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Show ,V' r HAblon Cbawtord By Of "JARACmaeA" $? f AUTHOR "ARETHUSA" KUR- IL LUSTRATIONS ORYRJGMT 907 BY 3V Ui.WEIU -- F.MAROSt SYNOPSIS. Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored a golden bearded stranger who was prospecting and studying herbs In the vicinity of her home in central and revealed to him the location ofAsia, a mine of rubies hoping that the stranger would fove her in return for her disclosure, were followed to the cave by the fhey irl s relatives, who blocked up the entrance, and drew off the water supply, leaving the couple to die. Baraka's cousin eaad, her betrothed, attempted to climb down a cliff overlooking the mine; but the traveler shot him. The was revived from a .water gourdstranger Saad carhis ried, dug way out of the tunnel, and departed, deserting the girl and carrying bag of rubies. Baraka gathered all the gems she could carry, and started In pursuit. Margaret Donne (Margarita da Cordova), a famous prima donna, became engaged in London to Konstantin a wealthy Greek financier. Her intimate friend was Countess Leven, known as Lady Maud, whose husband had been killed by a bomb in St. Petersand Lady Mauds most Intimate burg; friend was Rufus Van Torp, an American, who had become one of the richest ien In the world. Van Torp was In love with Margaret, and rushed tp London as oon as he heard of her betrothal. He offered Lady Maud $5,000,0(10 for her pet oharity If she would aid him In winning the singer from Logotheti. Baraka approached Logothetl at Versailles with rubles 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 after the American had told her of ruby having seen In the United States a man the answering 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 a Russian, given him. Count arrived at Bayreuth.Krallnsky, Van Torp believed him to be the one Baraka was Baraka was arrested In Londonpursuing. on the charge of stealing from Plnney, a Jeweler, the ruby she had sold to Logothetl. Two strangers were the thieves. Lady Maud believed that Logothetis associations with Baraka were open to suspiVan cion, and so infornvd Margaret. Torp believed that ralinsky was the cowboy he had known in his young manhood. Logothetl sc ired Barakas release, and then, with her as his guest, went to sea on his yacht Erlnna. Baraka explains her plans for revenge on the tnan who had deserted her and left her to die. Logothetl succeeds In moderating her rage. CHAPTER X. Continued. But this woman's dressing is very difficult to learn, Baraka went on, leaning back upon the rail with both elbows, and sticking out her little white shoes close together. Without the girl Maggy whom you have found What Hat Happened? CRAWFORD amusing. She punctuated her explanations with small gestures indicative of her ignorance and helplessness. You will soon grow used to it, he said. But you must get some pretty things in Paris before you go to meet the man. It would also be better to let your hair grow long before meeting him, for it is bard to wear the hats of the Ferlnghi ladies without hair. I cannot wait so long as that. Only to get pretty dresses, only so long! I will spend a thousand pounds or two is that enough? I have much money in Paris; I can give much. "You can get a good many things for a thousand pounds, even in Paris, Logotheti answered. Baraka laughed. It will not be what I paid for the first clothes after I ran away, she I did not know then what the said. stones were worth! A little ruby to one woman for a shift and an overtunic, a little ruby to another for a pair of shoes, a little ruby for a veil and a all little rubies! For each thing one! I did not know; the women did not know. But at Samarkand I sold one for money to a good Persian merchant, and what he gave me was enough for the journey, for me and the old woman servant I hired there, till we got to Tiflis; for the Persian merchants everywhere gave me letters from one to another, and their wives took me in, or I should have been robbed. That is how I reached Stamboul after many, many monthk, more than a year. The Persian merchants are good men. All fear them, because they are wise in their dealings, but they are hosest men. They do not lie, but they are silent and shake their heads, and you must guess what they mean; and if you do not guess right, that is your fault, not theirs. Why should they speak when they can hold their peace? But this is all emptiness! We must talk of the fine dresses I must buy in Paris, and of what I must put on my head. The barbers in Paris sell wigs. I have seen them in the windows, very well made, of all colors, even of the . head-blanke- t, She Cried. Are You III, Dear? for me but her real name is Gula, Khenna color. I shall wear a wig, so and fhe is a good Mussulman without that the beautiful Feringhi hat will her, Allah knows what I should do! stay on. I shall perhaps wear a Khen-na-colore- d I could not put on these things for myself; alone, I cannot take them oft When I was like a man, buttons! Two, three, four, twenty what did it matter? All the same way and soon done! But now, I cannot tell what I am made of. Allah knows and sees what I am made of. Hooks, eyes, strings, little bits one way, little bits tbe other way, like the rigging of ships those Turkish ships with many small sails that go up the Bosphorus, you remember? And it is all behind, as if one had no front! Gula knows how it is done. But if I were alone, without her help, Allah is my witness, I would tie the t' .ngs ail round me decently and sit very still for fear they should come off! That is what I should do! The Greek thought her extremely wig." I should not advise a wig, said Logotheti gravely, certainly not one of that dye. You know, and you are a friend. When I feel rested we will go to Paris, and you shall take me to all the richest shops and tell them in French what I want. Will you? I shall do all I can to help you, answered the Grepk, wondering what would happen if his friends met him piloting a lovely barbarian about between the smartest linen draper's and the most fashionable dressmaker's establishment in the Rue de la Paix. The two dined on deck, with shaded lights, but screened from the draught of the ship's way. The evening was cool, and the little maid had dressed Baraka in a way that much disturbed her, for her taper arms were bare to the elbows, and the pretty little readymade French dress was open at her ivory neck, and the skirt fitted so closely that she almost fancied herself in mans clothes again. But on her head she would only wear a large veil, confined by a bit of gold cord, and she drew one fold under her chin, and threw it over the opposite shoulder, to be quite covered; and she was glad when she felt cold, and could wrap herself in the wide traveling cloak they had bought her, and yet not seem to do anything contrary to the customs of a real Feringhi lady. CHAPTER XI. Lady Maud did not answer at once. She wished that she knew how matters had gone between Margaret and 'an Torp during the last few days, for she sincerely wished to help him, now that she had made up her mind as to Logotheti's real character. Nevertheless, her love of fair play made her feel that the Greek ought to be allowed a chance of retrieving himself. Yes," Bhe said at last, Ill go, on one condition. At least. It's not a condition, my dear; it's only a suggestion, though I hate to make one. Dont think me too awfully cheeky, will you? Maigaret shook her head, but looked very grave. Mr. Maud found Van Lady Torp I feel as if I were getting into a waiting for her at the Bayreuth sta- bad scrape, she said, "and I shall be tion. of any good advice. Tell only too You dont mean to say youve me what glad I had better do." come right through?" he Inquired, I must tell you something else first looking at her with admiration as he as a continuation of my letter, for all hand. Youre as fresh sorts of things grasped her happened after I wrote as paint! it." Thats rather a dangerous thing to She told Margaret all that has been say to a woman nowadays," she an- already narrated, concerning the news swered in her rippling voice. But that Baraka had been set at on mine wont come off. How is Marga- Logothetis sworn statement large that the ret? ruby was not his, and that he had Her tone changed as she asked the seen it in her possession in Paris; question. and she told how she had tried to find "She showed me your letter about him at his lodgings, and had failed, Logo, answered her friend without and how strangely the leather-facethe and heeding question, watching answers had struck her, her face to see if she were surprised. secretary's and how she had seen Barakas gloves She got into the carriage he had and stick in Logotheti's hall; ana brought, and he stood by the door finally she said she had taken it into waiting for the porter, who was get- her head that Logothetl had spirited ting her luggage. She had no maid away the Tartar girl on his yacht, with her. which, as every one in town had Im glad you have told me," she known through the papers, was at answered, "though I wish she had Cowes and in commission. For Logo-thet- i, not. You probe bly think that when 1 in his evidence, had explained wrote that letter I remembered what his absence from the police court by you said to me in London about giv- the fact that be had been off in the me ing money for my poor women. Erlnna for two days, out of reaph of No, said Van Torp thoughtfully, news. I don't believe I do think so. It was Margaret's face grew darker as she like me to make the offer, Maud. It listened, for she knew Maud too was like the sort of man Ive been, well to doubt but that Lady word was every and youve known me. But it wouldnt more than scrupulously true; and the have been like you to accept it. It deduction was at least a probable one. wasnt exactly of me to say She bit her lip as she felt her anger what I did, but its so precious like rising again. that I wouldn't say it again, "What do you advise me to do?" and I suppose Im sorry. Thats all. she asked, in a sullen tone. His rough hand was on the side of to Logo and prepay an Telegraph the little open carriage. She touched answer of 20 words. to his it lightly with her gloved fingers and rooms in St. James Telegraph place and at the withdrew them instantly, for the por- same time to his house in Parts. Teleter was coming with her not very like that really graph you anything voluminous luggage. needs an immediate reply. Thats Thank you, she said quickly. I the important thing. If he does not understood, and I understand now. answer within 21 hours say 36 at the Bahnhof-strasse, drove the They slowly up most he Is either on his yacht or through the dull little town, hiding. Excuse the ugly word, dear that looks so thoroughly conscious of I don't think of any other. If you are its ancient respectability as having afraid of the servants, I'll take the once been the residenz of a duke of message to the telegraph office and Wurtemburg, and of its vast impor- send it for you. I suppose you have tance as the headquarters of Richard some way of signing which the clerks Wagners representatives on earth. dont recognize if you sign at all. See here, said Mr. Van Torp. Ive almost persuaded them all to in Margaret leaned aback in her chair silence. After few seconds she run down to Venice, and I want to turned towards the glass, rested her know why you wont come too? Venice? Lady Maud was surprised. chin on her folded knuckles, and to be consulting her own reIt's as hot as Tophet now, and full of seemed flexion. It is a way some women in do the world mosquitoes. Why have. Maud glanced at her Lady you want to take them there? from time to time, but said nothing. answered the American, Well, At last the prima donna rose with a taking plenty of time over the monothat upset the light chair besyllable, I didn't exactly mean to sweep hind one of those magnificent her, stay there more than a few minutes. Ive bought a pretty nice yacht since sweeps that look so well on the stage I saw you, and she's there, eating her and are a little too large for a room. head off, and I thought you might all She got her blotter and pen from a come along with me on her and go shelf, brought It back to the toilet home that way, or somewhere, and table, picked up the chair in a very what I want you to decide right away quiet and sensible way, as if she had never been on the stage in her life, is whether youll come, provided they and sat down to write. will for I dont suppose you and I I shall take your advice, dear, she could go mooning around in the yacht said, opening the blotter and placing by ourselves. "And I dont suppose, returned a large sheet of paper in the right poLady Maud, mimicking him ever so sition Lady Maud rose and went to the that if they decide not to little, come, you will have time for a long window, where she stood looking out while Margaret wrote her message. cruise." "You neednt write it out twice, "Now thats not fair, objected the I didnt Intend to put it she said, without turning round. "Just American. in that way. Anyhow, will you come put duplicate message' and both addresses. if they do? Thats the point. Yes. Thank you. Really, it depends a little on who Margaret was already writing. Her they are. Do you mean only Margamessage said it was absolutely necesret and that nice old friend of her Mrs. Patmore, she? I never met sary that she should see Ixigotheti her. directly, and bade him answer at "Rushmore, said Van Torp, correct- once, if he could come to Bayreuth; if important financial affairs hindered Then theres the Russian ing her. Count Krallnsky. Ever hear that him, she herself would return Imname?" mediately o Paris to see him. She was careful to write "financial" Never It sounds Polish. He might be anything. Sometimes affairs, for she would not admit that Im absolutely sure hes a man I used any other consideration could delay to know out west when I was on the his obedience. While she was busy ranch, and then again theres some- she heard, but scarcely noticed, an thing quite different about him. Some- unearthly hoot from a big motor car thing about his legs or his eyes, I that was passing before the hotel. can't tell which. I don't quite make There must have been something in him out. the way, for the thing hooted again They reached the hotel, and Van almost at once, and then several Torp went off promptly, leaving Mar- times in quick succession, as if a gigaret to take I,ady Maud upstairs gantic brazen ass were beginning to The and introduce her to Mrs. Rushtnore. bray Just under tne window An hour later the two young wom- noises ended in a sort of wild, trien wrere together in Margaret's room, umphant howl, with a furious puffing, while Potts was unpacking for Lady and the motor took itself off, just as Maud in the one that had been se- Margaret finished. cured for her in spite of all sorts of She looked up and saw Lady Maud difficulties. half bent, as if she had been struck; The prima donna was sitting at her she was clinging with one hand to the toilet table, turned away from the flimsy chintz curtain, and her face glass, and Lady Maud occupied the was as white as a sheet. Margaret only possible chair there was. a pmall, started in surprise, and rose to her low easy chair, apparently much too feet so suddenly that she upset the small for such a tall woman, but less chair again. uncomfortable than it lookrd What has happened? she cried Are you going on Mr Van Torp's Are you ill, dear? The delicate color came slowly back yacht?" asked Lady Maud suddenly. He spoke to me about it on the way to the smooth cheeks, the thoroughfrom the station, and asked me to bred figure in black drew itself up come, in case you accept. with elastic dignity, and the hand let I don't know. Will you go if I au? go of the curtain. That might make a difference." I felt a little faint, Lady Maud an low-dow- n low-dow- n swered. "Did I frighten you? It was big fair beard, I suppose? Yes, thank nothing, and it's quite gone, I assure you. you. She went out into the dull street, "You looked dreadfully ill for a mo- with its monotonous houses, all two ment," Margaret said in a tone of stories high, and Bhe soon found the concern. Wont you let me send for telegraph office and sent Margpret's Tea? Or something duplicate message. something? She had not iced? Im sure you have had nothing glanced at it, but the clerk asked her to eat or drink for hours! How disquestions about words that were not gracefully thoughtless of me! quite clearly written, and she was She was just going to ring, but her obliged to read it through. It occurred friend stopped her. to her that it was couched in extremeNo please! she cried. Im all ly peremptory terms, even for an ofright, indeed I am. The room is a lit- fended bride-elect- ; but that was none tle warm, I think, and I've been shut of her business. up in that stuffy train for 30 hours. She resumed her walk, not knowing Have you written your telegram? Ill whither and not caring, always at the on hat at once, and take it for same even my put pace, and hardly noticing you. The little walk will do me good. the people who passed her, of whom a Where is the telegraph? liut they can were In good cabs, tell me downstairs. Don't bother! some many In queer little German motors, Walking always brings me round, no and a few on foot; and she thought, matter what has happened!" and wondered, and tried to underShe spoke nervously, in disjointed stand, but could not At all events, phrases, in a way not like herself, for she was glad to he alone; she was there was generally an air of easy not to have even Van Torp with calm In all she did, as if nothing glad and she was quite Indifferent to in the least, save her, really mattered the fact that time was passing, and when she was deeply interested; and that Margaret was beginning to wonhardly anything interested her aow der where in the world she was. except what she had made her work. Mrs. Rushmore My dear child, In all that belonged to that, she was said, when the prima donna expressed energetic, direct and quick. those English people Margaret was sure that something her surprise, was wrong, but let her go, since she are all alike, when they are once out insisted, and Lady Maud folded the on a road by themselves. They must written message and went to the door. take a long walk. They never know Just as she was going to turn the when to stop walking. I cannot understand what they can see In it Pen handle Margaret spoke to her. If I have no answer to that by haps you will kindly touch the bell, afternoon I shall accept my dear, and I will send the tea away. It can be brought fresh for her when Mr. Van Torps invitation. she comes. Thank you, Margaret. I hope you will go, Maud Lady said with sudden decision, for if you But she will not come in till it Is just do, I can go with you, and I'm dying time to dress for dinner. Mark my words, my child, the countess will be to Bee the new yacht! Margaret looked at her in surprise, late for dinner. All English people for it was only a little while since she are. Have you heard from Mons. Lohad seemed much less ready to join gotheti the party, and only willing to do so, if Not Margaret answered, at all, in order to please her friend. repressing a little start, for she was She saw Margarets expression. as near to being nervous as she ever Yes, Bhe said, as if in explanation, was, and Bhe was thinking of him Just Tve been thinking it over in the last then, and the question had come sudfew minutes, and I want very much denly. two-hors- e ? to-da- Sent Margarets to go with you all. I shall be back in less than an hour. An hour? Say half an hour. I want a good walk. Straight and tall in her mourning, Lady Maud went down the stairs of the hotel. As she was going out the hall porter raised his cap, and she stopped a moment and asked him which was the nearest way to the telegraph office. He stood on the doorstep and pointed in the direction she was to follow as he answ'ered her question. Can you tell me, she askell, whose motor car it was that passed about ten minutes ago, and made so much noise? Count Kralinsky8, my lady, the porter answered; for he spoke good English, and had the true hotel porters respect for the British aristocracy abroad. .He was the gentleman with the Duplicate Message. I think it is time you heard from him, said ;Mrs. Rushmore, her naturI should al severity asserting itself. think that after those very strange stories in the papers be would write tb you and explain, or come himself. By the by, perhaps you will kindly pass me the Herald, my dear. What did you once tell me was the name of his yacht? The Erinna, Margaret answered, handing Mrs. Rushmore the sheet. Exactly! I think that means ths Fury. He told me it was the name of a Greek poetess, Margaret observed. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Peculiar Family Reunion. There is a man in New York, a brilliant writer, who, twice divorced, is now living happily with hia third wife. Last year he gave a dinner to his three wives, and he said it was really a delightful reunion. |