The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-26
The Spanish Necklace
BY BERTHA M. cROKER
Copyright lses by oroksr. Al Rights Reserved,

A8uHANHp middles with her head down. looking like a boggart in a bean-field; aye, and she Will go that way yet" Hester, unable to stem the torrent had risen to her feet, with Two bright spots on her cheeks; no one could call her pale now.
 well, Hester. said Mrs. Tudor turning her back on the virago, T have had lesson; never again will l sit below the salt-even with you! An empty platter-abuse of self a libel on you, has been my portion. Your maid, Marietta, Is here; please send her into the village to order the fly at once.
 "oh. I'll do thatf cried Jane, with rude alacrity: "the sooner you go the better--and if you like to take Miss Hessie with you, there will Le no tears here!"
 What a shocking womanw cxciaim- ed Mrs. Tudor -eating herself in the drawing room and gasping for breath. Really, what scenes. Hester! Be- tween your l Jul de Sarazin and this Jane Jubbor, you have shortened my days by years! Pray lock the door; feel as if I were in the house with wild beast.
 "oh, dear krs. Tudor" said Hester in tears, and kneeling down beside her, T am so ashamed. and so sorry to think of your being starved and in- suited in my house!
 But it seems that 1t Is not your house, my child! How you have stood this tyranny for years I cannot imag- inc; and presently she added, Sure ly you will no 10: ser consent to live In this squalid manner, n a gloomy bar rack, simply because 1t has already blighted so many years of your lifeg'
 T was brought up to this life; and had no means of comparing my home with others"
 Well. after today. suppose you will realize that your home is with me. my dear-wfth me until you marry, and even then my house will be your homer"
 "oh. dear Mrs. Tudor. you are too good to met
 ''No. I'm good to myself too: I am fond of you He ssie, and I've no belong ings. Well. will you come away-nowf Just tell Marietta to put a few things together. and get your hat"
 No. but Il leave tomorrow: please send fiy-and 8 cart for my luggage. must say good bye to Mir. Cave. and to my father and mothers graves-for- for--"and she put her arm round the old lady and kissed her--"you are my home you are my second mother, and I will never return here.
 There was a loud authoritative rap on the door, a futile turning of the handle, and a shrill voice announced
 The fly fs come now!'
 And with many inJunctions, and a warm embrace, Mrs. Tudor took her departure, completely ignoring a rigid figure which waited aggressively in the, hall, but she said to Hester as she walked to the cab:
 If that woman were in London, kA. R4- intimidation! Remember this. the fly will be here for you at 10 o'clock to- morrow--without faff."
 After the visitor had driven off, Tester went upstaira and gave her or- ders to Marietta (who was wildly ju- bilant), wrote a letter to Mir. Levin, and then. putting on her hat. went over to take leave of MT. Cave.
 The rector was concerned to hear that he was about to lose his parish toner, but added:
 'I know your life down here has been a burden to you-Lewin says those women want the place to themselves, and will try and turn you out of your own home. We'll, have your London address. and will not. please God, lose sight of you" He accompanied her to the Grange, gate. where they said goodbye.
 "So you have been over at the Par sons a-telling tales. have your cried Jane. waylaying her In the hall, with arms akimbo. and the light of battle in her face.
 "Jane." said Hester, facing her with unfiinching eyes. "I am going away tomorrow for ever; you have driven me out of my fathers house; you have always treated me badly--eVer since my mother died, and was 6 little child.
 Here Jane would have loudly inter- rupted.
 No, pray listen to me-you say you were my mothers friend--impossible to credit that; for If you had been, you'd would have befriended me. I've no doubt you were once a faithful ser want; for years you have been a hard and tyrannical mistress-my mistress. was cowed and afraid of you; but that is all over. After tomorrow, will never see or, hope, hear of you again."
 And Hester. the emancipated, walked up the stairs, leaving her tyrant on the hall-mat, a quivering prey to inns potent passion.