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Show - Cbawitohd ByOfAnipN "JAPACmtseA" "ARCnmXfTCM 32? AUTHOR OF ILLUSTRATIONS JN rOPYRJCMT J907 BY SYNOPSIS. Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored J a golden bearded stranger who was prospecting and studying herbs in the vicinity of her home in central Asia, and revealed to him the location of a mine hoping that the stranger would lore her in return for her disclosure. They were followed to the cave by the girl s relatives, who blocked up the and drew off the water supply, couple to die. Barakas cousin SrJj her tinaa, betrothed, attempted to climb a cliff overlooking the mine; but shot him. The stranger was J5Si fr,om a water gourd Baad dug his way out of the tunnel, and departed, deserting the girl and carrying bag of rubies Baraka all the gems she could carry, and gathered started in pur-u,- h Donne Margaret (Margarita da Loraova), a famous prlma donna, became n London to Konstantin Lo-f- .i a wealthy Greek financier. Her Ultimate friend was Countess Leven, known as Lady Maud, whose husband bad been killed by a bomb in St. Petersburg and Lady Mauds most intimate mend was Rufus Van Torp, an American, who had become one of the richest he world. Van Torp was In love with Margaret, and rushed to London as soon as he heard of her betrothal. He offered Lady Maud 5, 000,000 for her pet charity if she would aid him in winning the singer from Logotheti. Baraka approached Logotheti at Versailles with rubies to sell He presented a ruby to Margaret. Van Torp bought a yacht and sent it to Venice He was visited Baraka in male attire. She gave him bya ruby after the American had told her of having seen in the United States a man answering the description of the one she loved. The American followed Margaret to the Bayreuth "Parsifal festival. Margaret took a liking to Van Torp, who presented her with the ruby Baraka had given him. Count a Russian, arrived at BayreuthKrallnsky, Van Torp believed him to be the one Baraka was Baraka was arrested in Londonpursuing. on the charge of stealing from Pinney, a jeweler, the ruby she had sold to Logotheti. Two strangers were the thieves. Lady Maud believed that Logothetis associations with Baraka were open to suspicion, and so informed Margaret. Van Torp believed that Krallnsky was the cowboy he had known in his young manhood. Logotheti secured Barakas release, and then, with her as his guest, went to sea on his yacht Erinna. Baraka explains her plans for revenge on the man who had deserted her and left her to die Logotheti succeeds In her rage. Lady Maud arrivedmoderating in Bayreuth. te Jv? j.' CHAPTER XI. car-Tie- a, Continued. "On account of her temper, T supanswered the good lady abpose, sently, for slfe was looking up and down the columns in search of some- Here thing she had already seen. It is! she said. It Is under the yachting news. Cape Finlsterre. Passed at 4 p. m., going Bouth, steam yacht Erinna, with owner and party on board. All well. My dear child, it Is quite clear that if this is Mons. yacht, he is going to Gib- raltar. I dont know anything about raphy, Margaret said, and her wrath, which had been smouldering sullenly for days, began to glow again. said Mrs. Rushmore, Margaret, "you surprise me! You were very well taught But the prima donna did not hear the long tirade of mild reproof that followed. She knew well enough where Gibraltar was, and that Logotheti was going all the way round to the Mediterranean on his yacht with ome one for company, and that the voyage was a long one. After what Lady Maud had said, there was not the least doubt in her mind as to his companion, who could be no one but Baraka. He had been told that he was not wanted at Bayreuth, and he was celebrating the sunset of his bachelor life in his own way. That was clear. If he received the telegram that had just been sent to him, be would get it at Gibraltar, should be stop there, and as for answering it before Margaret left Bayreuth, she was inclined to make such a thing impossible by going away the next morning, if not that very night. Her angry reflections and Mrs. Rushmores lecture on the importance of geography in education were interrupted by the discreet entrance of Mr. Van Torp, who was announced and ushered to the door by Justine in a grand French manner. On the threshold, however, he stood still and asked if he might come in; being pressed to do so, he yielded, advanced, and sat down between the two ladies. Mr. Van Torp, said Mrs. Rush-mor"I insist upon knowing what has become of Countess Leven. I don't know, Mrs. Rushmore, answered the millionaire, slowly rubbing his hands. I havent sppken to her since I brought her from the station. ' I dare say shes all right. Shes probably gone to take a walk. She often does in the country, I know her fathers country seat is next to mine, Mrs. Rushmore. I hope you'll pay me a visit some day. Why, yes, Lady Maud sometimes goes off alone and walks miles and miles. There, Margaret, said Mrs. Rush-mor- e what did I tell triumphantly, you? Mr. Van Torp says the countess often walks for miles and miles. said Mr. Van "Why, certainly, Torp, though Im bound to Bay she's Just as fond of horseback. He friends generally call her Lady Maud, Mrs. Rushmore. Perhaps you won't mind my telling you, as she prefers it a good deal herself. You see. Ive had the pleasure of knowing her several years, so I daresay you'll forgive me for mentioning it. I think it is quite kind of you, on the contrary, answered Mrs. Rushmore. Margaret, why did you never tell me of this? Had you any reason for not telling me? 1 don't think I noticed what yon e, called her, tiently. answered Margaret pa- 'Because if you Lad any reason, said Mrs. Rushmore, following her own thoughts, I insist upon knowing what it was. "Well, now, Ill teU you, rejoined Mr. Van Torp, to save Margaret the trouble of answering the futile little speech, "her husband didn't treat her very well. Theres not a purer woman in the six continents, Mrs. Rushmore, but he tried to divorce her, because hed lost his money, if he ever had any, and she had none, and he wanted to marry an heiress. However, they automoblized him, or something, in St Petersburg last June. Auto what did you say? inquired Mrs. Rushmore. "Killed by an automobile, explained Mr. Van Torp gravely. "But now I come to think, it wasnt that He got blown up by a bomb meant for a better man. It was quite instantaneous, I recollect. His head disappeared suddenly, and the greater part of him was scattered around, but they found his pocket-boowith his cards and things, so they knew who it was. It was driven through somebody elses bat on the other side of the street, wasnt it. Miss Donne? Things must have been quite lively just then, where it happened. I supposed you knew. Mrs. Rushmore explained that she had never heard any details. Besides, said Mr. Van Torp, in answer, though not quite relevantly, everybody always calls her 'Lady Maud instead of Countess Leven, which she has on her cards. She would naturally use the higher title, observed Mrs. Rushmore reverently. Well, now, about that,, objected Mr. Van Torp, Im bound to say I think the daughter of an English earl as good as a Russian count, anywhere west of Siberia. I dont know how they figure those things out at courts when they have to balance em up for seats at a dinner party, of course. Its just my impression, thats all, as a business man. Hes dead, anyway, and one neednt make personal remarks about dead men. All the same, it was a happy release for Lady Maud, and I doubt if she sits up all night mourning for him. Have you been out this afternoon, Miss Donne? He changed the subject with extreme directness, and Mrs. Rushmore, who was used to the dictatorial ways of lions, took the hint submissively enough, though she would have been glad to discuss the relative and intrinsic values of the designations Lady Maud and Countess Leven. But it was much more important that the lion should be left alone with Marggret as much as possible, and the excellent lady therefore remembered that she had something to do and left them. I had a Iittlo talk with Krallnsky before he left, said Van Torp. when she was gone. He says hell meet us in Venice any time in the next few days. Hes just going to run over to Vienna in his for 24 hours; then hell go south, he says. He ran me up to the hotel and dropped me. I dare say you heard the toots. I thought I saw Lady Maud looking out of the window of your room as I got out. Yes, Margaret said. But how do you know that is my window? In the first place, Ive counted the windows. I felt a sort of interest in knowing which was yours. And then, I often see your maid opening the shutters in the morning. Oh! Margaret smiled. Did you notice anything unusual about Lady Maud when you saw her? she asked, for she knew that he had good eyes. Since you mention it, I thought she looked as if she didnt feel quite up to the mark pale, I thought she was. Yes, Margaret said. She felt ill for a moment, and I thought she was going to faint But it passed almost directly, and she insisted on going for a walk. Oh, mused Mr. Van Torp, is that so? Well, I dare say it was the best thing she could do. I was teying you about Kraiinsky. Hes not Levi Long-leg- s after all, and Im not sure he was ever in the west. I thought it sounded unlikely, , Margaret said. I asked him, just like that in a friendly way, and he thought a moment and made an effort to recollect and then he seemed quite pleased to remember that Id been Fanny and hed been Levi Longlegs,' and that he used to whistle things out of Parsifal by the fire of an evening. "Well but In that case Margaret stopped with an inquiring look. . Just so, continued Van Torp, nodDid you ever attend a trial ding. and hear a witness being d by a lawyer who wants him to remember something, and he wants to remember it himself, but can't because he never heard of it before in his life? Its quite funny. The lawyer makes steps for him and puts his feet into them so that he gets along nicely, unless the judge happens to wake up and kick, and then the little game stops right there, and somebody laughs. Well, my talk with Kraiinsky was like that, only there was no ' rt cross-examine- judge, so he went away happy; and were old friends now, and punched cows on the same ranch, and he's coming on my yacht. I only wonder why he was so anxious to remember all that, and why he thought it would be kind of friendly if I called him Levi Longlegs again, and be called me Fanny Cook. I wonder! He says hes still very fond of 'Parsifal,' and came on purpose to hear it, but that hes completely forgotten how to whistle. Thats funny, too. I just thought Id tell you, because If you come on my yacht and he comes, too, you're liable to see quite a good deal of one another. Did yon tell him that Mrs. Rushmore and I would come? Margaret And Lady Maud? asked. Why, no. Youve not promised yet, any more than you did last night when we talked about it, so how could I? I forgot to mention Lady Maud t6 him, or else I thought I wouldnt I forget which. It doesnt matter. No. Margaret smiled. "Not a little bit! You seem amused, observed Mr. Van Torp. By your way of putting It and your pretending to forget such a thing." It wasnt quite true that I forgot, but I wanted to, so I didn't say anything about her. Thats why I put it In that way. I don't choose to leave you any' doubt about what I say, or mean, even in the smallest things. The moment you feel the least doubt about the perfect accuracy of anything I tell you, even if its not at all a downright lie or anything resembling one, you wont trust me at all, in anything. Because, if you trust me, youll end by liking me, and if you dont trust me youll go back to thinking that Im the Ilfcast out of Revelation, or something, as you used to. Ive forgotten alt about the Beast, Margaret said. Thank you, answered Mr. Van Torp. "To change the subject Ive got a little scheme to propose. Maybe you'll think well of it Anyhow, as Its a mere matter of business connected with your career, you wont mind my explaining it to you, will you? No, indeed! Margaret was interested at once. Do tell me! she said, leaning forward a little. he began, Well, Ire looked around this place a good deal since Ive been here, and I've come to the conclusion that its not very well done, anyhow, except Parsifal. Thats what most of the people really come for. Im informed that they give all the other operas better in Munich, with the advantage of being in what you may call a Christian town, compared with this. Is that correct, do you think? Yes, I believe so. It is, you can depend upon it Now, what I want to know is, why you and I shouldnt go into a little business partnership, and do this kind of thing brown, as it ought to be done. Margaret opened ber handsome eyes wide. "Because, continued Mr. Van Torp, as coolly as if he were explaining a new plan to a board cf directors, "weve got the capital and the ability between us, and there's a demand Lu "The Company, Which Is You and I, Will Probably Rule- New York for what I propose to do. Itll fill a want, I know, and that means success and money. Why don't theater together? When I say a theater, I mean a first-clas- s opera house and not a barn. We'll employ the best architects to build it, and, of course. I'd leave everything about it to you. I've got a block in New York just about in the right place, and it wont take long to build. I'll give the land and put up the moijey for the building, if youll undertake the management You'll put in any money you like, of course, and well share the profltB. Maybe theyll be quite handsome, for we'll lease the theater to other people outside of the season. Well have the best talent in Europe, and pay for It, and the public will pay us back. Well call it the Cordova Opera, if you like, and youll run it according to your own ideas, and sing or not, whenever you please. Are you in earnest? Margaret had some difficulty in pronouncing the words clearly. Was there ever a great soprano who did not dream of having the most perfect theater of her very own, and who could receive unmoved the offer to build one from a man who could build 20 if he chose? Very rarely In her life had she been aware of her bodily heart, but she could feel it now, beating like a hammer on the anvil. "Im in earnest," Van Torp answered with perfect calm. Ive thought the whole thing over In all Its aspects, just as I would a railroad, or a canal, or a mine, and Ive concluded to try it, if youll help me, because Its golug to be a safe investment. You see. Miss Donne, he went on slowly, there's no artist on the grand opera stage now whos so well equipped for the business as you are. Im not flattering you, either. In your own kind of parts youve simply got no rival. Everybody says so, and I suppose you wont play kitty and deny it Lets start fair, now. It would be silly t6 deny that Im one of the first, Margaret admitted. "Thatll do, thank you. One of the first, and the first is one of them, and you're it. Besides, you've got before we build a CRAWPOPO you whats behind most of them. You're young. Im not talking about your personal appearance, but thats just one more item In the assets. Ans other big one is that youre a musician, whereas half these singers can only bang the box like great, thundering overgrown schoolgirls. Allow that? I suppose I must allow anything, laughed the prima donna. Well, now. Ive told you. Youve got the name I need, and youve got the voice, and the talent, and youve got the science and culture. I suppose youll let me say that Ive got the business ability, wont you? The iron mouth smiled a little grimly. Rather! I fancy some people have wished you had less! And the moneys here, for I always have a blank cheque In my pocket. If you like, I'll fill it In, and well deposit it wherever you say, in the name of the Cordova Opera Company, or Mme. da Cordova, Rufus Van Torp & Co. We can make out our little agreement In duplicate right here, on the corner of the table, and sign It; and before we leave here you might go around and speak to the best singers about an engagement In New York for a Wagner festival, a year from next Christmas. Thats business, and this is a purely business proposition. If you'd like to think it over, Ill go and take a little walk before dinner." It sounds like a dream! Margaret answered, In a wondering tone. Moneys an awful reality, Van Im talking bus!, Torp remarked. ness, and as Im the one who's going to put up most of the capital, youll do me the credit to believe that Im quite wide awake. Do you really, really, really mean It? She spoke almost like a child. It was not the first time In his life that the financier had seen the stunning effect of a big sum, projected with precision, like a Shell. at exactly the right moment. He was playing the great game again, but for a prize he thought worth more than any he had yet won, and the very magnitude of the risk steadied his naturally steady brain. Yes," he said quietly, I do. Perhaps Ive startled you little, and I shouldnt like you to make a decision till you feel quite ready to. I'll just spy again that I've thought the whole thing out as a genuine venture, and that I believe in it, or I wouldnt propose it. Maybe you've got some sensible lawyer you have confidence In, and would like to consult him first. If you feel that way, Id rather you should. A business partnership's not a thing to go Into with your eyes shut, and if we had any reason for distrusting one another, it would be better to make inquiries. But so far as that goes, it appears to me that vt e got the facts to go on, which would make any partnership succeed. You've certainly got the musical brains, besides a little money of your own, and Ive certainly got the rest of the funds. I'd like you to put some money in It, though, if you can spare It, because thats a guarantee that youre going to be In earnest, too, and do your share In the musical side. You see Im talking to you Just as I would to a man In the same position. Not because I doubt that If you put your name to a piece of paper you really will do your share as a partner, but because Im used to working in that sort of way in business. How does that strike you? I hope you're not offended?" Offended! There was no mistaking the suppressed excitement and delight in her voice. If he had possessed the Intelligence of Mephistopheles and the charm of Faust he could not have said anything more subtly pleasing to her dignity and her vanity. Of course," he said, it needn't be a very large sum. Still it ought to be something that would make a difference to you. She hesitated a moment, and then spoke rather timidly. I think perhaps If we did it I could manage a hundred thousand Would that be pounds, she said. too little, do you think? The large mouth twitched and then smiled pleasantly. r Thats too much. he said, shaking You mustn't put all your his head. eggs in one basket A hundred thousand dollars would be quite enough as your share of the capital, with option to buy stock of me at par, up to a million, or so, If its a success. Really? Would that be enough? And, please, what Is stock In such a case? Stock, said the financlel, is a little plant which, when well watered, will grow like the mustard seed, till all the birds of Wall street make their nests in Its branches. And if you don't water it too much. Itll be all right In our case, the stock is going to be that share of the business which most people sell to raise money, and which we mean to keep for ourselves. I always do it that way, when circumstances allow. I once bought all the stock of a railroad for nothing, for instance, and sold all the bonds, and let It go bankrupt. Then I bought the road one day, and found all the first-clas- k sudden-death-ca- fl.WEILs P SIAHJOt VTX stock was in my own pocket. That only a little Illustration. But I guess you can leave the financial side In my hands. You wont lose by it, Im prefr ty sure. I fancy not! Margaret's eye were wide open, her hands wem clasped tightly on her knee, and sbs was leaning forward a little. "Besides, she went on, It would not be the money that I should care about! I can earn more money than I want, and I have a little fortune of my own the hundred thousand I offered you. Oh, no! It would be the splendid power to have the most beautiful mujic In the world given as it could be given nowhere else! The Joy of singing myself the parts I can sing in the most perfect surroundings! An orchestra picked from the whole world of orchestras, the greatest living leaders, the most faultless chorus! And the scenery, and the costumes everything as everything could be, it it were really, really the best that can be had! Do you believe It is possible to have all that? Oh, yes, and with your name to it, too. Well have everything on earth that money can buy to make a perfect opera, and Ill guarantee It'll pay after the first two seasons. That is, if youll work at It as hard as I will. But- -youve got to work, Miss Donne, you've got to work, or Its no use thinking of it. Thats my opinion. Ill work like a Trojan! cried Mai ' garet enthusiastically. She had enough experience In herself, and enough knowledge of ths conditions to believe that her owa hard work, combined with Van Torps unlimited capital, could and certainly would produce such an opera house, and bring to it such artists as had never been seen and heard, except perhaps in Bayreuth, during Its first great days, now long past. Then, too, he had put ths matter before her so skillfully that she could look upon It honestly as a business partnership, in which her voice, her judgment, and her experience would bear no contemptible proportion to his money, and in which she herself was to invest money of her own, thereby sharing the risk according to her fortune as well as giving the greater part of the labor. She felt for some weak place In the scheme, groping as If sbs . were dazzled, but she could find none. I dont think I shall need time to think this over, she said, controlling her voice better, now that sbs had made up her mind. As I understand it, I am to put in what I can in ths way of ready money, and I am to give my time in all ways, as you need it, and my voice, when It Is wanted. U that It?" "Ipxcept that, when you choose to sing, the company will allow you your usual price for each appearance, answered Van Torp In a business-likmanner. You will pay yourself, or we both shall pay you, Just as much as we would pay any other first-classoprano, or as much more as you would get In London or New York If you signed an engagement. "Is that fair?" Margaret asked. Why, certainly. But the company, which is you and I, will probably rule that you mustnt sing In grand opera anywhere In the states east of the rockles. Theyve got to come to New York to hear you. Naturally, youll be free to do anything you like in Europe outside of our season, when you can spare the time. Of course. Well, now, I suppose we might as well note that down right away, as a preliminary agreement. What do you e s say? I say that I simply cannot refuse such an offer! Margaret answered. Your consent is all thats necessary, he said, in a matter-of-fac- t tone. He produced from an Inner pocket a folded sheet of foolscap, which he spread on the corner of the table beside him. He took out a fountain pen and began to write quickly. The terms and forms were as familiar to him as the alphabet and he lost no time; besides, as he had told the prima donna, he had thought out the whole matter before hand. What If Mrs. Rushmore comes In just as we are signing it? asked Mar- garet. "Well tell her, and ask her to ness our signatures, replied wit- Van I judge Torp without looking up. Mrs. Rushmore to have quite a knowledge of business. You seem able to write and talk at the same time," Margaret Baid, smiling. Business talk, yes" The pen ran There. Thats about ail, on swiftly. I should say. Do you think you can read my writing? I dont supposs " youve ever seen it (TO BE CONTINUED) Tea with Children." Tea, says the London Chronicle. In the garden Is one of the instiof our is n tutions. Mr. E. V. Lucas-w- ho connoisseur of the caddy recalls In his essay, The Divine Leaf, a story of the late Arthur Cecil, who once encountered the following inscription In a garden at Kew: Tea, plain, 6d.j tea, with shrimps, td.; tea, with children, Is. n |