledo and the Escorial?
Mrs Tudor chatted away, now In Span
ish. again in French, and was enjoying
herself nightly. Nevertheless. she took
an early departure, and Hester noticed
with the deepest interest how the gallant
and raised it to their lips; while ta her
they accorded the most-courtly and DELHI
crate inclinations.
AS soon as several of the guests had fol-
lowed Mrs. Tudor's example, the Castelar,
"a family, the DuQuesa and an old cardinal
went. so to speak, Unto committee on
the necklace and found exquisite relief
in long suppressed speech.
1.-THE Luck Of the Sarazins," cried the
Duouesa-"the Sarazin necklace-that girl
was wearing it!'
mo doubt about it, agreed the mar
quis: land il the Duque had been able to
accept. as we hoped, I expect we should
have had scene! You know his tenn
per-"
ut would have killed him. cried the
Maruuesa, "or he would have killed her
Why. he holds the necklace as sacred as
holy relic: it scarcely ever. sees the
light: and to come in in an ordinary way
to little dinner party worn-by-an Eng
lish girl! Dios de mi alma"
How could she obtain it demanded
the cardinal-"an ornament that can only
be worn-by-a Duauesa de San Telmo?"
II have an idea" said Don Fernando.
1--WE have heard a rumor. that our gay
Paul has been paying court to very rich
girl-English. fair, with reddish hair;
without doubt she is the same lady who
was here tonight wearing The Luck of
the Sarazins round her beautiful throat.
Paul-has given it to her!
Never" burst out his father. with
an angry emphasis; lit is not. his. no
more than it is mine. Paul, mad as he is.
ancestors and his heirlooms."
Paul de Sarazin is mad enough to do
anything" rejoined the younger man. Il
don't mean dishonorable; but 1 expect he
borrowed the necklace for his senorta to
see-'tis enough to tempt any woman,
even were she saint"
"Oh Paul himself is equal to that" de-
clared the Duquesa. IF 1 were girl
should be wildly in love with hinl-Dios,
what eyes!'
81 think he has probably lent this neck
lace and displayed it on the lady for a
bet resumed Don Fernando.
And 1 am sure he has not" contra
dicted his father. with vehemence,
as If she had right to do so. 1t is all
a riddle.
"A riddle we will not offer to the
Duaue de San Telmo," remarked the Du-
quesa. with laugh.
mo. God forbid!' returned the mar
quis piously but riddle we had bet
ter keep to Observation-Disclosures there win
be black trouble"
Sunday was Gel Domingo de la Resur-
reccion" easter day., and had been spe-
cially set apart for a notable bull fight.
The "Corrida de Torcos'' had been pla-
carded about the streets for weeks. From
O'Clock in the afternoon trans and We
hicles all travelled in but one direction,
toward the huge PLAZA de Toros." Sit
ting in her window Hester beheld open
carriages filled with gay ladies, all wear
ing flowers and white mantilas, as IL go
ing to a fete. Closed carriages. humble
carts. omnibuses and little battered dill
gences were hurrying to the same goal.
and 1t almost seemed to her excited
imagination that several emaciated horses
ridden toward the Gale de Alcala were.
did they but know it, making their last
journey. BY and by Mrs. Tudor ordered
landau and set forth for a drive with
Hester In the Bueno Retro Park. On
their way there-which Is also the route
to the bull ring-an open carriage dashed
by drawn by four great mules, decorated
three solemn-looking young men, wear
ing gold-laced jackets and toreador caps.
LOS matadores." explained the coach
man. excitedly; "Bombito, Chiquito and
Fuentes" and he looked and spoke as If
he were alluding to the greatest men in
Spain.
The two English visitors. as they drove
round the park. congratulated one an
other on the vast crowds they saw there.
$50 they are not all at the bull fight-'
said Hester: that is one good sign
perhaps because they could not get
in suggested Mrs. Tudor: "still, I be-
lieve the bull ring is. declining and 1 will
not damp your hopes"
When the ladies returned at o'clock
it was dusk and the bull fight was over
for the day. Hester found Marietta in
her room laying out her gown, dragging
at drawers and hunting in boxes, in a
condition Of repressed and feverish ex-
element
ooh. Marietta. there is no hurry" said
her mistress what a fuss you are in
where have you been?"
ia I IN bull