The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-14
tcontinaed.,

her finger to her pretty lips, anu ssio. Please do not gay l said so, put vent at St. Jerome. with all the otner mad people!" ,
 "oh no; why. she is as sane as l am"
 ashe ix mad on one subject--money; 1t is such an expensive craze sne mas nearly ruined the family"
 "That is dreadful"
 You see, it touches me. LOOK. noW' , will tell you little secret.
 Hester felt embarrassed. and color ed yfyidly What had she said or done to deserve this strangers ready con fidsnce? The girl already trusted her as an old friend.
 T am going to be married to Leon.. announced Casilda, and she nodded her head triumphantly.
 "oh, are you? I met him once. and I thought him charming"
 Mot so handsome as Paul; but he suits me- and him. We have known one another always: When I went to England to the convent Leon did not eat for two days. and he was such a greedy boy--that speaks volumes. Well. now, el Duque has given his consent; but there is no money. and she held out her pretty hands. And so we must walt. If Paul were to marry an heiress"-here she stopped suddenly and became painfully red-"I do chatter on and say foolish things Paul win never marry any woman for her money--never, unless he loves her."
 What are you two girls doing?" inquired Dona Luisa, pushing open the door. "Casilda. you chatterbox, what have you been holding forth about7"
 we have been talking of la Duque- sa and other people," she answered de- murely.
 "weIl, you can talk downstairs; in- deed, you talk upstairs. dowhstairs. and in my lady's chamber!"-and she stroked the girls pretty rounded cheek with her two taper fingers.
 Tn the drawing room--a spacious arched apartment with delicately tint ed walls, and carpets. Empire furni- ture, splendid china in cabinets, and fine pictures-they found the rest of the company, and Mrs Tudor making her nephew's excuses to the Condo and Condesa.
 Let me show you some of our treas ures" said Paul, approaching Heater; though our special ones are in Mad rid, and the heirlooms at Torello. There--would you believe it2-we have rows of our ancestors in white mar ble; they stand in the great hall. and when I pass through 1t at night. trembIe-I feel as if they would all come running after me- and turn me into stone like themselves. Here we have my mothers treasures--her col- lection. Look. these are 8 set of sevres. that once belonged to Marie Antoinette.'
 How delicate and dainty I wonder If the poor Queen ever used them?"
 Why, of course; see, some are cracked. This lacqured screen came from China. and these silver idols from Peru"
 .'Yes. I see the Duchess has gathered from China to Peru"
 And entering another apartment, Paul continued:
 Here Is the tapestry The tapestry IS after Goya and very old the same as in the Palace at Madrid and priceless. An American gentle man who visited here one day ofEered 14.000 pounds for it."
 sOh, what a sunni"
 "But my father was furious; he would not sell--he never sells--he would sooner die. than part with an heirloomi'
 How much should like to see your wonderful necklacet I've heard of 1t from several people" said Hester
 ssYes, 1t ia heard of, but not often seen; however. can promise you a view of tt. My mother never produces it now--she dislikes 1t, for some req son; and there is an unwritten law. that 1t can only be worn by Duquesa de San Teln1o.'
 T wonder the Duquesa can live in that Villa Andalousie in preference to this delightful place" said Hester. as her eyes travelled down the suite of rooms with their delicate coloring and treasures, and into the beautiful grounds with masses of roses, bou- gainvillaea, and oranEe-trees, and the background of far-away blue plains.
 "oh, my mother likes changes and constant variety. She iB restless; 1t is the fashionable complaint" said Paul. "Ah. there is the dinner gong: you must be starving"
 The dintng-room was an imposing apartment, dignihed by white marble pillars at either end; everywhere was the same display of great costliness: the exquisitechtna and glass were all marked with a little gold ducal coro- net; the centre-piece, full of roses was a priceless work in crystal. Three stately men waited with noiseIess des- patch. It was pleasant merry meal: every one talked spontaneously-Cas ida enough for two. The dessert in- cluded dishes of Alpine strawberries. which came from the Sierras. and were hailed with almost childish delight by Mrs. Tudor and Dona Luisa.
 We will have coffee outside, shall wei" suggested the Condesa; "it will l be nice, and cool after six o'clock on | the terface."
 As they rose Hester caught sight of | q portrait which hung directly behind | her place; this had been painted twen- | ty-five years previously, and repre. | sented most beautiful woman. La Duquesa wore a white satin evening dress cut low. and on her neck | an elaborate and magnificent orna- ment.
 eThere 1t isv' said Paul, coming and standing beside the visitor; you are now resting your eyes on the eele- brated Luck of the Sarazins:'"
 That the Luck! It bore a most re- markable likeness to her own neck lace; the patterns seemed identical.
 Why, ,"-she paused and caught her breath-''do you know that I happen to have necklace very much like it?'
 Your" he repeated, with glance of amusement tempered with derision Surely you must be making a mistake, Mademoiselle, for In the whole wide world there Is not either it's copy or it's match. Do not think me uncourt- eous, I beg of you. I am confident that your necklace is superb; but we are all painfully sensitive about our Luck; 1t Is our pet superstition and sooner than suppose that its double existed. would submit to hav- ing my teeth drawn-my hair shorn- my head cut off!"
 Hester smiled; she did, not venture