The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-25

vas-Dacks, and terrapin done In the
Philadelphia manner, which she
maintained to be vastly superior to
the Baltimorian; and each listened to
the other with real interest.
Van Torp and Margaret had not
been alone together for five minutes
since they had left Bayreuth on the
previous day, but instead of talking,
after Lady Maud was gone, the prima
donna began to sing very softly and
beautifully-nothing grand nor very
difdcult; not the waltz-song that had
made her famous, nor the Good Fri
day" music which she could never
sing to the world. but sweet old me-
lodious songs she had learned when
girl; Shubert's "Serenade" and ave
Maria," and Tosti's Malta" and then
Beethoven's "Adelaide;" and Van
Torp was silent and perfectly happy,
as well he might be.
When she bid Van Torp goodnight
she pressed his hand frankly, as she
had never done before, but he took
no sudden advantage of what he felt
In her touch. and he returned the
pressure so discreetly that she was
almost disappointed, though not quite,
for there was just little something
more than usual there.
She did not disturb Lady Maud.
either, when she went to her cabin,
though If she had known that her
beautiful neighbor was wide awake
and restless, she would at least have
said goodnight and asked her If she
was still so very tired.
But Lady Maud slept, too, at last,
though not very long, and was the
only one who appeared at breakfast
to keep Van Torp company, for Mar.
garet slept the sleep of a singer,
which is deep and long as that of the
healthy dormouse, and Mrs. Rush.
more had her first tea and toast hap
PLY in her cheerful surroundings of
pink and gliding. AS for Kralinsky,
his man informed Stemp and the chief
steward that the count never thought
of getting up till between nine and
ten o'clock, when he took a cup of
chocolate and a slice or two of sponge
cake in his own room before dressing.
So Lady Maud and Van Torp had the
yacht to themselves for some time
that morning
Il fancy from what you said last
night that your plan is to catch Lo-
gotheti and the Tartar girl at sea-
said Lady Maud, when they were
alone.
Il supposed you'd understand" an
'swered Van Torp. do you see any
harm in that? 1t occurred to me that
It might be quite drastic form OF
demonstration. How does it strike
you? At all low-down?"
mo, frankly hot!" Lady Maud was
still incensed at Logothetis conduct.
"a man who does such things de-
serves anything that his rival can do
to him. l hope you may overhaul the
yacht, runalongside of her and show
Margaret the two, making love to
each other in Tartar on deck! That's
the least that ought to happen to
him."
Thank you. like to hear you talk
like that. Capt. Brown will do his
level best, think. And now, tell me" !"
he lowered his voice a little more,
rs that man Leven, or not?"
Il am sure he is" Lady Maud an
swered, land yet feel as if there ought
to be a little doubt still. l don't know
how to express 1t, for it's rather an
odd sensation"
Il should think 1t might be! Is
there anything 1 can say or do? I'll
ask the man any question you sug-
gest. I'm certain he's not old Levi
Longlegs, and if he's not Leven, who
on earth is he? That's what 1 should
like to know"
Il shall find out, never fear! l
know l shall, because must, if l am
ever to have any peace again. I'm not
very nervous person, you know, am
1? But it's more than l can bear long,
to sit opposite a man at table, again
and again, as 1 shall have to, and not
be sure whether he's my husband,
come back from the dead, or some
one else!" She paused, and her nos
trils dilated a little, but Van Torp
only nodded slowly and sympathetic
ally. Il mean to know before 1 go to
bed tonight" she said, with little
desperation in her voice. 81 shall talk
to him till am sure of one thing or
the other. At table, 1 cannot tell, but
If we are alone together 1 know I can
settle the question. If you see that
we are talking at the other end of
the deck, try to keep Mrs. Rushmore
and Margaret from coming near US.
Will your"
To Mrs. Rushmore's amazement
and Margaret's surprise, Lady Maud
made dead set at Kralinsky all that
day, an attention which he seemed
to appreciate as 1t deserved. Before
breakfast was over, Van Torp had re-
peated to her what Kralinsky had
said about having formerly been in
innate with Leven, and Lady Maud
took this statement as a basis of op-
erations for finding out just how much
he knew of her own life; she judged
that If he were not Leven himself, he
must soon betray the fact by his igno-
rance.
That was the strangest day she had
ever passed. She found 1t very easy
to talk to Kralinsky, as it always is
when there has been long familiarity,
even If it has been only the familiar
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