The state herald., 1909-12-17
81 II DINA'S RIJBM

street, waiting for orders"
"Stemp," said Mr.. Van Torp, 'Td
been whistling myself. before you
came in, and the lunatic in the next
room had already been fussing about
1t. It's my fault"
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir"
And 1t will be my fault If we have
to sleep in cab tonight"
The door opened while he was
speaking. and Margaret heard the last
words as she entered the room.
I'm sorry" she said, 81 thought you
had finished. could not help hear.
ing what you said about sleeping in
cab. That's nonsense, you know"
Well" said Mr.. Van Torp, they've
Just turned us out of the one room we
had because ! whistled 'Parsifal out
Of tune
You didn't whistle 1t out of tune"
Margaret answered, to Stemps great
but well-concealed astonishment. II
know better Please have your things
brought here at once"
"Here?' repeated Mr.. Van Torp,
surprised in his turn.
Yes" she answered, in tone that
forestalled contradiction. IF nothing
else can be had you shall have this
room. l can do without it."
You're kindness itself, but |
couldn't do that" said Mr.. Van Torp.
Bring our things to this hotel. any.
way. Stemp. and wen see what hap
pens"
Yes, SIR"
Stemp disappeared at once. and his
master turned to Margaret again.
Nothing will induce me to put you
to such inconvenience" he said, and
his tone was quite as decided as hers
had been
She smiled.
Nothing will induce me to let
friend of mine be driven from pillar
to post for lodging while I have
plenty of room to spare,"
You're very, very kind, but"
But the mouse may turn into a
tiger If you contradict it," she said
with a light laugh that thrilled him
with delight. 81 remember your de-
scription of the Tartar girl"
We'll, then, / suppose the hyena
will have to turn into small woolly
lamb If you tell him to-" answered
Mr.. Torp.
Yes" laughed Margaret "Be n
small, woolly lamb at once, please, a
very small one!"
"knee-high to kitten; certainly"
replied the millionaire submissively.
Very well. I'll take you with me
to hear 'Parsifal' tomorrow. II you
obey. I've Just asked Mrs. Rushmore
II makes any difference to her, and
she has confessed that she would
rather not go again. for it tires her
dreadfully and gives her headache.
You shall have her seat What is It?
Don't you want to go with me?"
Mr.. Van Torp's face had hardened
TIL 1t looked like mask. he stared
firmly at the wall, and his lips were
set tightly together. Margaret gazed
at him In surprise while he spoke
have counted ten. Then he spoke
slowly. with evident effort. and In an
odd voice.
Excuse me. Miss Donne." he said,
swapping his words out. I'm SO crate.
ful that | can't speak. that's all. It'll
be all right In second"
A huge emotion had got hold Of
him. She saw the red flush rise sud.
denly above his collar. and then sink
back before It reached his cheeks,
ana all at once he was very pale. But
not muscle OF his face moved. not
line was drawn: only his sandy eye.
lashes quivered little. His hands
were thrust deep into the pockets of
his jacket. but the fingers were mo-
tionless.
Margaret remembered how he had
told her more than once that she was
the only woman the world held for
him. and she had thought II was non.
sense. rather vulgarly and clumslly
expressed by man who was not
much better than an animal where
women were concerned.
]: flashed upon her at last that what
he had said was literally true. that
she had misjudged an extraordinary
man altogether. as many people did,
and that she was indeed the only
woman In the whole world who could
master and dominate one whom many
feared and hated. and whom she had
herself once detestcd beyond words.
While these thoughts were disturb.
Ing her n little, Mr.. Van Torp recoy.
cred himself: his features relaxed. his
hands came out OF his pockets. and
he slowly turned towards her.
II hope you don't think me rude"
he said nwkwardly. II feel things
good deal sometimes. though people
mightn't believe H."
They were stlll standing near to-
gethor. and not far from the door
through which Margaret had entered.
IT'S never rude 10 be grateful. even
for small things" she answered
gently.
Her handsome head was n little
bent. and her eyes were turned TO the
noor M she passed him going TO tho
door.