The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-06
The Spanish Necklace
BY BER7HA M. CRoKER
Copyright Ises by B. M. CrOker All Rights Reserved rgwamamHw w wMmMwA@ @amMmnwa waMHmHaamlwMm

constantly strayed to the necklace--ia- deed, fit continued to be a magnet to most of the party. Hester caught glances right and left, and sometimes these eyes met others auh exchanged whole volumes. Conversation was brisk, especially in Spanish; the la dies knew no tongue but their own. and could not communicate with Miss Forde save by gracious little signs. and the language 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 ex- pression of wonder, and was 1t disap- proval, or-disdain?
 But to the best of Hester's knowl- edge she had never seen these hand some naughty women in her life; why their glanees of imperious interroga- tion? 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 gentlemen. her neighbors, talked to her of motoring. golf and polo. "Oh, yes, indeed. they play golf and polo at Madrlu, and why nOt?" and for their part they ques- tioned her respecting Biarritz and her impressions of Spain so far. Did she propose to make long stay? Was she
 
 Mrs. Tudor chatted away. now in Spanish. again In French. and was enjoying herself nightly, Neverthe- less, she took an early departure and Hester noticed with the deepest inter- est how the gallant gentlemen bent over her chaperon's hand and raised It to their lips: while to her they ac- corded the most courtiy and deliberate inclinations. As soon as several of the guests had followed Mrs. Tudor's example. 1 the Casteiar family. the Duquesa, and an old Cardinal went. so to speak, into committee" on the necklace and found exquisite relief in ong-suppressed | speech.
 The Luck of the sarazins." cried the | Duquesa-"the Sarazin necklace-that | girl was wearing iti"
 ''No doubt about it." agreed the | Marquis: and if the Duque had been l able to accept. as we hoped I expect we should have had a scene! You | know his temper
 Tt would have killed him." cried the Marquesa. cor he would have kill ed her. Why. he holds the necklace as sacred as a holy relic; 1t scarcely ever sees the light; and to come in in | an ordinary way to a little dinner par | ty worn-by-an English girl! Dois de | mi almar
 | HOW cOulu She OQLaln IL QemAhu- I ed the Cardinal-"an ornament that | can only be worn-by-a Duquesa 3e | San Telmo."
 q have an idea" said Don Fernan- l do. We have heard a rumor that our | gay Paul has been paying court to | very rich girl-Englisf..fa fafr. with red | dish hair; without doubt, she is the same lady who was here tonight wear | Ing The Luck of the Sarazin round her | beautiful throat. Paul-has given it | to her!"
 1 Never" burst out his father with an angry emphasis; 'tit Is not his, no 1 more than it Is mine. Paul. mad as he l is, has a certain amount of respect for his ancestors and his heirlooms."
 Paul de Sarazin Is mad enough to do anything" rejoined the younger
 man. 'T don't mean dishonorable;
 but expect he borrowed the necklace
 for his senorita to see-it's enough to
 tempt any woman, even were she a
 saint"
 "oh, Paul himself is equal to that
 declared the Duquesa. "If I were a
 girl. I should be wildly in love with
 him-Dios. what eyes!'
 T think he has probably lent his
 necklace and displayed 1t on the lady
 for a bet" resumed Don Fernando.
 And I am sure he has not" con
 tradicted his father with vehemence
 though certainly the young lady wore
 1t as if she had right to do so. It is
 all a riddle"
 "A riddle we will not offer to the
 Duque de San Telmo." remarked the 1 Duquesa, with a laugh,
 "No. God forbid" returned the Mar
 quis piously, but riddle we had bet
 ter keep to ourselves-otherwise there
 will be black trouble"
 Sunday was "El Domingo de la Res
 urrection" (Easter Day), and had beer
 specially set apart for a notable bull \ fight. The "Corrida de Torros" hac
 been placarded about the streets fo weeks. From two o'clock in the aft ernoon, trans and vehicles all trav eIed in but one direction. towards thu huge Plaza de Toros." Sitting in he window Hester beheld open carriages , filled with gay ladies. all wearing , flowers and white 'mantillas. as if go |. ing to & fete. Closed carriages. hum
 ble carts. lomnibuses, and little batter ) ed dillgences were hurrying to tn same goal, and 1t almost seemed to he excited imagination that several ema ] ciated horses ridden towards the Call } de Alcala were. did they but know it