Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-22
COPN0/oN.

theft was going all the way round to
the Mediterranean on his yacht with
some one for company, and that the
Voyage was long one. After what
Lady Maud had said, there was not
1.-THE least doubt in her mind rs to his
companion, who could be no one but
;Baraka. He had been told that he
was not wanted at Bayreuth, and he
was celebrating the sunset of his
bachelor life in his own way. That
was clear. II he received the tele-
gram that had Just been sent to him.
he would get it at Gibraltar, should
he stop there, and as for answering 1t
before Margaret left Bayreuth, she
vas inclined to make such thing i'm
possible by going away the next morn.
ng, II not that very night.
Her angry reflections and Mrs.
Rushmores lecture on the Importance
Of geography IN education were inter-
4fupted by the discreet entrance of MI.
Van Torp. who, was announced and
ushered to the door by Justine in a
grand French manner. On the TIRES
hold, however, he stood still and asked
1t he might come in: being pressed to
do so, he yielded. advanced. and sat
down between the two ladies.
"Mr. Van Torp." said Mrs. Rush
more. II insist upon knowing what
has become Of Countess Leven.'
Il don't know, Mrs. Rushmore," an
swered the millionaire. slowly rubbing
his hands. II haven't spoken to her
since brought her from the station.
] dare say she's all right. She's prob
ably gone to take q walk. She often
does In the country, I hnow-her f.
theirs country seat is next to mine.
Mrs. Rushmore. hope you'll pay
me visit some day. Why, yes, Lady
Maud sometimes goes OF alone and
walks miles and miles"
There, Margaret" said Mrs. Rash.
more tFiumphantly. what did I tell
your Mr.. Van Torp says the countess
often walks for miles and miles,"
why. certainly" said Mr.. Van
Torp. though I'm bound to say she's
just as fond OF horseback. Her friends
generally call her Lady Maud, Mrs.
Rushmore. Perhaps you won't mind
my telling you. as she prefers 1t
good deal herself. You see, I've had
the pleasure Of knowing her several
years. so daresay you'll forgive me
for mentioning It."
Il think it il quite kind OF you, on
the contrary" answered Mrs Rush
more. Margaret, why did you never
tell me Of this? Had you any reason
for not telling me?"
II don't think I noticed what you
called her." Margaret answered pa
tiently.
Because II you had any reason"
said Mrs. Rushmore, following her
own thoughts, II insist upon knowing
what it was"
We'll, now, I'll tell you," rejoined
Mr.. Van Torp, to save Margaret the
trouble Of answering the futile little
speech. her husband didn't treat her
very well. There's not purer wom-
an in the six continents, Mrs. Rush
more, but he tried to divorce her be-
cause he'd lost his money, II he ever
had any, and she had none, and he
wanted to marry an heiress. How.
ever, they automoblized him, OF some
thing, in st. Petersburg last June"
"Auto-what did you say?" inquired
Mrs. Rushmore.
Killed by an automobile" ex-
planned Mr.. Van Torp gravely. "But
now / come to think, 1t wasn't that.
He got blown up by bomb meant for
better man. 1t was quite instantan-
eous, I recollect. His head disap-
peared suddenly, and the greater part
OF him was scattered around, but
they found his pocket-book with his
cards and things, so they knew who
1t was. 1t was driven through some
body else's hat on the other side of
the street, wasn't it. Miss Dome?
Things must have been quite lively
Just then, where it happened. I SUD.
posed you knew"
Mrs. Rushmore explained that she
had never heard any details.
Besides" said Mr.. Van Torp, In an.
swer, though not quite relevantly.
everybody always calls her Lady
Maud instead of Countess Leyen.'
which she has on her cards."
She would naturally use the higher
title" observed Mrs. Rushmore rev.
erently.
Well. now, about that" objected
Mr.. Van Torp, I'm bound to say
think the daughter of an English earl
as good as a Russian count, anywhere
west OF Siberia. don't know how
they figure those things out at courts
when they have to balance 'em up for
seats at dinner party, of course.
It's Just my impression, that's all, as
business man. He's dead, anyway.
and one needn't make personal re.
marks about dead men. All the same.
1t was happy release for Lady Maud.
and doubt If she sits up all night
mourning for him. Have you been
out this afternoon, Miss Donne?"
He changed the subject with az.
IRENE directness, and Mrs. Rushmore.
who was used to the dictatorial wavs
OF lions. took the hint submissiyely
enough, though she would have heen
glad to discuss the relative and In.
trinsic values Of the designations
Lady Maud" AID Countess Levenn
But it was much more important that
the Hon should be left alone with
Margaret as much as possible. and the
excellent lady therefore remembered
that she had something 10 do and lett
them.
4 had little talk with Kralinslv
before he left" said Van Torn. when
she was gone. HE says he'll meet
lla In Vpnico any fi,,,o q, ~ .-.a.-0-