Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-01-13
CHAPTER WIIi.-Ccntinued.

Without further consulting Marga-
ret, who had seated herself before
the dressing-table, Potts proceeded to
fasten a broad brimmed black straw
hat on the thick brown hair; she then
spread an immense white veil over 1t,
drew it under her mistress chin and
knotted it in a way that would have
amazed a seaman.
When Margaret was putting on her
gloves, Mrs. RushmOre herself came
to the door, knocked and opened dis
creetly before there was any answer.
my dear child" she asked, what
in the world is the matter? Nothing
serious, I trust?"
"Oh, nothing Margaret answered,
going forward to meet her, and find
ing her natural voice. I'm sorry if
I've kept you waiting"
Its so unlike you, my DEAR Mrs.
Rushmore said, with emphasis; and
Potts looked quite grave when she
brought me your message half an hour
ago
You would have been more sur
prised if she had burst out laughing,
Margaret said viciously.
MY dear" Mrs. Rushmore an
swered, I'm astonished at YOU I
know something has happened. |
know it. You are not yourself this
morning"
This was a statement so evidently
absurd that it could not be answered
except by a fiat contradiction; so
Margaret said nothing, and went on
working her hand into a perfectly
new glove.
Il see that you have not even
opened your letters" Mrs. Rushmore
continued severely. Except that"
she added, noticing the loose sheets
of Lady Mauds letter on the toilet
table
Margaret gathered them UP hastily,
folded them into a crumpled package
and thrust them into the empty en-
velope For once, she had forgotten
her caution, but she retrieved herself
by pushing the thick letter into her
long glove, much to Potts distress,
for it made an ugly lump. She made
it worse by forcing in the second
envelope, which contained the news
paper cutting.
I'm ready now she said.
Mrs. Rushmore turned and led the
way with stately steps; she was al
ways imposing, but when she was of
Tended she was monumental. The two
went out in silence, and walkly slowly
down the straight, dull street side by
side. Mrs Rushmore spoke first, aft
er they had gone some distance.
Il know" she said, that something
has happened 1t was in that letter
You cannot deny it, Margaret 1t was
in the letter you folded in that hur-
Uied manner
The news was" answered the prima
donna, still vicious.
Il told you so. My dear child, it's
not of the slightest use to try to de-
ceive me- I've known you since you
were a child"
I'm not trying to deceive you"
When | asked what had happened,
you answered, Nothing | do not call
that very frank, do you?"
Potts was there, to begin" eX-
planned Margaret GROSSLY.
But Mrs Rushmore no longer heard.
Her head was up, her parasol lay back
upon her shoulder. her faded eyes
were brighter than before, and the be-
ginning of social smile wreathed
her hitherto grave lips.
she said in quite another tone, and
very low, and unless I'm much mis-
taken-yes, [ knew it! He's with
Count Kralinsky. | saw the count
from the window yesterday when he
arrived I hope our friend will pre-
sent him."
Il dare say" Margaret answered in
differently, but surveying the two
men through the white mist of her
thick veil
Yes, said Mrs Rushmore with de-
light, and almost whispering in her
excitement. He has seen us, and
now he's telling the count who we
are
Margaret was used to her excellent
old friends ways on such occasions
and gave no more heed to them than
she would have given to kitten
scampering after ball of string. The
kitten would certainly catch the bal
in the end, and Mrs. Rushmore would
as surely capture the lion.