The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-03-25


for it was a part of his business tt
read the yachting news. "She was a
Cowes when we sailed. She was re
ported the other day from Gibraltar as
having entered the Mediterranean aft
er taking fresh provisions, owner ant
party on board There is no further
word of her"
WELL" said Mr.. Van Torp, 81 have
an idea she's gone to Naples, but
want you to find her right away wher
ever she is, owner and party on board
That's all, captain. If you happen to
see her anywhere, you just come and
tell me If I'm alone, and if I'm not, why
send one of your young men to say
you want to know something-any-
thing you happen to think of, and I'll
to do. See? That's all, and now let's
start, please"
"All right, sir"
When the party assembled in the
deck saloon for dinner, Lady Maud
was missing. Stemp who did not
| intend that his master should dine
without his personal attention, no mat
ter how much the chief steward might
object to his presence, approached Mr..
Van Torp and whispered something.
Lady Maud begged that the party
would sit down without her, and she
would join them in a moment
So they took their places, and the
vacant one was on the owners right,
between him and the prima donna.
You see,' said Mr.. Van Torp, ex-
planning to Mrs. Rushmore, which was
wholly unnecessary, I'VE are Ameri-
cans, and this ship is America, so the
English guest goes first"
But Mrs. Rushmore knew these
things, for she was used to handling
lions in numbers and the little lions
and the middle-sized ones are very
particular about their places at table,
but the great big ones do not care
'one dingle Sam" as Mr.. Van Torp
would have elegantly expressed their
Indifference For he was a great big
lion himself
Did you ever meet Lady Maud?"
he inquired, speaking to Kralinsky
(which Lady Maud?" asked the for
eigner in his rather oily voice. There
are several"
Countess Leven, who was Lady
Maud Foxwell," explained Mrs. Rush
more.
Kralinsky turned quietly to her, his
single eyeglass fixed and glittering.
NO" he answered. 81 knew poor
Leven well, but l was never intro
duced to his wife. | have heard that
she is very beautiful"
You say you knew the late Count
Leven?" observed Mrs Rushmore,
with an encouraging and interrogatory
smile.
Intimately" answered Kralinsky
with perfect self-possession. I'VE were
in the same regiment in the Caucasus
dare say you remember that he be- |
gan life as a cavalry officer and then
the diplomacy. Gifted man,
very" the Russian added in thought |
full tone, but no BALANCED 1t seems |
to me that l have heard he did not
treat his wife very we'll"
Mr.. Van Torp had met several very |
cool characters in his interesting and |
profitable career, but he thought that |
# the man before him was Leven him
self, as he seemed to be, he beat them
Ill for calm effrontery.
Were you ever told that you looked
ike him?" asked Mr.. Van Torp care
essly.
Even at this question Kralinsky
showed no embarrassment.
ITO tell the TRUTH" he replied, Il re-
that one or two in the regi-
nent saw a slight resemblance, and
We were of nearly the same height, |
should say. But when l last saw
4even he did not wear a beard"
At this point Lady Maud came in
Iuietly and made directly for the va
ant place. The two men rose as soon
IS she appeared, and she found her
elf face to face with Kralinsky, with
he table between them. Their eyes
uSI, DuI Lduy MAUI COulu uOI uSJeCI |
he slightest look of recognition in his.
IAN Torp introduced him, and also
Watched his face narrowly, but there
yas not the least change of expires. /
ion, nor any quick glance of surprise (
Yet Kralinsky possibly did not know !
hat Lady Maud was on the yacht, I
Dr. he had not been told previously {
nat she was to be of the party, and in {
ne short conversation which had pre- s
eded her appearance, no one had g
ctually mentioned the fact. She her. {
elf had come to dinner late with the {
xpress purpose of presenting herself G
efore him suddenly, but she had to c
Omit that the intended surprise did S
OF take place. 4
She was not astonished, however, t
" she had more than once seen her
Isband placed in very difficult stu C
ions, from which he had generally b
himself by his amazing n
over of concealing the truth. Being Il
lated nearly opposite to him, it was o
1t easy to study his features without a
.eming either to stare at him rudely Z,