Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-10-07

Goldingay. one OF the oldest families
in Ireland. He Furthermore let it bs
known that the narapis was a bach
eIor and In III health
This WAS quite enough to induce
Mrs. Van Tromp TO lay plans Cor IN
ion between MIR. Mackridge and hel
daughter. The mother cast or her re-
greet that she couldn't marry Madeline
to rajah and became interested In
the more practicable scheme OF mar
rying her to man who was likely TO
become marquis. The first time
after having received this information
that Mr.. Mackridge joined her and her
daughter on deck she made an excuse
to go below in order to leave them to-
gether
.-iss Van Tromp had become such a
traveller that she was not averse to
picking up acquaintance during voy-
age. but she seldom became familiar
with them. Mr.. Mackridge evinced a
desire for her companionship, but
found as the journey proceeded that
he was not permitted to come to terms
of intimacy. Mrs. Van Tromp watch
ed his attentions to her daughter and
could not understand why Madeline
gave no more cordial response
MY dear" said the polite mother,
If you would be more civil to Mr..
Maekridge it might be of great benefit
to us. He tells me that his brother
has house in London and is usually
there during the season. We may be
invited there and meet many persons
of rank"
II thought his brother was a bach
elor. Bachelors don't usually enter
tain"
''Oh, Madeline. you don't grasp
things as you should You will never
take the position you should because
you have no push. The fact that Mr..
Mackridge's brother is bachelor
vate him."
Il have thought. mother. dear. that
you preferred | should cultivate Mr.,
Mackridge himself"
Mrs. Van TromP made a grimace.
but accorded no reply to such stupid
ty, for she certainly considered any
girl stupid who would encourage a
younger brother OF a marquis. even
though the marquis himself was in bad
health.
During the passage of the Red sea
Mr. Mackridge continued his atten-
tioAs. and Mrs. Van Tromp was pleas
ed that Madeline seemed more dispos-
ed to accept them. This acceptance
could not be construed to mean en-
enlargement. but Mrs. Van Tromp felt
more hopeful, and Mr. Maekridga took
advantage OF 1t to be more attentive.
He gained a point with Mrs. Van
Tromp by letting out the fact that he
was captain In a British regiment
stationed In India, all the officers of
which were noblemen. He had pro-
cured leave of absence to go home,
having been informed that his brother.
| the marquis, was failing rapidly,
After receiving this additional infor-
nation Mrs. Van Tromp conceived the
idea of going ashore In Captain Mack
ridges company on the ships arrival
at Gibraltar. He. being a British Off
Ger, would doubtless be hand In glove
with the officers of the garrison and
would be able to secure for the Van
| Tromps special privileges She limited
to Mackridge that she would be pleas
| ed to have him with her and her
| daughter when they visited Gibral-
tar. and he accepted the invitation
| with alaerity But when they reached
| the port the captain was confined to
| his stateroom with severe indisposi-
| ton and was unable to leave the ship.
All went well with the trio who
| were performing this little comedy
| during the latter part Of the voyage.
| Just before leaving the steamer Cap
| tain Mackridge managed to obtain a
large bouquet Of flowers. Whether he
| bought them from bumboat or they
| had been cultivated aboard the ship
| does not matter. The important fea-
| ture is that be presented them TO Miss
Van Tromp. The gift was made while
1 the mother and daughter. accompanied
| by the captain. were about to pass
| down the gangway. The young lady
| inhaled their perfume and started
| down for the dock with them in her
left hand. carrying piece of hand
baggage in her right On reaching the
dock she suddenly remembered leaving
some article In her stateroom-
| please take these" she said t.
| Mackridge. handing him the hand bag
gage and her bouquet. land keep then
till return III be back in few min
utes"
Mackridge took the articles, certain
whiteness appearing about bis mouth
and an anxiety in his eyes as he die
so. Miss Van Tromp ran up the gang
way, passing with difficulty those com
ing down, and disappeared within tn
ship. A customs inspector, who wal
watching for smugglers. noticed gen
tleman standing with a large bouque
in bis hand and pondeFed. Had lad,
been carrying 1t bis attention nigh
not have been attracted Suspicious a.
all custom house officials are. b.
thought 1t odd that a man should b
carrying flowers. and possibly 1t nigh
be used as means Of concealing du
table goods.
"I'll look into that, sir. IL you please
be said to Maekridge.
The whiteness about the latter
mouth turned to sickly pallor as tn
inspector took the bouquet from hi
hands. Pulling IL apart. several art
cles wrapped in white tissue paper fel
on the dock The inspector picke'
them up. unwrapped one and a Iarg
diamond glistened In the sunlight.
When Madeline Van Tromp rejoiT
ed her mother she found her alone