The Irish standard., 1909-10-23

seemed to be rather in his favor. At
all events he was frank, she thought.
He declared war on his rival, and
meant to fight according to the law of
nations Lady Maud would not be his
friend If he were playing any double
game, but she had stuck to him
throughout his trouble in the spring,
he had emerged victorious and rein
stated in public opinion, and she had
been right. Lady Maud knew him
better than any one else. and she
was a good woman, II there ever was
,ne.
Yet he had accused himself Of hav-
ing acted "meanly." Margaret did not
like the word, and threw up her head
as horse does when a beginner holds
on by the curb,
you need not make yourself out
worse than you are" she answered.
II want to start fair" said the mill
nonaire, land I'd rather your impress.
sion should improve than get worse.
The only real trouble with Lucifer
was he started too high up"
This singular statement was made
with perfect gravity, and without the
slightest humorous intention, but Mar
garet laughed for the first time that
day, in spite of the storm that was
Btill raging in the near distance of her
thoughts.
why do you laugh?" asked Ven
!Torp. TITS quite true. I don't want
to start too high up in your estfma-
ton and then be turned down as unfit
for the position at the end Of the
hrst week. Put me where I belong
and I won't disappoint you. Say
was doing something that wasn't ex-
actly low:down, considering the OBJ
ject, but that mightn't pass muster at
an honor parade, anyhow. And then
say that I've admitted the fact, If you
like, and that the better I know you
the less want to do anything mean.
It won't be hard for you to look at it
In that light, will it? And it'll give
me the position Of starting from the
line. Is that right?"
EYES," Margaret answered, smiling.
Slang right and English right! You
ask for fair field and no favor, and
you shall have it,
It'll go straight" Van Torp an
swered.
1T suppose Lady Maud will come.
won't she?" he asked suddenly, after
b short silence.
II hope so," Margaret said. IF not,
she will meet me In Paris, for she Of
fe1s to do that in her letter."
I'm staying on in this place be.
cause you said you didn't mind" OBJ
served. Van Torp. do you want me
to go away If sha arrives?"
= why should I? why shouldn't you
stay7"
"oh, don't know. I was only think
ing. Much obliged anyway, and I'll
certainly stay If you don't object. We
shall be quite party, shan't we?
What with us three, and Lady Maud
and Kralinsky there"
Mrs. Rushmore and Kralinsky had
stopped in their walk and were wait
ing for them. They quickened their
pace.
II thought perhaps this was far
enough" said Mrs. Rushmore. "Of
course could go on further, and it's
not your usual walk, my dear, but un.
less you mind"
Margaret did not mind, and said so
readily; whereupon Mrs. Rushmore
deliberately took Van Torp for her
companion on the way back.
I'm sure you won't object to walk
ing slowly" she said to him, "and
Miss Dome and the count can go as
fast as they like, for they are both
good walkers. I am sure you must
be great walker" she added, turning
to the Russian.
He smiled blandly and bent his
head little, as if he were acknowl-
edging a compliment. Van Torp
looked at him quietly.
II should have thought you were
more used to riding" said the Ameri.
can.
"Ah, yes!" The Indifferent answer
came in a peculiarly oily tone,
though the pronunciation was perfect.
IT was In the cavalry before I began
to travel. But walked over 1000
miles in Central Asia, and was none
the worse for it."
Margaret was sure that she was
mot going to like him, as she moved
on with him by her side; and Van
Torp, walking with Mrs. Rushmore,
was quite certain that he was Levi
Longlegs, who had herded cattle
with him for six months very long
ego.
CHAPTER TX.