The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-27


 Duke urged. prayed, threatened--and 1t was even said, wept--se still main tained a suiky, staring silence. Oh, for thA good ois days of the thumb. screw and the Nck! thought her dss. traeted consort, for then her secret could be wrested from her. Finally, he made up hls nnind---the mind of an ali.powsrfui. infuriated autocrat-that at "a Dnquesa had sold the necklace: but how, when. and where7 Until 1t was restored. he swore on the cfdciix that Dona Marie should never again live rfsde. hic rhot but retire fc. ner s.ns to the Convent of Noble Ladies Gt Burgos. The Villa Andaiusla would he caosed--on the plea of Her Excel | iency requiring change of air--the Duke would dlsperse her establish- | by his eldest sbn.
 \ few days before, the family left | fr spain. when most of the furniture was already sheeted, and boxes and | pack Ing leases si0od about the Ioboies. | the Duchess sent for Paul.
 He found her in her dressipg-room, wearing an elaborate blue negiiges | and enormous diamond earrings. Her | face looked swollen and iabby. despite | the pearl-powder and rouge. "Pabla mio." she said offering q scented cheek. ''1isten to me now: I am going to tell you the truth--but | first see that the door is closed" "Yes 1t Is shut" he answered. talk | Ing A scat.
 "You know carvalho, the jeweller.. in Madrid--the shop in the calle Alcaia? :? Well. he has the necklace" How long has 1t been In his pos session?
 "oh. more than ten months--perha ps year. You see, my dear boy. I was forced to get money to settle my | card debts to the two Zorillas and shs Count de Bastro. You know. if I had not paid the wretches I should have been dish honored and the fam fly disgraced. had .frightful run | of ill-luck--week after week my purse was empty; yet dared not ask the Duke. for he had given me a big sum which had lost---yes, 1t was all gone. all gone!" and she held up her taper hands. T was In despair, was &ear- ly mad; at night could not close my eyes: and then. I thought of the neck 1aeel"
 "Ah. so you thought of the neck laee!" echoed Paul, in a low voic ). and his eyes glowed.
 "Yes; 1t was q great temptation" {" boldly confessed the Duchess. You see. 1t was never looked at from year to year, and, might not be missed till I was dead! After all, my Son, what Is 1t but a silly superstition? Surely my honor and credit come before an old fifteenth century string of pearls?"
 Paul gazed at his mother nxedl@. but made no reply: evidently the look stung her sensibilities. for she con tfnued In a sharper key
 "wliat Is 1t but an old jewel! To look at you and your father one would suppose that Kingdom had fallen! I believe 1t is my American blood, and my modern ideas; but 1t seems to me so childish, so contemptible, and so ott-of-dAte, for an entire family to be distracted and A home scattered-all for a sentiment The Duke is one who has lost his Feasoh.'
 Ills heart is broken" said Paul. After this. there was a long silence.
 You so with him to Madrld7" said the Duchess. suddenly drawing out her gold cigarette-case.
 "Yes; and the first thing I shall do when I arrive there, will be to call on Carvalho--he may have the neck lace still.''
 of course-why who would pur- chase itT' said the Duchess. earelessIy striking a match as she spoke; be sides, he promised me not to sell 1t for ages--I fully intended, If had luck, to buy t back Here she lit a cigarette. "EIe also agreed that he would never offer 1t to q Spanish GUS toner. Oh. yes, you will recover 1t. my son. and at once, and we will soon forget all this misery! It was that devilish wicked Dolores who would talk Of the necklace, in spite of my signs; she has been the real cause of all this trouble" La Duquesa blew rings of smoke, which she followed s9rtH find the heirloom, and when yo do pray remember your unhappy. mother in the hldeous. dismal convent. where there is- newer a card or a cigarette. If am left too long with the sisters, I warn you that shall corrupt those holy women! Now go, my best beloved boy--you can tell the Duke the trua story, and set his poor mad mind at
 When the true story was carried to conarmed!-the heirloom had been sold-boldly openly shamelessiy. In less broken up and scattered to the ends of the earth. Tn frenzy of de- nunciatlon. he repeated that. until 1t was restored. he would never see his quester her dover and compel her to end her days in seclusion. Then he proceeded to deliver sentence on his eldest son.
 "Diosr' he cried, what a man to come after me! Thirty years of age, with the character of q boy. No strength. no sense. no more than lad makingEbah! You had the chance of a. rich and charming wife, and am told you threw her away for q couple trol vour other-you are her favor ite-fo restrain her extravaganza. to guard our good name; and you play as always. the. fool whilst la puquesa sells for card debts our great heirloom dDios de mi Alma. I shall certainly lose my reason!'
 Ta.NG0EraNY.