The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-14

elder lady, speaking for both.
Mr.. Van Torp introduced the count
to Mrs. Rushmore and then to Mar
garet, calling her Miss Donne," and
she saw that the man was handsome
as well as tall and strong. He had
magnificent golden beard, a clear
complexion, and rather uncertain blue
eyes, In one of which he wore a sim
gle eyeglass without a string. He
was quietly dressed and wore no Jew
elry, excepting one ring, in which
blazed a large "tallow-topped" ruby.
He had the unmistakable air of a man
Of the world, and was perfectly at his
ease. When he raised his straw hat
he disclosed very white forehead,
and short, thick fair hair. There was
NO sign of approaching middle age in
his face or figure, but Margaret felt,
or guessed, that he was older than he
looked
In her stiffly correct French, Mrs.
RushmOre said that she was en-
chanted to make his acquaintance,
and Margaret murmured sweetly but
unintelligibly.
"The count speaks English perfect
~" observed Mr.. Van Torp.
He ranged himself beside Margaret,
leaving the foreigner to Mrs. Rush
more, much to her qualification.
1--WE were going to walk" she said
"Will you join us?" And she moved on.
1T is great pleasure to meet you,"
Krp 1iOcltv cat1 nv NOV re opap;y,cy tho
conversation. 81 have often heard
of you from friends in Paris. Your
| little dinners at Versailles are ia
nous all over Europe. l am sure we
| have many mutual friends, though
you may never have heard my name"
Mrs. Rushmore was visibly pleased,
and as the way was not very wide,
Margaret and Van Torp dropped be-
hind. They soon heard the other two
enumerating their acquaintance. Kra-
linsky was surprised at the number
OF Mrs. Rushmore's friends, but the
count seemed to know everybody,
from all the grand dukes and arch
dukes in Russia, Germany, and Aus
tria. to the author of the latest sue
cessful play in Paris, and the man of
science who had discovered how to
cure govt by radium. Kralinsky had
done the cure, seen the play, and dined
with the royalties within the last few
weeks. Mrs. Rushmore thought him
one Of the most charming men she
had ever met.
In the rear Mr.. Van Torp and the
prima donna were not talking; but
he looked at her, she looked at him
they both looked at Kralinsky's back
and then they once more looked al
each other and nodded; which meant
that Van Torp had recognized the
man he had met selling rubies in New
York, and that Margaret understood
this.
I'll tell you something else that's
quite funny, if you don't mind drop
ping little further behind" he said
Margaret walked still more slowly
till a dozen PAGES separated then
from the other two
What is it?" she asked in a low
tone.
81 believe he's my old friend from
whom I learned to whistle 'Parsifal,'
answered the American. I'm pretty
sure Of 1t, in spite of a good many
years and a beard-two things tina
change a man. See his walk? Sc,
how he turns his toes in? Most COW
boys walk like that"
How very odd that you SHOULD
meet again!" Margaret was surprised
but not deeply interested by this new
development
We'll" said Van Torp thoughtful
ly, IF I'd known l was going to NEE
him somewhere, I'd have said thi
was as likely place as any to fin,
him in, now that I know what it wa
he whistled. But l admit that tn
other matter has more in it. l Won
der what would happen If aske,
him about Miss Barrack?"
Nothing" Margaret answered cor
fidently. Nothing would happen. H
has never heard of her"
Van Torp's sharp eyes tried in val
to penetrate the veil.
That's not quite clear" he oil
served. "Or else this isn't my goo
day"
"The girl fooled you," said Margs
ret in low voice. Did she mentio
, his name to you?"
well no
"She never saw him in her life, Q
+ If she ever did, it was she who robbie
l him of rubies; and it was not the oil
er way, as you supposed. Men ar
generally inclined to believe what
i nice-looking girl tells them!"
+ That's true" Van Torp admitte,
4 But all the same, don't quite unde
I stand you. There's a meaning in 20,
Q voice that's not in the words. Excus
y me If I'm not quick enough this NOR
ing, please. I'm doing my best"
l. Your friend Baraka has been a
o rested and sent to prison in Londc
r for stealing very valuable rut
from the counter in Pinney's," Marg
= ret explained The stone had ju
r been taken there by Mons. Logothe
d to be cut. The girl must have fl
e lowed him without his knowing
and watched her chance, though he
It old Pinney can have left such a thil
$, lying on the counter where any Oh