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Show , 0 sa?' )ke VFrfNvt'-M.tl- ' e r HAripn Cbawtodd author or "uARAcmueA, "arethum"ttcn IL LUSTRATIONS JN tf.WEIU TQPYRJGHT 907 BY P.MARof CRAWFORO SYNOPSIS. CKJ my debts and my entanglements with women not fit to touch your shoes. Ive seen it all since. That is the chief reason why I chose to disappear from society when I had the chance, and become some one else! I swear to you, on my mothers soul In heaven, that I thought of nothing but that to set you free and begin life over again as another man. No thought of marrying has ever crossed my mind! Do you think 1 could be as bad as that? But Im not defending myself how could I? All the right is on your side, and all the wrong on mine. And now I would give heaven and earth to undo it all and to come back him. Almost as soon as he was beside her, she turned to go forward with her leisurely, careless grace. Weve been standing a long time, she eaid, as if the conversation had been about the weather. I want to sit down. I am in earnest, he said, very of He left her with Margaret and Van another niece, who spoke only judge whether he had done well to low. Torp and went back to Lady Maud, French; hut that was none of her despise her love, and to leave her to So am I, answered Lady Maud. Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored who moved as he came up to her, of a golden bearded stranger who was business. When would the young lady be done to death by her own people wheel-houswent on the towards made two They then and beside him, steps prospecting and studying herbs In the side by side, without haste, and try on the things? On any day Mme. and her body left to the vulture thal vicinity of her home in central Asia, and suddenly slipped into the recess revealed to him the location of a mine not very near together, like two or- Anna chose to name; but in the mean- had waited so long on a jutting point of rubies hoping that the stranger would where the fanhouse joined the engine time her uncle would take her down of rock over her head three years ago. love her in return for her disclosure. skylight. She stood still, and he indinary acquaintances. to Sicily, as the weather was so wonThey were followed to the cave by the It was a dreamy and relatives, who blocked up the en- stantly ranged himself beside her, girls life that she led on the yacht, surderfully fine and it was still so hot. XIV. CHAPTER and trance, drew oft the water supply, They were quite out of sight of the Mme. Anna therefore named a day, rounded with every luxury she had leaving the couple to die. Barakas cousin if even of and the and bridge, Baad, her betrothed, attempted to climb others, While the Lancashire Lass was ra- and promised, moreover, to see the ever heard of, and constantly waited down a cliff overlooking the mine; but it had been daylight they could not to you! s .he traveler shot him. The stranger was and seamstresses on by the only clever man she had could as she cing down to the Straits of Messina best Lady Maud drew as far revived from a water gourd Saad car- have been seen except by some one to provide the young lady ever really talked with, excepting tho and herself, Into the corner where the fanhouse the Erinna was heading for the same ried. dug his way out of the tunnel, and coming from aft. departed, deserting the girl and carrying She had point from the opposite direction, no with as complete an outfit as if she old Persian merchant !n StambouL I want to speak to you, she said, joined the engine skylight. a bag of rubies. Baraka gathered all the were going to be married. She should The vision of the golden-bearderetoo much giant longer dawdling along at gems she could carry, and started In pur- in a low, steady voice. Please listen not expected this; it was suit. Margaret Donne (Margarita da quite quietly, for some of them may pentance; It was too like a real at- but going her full 16 knots, after coal- have all things visible and invisible who had left her to her fate after Cordova), a famous prlma donna, became in time. Logothe shortest possible treating her with stony indifference tempt to win her again. He had not ing at Naples, and any navigator who engaged In London to Konstantin 1,0- - begin to walk again. wealthy Greek financier. Her knew the positions and respective theti, who considered himself a stran- was still before her, but the reality seen for more her three than months; and fothetl, a friend head bent his twice, Kralinsky was Countess Leven, insisted on putting down a thou- was nearer in the shape of a visible known as Lady Maud, whose husband then Inclined it towards her, to hear she knew she was very beautiful; his speeds of the two yachts could have ger, sand franc note merely as a guarantee who could do anything had been killed by a bomb In St. Petersgreatraan, life calculated come to with had approximate precision fleeting passion of good faith. The dressmaker pro- he chose, who caused her to be burg; and Lady Maud's most intimate better what she was going to say. friend was Uufus Van Torp, an Amerihas pleased you to keep up this again, as he had. But her old repul- the point at which they would prob- tested It almost furiously and took the treated like a queen, and who was uncan, who had become one of the richest sion for him was ten times stronger ably sight each other. men In the world. Van Torp was in love comedy for 24 hours, she began. still protesting. So that was deniably handsome. money, had the idea of she had and when than up given Logotheti with Margaret, and rushed to London as He made a slight movement, which parted, they outsoon as lie heard of her betrothal. He was natural under the circumstances, shrank back as far as she could, with- taking Baraka to Paris, if he had ever settled, and Baraka was to be She wondered whether he had a ofTered Lady Maud 13,000,000 for her pet l beautiful a into wardly changed wife. I do not understand, Judging marriage from her he said, In out speaking. From far below the really entertained it at all. He ascharity If she would aid Idm In winning tell To the without delay. lady the singer from Logotheti. Baraka ap- his of view, there probably noiseless engines sent a quick vibra- sured her that Naples was a great realbad point I voice. What comedy? oily a is proached Logothetl at Versailles with really one been tion up to the Ironwork of the sky- city, too, and that there was a first-clas- s truth, the establishment in that beautiful away put rubies to sell. He presented a ruby to ly have no imestablish smart one, and she was favorably French house in Paris. He was an oriental, Margaret. Van Torp bought a yacht and Dont go on, she answered, inter- light. She felt it, but could hardly sent it to Venice. He was visited by by the many pretty frocks she told pressed Ville own the de ment and of that It her from the tell there, herself, and he would not beatings Baraka In male attire. She gave him a rupting him sharply. Listen to what on several and gowns that were tried his wife as the Ferlnghls did. ruby after the American had told her o( I am going to tell you, and then de- heart. He saw her shrinking from Lyon would turn her out almost as parade woman in order that she But she was having seen in the United States a man him and was wise. smartly as the Rue de la Palx itself. pretty young one, too, and she considanswering the description of the one she cide what you will do. I don't think might make her choice. loved. The American followed Margaret ered that it would be an insult to ask much make will decision very your Baraka would have liked a blue him about such to the Bayreuth Parsifal festival. Marthings. Spiro knew, garet took a liking to Van Torp, who pre- difference to me, but it will make a satin skirt with a yellow train and a no sented her with the ruby Baraka had difference to the world and to yourdoubt, but she could not demean her in but silk him. Count Krallnsky, a Russian, bright green body, given herself to of a servant. Perarrived at Bayreuth. Van Torp believed self. I saw you from a window when travels she had noticed that the haps Gula inquire him to be the one Baraka was pursuing. you found had out already, for to the Mr. Van Torp brought taste of Feringhl ladles was for the Baraka was arrested in London on the girl had a way of finding out or charge of stealing from Plnney, a Jew- hotel in Bayreuth,- - and I recognized sober very gentle colors, compared whatever she wanted to know, apeler, the ruby she had sold to Logotheti. you at once. Since this afternoon of standards with the fashionable Two strangers were the thieves. Lady have no doubt left parently by explaining things to ths Maud believed that Logothetls associaTlflis, and Constantinople, second mate. Samarkand, tions with Baraka were open to suspiPossibly Gula could be I never saw you till last night, to she and everymeekly acquiesced Van cion, and so informed Margaret. made to tell what she had learned sursome with little said Kralinsky, believed that Kralinsky was the Torp thing that Logotheti and Mme. Anna without being directly questioned. cowboy he had known in his young manIn his tone, and with perfect asproposed, after putting their heads to- But after all, Baraka hood. Logotheti secured Baraka's re- prise decided that it a to know seemed lease, and then, wi'h her as Ills guest, surance. gether. Logotheti did not matter, since she meant to went to sea on his yacht Erlnna. Baraka Do you really think you can degreat deal about it explains her plans for revenge on the ceive me as soon as she marry the I any longer? she asked. man who had deserted her and left her It was nearly dark when the naph- had her pretty clothes. Yet she beto die. Logotheti succeeds in moderating told you this afternoon that If you tha launch took them out to the yacht, came conscious that If he had not exher rage. Lady Maud arrived in Bayreuth. Margaret and Van Torp entered could come back from the dead, and which lay under the mole where the isted. she would think it very satisan to a build tremendous know the truth, we should probably into agreement big English and German passenger factory to marry the great man epera house In New York. The thief who forgive each other, though we had r stole the ruby from Mr. Plnney was arare who could do steamers and the anything he liked, She Shall we? rested In New York and the stone re- many differences. moored. covered. Lady Maud confided to Van though if he bad a wife already, as his and a moment, by quick paused to be Torp that she believed Kralinsky Logotheti had at last received Mar- be probably had, she would refuse to the husband she had believed dead. Van change of position she saw that he garet's telegram asking him to meet be the second in his house. The Torp promised his help to unravel the was much moved. "I dont mean that her at once. It bad failed to reach Koran allowed a man four. It was mystery. we should ever go back to the old life, him in Gibraltar, and had been tele- said, but the idea was hateful to her, for we were not suited to each CHAPTER XIII, Continued. graphed on thence to Naples, and and moreover the Persian merchants other from the first, you and when he read it he was considerably wife had told her that it was old fashNeither Margaret nor Mrs. Rush-mor- You wanted to marry me because He wrote a long message ioned to have more than one, mainly disturbed. had ever seen Leven, and they was pretty and smart, and I married of explanations and excuses, and sent because living bad grown so expento I married be wanted because had not the least idea of what was you it to the prlma donna at Bayreuth, sive. j looking than really going on under their eyes. They and you were better tripling the number of words she had Logotheti sat beside her for hours only saw that Lady Maud was making most men, and seemed to have what no answer. But for his reply under the prepaid awnings, talking or not. as a dead set at the count, and If. Mar- I thought was necessary fortune and came, for Margaret was herself at she don't a decent No, chose, and always reading when misposition. interrupt she had whether wondered garet He her. and could reach 3ea nothing she was silent, though he often looked judged her friends character, the el- me. We soon found out that we did sent one of his own men from the up to see If she wanted He der lady bad no doubt as to what was not care for each other. You went yacht to spend the day at the tele- told her when they leftanything. that I don' went I and mine. way, your Naples happening. for instructions with office, graph he would Bhow her beautiful islands mean to reproach you, for when My dear child, she said to Marfinding him if any message came. The and other sights, and the were beginning to be tired of you say great Is to friend console going garet, your man found him three times, and of the south, Etna and herself. Widows of that age general- me I did nothing to keep you. I myeach and three telegrams; brought self was tired of It already. But whatStromboli, which she had heard of on ly do, my dear. I myself could never ever time as he tore open the little folded her to Marseilles, but had not you may have thought, I was understand how one could marry brown paper he felt more uncomfor- seen voyage Mr. Van wife. had a because faithful the steamer had passed Torp feel that dear again. I should always table, but he was relieved to find each them at The at night. Mr. Rushmore was in the room. It given me a great deal of money for a was the time that message only and does still. I can achad been quiet, only sending my Naples charity, me to blush think of makes it! quite business one from London or Paris, out thin wreaths of smoke, which BaYet it is an undeniable fact that many count for it. I never used a penny of giving him the latest confidential news raka Insisted came from fires made never and and for it shall; myself, by In young widows marry again. Mark lean he which a about government and never will be, any shepherds. my words, Margaret, your friend is he never was, he When Interested. was largely more than a trusted friend. I don1 Moreover," she said, as they going to console herself before long. reached the yacht he sent another Vesuvius receding when they watched If It Is not thlB one, it will be an- know why you chose to disappear office. to till wait man at the midnight left Naples, "your mountains are not other. My dear, I am quite positive when the man who had your pocket-boowas he diva The angry, thought; was killed and you were said to but and I do not about It that was clear, and perhaps she had mountains, It's not my business, and if care for them. But yo- - sea has ths When the sun went down that even- be dead. be. to tone The of her some right on anto under you choose go colors of many sherbets, rose-lea- f and ing the yacht had passed Otranto and other name, now thatliving telegram had been peremptory in the violet, and lemon and you are rich and orange, the cape, and her course had been annow that he had extreme, and again, I shall not betray you, and few sometimes even of pale yellow peacb-sherbechanged to head her for Cape Sparti-ventof It several a delay5-' swered after which is good. Let me aland the Straits of Messina, people will recognize you, at least in days, she refused to take any notice ways see the sea till the fine dresses England, so long as you wear that having done in 24 hours as much as beard. was not of him. It possible that such are But you had it when we were ready to be tried on. the little Italian mail steamers do in a personage as she was should have I knew you at once, and and married, as as This much again 48, and nearly half sea," answered Logotheti, Is Inwithout clear left Bayreuth leaving I heard you were to be of the the Erlnna could have done at her when Into Recess. on any tele- always most beautiful near land and the Then for Slipped structions Suddenly sending I mind made at up here, my party highest speed. As Mr. Van Torp had once that I would accept the invitagrams that might come after she left. amongst islands, and the big of Sicily looks as tall as be afraid of me! he cried, in Dont predicted, his engines had warmed tion and come too, and At this time of year, as he knew, she speak to you a low and Not that! tone. Kasbek, because it rises from the waup, and were beating their own as I'm pleading offers of with was beset engagements now. I When be speaking not that! I will not come record. The gale made by the vessel's to sing, and they had to be answered. ters edge to the sky. lieved you were dead I forgave you Oh, please I will not put out my hand to Then take me to it, and I will tell way was stronger than a woman could nearer; From eight o'clock in the morning to I was glad you stand In with any regard to her ap- everything, though touch yours, I swear it to you! But 16 hours, ample you, for my eyes have looked on the were there midnight I were not did wish gone; frankly, 1 love pearance, but as the weather continyou as I never loved you betime for a retransmitted message to Altai, and I wish to see a real mounalive again, but since you are, I never knew how beautiful you ued to be calm it was from dead you fore; reach her anywhere in Europe and to tain again. After that we will go back God forbid that I should wish you were till I had lost you, and now that ahead, and there was plenty of shel- dead. You owe me two be answered. Logotheti felt a sensa- and get the fine dresses. Will Gula in er I have found you again you are a things ter on the promenade deck abaft the relief when the man came know how to fasten the fine dresses at of tion deep for my forgiveness; First, thousand times more beautiful than in wheelhouse, on condition of not going change if I treated quarter-pas- t a at aboard midnight and the back, do you think? you ungenerously yours, too near the rail. dreams! No, I ask nothing! I "You shall have a woman who does, my himself handed; but empty reported or unkindly; and, secondly, you ought have no After dinner Kralinsky and Mrs. for what I have to ask and who can talk with Gula, and the right to he resolved the wait till following to take back every word you ever said Rushmore walked a little, as on the thrown away! You do not even pity me, before definitely leaving two will fasten the fine dresses for evening Mr. to me Van about for there Torp, previous evening, and Lady Maud sat was not a shadow of truth in what I think! Why should you? You were Naples for the ten days which must you. Logotheti spoke with becoming with Margaret and Van Torp. But free when you thght me dead, and elapse before Baraka could try on her gravity. Will I do that? you you thought. before the two walkers went off to sit I have come back to be a burden and beautiful Feringhl clothes. Baraka answered. Yes, else. ask Spend nothing down in the quiet corner they had a weight on your life. Forgive me, He told her anything he liked, and money for me, that I may be good to I Indeed dear said my will, Maud, Maud for the found yesterday, Lady rose, forgive me, my lost darling, she believed him, or was indifferent; see. Also, I wish to have many servwent half way aft, and deliberately Count Kralinsky, in a voice full of sake of all that might have been, but for the Idea that she must be as well ants. My father has a hundred, peremotion. dont fear me! Pity me, if you can, placed herself where they were obliged dressed as any European woman haps a thousand, but now I have only a Maud drew long that Lady breath, to each at that her to pass close turn, but dont be afraid of me! Say when she met the man she was seek- two, Gula and Spiro. The man I seek a little as It left her heated standing and leaning against the trembled you pity me a little, and I shall be satbad appealed strongly to her, and will think I am poor, and that will be ing bright white side of the engine sky- lips again. She had done what she isfied, and grateful, too! , of the pretty things at Mme. a shame. While I was searching for the sight most to wheel-hous- e be believed and firmly right, as was as the high light, which Maud was silent for a few secmade her ashamed of her him, it was different; and besides, you had Lady Annas not been had it She had not easy. itself, and broke in aft, where towards turned stood he ready-madwhile onds, little serges and are teaching me how the rich Franks simple the big ventilating fans were situated, been surprised by his patient silence her, his hands clasped in a dramatic blouses. Logotheti assured her that live in their world. It is not like ours. had been she for while she talking; making a square corner inward. gesture, as if still imploring her comKralinsky was within easy reach, and You know, for you are more like us, She stood there, and as it was not had felt that it was hers to speak and miseration. showed no inclination to travel far. though you are a king here. his to listen. very dark in the clear starlight, KraI do pity you, she said at last, He Sent Another Man ,o Walt Till There was news of him in the teleShe spoke slowly and lazily, pausshe said' now. fol"I Thank shall you, linsky saw in passing that she grams received that day, the Greek ing between her phrases, and turning quite steadily, for just then she did fflea. at the Midnight lowed his face with her eyes, turning never go back to what I have said, not fear that he would said. Spies were about him and were her eyes to him now and then without try to touch her head to look at him when he was and neither of us need ever allude to even her hand. I pity you, if you are He took Baraka ashore watching him for her, and so far be moving her head; and her talk amused and placed old times It this it again during trip. coming towards her, and turning love with me again. I pity her for half a day in the hands of had shown no inclination to admire him much more than that of European in really I will for not last shall probably long, very .slowly back again as he came you still more If this is a passing Mme. Anna, who undertook to do all any Feringhl beauty. women, though it was so "very Bimple, near and went by. It was Impossible go home by land from the first port has taken hold of you that money could do in about a fortBaraka accepted all these inven- like that of a gifted child brought that thing we we not and is It that touch, likely to convey more clearly an invitation merely because you still think me night He had the effrontery to say tions without doubting their veracity. suddenly to a new country, or to se to get rid of his companion and join shall ever meet again. If we do, I handsome. But I will never take that Baraka was a niece of his from In her eyes Logotheti was a great a fairy pantomime. her, and he was the last man in the shall behave as If you were Count you back to be my husband again. Constantinople, whose mother was on man, something like a king, and vastTell me, he said after a time, It I met whom have abroad, Kralinsky, world to misunderstand It. Never. That Is finished, for good and board the yacht but had unfortunate- ly more than a Tartar chieftain. He it were the portion of Kralinsky to b But Mrs. Rushmore saw it too, and neither more nor less. I suppose you all. ly sprained her ankle In failing down could send , men to the ends of the gathered to his fathers before yog as she considered him a lion, and will have conscience enough not to ' Now was he he chose. if that earth the companion during a gale, and saw him, what would you do? Ah, Maud, listen to me therefore entitled to have his own marry. Perhaps, if I thought another But she had already slipped out of could therefore not accompany her sure of where Kralinsky was, he could womans happiness depended on it, I Baraka now turned not only het way, she made it easy for him. corner and was walking slowly daughter on shore. The young lady, no doubt have him seized secretly and eyes to him but her face. "My dear count, she said blandly, would consent to divorce you, hut you the earnif to she desired it her, Mme. brought away from him, not towards the oth- be said, spoke only Turkish. after passing Lady Maud twice, "I shall never divorce me. "Why do you ask me this? Is it beof him. But she did not wish No power could make me wish to," ers, but aft, so that' he might Join her Anna, grave and magnificently calm estly have really .had enough now, and if cause he is dead, and ou are afraid or a free see to the till man, prisoner, He had a under all circumstances, vague answered, still deeply quietly before going back to them. you will promise to finish your walk Kralinsky recollection of having seen the hand- she had her beautiful new clothes. to tell me? under'hiuk I will go and sit with moved. "I was mad In those days, was a man of the world and r'onc. he should look upon her, and (TO BE CONTINUED.) Maud; I was beside myself, between stood her, and did what was expected some oriental gentleman already with Then, tiic o'i , e sense-compellin- g linen-draper- d half-spee- Fer-ingh- dress-makin- g fair-bear- d men-of-wa- . ant-hill- t, o e |