The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-11

sary that she should see IOgotheti
directly, and bade him answer at
once, If he could come to Bayreuth:
II important financial affairs hindered
him, she herself would return Inn
mediately to Paris to see him.
She was careful to write financial
affairs, for she would not admit that
any other consideration could delay
his obedience. While she was busy
she heard, but scarcely noticed, an
unearthly~ ~hoot from big motor car
that was passing before the hotel.
There must have been something in
the way, for the thing hooted again
almost at once, and then several
times in quick succession, as If gi.
gantic brazen ass were beginning to
bray Just under the window. The
noises ended in. sort of wild, tri.
umphant howl, with furious putting,
and the motor took itself off, just as
Margaret finished.
She looked up and saw Lady Maud
half bent, as if she had been struck;
she was clinging with one hand to the
flimsy chintz curtain, and her face
was as white as a sheet. Margaret
started in surprise, and rose to her
feet so suddenly that she upset the
chair again.
What has happened?" she cried.
Are you ill, dear?'
The delicate color came slowly back
to the smooth cheeks, the thorough
bred figure in black drew itself up
with elastic dignity, and the hand let
go of the curtain.
81 felt a little faint" Lady Maud an
swered. did frighten you? 1t was
nothing, and it's quite gone, I assure
you"
you looked dreadfully i'll for a mo-
ment," Margaret said in a tone Of
concern. Wont you let me send for
something? Tea? Or something
iced? I'm sure you have had nothing
to eat or drink for hours! How dis
gracefully thoughtless of me!"
She was just going to ring, but her
friend stopped her.
"No-please" she cried. I'm all
right, indeed am. The room is lit
tie warm, I think, and I've been shut
up in that stuffy train for 80 hours.
Have you written your telegram? I'll
put on my hat at once, and take it for
you. The little walk will do me good.
Where is the telegraph? But they can
tell me downstairs. Don't bother!
Walking always brings me round, no
matter what has happened"
She spoke nervously, in disjointed
nh in,
there was generally an air of easy
calm in all she did, as if nothing
really mattered in the least, save
when she was deeply interested; and
hardly anything interested her now
except what she had made her work.
In all that belonged to that, she was
energetic, direct and quick.
Margaret was sure that something
was wrong, but let her go, since she
| insisted, and Lady Maud folded the
| written message and went to the door.
Just as she was going to turn the
! handle Margaret spoke to her.
. "If I have no answer to that by
tomorrow afternoon I shall accept
Mr.. Van Torp's invitation"
"I hope you will CO." Lady Maud
said with sudden decision, "for if you
do, I can go with you, and I'm dying
to see the new yacht"
Margaret looked at her in surprise,
for it was only little while since she
had seemed much less ready. to join
the party, and only willing to do so, if
at all, in order to please her friend.
She saw Margaret's expression.
EYES," she said, as if in explanation,
1--WE been thinking it over in the last
few minutes, and 1 want very much
to 60 with you all. shall be back in
less than an hour"
can hour?"
"say half an hour. I want a good
walk"
Straight and tall in her mourning,
Lady Maud went down the stairs of
the hotel. AS she was going out the
hall porter raised his cap, and she
stopped a moment and asked him
| which was the nearest way to the
telegraph Office. He stood on the
doorstep and pointed in the direction
she was to follow as he answered her
question:.
Can you tell me-" she asked,
whose motor car it was that passed
| about ten minutes ago, and made so
| much nOise?'
Count Kralinsky's, my lady" the
porter answered; for he spoke good
English, and had the true hotel por-
ter's respect for the British aristoc-
racy abroad. ~
HE was the gentleman with the
big fair beard, l suppose? Yes, thank
you"
She went out into the dull street,
| with its monotonous houses, all two
| stories high, and she soon found the
telegraph Office and sent Margaret's
duplicate message. She had not
| glanced at it, but the clerk asked her
| ,...;-., "a