The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-09
tIoned her as to the subject. Marietta

tioned her as to the subject. Marietta replied
 'she says the oldest condesa had lately lost her wits. and thinks every thing is as grand as 1t was. when she was young. eighty years ago. and servants. when It's all they can do 10 get bread and onions. The younger one Is distractedS now they will not even see the priest"
 May we not offer her money?' suggested Hester-"give 1t for them secretly?'
 Aye. a few pesetas will be a charity but how to help them? The hefr- looms went years ago. the jewels and siiver--
 There are still some pictures; saw them in the salon."
 "only those which they will not sell"
 "Try, Marietta, and I will buy one do ask the woman"
 Captain Tudor, who was secretly bored by this aimless rambling among dusty ruins, went out and sat on a broken step In the garden, selected a cigar. and patiently awaited Miss Forde's good pleasure. Meanwhile he meditated.
 Miss Forde was a charming girl, .un- affected and simple. and she under stood the compass of his voice to a --the best accompanist he had ever had: she was handsome, too. Well yes he meant to have a good try-fortune favours the bloood!
 Lett to their. own devices, Marietta and her mistress returned through the patio to the desolate salon, and looked around them in. search of a suitable purchase.
 Here is one" said Hester. There up in the corner. No. I don't want a Holy Family or a martyr, but this"- and she indicated a small half-length portrait of a dark cavalier in a feather cd hat. As she spoke. she climbed up on one of the rlckety chairs and gazed into the bold, proud face; II seemed to her that it had a look of Paul
 Paul! He was in everythingz-the procession, this picture-he was like Mir. Dick, and the head of King Charles!
 Romantic idiot!" cried the Puritan over-self; "as If the Marquis de Sarazin ever gave you a second though! You have lost your senses, and you know It." All the same Hester, despite her mental mentor. resolved that she would buy this picture, if only the old Condesa could be induced to sell 1t.
 When the Spanish woman entered, S''N PoAheOU tO HUT sGtCStlVus anu tndue engergetic signs.
 But the servant slowly shock her head. and continued to shake 1t from side to side. whilst Marietta interpreted
 Tt Is an ancestor-that says all!''
 Ask her--ask her." urged Hester eagerly; and she brought out a few broken sentences, and actually pre- vailed on the Spaniard to go and in- terview her mistress.
 After a wearisome delay the woman returned and said: Come. the Condesa will see you for a moment" See mel! repeated Hester, much astonished. Then. Marietta. you must come too, for cannot speak to herr" and she followed the servant back into the patio, and up wonderfully carved stone staircase into a corridor, and ultimately to lofty bare room over looking the square.
 Here, in a high leather chair, sur mounted by crown, sat the ghost of an old Spanish lady, dressed in rusty black. with shabby mantilla pinned over her head. Oh. such a wrinkled face! Oh, such cavernous black eyes! The long pointed yellow hands, rest ing on the chair, were merely skin and bone. Except for a few seats, a table, and some faded pictures, the room was empty; but from one adjoin- ing came sounds of peals of cracked