The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-25

ornament. This Is not an article that could well be forgotten" she re- marked. as her eyes travelled siowiv over the pearls, the emeralds, and the briiliants; and l have an idea that nave seen 1t somewhere beforew She paused to rack her brains. then shook her head and said: ''No. It's no use: cer- tainly my memory Is decaying. Per- maps I may only have heard of the necklace. and had 1t described to me. 1T you ask my opinion. Hester" now taking 1t out of the case and giving her glasses hitch. you have como by wonderful bargain This Is un- douptedly the heirloom of some great family-Spanish. should imagine on. It IS old-Just look at this exquisite gold work. I know a little about such things. That art died three hundred years ago. l confess 1 am rather sor- " for the unfortunate people who were compelled to part with this; it must have seemed like cutting off. or rather selling. limb: but since 1t had to be sold. I am glad you possess it, Hester. It is royal ornament-you must wear 1t at your wedding"
 "oh. shall never be married" she answered. with little laugh.
 That Is the stock speech of most unmarried women: and of course you will be married-I hope to some good. worthy fellow. Come now" suddenly shutting up the case, and pushing 1t aside. what do you say to Gussie Bel ford? I noticed that you and he dane- ed the cotillion."
 What do you mean--as a partner, Mrs, Tudor?'
 Yes. my dead. partner for life"
 "oh, no. no!--a hundred thousand times mol!
  good fellow, and thoroughly well brought up. his mother Is a saint-I know that you would love heri'
 Maybe; but I could never love her son!''
 Come. come. Hester. don't make up your mind too quickly. I know that he admires you greatly"
 Now. Mrs Tudor"-here Hester rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her hands. and. looking full at tn old lady. said-you and always speak the truth to one another, the plain, blunt truth. Please tell me, do you think he would admire me if had. say. fifty pounds a yeary"
 No. my dear, he dare not. The property is so frigftfully impover- ished by those wicked death duties, that he must marry a fortune"
 T sincerely hope he may; but could never marry unless l loved I know that I seem to talk like a sentimental fool. and am positive that I shall be an old maid. but in excellent company"
 'Very we'll. then. we will say no more about Gussie Belford. But there is that nice young parson. Hubert Tal- bot. 50 good-lookins and intellectual though rather delicate in health. You and he seemed to get on together at the croouet match"
 The only match we could ever unite inr
 And then there is Sir Rupert Love- lace. certainly a widower. but"
 Hester laughed and shook her head. "But proud as Lucifer. Oh. how angry he would be if he could hear you! You wIAI not get me off as easily as you thinkP'
 Mrs. Tudor was silent for a short time: then suddenly transdxing her companion with her little steel blue eyes, she said
 Come, Hester! As you say, we al- ways speak the naked truth to one an- other, and the truth will out"--a pause '-'there is some oneS
 Hester, so unexpectedly accused, be- came confused: the color slowly mount ed to her hair. She endeavored to prevaricate and to ward or the attack of her worldiy-wise companion.
 Some one" she stammered. What