Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-31


incensed at Logotheti's conduct. a man
that does such things deserves anything that
his rival can do to him. | hope You may over
haul the yacht. run alongside of her, and show
Margaret the two making love to each other
in Tartar on deck! That's the least that ought
to happen to him!"
Thank YOU. | like to hear YOU talk like
that Captain Brown will do his level best, |
think And now, tell me. - he lowered his voice
little more. is that Leven or mott
Il am sure it is Lady Maud answered,
"and yet feel as if there ought to be a little
doubt still l don't know how to express it; tor
it's rather an odd sensation"
Il should think it might be! Is there any
thing can say or do: IN ask the man any
question you suggest. I'm certain he's not
old Levi Longlegs, and if he is not Leven, who
on earth is he? That's what l should like to
know"
Il shall find out never fear! | know shall,
because must. if l am ever to have any peace
again. I'm not very nervous person, You
know; but it's more than l can bear long. to
sit opposite man at table, again and again,
as shall have to, and not be sure whether he's
my husband. come back from the dead, or
dilated a little; but Van Torp only nodded
slowly and sympatheticay. II mean to know
before l go to bed tonight she said. with
little desperation in her voice. " shall talk to
him till | am sure of one thing or the other. At
table, | cannot tell; but if we are alone to-
gether know can settle the question. If you
see that we talking at the other end OF the
deck, try to keep Mrs. Rushmore and Margaret
from coming near us.
TO Mrs. Rushmore's amazement and Mar
garets surprise, Lady Maud made dead
set at kralinsky all that day, an attention
which he seemed to appreciate as it deserved.
Before breakfast was over, Van Iorp had re-
peated to her what kralinsky had said about
having formerly been intimate with Leven.
%rn1 cfafa or,fo ha
of operations for finding out just how much he
knew of her own life. She judged that IT he
was not Leven himself, he must soon betray
the fact by his ignorance
That was the strangest day she had ever
passed She found it very easy to talk with
kralinsky. as it always is when there has been
long familiarity, even if it has been only the
familiar intercourse of domestic discard He
knew many details of her life in London. That
was clear after half an hours conversation.
She alluded to the idle talk there had been
about her and Van Torp. krallnsky knew all
about that. and had heard, he said, some
silly story about Leven having found her with
the American in certain rooms IN the Temple.
and about an envelop which was SAID to have
contained over four thousand one hundred
pounds in banknotes. He politely secuted the
story as nonsense; but he had heard it, and
Lady Maud knew that every word OF 1t was
true He knew of Leven S unsuccessful attempt
to divorce her on that ground too. and knew
the number of her house on CharleS-St., Ber-
kelley Square.
On the other hand. there were many things
of which he knew nothing. or pretended to be
ignorant, such as the names of her brothers
and sisters. her fathers fayorite pursuits and
the like. But she understood very well that if
he thought she suspected his identity under
the disguise of his beard, and if he wished to
avoid recognition he was just the man to pre-
tend blank ignorance of some vital matters.
after admitting his acquaintance with many
others. He had been very intimate with Leven,
to the last, he said: Leven had always writ
ten to him very fully about his life: very wit
tily sometimes, but always without balance.
That was it: he had no balance" Yes he
himself had been in Petersburg when Leven
was killed. and had seen him on the previous
day. Within week he had made rapid trip
to New York, whence he had just
turned.
Il am naturally interested in meeting any
one that knew my husband well" Lady
Maud said making bold dash at possibility.
I'VE had many differences, you seem to
know: but l dare say that if he could come
back to life and know the real truth we should
forgive each other"
She looked up to him with gentle smile as
she said this for she had often felt it; and in
that instant flash of light came into his usu-
ally rather uncertain eyes Her heart stood
still. She looked at the sea again directly. for
she was leaning against the rail. then she drew
breath as if from an effort. She had seen a
look that could mean only recognition. Leven
IL. ~kx., 1~x-. l. D..A