Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-03-03
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"Stemp," said Mr.. Van Torp, "Pd
been whistling myself, before you
came In, and the lunatic in the next
room had already been fussing about
It. It's my fault"
yes, sir. Thank you, SIR"
And 1t will be my fault IL we have
to sleep in a cab tonight"
The door opened while he was
speaking, and Margaret heard the last
words as she entered the room.
I'm sorry," she said, II thought you
had finished. 1 could not help hear
ing what you said about sleeping in
a cab. That's nonsense, you know"
WELL" said Mr.. Van Torp, they've
just turned lis out of the one room we
had because l whistled 'Parslfar out
of tune"
you didn't whistle it out of tune"
Margaret answered, to Stemp's great
but well-concealed establishment, II
know better. Please have your things
brought here at once"
"Here?" repeated Mr.. Van Torp,
surprised in his turn.
Yes" she answered, in a tone that
forestalled contradiction. "If nothing
else can be had you shall have this
room. I can do without it."
you're kindness itself, but l
couldn't do that" said Mr.. Van Torp.
Bring our things to this hotel, any
way, Stemp, and well see what hap
pens"
Yes, sir"
HfgonnaaraA OF Il IA,
master turned to Margaret again.
Nothing will induce me to put you
to such inconvenience" he said, and
his tone was quite as decided as hers
had been.
She smiled.
Nothing will induce me to let a
friend of mine be driven from pillar
to post for a lodging while l have
plenty of room to spare!"
You're very, very kind, but"
But the mouse may turn into a
tiger if you contradict it," she said
with light laugh that thrilled him
with delight. Il remember your de-
scripton of the Tartar girl"
"Well then, l suppose the hyena
will have to turn into a small woolly
lamb if you tell him to-" answered
Mr.. Torp.
YES" laughed Margaret. "Be a
small, woolly lamb at once, please, n
very small one!"
"Knee-high to kitten; certainly
replied the millionaire suDmissively.
Very well. I'll take you with me
to hear 'Parsifar tomorrow, if you
obey. I've just asked Mrs. Rushmore
If it makes any difference to her, and
she has confessed that she would
rather not go again, for it tires her
dreadfully and gives her a headache.
You shall have her seat. What is it?
Don't you want to go with me?"
Mr.. Van Torp's face had hardened
till it looked like a mask, he stared
firmly at the wall, and his lips were
set tightly together. Margaret gazed
at him in surprise while he spoke
have counted ten. Then he spoke
slowly, with evident effort, and in an
odd voice.
Excuse me, Miss Donne," he said
swapping his words out. I'm so CRATE
full that l can't speak, that's all. It'll
be all right in second"
A huge emotion had got hold OF
him. She saw the red flush rise sud
denly above his collar, and then sink
back before it reached his cheeks
and all at once he was very pale. But
not muscle of his face moved, not q
, line was drawn; only his sandy eye
= lashes quivered a little. His hands
were thrust deep into the pockets OF
his jacket, but the fingers were mo-
tionless.
= Margaret remembered how he had
} told her more than once thPt she was
J the only woman the world held fol
him, and she had thought it was non
sense, rather vulgarly and clumsily
| expressed by a man who was moi
| much better than an animal where
| women were concerned.
It flashed upon her at last that what
, he had said was literally true, thai
she had misjudged an extraordinary
man altogether, as many people did
! and that she was indeed the only
l woman in the whole world who could
master and dominate one whom many
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herself once detested beyond words.
While these thoughts were disturb
/ ing her a little, Mr.. Van Torp recov
7 cred himself; his features relaxed, his
hands came out of his pockets, an(
4 he slowly turned towards her.
~ hope you don't think me rude
he said awkwardly. Il feel things {
l good deal sometimes, though people
3 mightn't believe it,"
D They were still standing near to
= gether, and not far from the doc
e through which Margaret had entered
l. TITS never rude to be grateful, evel
:, for small things" she answered
gently.
{ Her handsome head was a littl
Il bent, and her eyes were turned to tn,
floor as she passed him going to tn
o door.
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