The state herald., 1910-02-25


lodious songs she had learned when
n girl; Shubert's "Serenade" and Ave
Maria." and Tosti's "Malia," and then
Beethoven's "Adelaide;" and Van
Torp was silent and perfectly happy,
as well he might be.
When she bid Van Torp Goodnight
she pressed his hand frankly, as she
had never done before. but he took
no sudden advantage of what he felt
In her touch, and he returned the
pressure so discreetly that she was
| almost disappointed, though not quite,
for there was just little something
more than usual there.
She did not disturb Lady Maud,
| either, when she went to her cabin,
though IL she had known that her
beautiful neighbor was wide awake
and restless. she would at least have
said goodnight and asked her IL she
was still so very tired.
But Lady Maud slept, too, at last,
though not very long. and was the
only one who appeared at breakfast
to keep Van Torp company. for Mar
garet slept the sleep of n singer,
which is deep and long as that of the
healthy dormouse, and Mrs. Rush
more had her first tea and toast hap
PLY in her cheerful surroundings of
pink and gliding. AS for kralinsky.
his man informed Stemp and the chief
steward that the count never thought
of getting up till between nine and
ten o'clock. when he took cup Of
chocolate and slice or two of sponge
cake In his own room before dressing.
So Lady Maud and Van Torp had the
yacht TO themselves for some time
that morning.
Il fancy from what you said last
night that your plan is TO catch Lo-
gothei and the Tartar girl at sea" )"
said Lady Maud, when they were
alone.
Il supposed you'd understand" an
swered Van Torp. do you see any
harm in that? It occurred to me that
1t might be quite drastic form Of
demonstration. How does 1t strike
you? At all low-down?"
NO, frankly not" Lady Maud was
still incensed at Logotheti's conduct.
"A man who does such things de.
serves anything that his rival can do
TO him. | hope you may overhaul the
yacht, run alongside Of her and show
Margaret the two. making love to
each other In Tartar on deck! That's
the least that ought to happen to
him"
Thank you. like to hear you talk
like that. Capt. Brown will do his
level best. I think. And now. tell me. ''
he lowered his voice n little more,
rs that man Leven. or not?"
Il am sure he is" Lady Maud an.
swered. "and yet feel as II there ought
to be little doubt still. don't know
how to express It. for it's rather an
odd sensation"
Il should think II might be! Is
there anything can say or do? I'll
ask the man any question you sug'
gest. I'm certain he's not old Levi
Longlegs, and II he's not Leven. who
on earth is he? That's what should
like TO know"
Il shall find out, never fear! l
know | shall. because | must II am
ever to have any peace again. I'm not
n very nervous person. you know. am
|? But It's more than ] can bear long.
TO sit opposite man at table. again
be sure whether he's my husband.
come back from the dead. or some
one elsel" She paused. and her nos.
trlls dilated n little. but Van Torp
only nodded slowly and sympathetic
ally. Il mean TO know before / go to
bed tonight" she said. with little
desperation In her voice. Il shall talk
to him I'LL am sure OF one thing or
the other. At table. I cannot tell. but
n we are alone together / know | can
settle the question. II you see that
we are talking at the other end OF
the deck. try TO keep Mrs. Ruahmore
md Margaret from coming near us.
WIN your"
To Mrs. Rushmoro's amazcmcnt
and Margarot's surprise. Lady Maud
made dead set Mt Kralinsky all that
day. nm attention which he seemed
10 appreciate as II deserved. Before
breakfast was over. Van Torp had re.
poatcd TO her what Krallnsky had
said about having formerly been In
ilmato with Lcvcn. and Lady Maud
took this statement M n basis OF op-
ora,ionH for finding out Just how much
he knew Of her own life: she Judged
that II he were not Lcyon himself. he
must soon bctray tho fact by his igno.
rance.
That was the strangest day she had
ever passed. She found II very easy
to talk TO Kralinsky. nH II always II
when there has been long familiarity.
even n Il has been only the familiar
lntorcourno Of domestic discord. lie
knew many details Of her lifo In Lon.
don. That was clear after half an
hour'r conversation. She alluded TO
the idle talk there had been about her
and Van Torp. Kfalinaky knew all