The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-11-19

and spread motherly wing over her.
without the least idea that she was
rearing a valuable lyric nightingale
that would not long be content to trill
and Quayer unheard.
Immense and deserved success had
half reconciled the old lady to what
had happened. and after all Margaret
had not married an Italian tenor. q
Russian prince, or q Partisan com.
poser. the three shapes of man which
seemed the most dreadfully immoral
to Mrs. Rushmore. She would And II
easier to put up with Logotheu than
with one of those. though II was bad
enough to think OF her old friends
daughter marrying Greek instead of
a nice. clean Anglo-Saxon. like the
learned Mr.. Dome, the girls father.
or the good Mr.. Rushmore. her Ia.
mented husband. who had been an up.
right pillar Of the church In New
York. and the president OF q trust
company that could be trusted.
After all, though abe thought all
Greeks must be what she called de.
signing" the name OF Konstantin Lo-
gotheti was associated with every
thing that was most honorable In the
financial world. and this impressed
Mrs. Rnshmore very much.
logotheti was undoubtedly consid-
cred honest, and Mrs. Rushmore made
quite sure OF II, m well NJ OF the fact
that he had an immense fortune.
At Versailles. with Its memories OF
her earlier youth. the prima donna
wished to BIO Margaret Dome again.
and to forget for tho time that she
was the Cordoya. whose name was al.
ways first on the opera posters In New
York, London and Vienna.
She travelled incognito. That IA to
say. she had sent her first maid and
theatrical dresser Alphonsine to see
her relations In Nancy for a month,
and only brought the other with her;
she had. moreover, caused the state.
room on the channel boat to BIO taken
In the name OF Miss Dome. and she
brought no more luggage to Versailles
than could be piled on an ordinary
cart. whereas when she had last come
from New York her servants had
seen 81 pieces put on board the steam.
er, and hatbox had been missing
after all.
Mrs. Rushmore came out TO meet
her on the steps In the hot sunshine,
portly and kind as ever, and she ap-
piled an embrace which was affection.
ate. yet imposing.
my dearest child" she cried. Il
was sure l had not quite lost you
yeti"
Il hope you will never think you
have" Margaret answered. almost
quite in her girlish voice OF old.
She was very glad To come back. As
soon as they were alone In the cool
drawing room. Mrs. Rushmore asked
her about her engagement In tone OF
profound concern. rs though IL were
a grave bodily ailment which might
turn out to be fatal.
Don't take II so seriously" Marga.
ret answered with n little laugh; I'm
not married yeti"
The elderly face frightened.
do you mean TO say thnt-that
there Ii any hope?" she asked eagerly.
Margaret laughed now. but In q gen.
tie and aiYectionate sort OF way.
Perhaps. Just 4 little! But don't
ask me. please. I've come home to
forget everything for few weeks"
THANK heaven!" calculated MIRA
Rushmore In q tone OF deep relief.
Then if-if he should call this after
noon, or even to-morrow-may l tell
them to say that you are out?"
She was losing no time: and Marga,
ret laughed again. though she put her
head a little on one side with an or.
preston OF doubt.
Il can't refuse to see him.. she said.
though really | would much rather
be alone with You for day or two"
MY darling child" cried Mrs. Rush.
more. applying another embrace. you
shall! Leave 1t To mel"
Mrs. Rushmore's delight was touch.
Ing, for she could almost feel that
Margaret had come to see her quite
for her own sake. whereas she had
the great artist. spending most OF her
time In carrying ON inaudible CONVEX
sations with Logotheti under tho trees
In the lawn. or In the most remote
corners Of the drawing room: for that
had been the accepted method Of
courtship In Mrs. Rushmore's young
days. and she was quite ignorant OF
the changes that had taken place since
then.
Half an hour later. Margaret was
In her old room upstairs writing q let
ter. and Mrs. Rushmore had given
strict orders that until further notice
Miss Dome was mot at home" for
any one at all. no matter who might
call.
When the letter already covered ten
pages. Margaret laid down her pen
and without the least pause or hesitar
ton tore the sheets to tiny bits. ink
ing her fingers In the process because
the last one Was not yet dry.
What n wicked v0man / amt. .ha