The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-11


obliged to read 1t through. It occurred
to her that 1t was couched in extreme
ly peremptory terms, even for an Of
Tended bride-elect; but that was none
of her business.
She resumed her walk, not knowing
whittier and not caring, always at the
same even pace, and hardly noticing
the people who passed her, of whom
good many were in two-horse cabs,
some in queer little German motors,
and few on foot; and she thought,
and wondered, and tried to under.
stand, but could not. At all events,
she was glad to be alone; she was
glad not to have even Van Torp with
her, and she was quite Indifferent to
that Margaret was beginning to won
der where in the world she was.
"My dear child" Mrs. Rushmore
said, when the prima donna expressed
her surprise, those English people
are all alike, when they are once out
on a road by themselves They must
take long walk. They never know
when to stop walking. I cannot un-
derstand what they can see in it. Per-
haps you will kindly touch the bell,
my dear, and will send the tea away.
1t can be brought fresh for her when
she comes. Thank you, Margaret.
| But she will not come in till it is just
| time to dress for dinner. Mark my
( words, my child, the countess will be
late for dinner. All English people
| are. Have you heard from Mons. Lo-
gotheti today"
"Not to-day" Margaret answered,
| repressing little start, for she was
as near to being nervous as she ever
was, and she was thinking of him just
then, and the question had come sud-
denly.
81 think it is time you heard from
him." said Mrs. Rushmore, her natur
al severity asserting itself. 81 should
think that after those very strange
stories in the papers he would write
to you and explain, or come himself.
By the by, perhaps you will kindly
pass me the Herald, my dear What
did you once tell me was the name of
his yacht?"
"The Erinna," Margaret answered,
handing Mrs. Rushmore the sheet
Exactly! think that means the
Fury"
"He told me it was the name of a
Greek poetess," Margaret observed.
"On account of her temper, 1 sup
pose," answered the good lady ab-
sently, for she was looking up and
down the columns in search of some
thing she had already seen. Here
it isl" she said. 1T is under the
yachting news. Cape Ffnisterre.
Passed at p. m, going south, steam
yacht Erinna, with owner and party
on board. All we'll My dear child, it
is quite clear that if this is Mons Lo-
gotheti's yacht, he is going to Glib
raltar."
81 don't know anything about geog-
raphy," Margaret said, and her wrath,
which had been smouldering sullenly
for days, began to glow again.
Margaret" said Mrs. Rushmore,
you surprise me! You were very
we'll taught"
But the prima donna did not hear
the long TRADE of mild reproof that
| followed. She knew we'll enough
where Gibraltar was, and that Logo
theft was going all the way round to
the Mediterranean on his yacht with
some one for company, and that the
voyage was long one. After what
Lady Maud had said, there was not
the least doubt in her mind as to his
companion, who could be no one but
Baraka. He had been told that he
was not wanted at Bayreuth, and he
was celebrating the sunset of his
bachelor life in his own way. That
was clear. If he received the tele-
gram that had just been sent to him,
he would get it at Gibraltar, should
he stop there, and as for answering it
before Margaret left Bayreuth, she
was inclined to make such thing i'm
possible by going away the next morn
ing, if not that very night
Her angry reflections and Mrs.
Rushmore's lecture on the Importance
of geography in education were inter.
rupted by the discreet entrance of Mr.
Van Torp, who was announced and
ushered to the door by Justine in q
grand French manner. On the thres'
hold, however, he stood still and asked
II he might come in; being pressed to
do so, he yielded, advanced, and sat
down between the two ladies'
"Mr. Van Torp," said Mrs. Rush
more, Il insist upon knowing what
has become of Countess Leven.'
'T don't know, Mrs. Rushmore," an.
swered the millionaire, slowly rubbing
his hands. Il haven't spoken to her
| since l brought her from the station.
dare say she's all right She's prob.
ably gone to take a walk. She often
does in the country, I know-her ia.
ther's country seat is next to mine,
Mrs. Rushmore. hope you'll pay
me visit some day. Why, yes, Lady
Maud sometimes goes off alone and
walks miles and miles,"
There, Margaret" said Mrs. Rush
more triumphantly, what did 1 tell
you? Mr.. Van Torp says the countess
often walks for miles and miles"
why, certainly" said Mr.. Van
Torp. though I'm bound to say she's
..<.A g. - - l.