The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-08-11

| in which she had spoken the word
creature" had not escaped him.
lie was really trying to put the case
in fair light. and was not at all
| maneuvering 20 ascertain her state OF
| mind. That was clear enough now.
! How far she might go he could not
tell, but what she had just said.
coupled with the way In which she
spoke OF the man to whom she was
engaged as Mons. Logotheti." made
IL quite evident that she was pro
fouBdly incensed against him. and Van
Torp became more than ever anxious
not 10 do anything underhand.
Lock here" he said. I'm going to
tell you something. ! took n sort OF
interest in that Tartar girl the only
time | saw her. don't know why.
dare say was taken In by her
just ordinary taken In, like n tender
foot. gave her that fellows ad'
dress in New York" He nodded to
wards Kraiinsky. when l found he
was here, wired Logotheti TO tell
her. since she's after him. | suppose
/ thought Logotheti would 20 right
away and find her. and get more
mixed up with her than ever. II was
mean OF me. wasn't itY That's why
I've told you. You see. didn't know
anything about all this. and that
makes IL meaner still. doesn't it7''
Possibly II he had told her these
facts as hours earlier she might have
been annoyed. but at present they
seemed TO be rather in his favor. AZ
all events he was frank. she thought
lie declared war on his rival. and
meant 20 fight according TO the law OF
nations. Lady Maud would not be his
friend II he we're playing any double
game. but she had stuck TO hiu
throughout his trouble In the spring.
he had emerged victorious and rein
stated in public opinion. and she haA
been right Lady Maud knew him
better than any one else. and she
was a good woman. n there ever wa
one
Yet he had accused himself OF hav
ing acted "meanly." Margaret did noe
like the word. and threw up her heaa
as q horse does when beginner holds
on by the curb.
"You need not make yourself Qua
worse than you are" she answered.
Il want to start fair" said the NIB
| lionaire. "and I'd rather your impres
sion should improve than get worse
The only real trouble with Lucifss
was he started too high up"
This singular statement was made
with perfect gravity. and without the
slightest humorous intention. but Mar
garet laughed for the first time that
day. IN spite OF the storm that was
stu raging in the near distance of her
/ thoughts.
why do you Taught" asked Van
Torp. ITS quite true. I don't want
to start too high up In your estima-
ton and then be turned down az unnt
for the position at the end OF the
first week Put me where belong
and | won't disappoint you. Say
was doing something that wasn't ex-
actly low-down. considering the OBJ
ject, but that mightnt pass muster at
an honor parade. anyhow. And then
say that I've admitted the fact. n you
like. and that the better know you
the less want to do anything mean.
II won't be hard for you to look al IL
In that light. will Il? And It'll give
me the position Of starting from the
line. Is that right?"
Yes" Margaret answered. smiling.
Slang right and English right You
ask for a fair field and no favor, and
you shall have H."
'I'll go straight" Van Torp an
swered.
Il suppose Lady Maud will come.
won't she?" he asked suddenly, after
a short silence
II hope So" Margaret said "If not.
she will meet me in Paris. for she of.
fers TO do that in her letter"
I'm staying on in this place be.
cause you said you didn't mind" ob.
| served Van Torp. DO you want me
to go away II she arrives?v
why should II Why shouldn't you
stay"
"oh, don't know. was only think.
Ing. Much Obliged anyway. and I'll
certainly stay II you don't object. We
shall De quite party, shant we?
What with us three. and Lady Maud
and Kralinsky there"
Mrs. Rushmore and Rralinsky had
stopped in their walk and were wait.
ing for them. They quickened their
pace.
Il thought perhaps this was far
enough" said Mrs. Rushmore. "Of
course I could go on further, and it's
not your usual walk. my dear. but un.
less you mind"
Margaret did not mind, ana said SO
readily; whereupon Mrs. kusnmore
deliberately took Van Torp for her
companion on the way back.
I'm sure you won't object to walk.
ing slowly" she said to him, land
Miss Dome and the count can 20 as
fast as they like, for they are both
good walkers. l TN sure you must
be a great walker" she added, turning
TO the Russian.
He smiled biandly and bent his
head little, as II he were acknowl
edging a compliment Van TORI