Mexico Missouri message., 1910-05-12

ground, TOO, and he knew the num-
Der Of her house in Charles street.
Berkeley square.
On the other hand, there were
many things of which he knew moth
ing, or pretended to be ignorant, such
as the names of her brothers and sis
ters, her fathers favorite pursuits
and the like. But she understood very
well that if he thought she suspected
his identity under the disguise of his
beard, and If he wished to avoid re-
cognition, he was just the man to pre-
tend blank ignorance of some vital
matters, after admitting his acquaint-
ance with many others. He had been
very intimate with Leven, to the last,
he said; Leven had always written
to him very fully about his life, very
wittily sometimes, but always without
balance! That was it; he had no "bal.
ance." Yes, he himself had been in
Petersburg when LeYen was killed
and had seen him on the previous
day. Within a week he had made a
rapid trip to New York, whence he
had now just returned. He had
crossed on five-day boats both going
and coming, and he named them.
Il am naturally interested in meet
ing any one who knew my husband so
WELL" Lady Maud said, making a bold
dash at a possibility. I'VE had many
differences, as you seem to know, but
l dare say that if he could come back
to life and know the real truth, we
should forgive each other"
She looked up to him with a gentle
smile as she said this, for she had
often felt it; and in that instant
flash of light came into his usually
rather uncertain eyes. Her heart stood
still; she looked at the sea again di-
rectly, for she was leaning against the
rail; then she drew breath, as if from
an effort She had seen a look that
could only mean recognition. Leven
was alive and was standing beside
her. But she had the courage to go
on talking, after a moment, and she
tried to change the subject, though
not very adroitly.
During the afternoon Mr.. Van Torp
had a revelation, sudden and clear,
for he had watched Lady Maud and
Kralinsky all day and had thought
about them a good deal, considering
how his mind was occupied with other
matters even nearer to his heart than
| his best friends welfare. As soon as
the revelation came upon him he rang
/ for his own man.
"Stemp, see here!" he began.
you've valeted around with all sorts
of different looking men. How long
does it take to grow a beard like
Count Kralinsky's?"
"a year, sir. Not a day less, and
longer with most gentlemen. If you
were thinking of it, sir"
you don't believe it could be man
aged in three months, by taking an
expert around with you to work on
your face?"
That's out of the question, sir.
! Gentlemen's boards that have shaved
all their lives, as l suppose you have,
sir, do grow faster but 1 should con-
slider year a short time for such a
fine one as the counts. Indeed !
should, sir"
DO you suppose you could stick it
on fresh every day, the way they Dc
for the stage?"
Not so that it wouldn't show in
broad daylight, sir"
well, that's all. I wasn't exactly
thinking of trying a beard. was only
thinking-just like that. What l rang
for was cap. Got any more like this?
You see I've managed to get a spot
of ink on this one. Had it on the
table when l was writing, l suppose.
That's the worst Of white caps, they
spot So"
A little later, Mr.. Van Torp was
looking out for a chance to speak
alone with Lady Maud, and as soon
as he found his opportunity he told
her what Stemp had said. Strangely
enough, it had never occurred to him
that such a remarkable beard as Kra-
linsky's must have taken a long time
to grow, and that Leven, who had
none, had not left London more than
three months ago. He watched the
effect of this statement on his friends
face, but to his surprise she remained
grave and sad
Il cannot help it," she said in a
tone of conviction. He must be
Leven, whatever Stemp tells you about
his beard"
well, then it's a false beard, and
will come on" observed Mr.. Van
Torp, with at least equal gravity.
"Stemp says that's impossible, but he
must be wrong, unless you are"
It's real" Lady Maud said, "and
he is my husband. I've talked to him
all day, and he knows things about
my life that no one else could, and II
there are others about which he is
vague, that must be because he ID
pretending, and does not want to
show that he knows everything"
Van Torp shook his head, but re
NAMED unconvinced; Lady Maud did
not change her mind either, and was