The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-05

mutter mechanically, even before he was fully conscious:
 What. ho. my niasters! consult the world-famous Necromancer. :"
 Bang! bang! bang on the big drum came automatically from his hench- man. who was only half-awake.
 "Noi no! nor entrated Ursula, II prith ee not so much noisel We wish to consult the so6thsayer . we've brought some money. three gold pieces is that enough, .. but in the name of our lady I beg of thee not to make so much Hoise."
 Tim.diy she held ID silken purse towards the astonished wizard. Three gold pieces! whvl twas a fortune. the like of which the worthy Abra had never beheld In one sum in his life.
 To ask him not to make a noise was to demand the impossible. With lone hand he pushed his henchman vigor- ously to one side. The latter dropped his cymbals, which rattled, off the plat form with an ear-splitting clash.
 All the while Abra, in stentorian tones. and holding back the folds of the tent was shouting at the top of his voice: f#
 This way, Iadiesl for the great soothsayer Mirrab. the sale of love- philtres and charms and of the true Elixir of Life"
 Ahc uiG IS Cdbt. MATBaTeI intne1 Sdlu Ursula, trying ve iniy to steady her voice. which was trembling. and her knees. which were shaking beneath her. "Art coming? |. .. Oh! :. .. feel a little nervous" she ad- initted. in spite of herself. land you? Oh! how your hand trembles."
 She was frankly terrified now. The noise was so awful, and though she ,nk 1o khn x-ier O~ Ioff of her she was conscious that she and her friend were no longer alone on the open place. She could hear the murmur of voices. the sound of idle folk gathering in every direction.
 Her instinct suggested immediate flight, and the abandonment of this mad adventure while there was yet t1me, but her pride urged her to proceed. She gripped MarEaret's wrist with a resolute hand, and made quick rush for the steps.
 Alas! she was just two seconds too late. The next instant she felt her waist seized from behind, whilst a merry voice shouted:
 "Cofnered at last"
 Wrenching herself free. with a sud- den twist of her firm young shoulders, Ursula contrived to liberate herself momentarily. She was dimly con- scious of having caught sight of Mar garet in the like plight as herself.
 Not so fast. fair one," whispered an insituating voice close to her; "a word | in thy pretty ear."
 "Oh! the shame of this vulgar adven- | ture. Pursued like some kitchen wench out on spree, by a gallant. eager | for an Idle kiss.
 She felt her cheeks jingle underneath | her mask; saw and guessed the short laugh, the shrug of the shoulders of | the idlers round. far too accustomed to l these spectacles to take more than l passing note of it.
 Once more the firm grip had seized her waist. This time she felt herself powerless to struggle
 | May! in the name of heaven, sir 2 she entreated tearfully. T pray you | let me goi'
 Not until I bave caught nearer | sight of those bright eyes, that shine at me through that cruel mask" The soft guttural tones revealed the l identity of the speaker to Ursula. She knew Don Miguel we'll! knew his wild impudent spirit, his love of idle fiirta- tion which had already made him tn c terror of the prim Queens Court. She knew that she would not be allowed to escape before this ridiculous epi- sode had been brought to it's usual con- clusion.