Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-24
CHAPTER XIII.

The millionaire did things hand
somely. He offered to motor his party
to Venice, and as Margaret declined.
because motoring was bad for her
voice, he telegraphed for a comfort
able special carriage, and took his
friends down by railroad, and they
were all very luxuriously comfortable.
Kralinsky was not on board the
yacht when they came alongside at
sunset in two gondolas, following the
steam-launch, which carried the load
of luggage and the two maids.
Stemp led the way, and Mr.. Van
Torp took the three ladies to their
cabins; first, Mrs Rushmore, who was
surprised and delighted by the rich
and gay appearance of hers, for 1t
was entirely decorated in pink and
gold.
On the writing-table stood tall.
gilt vase full Of immense pink roses.
with stems nearer four feet long than
three. Mrs. Rushmore admired them
very much.
How did you know that I love
roses above all other flowers?" she
asked. MY dear Mr.. Van Torp, you
are wizard, Pm sure!"
Lady Maud and Margaret entered,
and kept up polite little chorus of
admiration; but they both felt uneasy
as to what they might find in their re-
spective cabins, for Margaret hated
pink, and Lady Maud detested gild.
ing, and neither Of them was especial
ly fond of roses. They left Mrs. Rush
more very happy in her quarters and
went on. Lady Maud's turn came next
and she began to understand, wher
she saw quantity of sweet wood VIC
lets on her table, just loosened, in ar
old MuranoN glass beaker.
Thank you," she said, bending tt
smell them. How kind of you!"
There was not trace of gliding OF
pink silk. The cabin was paneled an6
fitted in rare natural wood of 8
creamy-white tint.
Beg pardon. my lady" said Stemp
This and Miss Donne's cabin com
municate by this door. and the doc,
aft goes to the dnessing-room. Each
cabin has one quite independent, anG
this bell rings the pantry, my lady
and this one rings Miss Donne's
maids cabin, as l understand that
your ladyship has not brought her owr
maid with her,
Very nice" said Lady Maud, smell
ing the violets again.
Stemp threw open the door Of com
munication to the cabin he had pre-
pared for the prima donna. The two
cabins occupied the whole beam of tn.
vessel, excepting the six-foot gangwa,
on each side, and as she was one o
the largest yachts afloat at the time
there was no lack Of room.
Carnations. at this time of year!
cried Margaret, seeing half an arm
full of her favorite dark red ones, in F;
silver wine-cooler before the mirror
you really seem to know everything
Thank you so much!"
She buried her handsome face in ths
splendid flowers and drew in a deep
warm breath, full of their sensuou.
perfume, the spicy scent of a lade1
clove-tree under a tropical sun.
Thank you again!" she said en-
Enthusiastically. THANK you for every
thing. the delightful journey, and thi:
lovely room, and the earnations!"
She stood up suddenly to her height
in sheer plea~ure, and held out he,
hand to him. He pressed it quietly
and smiled.
do as you would be done by" h.
said. "That's the company's rule"
She laughed at the allusion to theil
agreement, Of which Lady Maud knew
nothing, for they had determined tt
keep 1t secret for the present.
Mr.. Van Torp had not found an op
portunity Of speaking to Lady Maud
alone. but he wished her to know
when Kralinsky might be expected.
"stemp." he said. before leaving the
cabin, have you heard from the
count?"
Yes. sir. He got here this morn
ing from Vienna In his motor, sir, ant
sent his things with his man, and his
compliments to you and the ladies
and he will come on board in time fol
dinner. That was all. l think. SIR"
Lady Maud heard, and made 6
scarcely perceptible movement of the
head by way Of thanks to her friend
while listening to Margaret's enthusi
astic praise Of everything she saw. Mr.
Van Torp and his man departed, just
as Potts appeared, accompanied by a
very neat-looking English stewardess
In smart white cap. Lady Maud was
unusually silent, but she smiled pleas.
antly at what Margaret said, and the
latter made up her mind to drown her
anger against Logotheti. and at the
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