The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-28
(Contfnuel)

ran the railway and level crossihS' train was evidently due, Tor the gates were closed With the fall or the hill, the carriage gained increased impe- Jus; it was now no more than band- box at the heels of the horses. ana rocked from side to side in a manner that compelled Mrs. Tudor to open her eyes. Yes they were galloping to- wards destruction: they must crash in- to the great railway gates As they thundered down headlong. the coach- half turned, and shouted something which was unintelligible. But the gate was opening, not second too soon. The fag-woman, brave Basque nao although the whistle of train was in her ears, risked the chance--fhe chance of lives--and the landau swept through in storm Of dust. Another moment and the gates were closed, and the gatekeeper ejaculated breathless "Cest cal!'
 The career of the chestnuts began to slacken as they started 10 ascend a long steep hill; half-way up this the coachman got a pull at them, and In d short time the pair were brought to sober standstill, after an adventurous career of four miles, When they had halted, outside a great farm, man came running forth, ana seized tne horses heads; the pair were tremonns all over. and in lather from nead to tail; evidently, they had had apout enough. And so had poor Mrs. Tudor, who was more dead than alve-ne. small face looked strangely white ana shrunken. Hester hactily oened tns carriage door, and carefully assisteo her to descend. which she did Tn feeble and tottering fashion.
 What an escape!" she exclaimed. "Oh. my dear, we cannot be too thank ful: but I feel" and she caught her breath--"I feel completely shattered. We shall have to walk back, or go on A market cart. I believe we are miles from Biarritz," and as she spoke her eyes wandered vaguely over the un- dulating hills and the reu-tiled farm houses, which indicated the real Basque country. At this moment the coachman--who had flung himself on the box, walked round, and deliberately inspected his rantfnC horses--cams forward, hat in hand.
 What Paul de Sarazins' shrteked the old lady. "Weu nignr nav guessed 1t, Do you know that you have nearly killed me? Not that you care!"
 Dear lady" he began, "I am most awfuliy sorry; it was these diables O. horses; they belong to my aunt"
 What, the carriage and horses or the Ducnesse de Sorianaf' and Mrs. Tudor looked at him incredulously.
 Even sos Pardon me, and will
  . truly on my knees do I implore you and this charming demoiselle to for give me-"
 T never will" cried the old lady. and her voice rose excitedly--"no never, as long as my name Is Laura Tudor. Let me tell you that your soft speeches are altogether wasted on an old woman. How dared you do it?'
 Tt was for a beta joke," he replied with humility.
 Play to you. and death to usr'
 Please listen; 1t was like this. Last and made jokes and wagers and they wageEed. me fswould not get car riage. go to an hotel incognito. take two ladies, or three---or anybody for drive. They bet me one hundred louis, and I said Oh yes, I will do it with pleasure and I did, you see. My aunt Mercedes has gone to San Sebas- tian for three days. Her coachman Is my very good friend. borrow his e thes his horses and his carriage; look quite all right" Here he glanced down at his livery with cotnplacent smile. q drive up to an h9tel;, no Sone recognizes me, except my friends who await me there. Two ladies get into the carriage, and every thinC Is correct, until. unfortunately. these devils of horses being too well fed, they want to gallop. Yes. we were N- but for that excellent woman--I shall give her a five Iouis--if she had not opened the gate--poufl and he touch ed his lips with his fingers. "good-bye to Madame Tudor, goodbye to Paul de Sarazin. goodbye to Mademoiselle--. he paused and looked interrogauVeiy at Mrs. Tudor.
 .Forde," supplemented the old lady. and he bowed profoundly, hat in one ,.aiand, whip in the other. (The far iner's people were busily rubbing dowi. the horses whilst the driver was pro- testing and making his excuses.
 -And now should be glad to know how we are to get home" demanded 4-rs. Tudor with a gesture of de- Epair.
 s'Why, in the carriage. of course" EH4d Paul, with incredible assurance "Gela va sans dire!"
 IT wonder you dare to mention it! s1xshall certainly tell your aunt Of the 'tfhtrageous liberties you take with shSr-and other people"
 '..No, no, no! Gear Mrs. Tudor, you are good"--here he placed his slim brown hands together in an attitude of appeal--"you are kind, you are charm ing you have known me since I was a child; have been wrong, and very foolish"
 You have indeed" she assented sharply; "it is your normal state"
 But you WILL HSNOA hoAA my aAhS Mercedes-oh, you could not do 1t. Cosa que no tfene remedio olvidar la es 10 meior" (What cannot be remedted is best forgotten). And you will come back in the carriage with me. Yes, on the word of honour of a Spanish gem tleman, l will take you home, and the young lady, as safely as In--what you call it--a bath-chair.
 Mrs. Tudor deigned no reply but rising stiffly to her feet, turned her back upon the insinuating culprit. and moved towards the farmhouse, follow ed by Hester. As the latter passed the coachman he said
 You will persuade her to pardon me, "Mademoiselle. will you not?
 T will try" she murmured talnt- ly.
 And will you. too. forgive me?" he whispered His voice and his eio- quent dark eyes would have melted the heart of a stone.
 hester coloured, and in a low voice answered Yes"
 What has that impudent madmam been saying to your" demanded he. companion. who had remarkably sharp ears.
 He was begging me to ask you to forgive him"
 "Oh. yes, dare say! after making me the victim of a practical joke and a bet, and nearly frighwtening me to deathl I shall do nothing of the sort. I shall tell his aunt, and we will hear what she has got to say. She Is fond of Paul I'm aware; but no woman likes