Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01

deserve this strangers ready confidence,
The girl already trusted her as an old
friend.
Il am going to be married to Leon.
announced Casilda. and she nodded her
head ,riumphantly.
"oh; are you? l met him once and
thought him charming"
Not so handsome as Paul: but he suits
me and l him. We have known one an
other always: when I went TO England
to the conven; Leon did not eat for two
DAYS. and he was such greedy boy-that
speaks volumes. Well. now. ell Duaue has
given his consent: but there is no
money" and she held out her pretty
hands. And so We must wait. II Paul
were to marry an heiress'-here she stop
ped suddenly and became painfully red
Il do chatter on and say foolish things.
Paul will never marry any won an for
her money-never. unless he loves her
what are you two girls dong?" in.
quired Dona Tulsa. pus Ing open the
door. Casilda, you chatterbox. what
have you been holding forth about?'
We have been talking OF la Duques4
and other people" she answered de-
murely
Well you can talk downstairs, indeed.
You talk upstairs. downstairs and In my
lady's chamber!'-and she stroked the
girls pretty rounded check with her two
taper fingers.
In the drawing room-a spacious arched
apartment. with delicately tinted walls
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 Hester:
though our special ones are In Madrid
and the heirlooms at Torello. There
would YOU believe t?-we have rows OF
our ancestors in white marble: they stand
in the great hall, and when pass through
1t at night I tremble-I feel as IL 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 a set of Sevres
How delicate and dainty! wonder IL
the poor queen ever used them?'
Why. OF course: see. some are cracked.
This lacquered screen came from China.
and these silver idols from Peru"
YES. see the duchess has gathered
from China to Peru"
And. entering another apartment, Paul
continued:
Here is the tapestry room. The tap
es.ry Is after Goya and very old-the
priceless. An American gentleman who
visited here one day offered s14OOO for
it,"
"Oh. what a sum-
But my father was furious: he would
not sell-he never sells-he would sooner
die than part vii an hairloom."
How much should Ike to soc your
wonderful necklace! I've hoard OF Il
from several people," said Hester.
Yes. 1t is heard of. but not often se r:
MY mother never produces |. ncw--s
disikes 1t. for some reason. and there +
an unwritten law that II can only t.
worn by a Duquesa de SIN Telmo.'
Il wonder the Duquesa can live In thai
Villa Andalousie in preference 70 this q
lightful place." said Hester. as her ey
Travelled down the suite Of rooms with
their delicate coloring and treasures. and
into the beauifu grounds with masses nf
roses. bougainvillae and or 'nge trees.
and the background Of far-away blue
plains.
"Oh. my mother likes change and con-
slant variety. She is restless: II 10 The
fashionable complaint" said Paul. "Ah.
there is the dinner gong; you must be
starving"
The dining room was an imposing
apartment. d'gnifed b.. white marble pill
lars at either end: everywhere was the
same display of great costliness: the ex-
with little gold ducal coronet: the
centerpiece. full Of roses, was priceless
work in crystal. Three stately men
waited with nois-less dispatch. It was
pleasant merry meal: every one talked
spontaneously-Casild enough for two.
The dessert included dishes Of 1Aipine
strawberries. which came from the
Sierras. and were hailed with almost
childish delight by Mrs. Tudor and Dona
Luisa.
1--WE will have coffee outside shall
we?" suggested thu Condesa; 'it will be
nice and cool after = o'clock on the ter.
race"
AS they rose Hester caught sight Of q
portrait which hung directly behind her
pI ce: this had been painted twenty-five
years previously and represented most
beautiful woman.
La Dunu 7sa wore a white satin even
ing dress cut low and on her neck an
elaborate ard magnificent ornament.
There 1t ISL said Paul ccming and
standing beside the VS. or; You ere now
resting vour eyes on the celebrated Luck
OF the Sarazins.'
That the "Iuck". 1t bore most re-
markanle likeness to her own necklace:
the M terms seemed identical.
"Why'-she paused and caught her
hreath-"dc you know hat 7 hannen 10
have a necklace very mitch Ike 49,
"You?" he rope ted. with a glance -
amusement tempered with depis;un
"Srreiv Won mus b. making N stake.
mademoisnlle. for in the whole wide world
there is not either it's copv its match.
DO not think me- uncourteous. I beg -
you. I am confident tia your klace
is superb but We are all painfully sar-
sitive about our Luck: 1t rs our pet
SUPERSTITION. and sooner than snnncsN
to having my teeth drawn-my hair shorn
INV head cut off,!
Hester smiled: she did not venture To
argue Yet she was Of a tenacious ma
lure. and looked round for Mrs. Tudor.
hoping that she would bear witness to
the extraordinary resemblance between
the two necklaces: but Mrs. Tudor had
already Quilted the room All had left
but Paul Casilda and herself.
.'Oh. what beautiful portrait of some
one" she exclaimed. as she passed to the
door
Hester had paused before the half
length pic ura of young brunette with
dark eyes and u radiant glance. There
was a wltchery. suggastiveness Of mis-.
chief in the expression. and withal .
depth Of passion In tho eyes: an eager
cupid WIS depicted flying toward the
lovely vision and about to place q wreath
upon her brow.
How alive she looks. What fasci-
mating face," exclaimed Hester.
Fascinating ind led /" repeated Casilda.
with significance. THAT is our cousin
Dolores-La Belle Dolores de los Cnn-
TALES. II you want to know more about
her you mus ask Paul.
But Paul was already holding the door
for them to pass out and apparently had
not heard Casilda's suggestion.
CHAPTER xxx.