The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-11-06
CHAPTER XIII,

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 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 it
was entirely decorated in pink and
gold
On the writing-table stood a 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 love
roses above all other fowers?" 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.
Bpective cabins. for Margaret hated
pink, and Lady Maud detested xild.
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, when
she saw quantity Of sweet wood vio-
lets on her table, just loosened, In an
old Murano glass beaker.
THANK you," she said. bending to
smell them. How kind of you!"
There was not trace of gliding or
pink silk. The cabin was paneled and
fitted in rare natural wood of a
creamy white tint.
beg pardon, my lady," said Stemp.
This and Miss Donne's cabin COM
municate by this door, and the door
aft goes to the dressing-room. Each
cabin has one quite independent, and
this bell rings the pantry, my lady,
and this one rings Miss Donne's
your ladyship has not brought her own
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 the
vessel, excepting the six-foot gangway
on each side, and as she was one Of
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 q
silver wine-cooler before the mirror.
"You really seem - know everything!
Thank you SO much!"
She buried her handsome face in the
splendid flowers and drew in deep.
warm breath, full Of their sensuous
perfume, the spicy scent of laden
clove-tree under tropical sun.
THANK you again." she said en-.
Enthusiastically. Thank you for every
thing, the delightful journey, and this
lovely room, and the carnations!"
She stood up suddenly to her height,
in sheer pleasure, and held out her
hand to him. He pressed 1t quietly.
and smiled.
do as you wouli be done BY" he
said. That's the oompany's rule"
She laughed at the allusion to their
agreement, of which Lady Maud knew
nothing, for they had determined to
keep it secret for the present.
MIR. Van Torp had not found an op-
portunlty 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?"
Eyes, sir. He get here this morn
ing from Vienna in his motor, sir, and
sent his things with his man, and his
compliments to you and the ladies'.
and he will come on board In time for
dinner. That was all, think, sir"
| Lady Maud heard, and made .
scarcely perceptible movement Of the
head by way of thanks to her friend,
while listening to Margare.t's enthusi-
astic praise of. everything she saw. Mr..