Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

ance." 1t was the lazy who had dried her
boa and refused seat in the little vic
toris
You are Miss Forde." she said. II am
TIE Duouesa de Sor:ano; the hostess Is
my sister-in-law. and think nv nephew
Paul has the honor to know you
Yes" and Hester bluShed wildly. He
was kind enough to take us to the re-
lcte." she said: then her thoughts flew
to the excursion In this .ady's carria &c.
Il am fond Of Paul-he is not a bad
fellow" continued his aunt. though a
little gay"
Hester could not combat this assertion.
and she cast her eyes down. AS she d:i
SO she realized the lady's dress-an
oyster -colored satin: the two front seams
were outlined with chains Of pearls as
tervals with knots of brillants. 1t was a
snperb ornament and OF the same pat
tern az her own necklace. What must II
not be worth? These chains fell 10 the
this. the earrings and schumacher. were
al to match. The Duquesa's costume
must represent Observation-Disclosures cid
Spanish jewels. Jewels Of the golden age
IN Spain. when the treasures CT the Incas
and the silver fleet were poured into the
country.
"Ah. I see YOU are looking at my
pearls" she exclaimed II hope you ad-
miro them? They have been In our farn-
fly for centuries-since the days OF Ferdi-
manu- ana ISdUGiG !1eS are TOI
+ am cny their keeper"
They are extraordinary" said Hester:
most splendid"
Yes. The old trimming Is curious, is It
not? You know. long ago. in the days
Of the riches In the new world. the
Spaniards had Quantities Of precious
stones. and so they wore them every
wherein their caps. their horses. their
gowns and their shoes. NV brother has
wonderful jewels, ton-heirlocms. My
SiGfar-tF-lavV Ia nnpnn'S nparlJ
She has many beautiful ornaments. bat.
above all. a necklace. II has been In the
family for generations and is calico
The Luck Of the Sarazins.' AS long as
they keap il all is well--their lands ard
estates remain. You have the same ideas
IN your own country"
Yes. / believe we have
The necklace belonged to Queen Isa-
cadet Of San Talmo. who. during the
siege Of Granada crept along an aque-
duct. and with his dagger pinned paTch-
ment with the words Ave Maria to the
act--iust what Paul would do! However.
the Jewel has had SOME narrow escapes.
Once it was stolen: once lady % the
family lost her head over a bull fight ard
threw it to the -natador who had Killed
Ave bulls. Oh. he was a great man
Romanes. However, he relinquisheo the
necklace for a SUN. Twice it has come
back. II I am superstitious | say the
third time It goes-and never returns"
How much I should Ike 20 see it!
What Is it Nke?" inquired Hester.
eagerly.
ooh diamonds and pearls and emeralds
all very fine and rare! Ny sister-ir-law
will bring 1t here out OF Spain. though
wearing 1t. OF course: but it is in this
house. II you would care to look at II,
am sure la Duquesa viii be charmed to
exhibit It. 1t Is matchless-a jewel ono"
seen. never forgotten"
what are you talking of" inquired
the hostess. sweeping down on them al
this moment. She was anxious to cult
vate the English girl and find out her
tastes. II she played cards, wha, bless
Ing.
"strange to say. of you and OF the
necklace. dear Maria" responded her
relative. II have been telling the story
to this demoiselle. Perhaps she might
see it?''
La Duuuesa's face changed suddenly: it
became old and rigid and the pouches
under her eyes were quite remarkable as
she said:
Yes my sister: but not tonight"
Perhaps. then. another time Man
ana" turning TO Hes.er. meaning to-
morrow. is the watchword in Spain! I.
too; would sac 1.-THE good luck Of my
fathers house.
Never has 1t brought good luck 10
me-" cried Ia DUquesa. with emphasis.
lit likes not strangers and. to tell the
truth. like 1t not All. here comes Paul
and Leon" and she beckored with her
fan. They have been dining out. Leon.
you do not know Miss Forde:-Miss
Forde my son. Leon de SaraZn-'
Hester was now surrounded By group
of San Telnlos. Although somewhat hUt-
tered at being the center OF observation.
she was not insensible to the considera-
ton she was receiving at the hands OF
Paui's family.
Leon. an officer in the Spanish army.
resembled Paul, but wes shorter and
stouter: he had a swarthy face and
merry eye AS he bowed h:n,salf over her
hand he murmured. ut IS a pleasure"
ard then made room for his elder brother.
who took a seat beside his aunt with
graceful elaboration and said:
II am glad to see you here. mademoi-
selle. 1 hope it is not too stnpid?"
Not at all I enjoy looking at the
people,"
"Our Spanish functions are duh and
formal. as rule; the men herding at one
side OF the room tina women At the other.
Shall tell you who they arer Do you
see. that man with the fair hair and
beard? He Is the most accomplished
swcrdsman In all Spain. The tall ladH
next to him is the Marduesa Catasparft
She is unhappy--so Jealous Of her hus-
band
And if she has reason-why not?"
asked Hester. quickly.
"Oh! ard you, too. would be jealous,
tinitelv amused.
.:Very-yery jealous" and She smiled
also.
'Well.''-with light laugh-'thar is
something 20 know! The old man with
the decorations was once prime minister
at Madrid The stout lady in sparglaS
is the Princess Catalina. and the little
young man IS not her SON
"No-who then? Her grandson"
"Her third husband. And here come
the singers. Let me find you good
Place IN the corner"
The singers--two men and two women
with guitars and mandolEs-gava some
cauitaI rluaic: Spanish songs and sere-
nades with the odd Tilt IN them. Ore
Singer with an expressive face ard rich.
mellow cOntrelto voice. sang penetrating
French chanson with such mcr:ng effect
that Hester. the impressinngEle felt
lump In her throat her hands and lips
were actually trembling. II seemed t.
her tha. this girl was striking the very
chords OF her heart. DID Paul guess at
her emotion? Oh. no; he looked uron her
as cold. English and irnmuvable. and WAS
wondering how he could steal away &c
en- joy a cigarette.
After the songs and stolen smoke. the
Marquis de SarazI returned and escorted
Hester to the refres!lment rooms. The
refreshments We're lght--me-ely coffee.
lemonade. Oraagcadc. chocolate and
cakes according to Spanish custom.
AS Hoster-who felt that she was en-
att e,.tior-siprei ;ler orangeade. ne leant
were alone in the room, and he presently