The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-01-28

and she talked pleasantly while tast-
ing each delicacy with critical salts
faction.
"By the by" she said at last, when
she saw JnaJ the millionaire was
backing his foretopsail to come to an
Choir, as Capt. Brown might have ex-
pressed it, Il hope you have not had
any trouble about your rooms, Mr..
Van Torp."
None at all, that I know Of" an
swered the latter. my man told me
nothing"
"The Russian prince arrived this
evening while you were at the thea
ter, and threatened the director with
all sorts of legal consequences be-
cause the rooms he had ordered were
occupied. He turns out to be only a
count after ALL
"You don't say So" observed Mr..
Van Torp, in an encouraging tone.
what became of him." Margaret
asked, without much interest.
did Potts not tell you, my dear?
Why, Justine assisted at the whole in
terview and came and told me at
once"
Justine was Mrs. Rushmores Paris
ian maid, who always knew every
thing.
What happened?" inquired Marga-
ret still not much interested.
He arrived in an automobile" an
swered Mrs. Rushmore, and she
paused.
What old Griggs calls a sudden
death-cart," Mr.. Van Torp put in.
What shocking name for it,"
cried Mrs. Rushmore. And you are
always in them, my dear child" She
looked at Margaret. "A sudden-death-
cart! 1t quite makes me SILVER
"Griggs says that all his friends
either kill or get killed in them," ex-
planned the American.
My throat-doctor says motoring is
very bad for the voice, so I've given
it up" Margaret said.
Really? Thank goodness your pro-
at last, my dear!"
Margaret laughed.
Tell us about the Russian count" "
she said HAS he found lodgings, or
is he going to sleep in his motor?"
my dear, he's the most original
man you ever heard Of First, he
wanted to buy the hotel and turn us
all out, and offered any price for it,
but the director said it was owned by
company in Munich. Then he sent
his secretary about trying to buy a
house, while he dined, but that didn't
succeed either. He must be very
wealthy or else quite mad
Mad, ! should say" observed Mr..
Van Torp, slowly peeling a peach.
did you happen to catch his name,
Mrs. Rushmore?"
ooh, yes! We heard nothing else
all the afternoon. His name is Kra-
linsky-Count Kralinsky."
Mr.. Van Torp continued to peel his
peach scientifically and economically
though he was aware that Margaret
was looking at him with sudden curl
osity.
"Kralinsky," he said slowly, keep
ing his eyes on the silver blade of the
knife as he finished what he was do
ing IT'S not an uncommon name,
believe. I've heard it before. Sounds
Polish, doesn't it?"
He looked up suddenly and showed
Margaret the peeled peach on his
fork. He smiled as he met her eyes,
and she nodded so slightly that Mrs.
Rushmore did not notice the move
ment.
Did you ever see that done better?"
he asked with an air of triumph.
Ripping" Margaret answered.
You're a dandy dab at it,"
my dear child, what terrible
slang!"
I'm sorry" said Margaret. I'm
catching all sorts of American express
sions from Mr.. Van Torp, and when
they get mixed up with my English
ones the result is Babel, l supposed"
I've not heard Mr.. Van Torp use
any slang expressions yet, my dear"
said Mrs. Rushmore, almost severely.
You will" Margaret retorted with
a laugh. What became of Count Kra-
linsky? l didn't mean to spoil your
story"
MY dear. he's got the pastor to
give up his house, by offering him
a hundred pounds for the poor here"
Van Torp left them soon after sup
per, and gave himself up to Stemp,
bordering over what he had accom-
plished in two days, and also about
another question which had lately pre-
sented itself. When he was ready to
send his valet to bed he sat down at
his table and wrote a telegram:
IF you can find Barak. please ex-
plain that | was mistaken Kralinsky
is not in New York, but here in Bay
reuth for some days, lodging at the
pastors house."
This message was addressed to Lo-
gotheti at his lodgings in London, and
Van Torp signed it and gave it to
Stemp to be sent at once. Logotheti
never went to bed before two o'clock,
as he knew, and might very possibly
get the telegram the same night.