The state herald., 1910-02-18

| New York and who sold you the stone
you gave me. is he not?'
'Oh, certainly. And that was at
the end of July, and Leven was killed
late in June"
Yes. That only leaves month
for him to have been to Asia-that's
absurd"
utterly, totally. and entirely impos
sible," asseverated Mr.. Van Torp
"One Of two things. Either this man
| Is your husband, and II he is, he's not
the man who found the rubies in Asia
Or else, if he is that man, he's not
been here yesterday! She could have
told in minute. She'd better have
been here anyway than cutting around
the Mediterranean with that fellow
Logotheti!"
Yes" Lady Maud answered grave
ly. But about myself-if Leven is
alive, what is my position-I mean-1
don't really quite know where | am,
do II"
Anybody but you would have
thought of marrying again already" OBJ
served Mr. Van Torp, looking up side
ways in her eyes, for she was taller
than he. Then you'd really be in n
bad fix, wouldn't you? But as it is,
don't see that 1t makes much differ
ence. The mans going under false
name, so he doesn't mean to claim
you as his wife, nor to try to get a
divorce again, as he did before. He's
Just going to be somebody else for his
own good. and he'll get married that
way. maybe. That's his business, not
yours. l don't suppose you're going
to get up in church and forbid the
banns, are you?"
II would. like q shot" said Lady
Maud. $50 would you, I'm sure!
Think of the other woman,"
That's so." answered Van Torp
without enthusiasm. However, we've
got to think about you and the pres
ent. and decide what Wen do. sup
pose the best thing is for me to put
him off with some excuse, so that you
can come on the yacht"
please do nothing of the sort!"
cried Lady Maud.
But want you to come" objected
her friend.
81 mean to come. Do you think I'm
afraid TO meet him."
Van Torp looked at her In some sur
prise. and not without admiration.
There isn't anybody like you, any
way" he said quietly. But there's
going to be circus on that ship II
he's Leven." he added. "If he makes
fuss I'll read the riot act and lock
him up"
1 "Oh, no." answered Lady Maud. who
was used to Mr.. Van Torp's familiar
vocabulary. why need there be any
trouble? You've not told him ] am
coming. you say. Very well. If he
sees me suddenly after he has been
on board little while. he'll certainly
betray himself. and then shall be
sure. Leven is n man Of the world
was or 'is'-God knows which! But
II II is he. and he doesn't want to be
recognized. he'll behave as II nothing
had happened, after the first moment
Of surprise. At least / shall be Ger
tain. ! must be positively sure
whether Leven is alive or dead. for
what ] have got back In these last
two months is my whole life. A mere
recognition at first sight and at ten
yards is nc. enough. II may be only
marvellous resemblance. for they
say every one has double some
where In the world"
They used to say. too. that II you
met your double one of you would
die" observed Van Torp. Those
things are all stun and nonsense. OF
course. ] was Just thinking. Well.
he continued. dwelling on his fayorite
monosyllable, III you decide to come
on the yacht. and II the man doesn',
blow away. we shall know the truth In
three or four days from now, and
that's comfort. And even II he turns
out to be Leven. maybe we can man.
age something"
Lady Maud chose not to ask what
her friend thought he could manage: /"
for she had glanced at his face when
he had spoken. and though II was half
turned away from her. she saw his
expression. and II would have scared
n nervous person. She did not like
him to be In that mood. and was sor.
ry that she had brought him TO H.
But Mr.. Van Torp. who was a strong
man. and had seen more than one nj.
fray In his rnnching days. could not
help thinking how unoommonly easy
II would be to pick up Count kralln.
sky and drop him overheard on n dark
night next week. when the Lancashire
Lass would be doing 22 knots, and
there might be little weather about
to drown the splash.