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

foot | gave her that fellows ad-
dress in New York" He nodded to-
wards Kralinsky. when l found he
was here, l wired Logotheti to tell
her, since she's after him. I suppose
thought Logotheti would go right
away and find her, and get more
mixed up with her than ever. 1t was
mean of me, wasn't it? That's why
I've told you. You see, I didn't know
anything about all this, and that
makes it meaner still, doesn't it?"
Possibly if he had told her these
facts 4S hours earlier she might have
been annoyed, but at present they
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, if there ever was
one.
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 beginner holds
on by the curb.
You need not make yourself out
worse than you are" she answered.
81 want to start fair" said the mill
lionaire, 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
still raging in the near distance Of her
| thoughts.
why do you laugh?" asked Van
| Torp. Its quite true. l don't want
to start too high up in your estima-
ton and then be turned down as unfit
for the position at the end of the
first week. Put me where belong
and l 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
IN honor parade, anyhow. And then
say that I've admitted the fact, if you
like, and that the better l know you
| the less | want to do anything mean
1t won't be hard for you to look at ii
in that light, will it? And it'll give
me the position of starting from the
line. Is that right?"
Yes" Margaret answered, smiling
Slang right and English right YOU
ask for a fair field and no favor, anG
you shall have it."
I'll go straight" Van Torp an
swered.
Il suppose Lady Maud will come
won't she?" he asked suddenly, aftel
a short silence.
81 hope So" Margaret said. IF not
she will meet me in Paris, for she of
fers to do that in her letter."
|
cause you said you didn't mind" oh
served Van Torp. do you want m,
to go away If she arrives"
why should 1? Why shouldn't yol
stay?"
"Oh, | don't know. | was only think
ing. Much obliged anyway, and II
certainly stay if you don't object. w
shall be quite party, shan't we
What with us three, and Lady Mau
and Kralinsky there"
Mrs. Rushmore and Kralinsky ha
stopped in their walk and were wal
ing for them. They quickened thei
pace.
Il thought perhaps this was ia
enough" said Mrs. Rushmore. 20
course | could go on further, and it
not your usual walk. my dear, but vi
less you mind"
Margaret did not mind, and said S
readily; whereupon Mrs. Rushmor
deliberately took Van Torp for he
companion on the way back
I'm sure you won't object to wall
ing slowly" she said to him, IAN
Miss Dome and the count can go a
fast as they like, for they are bot
good walkers. l am sure you mus
be a great walker" she added, turnin
to the Russian.
He smiled blandly and bent hi
head a little, as If he were acknow
edging a compliment Van Tor