The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-30

Ing 10 SpenQ Lnc next TWO Gays mere
and if am to let you see me-"
Il promise" Van Torp answered
without hesitation.
She allowed herself the illusion that
she had both done the right thing
and also taken the position of com
mand; and he, standing beside her
allowed himself to smile at the fulfill
ty of what she was requiring of him
with so much earnestness, for little
as he knew of women's ways he was
more than sure that the words he
had spoken that night would come
back to her again and again; and more
than that he could not hope at pres.
ent But she could not see his face
clearly.
Thank you," she said. THAT shall
be our compact"
To his surprise, she held out Der
hand He took it with wonderful calm
ness, considering what the touch
meant to him, and he returned de
creetly what was meant for q friendly
pressure She was so we'll satisfied
now that she did not think It ueces-
sary to telegraph to Logothet that
he might start at once, though even
| II she had done so Immediately he
| could hardly have reached Bayreuth
till the afternoon of the next day but
one, when the last performance of
"Parsifal" would be already going on;
and she herself intended to leave on
the morning after that.
She walked forward in silence for
few moments, and the lights of the
town grew quickly brighter.
"You will come in and have some
supper with US, of course" she said
presently.
why, certainly, since you are so
kind" answered Van Torp.
Il feel responsible for your having
forgotten to dine," she laughed. II
must make it up to you By this time
Mrs. Rushmore is probably wondering
where am"
WELL" said the American, "if she
thinks I'm perfection, she knows that
you're safe with me, l suppose. even
If you do come home little late"
Il shall say that we walked home
very slowly, in order to breathe the
air."
"Yes. We've walked home very
slowly"
Il mean," said Margaret quickly,
that I shall not say we have been
out towards the fields, as far as the
gate"
81 don't see any harm if we have"
observed Mr.. Van Torp indifferently.
Harm? No! Don't you under
stand? Mrs. Rushmore is quite cap
able of thinking that have already
how shall l say?"-she stopped.
Taken note of her good advice"
he said, completing the sentence for
her
Exactly! Whereas nothing could
be further from my intention, as you
know. I'm very fond of Mrs. Rush
more" Margaret continued quickly, in
order to get away from the danger
GUS subject she had felt obliged to
approach; "she has been a mother to
me, and heaven knows I needed one,
and she has the best and kindest
heart in the world. But she is so anx-
ious for my happiness that, whenever
she thinks it is at stake, she rushes
at conclusions without the slightest
reason, and then it's very hard to get
them out of her dear old head!"
II see. If that's why she thinks me
perfection, I'll try not to disappoint
her"
They reached the hotel, went up
stairs and separated on the landing to
get ready for supper
On his side of the landing, Mr.. Van
Torp found Stemp waiting to dress
him, and the valet handed him a tele-
gram. It was from Capt Brown, and
had been photographed from London
Anchored of Saint Marks square
to-day, $3.50 p. m. Quick passage. No
stop. Coaling tomorrow. Ready for
sea next morning"
"Stemp," he asked, as he threw off
his coat and kicked of his dusty
shoes, were you ever sea-sick?"
"Yes, sir" answered the admirable
valet, but he offered no more informa-
ton on the subject.
During the silence that followed,
neither wasted second. 1t is no joke
to wash and get into evening dress in
six minutes, even with the help of a
body-servant trained to do his work
at high speed.
II mean," said Van Torp, when he
was already fastening his collar, "are
YOU sea-sick nowadays?"
mo, SIR" replied Stemp, in precise
ly the same tone as before.
Il don't mean on 20,000-ton liner.
Black cravat. Yes. I mean on a
yacht. Fix it behind. Right. Would
you be sea-sick on a steam yacht?"
mo, SIR"
"Sure?"
"Yes, sir"
Then I'll take you. Tuxedo"
Thank you, sir"
Stemp held up the dinner-jacket,
Mr.. Van Torp's solid arms slipped
into the sleeves, he shook his sturdy
shoulders, and pulled the Jacket down
in front while the valet settled" the
back. Then he faced round suddenly,
like a soldier at drill.
"All right?" he inquired.
otemp looked him over carefully