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Show Crawtord BvFHAbipn COAUTHOR or VMACmseA ARmm'tTCM ULusimmsw &.we!l CQPYRJGHT JQ07 BY SYNOPSIS. QAAWPOAO Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored of 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 of rubies hoping that the stranger would love her in return for her disclosure. They were followed to the cave by the girls relatives, who blocked up the entrance, and drew off the water supply, leaving the couple to die. Barakas cousin Saad, her betrothed, attempted to climb down a cliff overlooking the mine; but the traveler shot him. The stranger was revived from a water gourd Saad carried, dug his way out of the tunnel, and departed, deserting the girl and carryings a bag of rubles. Baraka gathered all th? gems she could carry, and started in pursuit. Margaret Donne (Margarita da Cordova), a famous prima donna, became engaged in fcondon to Konstantin a wealthy Greek financier. Her Leven, intimate friend was Countess known as Lady Maud, whose husband had been killed by a bomb in St. Petersburg, and Lady Mauds most intimate friend was Rufus Van Torp, an American, who had become one of the richest men in the world. Van Torp was in love with Margaret, and rushed to London as He eoon as he heard of her betrothal. offered Ladv Maud 15,000,000 for her pet charity if she would aid him in winning tlie singer from Logothett. 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 by Baraka in male attire. She gave him a rubv 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. Martook a liking to Van Torp. who pregaret sented her with the ruby Baraka had given him. Count Kralinsky, a Russian, arrived at B lyreuth. Van Torp believed him to be the one Baraka was pursuing. Baraka was arrested in London 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 Logotheti's associations with Baraka were open to suspicion, and so informed Margaret. CHAPTER VIII. differently, but surveying the two men through the white mist of her thick veil. Yes, said Mrs. Rushmore with delight, and almost whispering in her excitement He has seen us, and now hes 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 a kitten scampering after a ball of string. The kitten would certainly catch the ball in the end, and Mrs. Rushmore would as surely capture the lion. Mr. Van Torp raised his hat when he was within four or five paces of the ladies, and his companion, who was a head and shoulders taller than he, slackened his pace and stopped a little way behind him as Mrs. Rushmore shook bands and Margaret nodded pleasantly. May I present Count Kralinsky? asked the American. Ive met him before, and weve just renewed our acquaintance. Mr. Van Torp looked from Mrs. Rushmore to' Margaret, and tried to see her expression through her veil. She answered his look by a very slight inclination of the head. ,We shall be delighted, said the elder lady, speaking tor both. enumerating their acquaintances. Kralinsky was surprised at the number of Mrs. Rushmores friends, but the count seemed to know everybody, from all the grand dukes and archdukes iu Russia, Germany, and Austria. to the author of the latest successful play in Paris, and the man of science who had discovered how to cure gout by radium. Kralinsky had done the cure, seen the play, and dined with the royalties within the last few weeks. Mrs. Rushmore thought him one of the most charming men she had ever met. In the rear Mr. Van Torp and the prima donna were not talking; but he looked at her, she looked at him, they both looked at Kralinskys back, and then they once more looked at each other and nodded; which meant that Van Torp had recognized the man he had met selling rubies in New York, and that Margaret understood , this. , else thats quite funny, if you dont mind dropping a little further behind," he said. Margaret walked still more elowly till a dozen paces separated them from the other two. What is it? she asked in a low tone. I believe hes my old friend from v horn I learned to whistle Parsifal, " Im pretty answered the American. sure of it, in spite of a good many years and a beard two things that change a man. See his walk? See how he turns his toes in? Most cowboys walk like that. How very odd that you should meet again! Margaret was surprised, Ill tell you something , Continued. Without further consulting Margaret, who had seated herself before Potts proceeded to the dressing-table- , black straw fasten a hat on the thick brown hair; she then spread an immense white veil over it, 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 discreetly before there was any answer. sht asked, pvhat My dear child, In the world is the matter? Nothing serious, I trust?Oh, nothing, Margaret answered, going forward to meet her, and finding her natural voice. "Im sorry If Ive kept you waiting. It's so unlike you, my dear, Mrs. Rushmore said, with emphasis; and Potts looked quite grave when she brought me your message half an hour broad-brimme- ago. You would d I Bur-prise- had pronounced Logothetis name. Besides, she generally called him "Logo," as all his friends did. The American said nothing for a moment, but he glanced repeatedly at the white veil, through which he saw her handsome features without their expression. Well, he said at last, almost to himself, for he hardly expected her to understand the language of his surprise, "that beats the band! It really is rather odd, you know, responded Margaret, who understood If you think Ive adorned perfectly the truth 1 11 give you the police court report, i have it in my glove. Lady Maud sent it to me with a letter. She added, after an instants hesitation, Im not sure that I shall not give you that to read, too, for theres something about you in it, and she is your best friend, isnt she? Out and out. I dare say youd smile if I told you that I asked her to help me to get you to change your mind. "No, Margaret answered, turning She tells me slowly to look at him. so in this letter. Does she really? Van Torp had guessed as much, and had wished to undermine the surprise he supposed that Margaret had in store for him. "Thats just like her straightforward way of doing things. She told me frankly that she wouldnt lift a finger to influence you. However, It cant be helped, I suppose. The conclusion of the speech seemed to be out of the logical sequence. She has done more than lift a finger now," Margaret said. Has she offended you? Van Torp ventured to ask, for he did not understand the constant subtone of anger he heard in 'her voice. "I know she would not mean to do that. No. You dont understand. I've telegraphed to ask her to join us here. Van Torp was really surprised now, and his face showed it. I wish we were somewhere alone, I mean, out of Margaret continued. quietly on without turning her head, being absorbed and charmed by Kralinskys conversation. You may as well read the newspaper cutting now, Margaret said when they had begun to walk again. That cannot attract attention, even if she does look round, and it explains a good many things. It's in the thinner envelope, of course. Van Torp fumbled in the pocket of bis jacket, and brought out the slip of newspaper without the envelope, a precaution which Margaret noticed and approved. She watched him Intently while he read the printed report, but his face did not change in the least At that short distance she could see every shade of his expression through the white veiling, though he could not see hers at all. He finished reading, folded the slip carefully, and put in into his pocket-booinstead of returning it to the envelope. It does look queer, he said Blowly. Now let me ask you one thing, but don't answer me unless you like. Its not mere inquisitiveness on my part." As Margaret said nothing, though he waited a moment for her answer, he went on. That ruby, now I suppose it's to be cut for you, isnt it? Yes. He gave It to me in Versailles, and I kept it some days. Then he abked me to let him have it to take to London when I came here. Just so. Thank you. One more question, if I may. That stone I gave you, I swear I don't know that it's not glass anyhow, that stone, does it look at all like the one that was stolen ? Oh, no! Its quite another shape and size. Why do you ask? I don't quite see." What I mean is. If these people are around selling rubies, there may be two very much alike, thats all. Well, if there were? What of It? Im only supposing, Suppose mind, that the girl really had another stone about her a good deal like the k Yes. He tried to make me think he wasnt sure whether the creator was a boy or a girl. Maybe he wasnt sure himself."; suggested the American, but the ton in Which she had spoken the wor& "creature had not escaped him. j He was really trying to put the css in a fair light, and was not at all maneuvering to ascertain her state mind. That was clear enough now. How far she might go he could not; tell, but what she bad just said coupled with the way in which shni spoWj of the man to whom she wan1 engaged as "Mons. Logotheti, madn it quite evident that she was pro foundly Incensed against him, and Va ft Torp became more than ever anxious not to do anything underhand. Look here, he said, Tb going to tell you something. I took a sort ot interest in that Tartar girl the only time I saw her. I dont know why. 1 dare say I was taken In by her Just ordinary taken in, like a tenderfoot. I gave her that fellows address in New York. He nodded towards Kralinsky.' When I found ho wag here, I wired Logotheti to tell her, since she's after him. I suppose I thought Logotheti would gojrtgbt away and find her, and m mixed up with her mean of me, wasn't nat's Cay Ive told you. You see, I didnt know anything about all this, and that makes it meaner still, doesnt It? Possibly If he had told her these facts 48 hours earlier she might have been annoyed, but at present they seemed to be rather In his favor. At all events he was frank, she thought. He declared war on his rival, and meant to fight according to the law ot nations. Lady Maud would not be hie friend if be were playing any double game, but she bad stuck to him throughout his trouble In the spring, he had emerged victorious and reinstated in public opinion, and she had been right. Lady Maud knew him better than any one else, and she was a good woman, If there ever waa d it?i like the word, and threw up her head as a horse does when a beginner bolds on by the curb. You need not make yourself out worse than you are," she answered. "I want to start fair, said the millionaire, and I'd rather your impression should improve than get worae. The only real trouble with Lucifer was he started too high up. This singular statement was madn with perfect gravity, and without thn slightest humorous intention, but Margaret laughed for the first time that day. in spite of the storm that was still raging in the near distance of her thoughts. Why do you laugh? asked Van Torp. Its quite true. 1 don't want to start too high up In your estimation and then be turned down as unlit for the position at the end of thn first week. Put me where I belong and I wont disappoint you. Say I was doing something that wasn't exconsidering the obactly ject, but that mightn't pass muster at an honor parade, anyhow. And then say that Ive admitted the fact, if you like, and that the better I know you the less 1 want to do anything mean. It wont be bard for you to look at It, in that light, will it? And It'll give me the position of starting from the line. Is that right?. "Yes, Margaret answered, smiling. "Slang right and English right! You ask for a fair field and no favor, and you shall have it. Til go straight, Van Torp answered. 1 suppose Lady Maud will come, wont she? he asked suddenly, after a short silence. I hope so, Margaret said. If not. she will meet me in Paris, for she offers to do that in her letter. I'm staying on in this place because you said you didnt mind, observed Van Torp. Do you want me to go away if she arrives? Why should I? Why shouldn't you stay?" Oh, I dont know. I was only thinking. Much obliged anyway, and 111 I Took a Sort of Interest in That Tartar Girl." certainly stay If you don't object. We the way of Mrs. Rushmore. She one that was stolen, and that some- shall be quite a party, shant we? knows nothing about all this, but she body else was the thief. Queer things What with us three, and Lady Maud and Kralinsky there saw me cramming the letters into my like that have happened before. Mrs. Rushmore and Kralinsky had her Yes. But old Pinney is one of. the glove, and I cannot possibly let see me giving them to you. first experts in the world, and he stopped in their walk and were waiting for them. They quickened their Oh, well, let me think, said the swore to the ruby. I guess I want to buy Thats so, said Van Torp thought- pace.I millionaire. thought perhaps this was far some photographs of Bayreuth and fully. I forgot that. said Mrs. Rushmore. enough, Of Bhe if And had the the Parsifal characters in that shop, other stone, could go on further, and Its I course there on the right. Suppose you wait she had stolen it from Mons. Logonot your usual walk, my dear, but unoutside the door, so that Mrs. Rush- theti, I have not the least doubt. mind more can see you if she turns around. I daresay, replied the millionaire. less you Margaret did not mind, and said so Shell understand that Im inside. If Im not her attorney. Im not trying readily; whereupon Mrs. Rushmore you drop your parasol towards her you to defend her. I was only thinking. took Van Torp for her can get the letters out, cant you? She was at his house in Paris, deliberately on the way back. Then as I come out you can just pass Margaret said, quite unable to keep companion Im sure you wont object to walkthem to me behind the parasol, and her own counsel now. It was when ing slowly," she said to him, and weU go on. Hows that? It wont I was at Versailles. Miss Donne and the count can go as take one second, anyhow. You can You dont say so! Are you sure of fast as they like, for they are both make believe your glove's uncomfor- that?" walkers. I am sure you must good table, and youre fitting it, if anybody He admitted it when I was talking be a walker, she added, turning great of Will out know comes the you to him through the telephone, and I to the Russian. shop. I that do? Here we are. Shall go in? heard her speaking to him in a lanHe smiled blandly and bent his Yes. Don't be long! Ill cough guage I did not understand. head a little, as if he were acknowlDid you really when Im ready. Well, well! Mr. edging a compliment. Van Tor The operation succeeded, and the Van Torp was beginning to be puz- looked at him quietly. more easily as Mrs. Rushmore went zled again. Nice voice, hasnt shef (TO BE CONTINUED.) low-dow- Margaret gathered them up hastily, folded them Into a crumpled package . lous. Mr. Van Torp thought he had heard even more in her accent when she r one. Yet he had accused himself of having acted meanly. Margaret did not d have been more if she had burst out laughing, Margaret said viciously. Mrs. Rushmore anMy dear, swered, Im astonished at you! I know something has happened. I know it. You are not yourself this 4 morning. v,. This was a statement so evidently absurd that it could not be answered except by a flat contradiction; so Margaret said nothing, and went on working her" hand into a perfectly new glove. I 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- . and thrust them into the empty enFor once, she had forgotten velope. 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 newspaper cutting. Im ready now, she said. Mrs. Rushmore turned and led the way with stately steps; she was always Imposing, but when she was offended she was monumental. The two went out in silence, and walkly slowly down the straight, dull street side by side. Mrs. Rushmore spoke first, after they had gone some distance. I know, she said, that something has happened. It was in that letter. You cannot deny it, Margaret It was In the letter you folded In that hurried manner. The news was, answered the prima donna, still vicious. I told you so. My dear child, it's not of the slightest use to try to deceive me. Ive known you since you were a child. Im not trying to deceive you. When I asked what had happened, you answered, Nothing. I do not call that very frank, do you? Potts was there, . to begin, explained Margaret crossly. 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 beginning of a social smile wreathed her hitherto grave lips. Theres Mr. Van Torp, my dear, she said in quite another tone, and very low, and unless Im much mistaken yes, I knew It! Hes with Count Kralinsky. I saw the count 'from the window yesterday when he I hope our friend will pre.arrived. sent him. , I dare say, Margaret answered in-- lying on the counter where any one could take it is simply incomprehensible. Thats what you heard in my voice when I said that men are credu- She Watched Him Intentljf'Whlle He Read the Printed Report. V Mr. Van Torp introduced the count but not deeply interested by this new to Mrs. Rushmore and then to Mar- development. said Van Torp thoughtfulWell, garet, calling her Miss Donne, and she saw that the man was handsome ly, if Id known I was going to meet as well as tall and strong. He had him somewhere, Id have said this a magnificent golden beard, a clear was as likely a place as any to find complexion, and rather uncertain blue him in, now that I know what it was eyes, in one of which he wore a sin- he whistled. But I admit that the He other matter has more in it. I wongle eyeglass without a string. was quietly dressed and wore no jew- der what would happen if I asked elry, excepting one ring, in which him about Miss Barrack? blazed a large tallow-topperuby. Nothing, Margaret answered conHe had the unmistakable air of a man fidently. "Nothing would happen. He of the world, and was perfectly at his has never heard of her. ease. When he raised his straw hat Van Torps sharp eyes tried in vain he disclosed a very white forehead, to penetrate the veil. and short, thick fair hair. There was Thats not quite clear, he , obno sign of approaching middle age in served. Or else this isnt my good his face or figure, but Margaret felt, day. or guessed, that he was older than he The girl fooled you, said Margalooked. ret in a low voice. "Did she mention In her stiffly correct French, Mrs. his name to you? Rushmore said that she was enWell no chanted to make his acquaintance, "She never saw him in her life, or and Margaret murmured sweetly but if she ever did, It was she who robbed him of rubies; and it was not the othunintelligibly. "The count speaks English perfect- er way, as you supposed. Men are ly, observed Mr. Van Torp. generally inclined to believe what a He ranged himself beside Margaret, girl tells them! Thats true, Van Torp admitted. leaving the foreigner to Mrs. RushBut all the same, I dont jguite undermore, much to her gratification. We were going to walk, she said. stand you. Theres a meaning in your Will you join us? And she moved on. voice thats not in the words. Excuse It Is a great pleasure to meet you, me if Im not quick enough this mornKralinsky said by way of opening the ing, please. Im doing my best I have often heard conversation. Your friend Baraka has been arof you from friends in Paris. Your rested and sent to prison in London little dinners at Versailles are fa- for stealing a very valuable ruby mous all over Europe. I am sure we from the counter in Pinoey's," Margahave many mutual friends, though ret explained. "The stone had just yob may never have heard my name. been taken there by Mons. Logotheti Mrs. Rushmore was visibly pleased, to be cut. The gii .must have foland as the way was not very wide, lowed him without 'his knowing it Margaret and Van Torp dropped be- and watched her chance, though how hind. They soon heard the other two old Pinney can have rift such a thing d nice-lookin- g |
