The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-01-28


suggested the American. but the tone
In which she had spoken the word
creature" had not escaped him.
He was really trying to put the case
In a fair light, and was not at all
maneuvering to 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
II quite evident that she was pro-
foundly incensed against him. and Van
Torp became more than ever anxious
not to do anything underhand.
Look here" he said. I'm going to
tell you something. took a sort OF
interest In that Tartar girl the only
time saw her. ! don't know why. !
dare say I was taken In by her
Just ordinary taken In like a tender
foot. gave her that fellows ad.
dress In New York" lie nodded to
wards Kralinsky. when I found he
was here. wired Logotheti to tell
her. since she's after him. suppose
| thought Logotheti would go right
away and find her, and get more
mixed up with her than ever. II was
mean OF me. wasn't It! That's why
I've told you. You see. didn't know
anything about all this. and that
makes Il meaner still. doesn't 1T"
Possibly II he had told her these
facts 4s hours earlier she might have
been annoyed. but at present they
seemed to DO rather In his favor. At
all events he was frank. she thought.
He declared war on his rival. and
meant to fight according to the law OF
nations. Lady Maud would not be his
friend II he were playing any double
game. but she had stuck to him
throughout his trouble In the spring.
he had emerged victorious and rein
stated In public opinion. and sho had
been right. Lady Maud knew him
better than any one else. and she
was a good woman, II there ever was
one.
Yet he had accused himself OF hnv.
Ing acted "meanly." Margaret did not
like the word. and threw up her head
as horse does when beginner holds
on by the curb.
you need not make yourself out
worse than you are" she answered.
Il want to start fair" said the MIL
Iionaire. and I'd rather your impress
sion should improve than get worse.
The only real trouble with Lucifer
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 mat
day. In spite OF the storm that was
stu raging In the near distance OF her
thoughts.
why do you laugh?" asked Van
Torp. tits quite true. ! don't want
to start too high up In your estima-
tion and then be turned down an UNIT
for the position at the end Of the
first week. Put me where belong
and I won't disappoint you. Say
was doing something that wasn't ex-
actly low-down. considering the OBJ
ject. but that mightn't pass muster at
nm honor parade. anyhow. And then
say that I've admitted the fact. II you
like. and that the better I know you
the less I want to do anything mean.
II won't be hard for you TO look at Il
In that light. will Il? And TN give
me the position Of starting from tho
line. Is that right?"
YES" Margaret answered. smiling.
slang right and English right. You
ask for fair field and no favor. and
you shall have L."
"Ill 30 straight" Van Torp an.
swered.
Il suppose Lady Maud will come.
won't she?" he asked suddenly. after
q short silence.
Il 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. OBJ
served Van Torp. do you want me
to go away II she arrives?"
why should I? Why shouldn't you
stay?"
"Oh. don't know. was only think.
Ing. Much Obliged anyway. and I'll
certainly stay IL you don't object. We
shall be quite a party. shan't we!
What with US three. and Lady Maud
and Kralinsky there"
i Mrs. Rushmore and Kralinsky had
stopped In their walk and were wait
ing for them. They Quickened their
pace.
81 thought perhaps this was far
enough" said Mrs. Rushmore. "Ol
course I could go on further. and it's
not your usual walk. my dear. but un.
less you mind"
/ Margaret did not mind. and said no
readily; whereupon Mrs. Rushmore
deliberately took Van Torp for her
| companion on the wsy back.
I'm sure you won't object to walk.
ing slowly" she said to him, .and
Miss Dome and the count can 10 q
fast AZ they like. for they are both
good walkers. l am sure you must
be q great walker" she added. turning