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Show (Pi jpsvrii 'AUTHOR OF "MACJttFdeA CWYJU&JT JQ07 AY f'.MtAUON Q&AWFOK0 SYNOPSIS. Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored of a golden bearded stranger who was prospecting and studying herbs in the vicinity or 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 lie couple to die. Baraka's cousin Saad, her betrothed, attempted to climb down a chil ucrlooking 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 carrying a bag of rubies. Baraka gathered all the gems she could carry, and started In pursuit. Bonne (Margarita da Margaret Cordotu), a famous puma donna, became Lo- engaged in London to Konstantin wealthy Greek linancier. Her f'olheii, a friend was Countess Leven, known as Lady Maud, whose husband had been killed by a bomb in St. Petersburg; and Lady Mauds most intimate fr.end 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 London as oon 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 .ell. 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 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. Mard garet took a liking to Van Torp, wrho her with the ruby Baraka had given him. Count Kralinsky, a Russian, arrived at Bayreuth. 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. Yvo strangers were the thieves. Lady Maud believed that Logolhetis associations with Baraka were open to suspiVan cion, and so informed Margaret. Torp beljeved that Kralinsky was the he manin had known ids young cowboy hood. 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 moderating her rage. Lady Maud arrived in Bayreuth. Margaret and Van Torp entered tnto an agreement to build a tremendous jpera house in New York. The thief who fitole the ruby from Mr. Pinney is arrested in New York and the stone recovered. Lady Maud confides to Van Torp that ehe believes Kralinsky to be the husband she had believed dead. Van Torp promises his help to unravel the mystery. 1 pre-fnte- CHAPTER XIII. Continued. She had already come to the conclusion that if Kralinsky was really Leven, the latter had Beized the opportunity offered him by his own supposed death to disappear from St. Petersburg, and had taken another name. Leven had been a ruined man when be had tried to divorce her; when he died, or disappeared, he left nothing but debts, which were extinguished with him, for no one ' attempted to make his widow responsible for them, since there was no estate and she had no fortune beyond the allowance her father made her. Lord Creedmore was far from being a rich peer, too, and what he gave her was not much, although it would more than suffice for her simple wants, now that she intended to live with him again. But if Leven had not been killed and bad turned into Kralinsky, he now had plenty of ready money, though It was not easy to guess how he had obtained possession of a quantity of valuable Asiatic rubies within the few weeks that had elapsed between his supposed destruction by the bomb and the date of Van Torps transaction with him in New York. That was a mystery. So was his possible acquaintance, or connection, with the eastern girl who was looking for him, if there was a shadow of truth in Logothetis story. Lady Maud did not believe there was, and she felt morally sure that the tale had evolved itself out of the Greek's fertile brain, as a fantastic explanation of his atrocious conduct. While she was thinking over these matters and rehearsing in her thoughts the scene that was before her, she saw a gondola making straight for the yacht across the fast fading green of the lagoon that lay between the vessel and the Piazzetta. It came nearer, and she drew back from the rail against her cabin door, under the shadow of the promenade deck, which extended over the gangway and was supported by stanchions, as on an ocean liner. The Lancashire Lass, with her single yellow funnel, her one short signal mast, her turretand her generally shaped wheel-housbusiness-lik- e appearance, looked more like a cross between a fast modern cruiser and an ocean greyhound than like a private yacht. She even guns had a couple of quick-firinmounted just above her rail. Lady Maud looked at the gondola, and as it came still nearer, she saw that it brought only one passenger and that he had a fair beard. She quietly opened her cabin door, and went in to dress for dinner. Meanwhile Mr. Van Torp had completed hjs toilet, and sent for the capg tain. I suppose youre ready at any moment, captain? Inquired the millionaire. Yes, sir. The pilot is on board, and the gentleman you expected is Just coming alongside. Then you can start now, said the owner, after a moments thought. I.' 47 ARFTHU3A Where are we bound, sir? Oh, well, I dont know. I wanted to say a few words about that, captain. Do you happen to know anything about f vacht called the Erinna, be KM 8 longing to a Mr. Logotheti, a Greek gentleman who lives in Paris? Yes, sir, answered Capt. Brown, for it was a part of his business to read the yachting news. She was at Cowes when we sailed. She was reported the other day from Gibraltar as having entered the Mediterranean after taking fresh provisions, owner and party on board. There is no further word of her." Well," said Mr. Van Torp, I have an idea shes gone to Naples, but I want you to find her right away wherever she is, owner and party on board. That's all, captain. If you happen to see her anywhere, you just come and tell me if Im alone, and if Im not, why send one of your young men to say you want to know something anything you happen to think of, and Ill come to your room and tell you what to do. See? Thats all, and now lets start, please. All right, sir. When the party assembled in the deck saloon for dinner. Lady Maud was missing. Stemp, who did not intend that his master should dine withoht his personal attention, no matter how much the chief steward might object to his presence, approached Mr. Van Torp and whispered something. Lady Maud begged that the party would sit down without her, and she would join them in a moment. So they took their places, and the vacant one was on the owner's right, between him and the prima donna. You see, said Mr. Van Torp, explaining to Mrs. Rushmore, which was we are Ameriwholly unnecessary, cans, and this ship is America, so the English guest goes first. But Mrs. Rushmore knew these things, for she was used to handling lions in numbers; and the little lions ones are very and the middle-size- d particular about their places at table, but the great big ones do not care one dingle Sam, as Mr. Van Torp would have elegantly expressed their Indifference. For he was a great big lion himself. Did you ever meet Lady Maud? he inquired, speaking to Kralinsky. Which Lady Maud? asked the foreigner in his rather oily voice. "There are several. Countess Leven, who was Lady Maud Foxwell, explained Mrs. Rush-more- . , . Kralinsky turned quietly to her, his single eyeglass fixed and glittering. I knew poor No. he answered. Leven well, but I was never ' introduced to his wife. I have heard that she is very beautiful. You say you knew the late Count Mrs. Rushmore, Leven? observed with an encouraging and interrogatory . smile. answered Kralinsky Intimately, with perfect We were in the same regiment in the Caucasus. I dare say you remember that he began life as a chvalry officer and then entered the diplomacy. Gifted man, very, the Russian added in a thoughtful tone, but no balance! It seems to me that I have heard he did not treat his wife very well. Mr. Van Torp had met several very cool characters in his interesting and profitable career, but he thought that if the man before him was Leven himself, as he seemed to be, he beat them all for calm effrontery. Were you ever told that you looked like him? asked Mr. Van Torp carelessly. Even at this question Kralinsky showed no embarrassment. To tell the truth, he replied, I remember that one or two in the regiment saw a slight resemblance, and we were of nearly the same height, 1 should say. But when I last saw Leven he did not wear a beard. At this point Lady Maud came in quietly and made directly for the vacant place. The two men rose as soon as she appeared, and she found herself face to face with Kralinsky, with the table between them. Their eyes met, but Lady Maud could not detect the slightest look of recognition in his. Van Torp introduced him, and also watched his face narrowly, but there was not the least change of expression, nor any quick glance of surprise. Yet Kralinsky possibly did not know that Lady Maud was on the yacht, for he had not been told previously that she was to be of the party, and in the short conversation which had preceded her appearance, no one had actually mentioned the fact. She herself had come to dinner late with the express purpose of presenting herself before him suddenly, but she had to admit that the intended surprise did not take place. She was not astonished, however, for she had more than once seen her husband placed in very difficult situations, from which he had generally extricated himself by his amazing power of concealing the truth. Being seated nearly opposite to him, it was not easy to study his features without seeming either to stare at him rudely or to be bestowing more attention on him than on any of the others. Her eyes were very good, and her memory for details was fair, and if she did not look often at his face, she watched his hands and listened to the intonations of his voice, and her conviction that he was Leven grew during din- - day music which she could never Maud knew that every word of it was sing to the world, but sweet old me- true, tie knew oi Levon's unsuccesslodious songs she hud learned when ful attempt to divorce her on that a girl; Shuborts "Serenade and Ave ground, too, and he knew the numMaria, and Tosti's Malia," and then ber of her house in (barb's street Beethoven's "Adelaide; aud Van Berkeley square. Torp was silent and peffectly happy, On the other hand, there were as well he might he. many things ui whten ue ItlU W When she bid Van Torp good night ing, or pretended to be ignorant, such, she pressed his hand frankly, as she as the names of her brothers and slithad never done before, hut he took ters, het father's favorite pursuits no sudden advantage of what he felt and the like But she understood very in her touch, arui he returned the well that if he thought she suspected pressure so discreetly that she was his identity under the disguise of hla almost disappointed, though not quite, hoard, and if he wished to avoid refor there was just a little something cognition, ho was just the man to premore than usual there. tend blank ignorance of some vital She did not disturb Lady Maud, matters, after admitting his acquainteither, when she went to her cabin, ance with many others, lie had been though if she had known that her very intimate with I, even, to the last, beautiful neighbor was wide awake he said; Leven had always written and restless, she would at least have to him very fully about his life, very said good night and asked her if she wittily sometimes, but always without balance! That was it; he had no "balwas still so very tired. But Lady Maud slept, too, at4 last, ance. Yes, he himself had been in though not very long, and was the Petersburg when Leven was killed only one who appeared at breakfast and had seen him on the previous to keep Van Torp company, for Mar- day. Within a week he had made a garet slept the sleep of a singer, rapid trip to New York, whence he lie had which is deep and long as that of the had now just returned, boats both going healthy dormouse, and Mrs. Rush- crossed on five-damore had her first tea and toast hap- and coming, and he named them. "I am naturally interested in meetpily In her cheerful surroundings of pink and gilding. As for Kralinsky, ing any one who knew my husband so his man iniormed Stemp and the chief well," Lady Maud said, making a bold steward that the count never thought dash at a possibility. "We had many of getting up till between nine and differences, as you seem to know, but ten o'clock, when he took a cup of I dare Bay that if he could come back chocolate and a slice or two of sponge to life and know the real truth, wo cake In his own room before dressing. should forgive each other. So Lady Maud and Van Torp had the She looked up to him with a gentlo yacht to themselves for some time smile as she said this, for she had that morning. often felt it; and in that instant I fancy from what you said last flash of light came into his usually night that your plan is to catch Lo- rather uncertain eyes. Her heart stood gotheti and the Tartar girl at sea, still; she looked at the sea again disaid Lady Maud, when they were rectly, for she was leaning against th alone. rail; then she drew breath, as if from anI supposed you'd understand, an effort. She had seen a look that Do you see any could only mean recognition. swered Van Torp. Leven Met. Their Eyes harm in that? It occurred to me that was alive and was standing beside of her. But she had the courage to go ner. Yet there was still a shadow of Margarets request the light had been it might be quite a drastic form How does it strike on talking, after a moment, and she demonstration. a was small it not have told could she out, only put though doubt, though At all tried to change the subject, though opalescent one, placed under the awn- you? exactly where it lay. "No, frankly not! Lady Maud was not very adroitly. and bridge. She longed to lead him into a trap ing abaft the wheel-housDuring the afternoon Mr. Van Torp We must be going very fast, said still incensed at Logothetl's conduct. by asking some question to which if "A man who does such things dehad a revelation, sudden and clear, he were Leven, he would know the an- Lady Maud, for the sea is flat as a serves anything that his rival can do for he had watched Lady Maud and swer, though not if he were any one millpond, and yet theres a gale as to him. I hope you may overhaul the Kralinsky all day and had thought of of soon the lee as one out gets else, a question to which he would not yacht, run alongside of her and show about them a good deal, considering hesitate to reply unsuspectingly if the things the two, making love to how his mind was occupied with other 'Shesdoing 22, I believe, replied Margaret answer were known to him. But Lady each other in Tartar on deck! That's matters even nearer to his heart than 23 it do can Van and she Torp, Maud was not ingenious in such cob. the least that ought to happen to his best friends welfare. As soon aa ersational tricks, and could not think pressed, She will, by and by, when him! the revelation came upon him he rang she warmed up. gets f anything that would do. I like to hear you talk for his own man. Thank you. we are Where going? Margaret The outward difference of appearhe began. Stemp, see here! At this rate we are sure to like that. Capt. Brown will do his ance between him and the man she asked. ' Youve valeted around with all sorts And now, tell me, level think. I best, somewhere!' had married was so small that she get "I dont know where were going, he lowered his voice a little more, of different looking men. How long could assuredly not have sworn in evdoes it take to grow a beard like sure. The millionaire smiled in Is that man Leven. or not?" Im idence that Kralinsky was not her Count Kralinskys? anMaud I am sure he is, Lady as it the "But doesnt you say, gloom. husband. There was the beard, and A year, sir. Not a day less, and I as if there feel and ought swered, yet she had not seen Leven with a beard take more than five minutes to get to If you be a little doubt still. I don't know longer with most gentlemen. a in like this. somewhere ship since the first months of her marwere of it, sir " an to how rather thinking for its express it, You must have told the captain You dont believe it could be manriage four years ago, when he had cut odd sensation. it off for some reason known only to what you wanted him to do! You 1 aged in three months, by taking an Is be! think should it might some must orders!" have given himself. Of course a recollection, alI can say or do? Ill expert around with you to work oa Why, certainly. I told him to look there anything ready four years old, could not be ask the man any question you sug- your face? find anothsee if he could and around trusted like one that dated only as far Thats out of the question, sir. I'm certain hes not old Levi back as three months; for he had left er yacht like this anywhere in the gest. Gentlemen beards that have shaved who not if and hes Leven, So hes just looking Lor.glcgs, her not long before his supposed Mediterranean. on earth is he? Thats what I should all their llv'ps, as I suppose you have, around, like that, I suppose. And it death. sir, do grow, faster, but 1 should like to know." a year5 a short time for $ueh a There were the hands, and there he finds another yacht anything like I never I find .fear! shall out, was the left hand especially. That this, well see which of us can go fast- know I shall, because I must, if 1 ain fine one as the counts. Indeed 1 You I est. see dont know anything should, sir, might be the seat of the doubt. Posabout ships, or where to go, so I just ever to have any peace again. I'm not Do you! suppose you could stick II sibly she had never noticed that a very nervous person, you know, am of of the that way passing on freRh every day, the way they do Leven had a way of keeping his left thought can I bear more I? than But long, its little finger almost constantly crooked time, and when you're tired of rushing to sit opposite a man at table, again for the stage? "Not so that It wouldn't show in and turned inward as if it were lame. about and want to go anywhere in par- and again, as I shall have to, and not But she was not sure even of that, ticular, why, Ill take you there. If be sure whether hes my husband, broad daylight, sir. Well, thats all. I wasnt exactly for she was not one of those people the weather cuts up well go in some- come back from the dead, or some who study the hands of every one they where and wait, and see things on one else! She thinking of trying a beard. I was only nosher and paused, shore. Will that do? know, and can recognize them at a trils dilated a little, but Van Torp thinking just like that. What I rang Margaret laughed at the vagueness for was a cap. Got any more like this? never glance. She had certainly only nodded slowly and sympatheticwatched her husbands as closely as of such a roving commission, but Lady ally. "I mean to know before I go to You see I've managed to get a spot Maud looked toward her friend in the she was watching Kralinskys now. she said, with a little of ink on this one. Had it on the and tried to see his expres- bed starlight of was I shall talk table when I was writing, I suppose. in best the Margaret spirits, for she was sure that he had a desperation in her voice. and talked more than usual, not stop- sion, to him till I am sure of one thing or That's the worst of white caps, they set, tied plan in his mind, which he so." the other. At table, I cannot tell, but spot ping to think how Van Torps mere would into execution. A little later, Mr. Van Torp was put probably siI would can have chilled and if we are alone together I know presence She rose. Do you inina very much lenced her three or four months settle the question. If you see that looking out for a chance to speak If I go to bed. Im rather sleepy after earlier. we are talking at the other end of alone with Lady Maud, and as soon as he found his opportunity he told Oh, I mustnt forget to the On the whole it was a gay dinner, the journey. deck, try to keep Mrs. Rushmore and Mrs. Rushmore and Kralinsky tell you," she added, speaking to Mar- (iui Margaret from coming near us. her what Stemp had said. Strangely enough, it had never occurred to him knew that it was a very good one, and garet, I always lock my door at Will you? so dont be surprised! If you that such a remarkable beard as told each other so afterward as they night, amazement To Mrs. Rushmores want to come in and talk when you must have taken a long time walked slowly up and down the great Maud come down just call, or knock, and Ill and Margarets surprise, Lady to and that Leven, who had grow, made a dead set at Kralinsky all that none, had not left London promenade deck in the starlight. For let you in more than directly. seemed he which an attention people who are very fond of good eatday, All right, Margaret answered. three months ago. He watched the can chatter Before to appreciate as it deserved. ing pleasantly about their Lady Maud disappeared below, leav- breakfast was over, Van Torp had re- effect of this statement on his friend's food for hours, recalling the recent deto his surprise she remained or a ing the two together, for Mrs. Rush- peated to her what Kralinsky had face, but lights of a perfect chaud-froiand sad. grave more and found a had pleasKralinsky infaultless sauce; and it was soon evisaid about having formerly been I cannot help it, Bhe said in a dent that there was nothing connect- ant sheltered place to sit, further aft, timate with Leven, and Lady Maud tone of conviction. He must be and the Count was explaining to the took this statement as a basis of oped with such subjects which KralinLeven, whatever Stemp tells you about sky did not understand and appreci- good American lady the delicious Rus- erations for finding out just how much his bpard." sian mysteries of Borshtsh," Shtshi, own to she her ate, from a Chinese birds-nes- t of knew he soup life; judged Well, then It's a false heard, and Kasha, and Smyetany," after ex- that if he were not Leven himself, he e the rules of the great will come off." observed Mr. Van the of flavor Brillat-Savarins tolling unapproachable Careme and must soon betray the fact by his igno- Torp, with at least "Physiequal gravity. fresh and roe, sturgeons explaining of Taste. also rance. knew ology Kralinsky "Stemp says thats Impossible, but he everybody. Between gastronomy and that caviare is not at all the RusThat was the strangest day she had must be wrong, unless you are." name a sian for even and is not it society, he appeared to Mrs. Rushever passed. She found it very easy Its Lady Maud said, and more to know everything there was Russian word; and Mrs. Rushmore lis- to talk to Kralinsky, as it always is he is real," my husband. I've talked to him tened intense with stood and Interest to be known. when there has been long familiarity, ail day, and he knows things about Lady Maud caught snatches of the up for her country, on a basis of even if it has been only the familiar my life that no one else could, and if conversation as the two came near Blue Point oysters, planked shad, Intercourse of domestic discord. He there are others about which he is and terrapin done in the knew her, and then turned back; and she re- hacks, many details of her life in Lonmanner, which she don. That was clear after half an vague, that must be because he is membered that Leven used to talk on Philadelphian pretending, and does not want to the same subjects with elderly women maintained to be vastly superior to hours conversation. She alluded to show that he knows everything. the to and listened each Baltimorian; on whom he wished to make a pleasthe idle talk there had been about her Van Torp shook his head, but reant impression. The voice was his, the other with real interest. and Van Torp; Kralinsky knew all mained unconvinced; Lady Maud did Van too, and yet she knew she had a doubt Torp and Margaret had not about that and had heard, as he said, not change her mind either, and somewhere, a very small doubt, which been alone together for five minutes some silly story about Leven having already debating with herself as to had since on the a cerwas left sort of in it slow torture to feel they Bayreuth found her with the American whether it would not be really wiser was still unsatisfied. previous day, but Instead of talking, tain rooms in the Temple, and about to speak out and tell Kralinsky that Mr. Van Torp sat between her and after Lady Maud was gone, the prima an envelope which was said to have she had recognized him under hi Lady Margaret, while the two others donna began to sing very softly and contained over four thousand and one transparent disguise. She felt that He she must know the worst, if she w walked. The straw beautifully nothing grand nor very hundred pounds in bank-notethat had politely scouted the story as non- ever to rest again. chairs stood round a low fixed table difficult; not the waltz-sonon which there had been coffee, and at made her famous, nor the Good Fri sense, but he bad heard it, and Lady (TO BE CCNTIN.'CD.) y , ? e . pon-sid- er : Kra-Husky- 's d Marie-Antoin- canvas-- vu deep-cushione- d g i ' |