Mexico Missouri message., 1910-05-12

read the yachting news. she was at
Cowes when we sailed. She was re-
ported the other day from Gibraltar as
having entered the Mediterranean aft
er taking fresh provisions, owner and
party on board. There is no further
word of her"
WELL" said Mr.. Van Torp, II have
an idea she's gone to Naples, but l
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
come to your room and tell you what
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, 1--WE 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. 1 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
l dare say you remember that he be
gan life as a cavalry officer and then
entered the diplomacy. Gifted man
very" the Russian added in thought
full tone, "but no balance! 1t seems
to me that have heard he did moi
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
if the man before him was Leven him
self, as he seemed to be, he beat then
all for calm effrontery.
Were you ever told that you looked
like him?" asked Mr.. Van Torp care
lessly.
Even at this question Kralinsky
showed no embarrassment.
ITO tell the TRUTH" he replied, Il re
member that one or two in the regi
ment saw a slight resemblance, anC
we were of nearly the same height,
should say. But when last saw
Leven he did not wear a beard"
At this point Lady Maud came ii
quietly and made directly for the va
cant place. The two men rose as sooT
as she appeared, and she found her
self face to face with KraliDsky, will
the table between them. Their eye
met, but Lady Maud could not detec
the slightest look of recognition in his
Van Torp introduced him, and alst
watched his face narrowly, but Their
) was not the least change of expires
sion, nor any quick glance of surprise
Yet Kralinsky possibly did not know
that Lady Maud was on the yacht
for he had not been told previousl.
that she was to be of the party, and il
the short conversation which had pre-
ceded her appearance, no one hat
actually mentioned the fact. She her
self had come to dinner late with tn
express purpose of presenting hersel
before him suddenly, but she had t
admit that the intended surprise di,
not take place.
She was not astonished, however
for she had more than once seen he
: husband placed in very difficult stu
atoms, from which he had general
extricated himself by his amazin
: power of concealing the truth. Bein
seated nearly opposite to him, 1t wa
, not easy TO study his features withou
seeming either to stare at him rudel