The searchlight., 1910-02-18

she drew one fold under her chin.
and threw II over the opposite shoul-
der. to be quite covered: and she was
glad when she felt cold. and could
wrap herself in the wide travelling
cloak they had bought her. and yet
not seem to do anything contrary to
the customs Of real Feringhi lady.
CHAPTER II.
Lady Maud found Mr.. Van Torp
waiting for her at the Bayreuth sta
tion.
You don't mean to say you've
come right through he inquired.
looking at her with admiration as he
grasped her hand. You're as fresh
as paint!"
That's rather . dangerous thing to
say to . woman nowadays" she an.
swered in her ripping voice. But
mine won't come on. How Is Marga-
ret!"
Her tone changed as she asked the
question.
'She showed me your letter about
Il
needing the question. and watching
her face to see II she were surprised.
She got into the carriage he had
brought. and he stood by the door
waiting for the porter. who was get
ting her luggage. She had no maid
with her.
I'm glad you have told me-" she
answered, though I wish she had
not You probably think that when
wrote that letter remembered what
you said to me in London about Civ.
ing me money for my poor women"
"No." said Van Torp thoughtfully,
Il don't believe do think 80. It was
like me to make the offer. Maud. It
was like the sort OF man I've been,
and you've known me. But II wouldn't
have been like you to accept II. II
wasn't exactly low-down of me to say
what ! did. bot it's SO precious like
low-down that ! wouldn't say 1t again.
and I suppose I'm sorry. That's all"
His rough hand was on the side of
the little open carriage. She touched
1t lightly with her gloved fingers and
withdrew them instantly. for the por.
ter was coming with her not very
voluminous luggage.
Thank you" she said quickly. II
understood. and understand now"
They drove slowly up the Bahnhof.
strasse, through the dull little town
that looks SO thoroughly conscious oi
its ancient respectability as having
once been the ''residenz" of duke ol
Wurtemburg. and Of Its vast impor
tance as the headquarters OF Richard
Wagner's representatives on earth
See here" said Mr.. Van Torp
I've almost persuaded them all tG
run down to Venice. and ! want tt
know why you won't come too?"
"Venice?" Lady Maud was surprised
ITS as hot as Tophet now. and full o
mosquitoes. Why In the world d.
you want to take them there?"
WELL" answered the American
taking plenty OF time over the mono
syllable, Il didn't exactly mean 4
stay there more than a few minutes
I've bought pretty nice yacht sine
! saw you. and she's there. eating he
head on. and l thought you might al
come along with me on her and g
home that way. or somewhere. an
what ! want you to decide right ava
Is whether you'll come. provided the
will-for / don't suppose you and
could go incoming around in the zach
by ourselves"
/ And | don't suppose" returne
Lady Maud. mimicking him ever q
little. that II they decide not
come. you will have time for a Ion
cruise
/ Now that's not fair" objected tn
i American. Il didn't intend to put
i In that way. Anyhow. will you CON
II they do? That's the point"
i Really. 1t depends little on WI
i they are. Do you mean only Marg
i ret and that nice old friend of her
Mrs. Patmore. isn't she? never m,
her"
i "Rushmore." said Van Torp. correc
ing her. Then there's the Russian
Count Kralinsky. Ever hear th'
name?"
Never. II sounds Polish"
He might be anything. Sometim,
I'm absolutely sure he's man I use
II to know out west when I was on Il
j ranch. and then again there's som
thing quite different about him. Som
thing about his legs or his eyes.
can't tell which. | don't quite NAL
him out"
SO They reached the hotel. and vi
ill Torp went OF promptly. leaving Ms
IN garet to take Lady Maud upstai
and introduce her to Mrs. Rushmol
lid An hour later the two young wo
ne en- were together In Margaret's roo
while Potts was unpacking for La
Id. Maud In the one that had been /
to cured for her In spite OF all sorts
all difficulties.
in The prima donna was sitting At b
teilet table. turned away from I
y" glass. and Lady Maud occupied {