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Show 0 Dim: 'AUTHOR OF "JMAClHFSeA ARETHUSA HCffi jimmwmjy a.weil 'QPYFUCMT J0O7 )V JT MAFl ON CPAWPORO Mons. Logotheti! Lady Maud called him, and the Greek crossed the He is not Baraka, a Tartar girl, became enamored saloon and stood by her. of a golden bearded stranger who was the man, I see," she said, with a the In herbs prospecting and studying vicinity of her home In central Asia, and vague doubt in her voice. revealed to him the location of a mine No. of rubles hoping that the stranger would love her In return for her disclosure. Van Torp was speaking with KraThey were followed to the cave by the in low tones. Lady Maud spoke girl's relatives, who blocked up the en- linsky trance, and drew oft the water supply, to Logotheti again, after an instant, in leaving the couple to die. Barakas cousin which she drew a painful breath and Bead, her betrothed, attempted to climb down a cliff overlooking the mine; but grew paler. was the traveler shot him. The stranger carMiss Donne knows that you are on revived from a water gourd Saad ried, dug his way out of the tunnel, and board, she said, but she wishes me departed, deserting the girl and carrying to say that she will not see you, and A bag of rubies. Baraka gathered all the gems she coaid carry, and started in P uda that she considers her engagement at an end, after what you have done. Margaret Donne (Margarita Cordova), a famous prima donna, became Lo- Logotheti did not hesitate. engaged in London to Konstantin Her Will you kindly give a message to wealthy Greek financier. fiothetl, a friend Leven, was Countess known as Lady Maud, whose husband Miss Donne from me? he asked. had been killed by a bomb in St. PetersThat quite depends on what it is, burg; and Lady Maud's mostan intimate AmeriLady Maud answered coldly. friend was Kufus Van Torp, can, who had become one of the richest She felt that she herself had got men In the world. Van Torp was In love but With Margaret, and rushed to London as something near a death-wounoon as he heard of her betrothal. He she would not break down. Offered Lady Maud 5,000,000 for her pet I beg you to tell Miss Donne that I In winning charity If she would aid him Baraka apthe singer from Logotheti. to her decision, said Logotheti yield proached Logotheti at Versailles with We are not suited to rubles to sell. He presented a ruby to with dignity. yacht and each other, and it is better that we Margaret. Van Torp bought a visited ent it to Venice. by He wag Baraka In male attire. She gave him a should part. But I cannot accept as of the cause of our parting the fact that her told had American the after ruby a man I having seen in the United States one have given my protection to a young she the of the description answering loved. The American followed Margaret girl whom I have extracted from great to the Bayreuth Parsifal'' festival. Mar- trouble and have treated, and still garet took a liking to Van Torp, who presented her with the ruby Baraka had treat, precisely as I should have given him. Count Kralinsky, a Russian, Miss Donne if she had been arrived at Bayreuth. Van Torp believed treated him to be the one' Baraka was pursuing. my guest. Will you tell her that? Baraka was arrested in London on the "I will tell her that. Pinney, a jewcharge of stealing fromsold Thank you. to the Logotheti. she had eler,. ruby Two strangers were the thieves. Lady He turned and went towards the Maud believed that Logothetls associadoor, but stopped to speak to Van tions with Baraka were open to suspiVan Torp. cion, and so informed Margaret. the was believed that Kralinsky Torp This gentleman," he said, is not cowboy he had known in his young manhood. Logotheti secured Baraka's man my guest was anxious to find, the and then, with her as his guest, went to sea on his yacht Erlnna. Baraka though he is strikingly like him. her plans for revenge on the have to thank you for giving he an txplains nan who had deserted her and left her to die. Logotheti succeeds in moderating opportunity of satisfying herself. Goodher rage. Lady Maud arrived in Bay- morning. reuth. Margaret and Van Torp entered Mr. Van Torp was extremely grateInto an agreement to build a tremendous ful to Logotheti for having ruined opera house in New York. The thief who arwas Mr. from stole the ruby Pinney rested in New York and the stone recov- himself in Margarets eyes, and would ered. Lady Maud confided to Van Torp in any case have seen him to the the that she believed Kralinsky to be Van gangway, but he was also very anxhusband she had believed . dead. the ious to know what Kralinsky and Bato unravel Torp promised his help on Van t raka had said to each mystery. The party gathered discovered-thaother in Tartar. Maud Torps yacht andis Lady husband. He of- He therefore opened the door for the her Kralinsky fered to rejoin and be true to her. She Greek, followed him out and shut it refused. Logotheti took Baraka ashore at Naples to procure her a proper outfit. behind him. Baraka and Spiro had He proposed to marry her, half in jocu- disappeared; they were already in the she larity, and she agreed to do so if Van launch, waiting. could find the man she sought. not and Messina, Torps yacht arrived at the Now what did they say, if it isnt on went there party finding Logotheti to Naples. The yachts met and Baraka a rude question? asked the American. recognized in Kralinsky the man she Logotheti repeated the short converLogotheti, Baraka and Spiro sought. sation almost word for word. went aboard the Lancashire Lass. He said that his name was Yuryi, CHAPTER XV. Continued. he concluded. That is George in English. But now, at the very moment of And he? Oh, hes George, is meeting Margaret, he knew that if he whats his dead brothers name, again found her very angry with him, he please? would simply listen to what she had Ivan. That is John. Before we to say, make a humble apology, state part, Van Torp, I may as well tell the truth coldly, and return to his you that my engagement with Miss own yacht with Baraka, under her Donne is at an end. She was good very eyes, and in full sight of Lady enough to inform me of her decision Maud and Mrs. Rushmore. Besides, through Lady Maud. One thing more, he felt tolerably sure that when Spiro please. I wish you to know, as befailed to carry out the young Tartar tween man and man, that I have girls murderous instructions, she treated Baraka as I would my own would forget all about the oath she sister since I got her out of prison, had sworn by the inviolable water of and I beg that you wont encourage the Styx and try to kill him with her any disagreeable talk about her. own hands, so that it would be necessaid the American Well, now, sary to take her away abruptly, and slowly, Im glad to hear you say that, even forcibly. . just in that way. I guess itll be all Before the Erinna had quite lost right about any remarks on board my her way, Logotheti had his naphtha ship, now youve spoken. launch puffing alongside, and he got Thank you, said Logotheti, movInto it with Baraka and Spiro, and the ing towards the gangway. Lancashire Lass had barely time to They shook hands with some corower her ladder, while still moving diality, and Logotheti ran down the slowly, before the visitors were there. steps like a sailor, without laying his , Baraka bade Logotheti go up first, hand on the stepped on and trod daintily on the grated steps board his launch and was off in a moas she followed him. The chief mate ment. and chief steward were waiting at the Good-by- ! good-by- , Miss Barrack, the and gangway. The mate saluted; to you! luck cried Van good steward led the visitors to the main Torp, waving his cap. saloon, ushered them in and shut the Logotheti translated his words to door. Spiro was left outside, of Baraka, who looked back with a gratecourse. ful smile, as if she had not just heard Mr. Van Torp shook hands coldly that the man she had risked her life with Logotheti; Baraka walked direct- to find in two continents had been ly to Kralinsky, and then stood stone-stil- l dead four months. before him, gazing up steadily It was his portion, she said' graveinto his eyes. ly, when she was alone with LogoNeither Margaret nor Mrs, Rush theti on the Erinna, and the chain more was to be seen. Van Torp and was coming in jast.'' ' Van Torp went back to the main Logotheti both washed the other two, looking from one face to the other. saloon and found Lady Maud and Kras in his linsky there. She was apparently Kralinsky, with "his eye, surveyed the lovely youpg bar- about to leave the count, for she was barian unmoved, and the silence lasted coming towards the door, and her half a minute. Then she spoke in her eyes were dark and angry. own language and Kralinsky answered Refus, she said, this man is my her, and only Logotheti understood husband, and insists . that I should what they said to each other. Prob- take him back. I will not. Will you ably it did not occur to Kralinsky that kindly have me put ashore before you the Greek knew Tartar. start again? My things are ready You are not Ivan. You are fatter, now." and you have not his eyes. Excuse me, answered Mr. Van Logotheti drew a long breath. digging his large thumbs into Torp, I am No, answered Kralinsky. his waistcoat pockets, theres a missaw never you, take. Hes not your husband." Yuryi, his brother. I but he told me of you. He is, indeed! cried Lady Maud, Where is Ivan? in a tone her friend never forgot. Dead. I am Boris Leven, said Kralinsky The proud little head. was bowed in an authoritative tone, and coming down for a moment and Baraka did forward almost defiantly. Then why did you tell the Tartar not speak till several seconds had passed. Then she looked up again girl that your name was George? suddenly. Her dark eyes were quite asked Mr. Van Torp, unmoved. I did not. dry. "How long? Youve evidently forgotten. That Greek gentleman speaks Tartar better More than four months. You know it? than you. I wonder where you learned I was with him and buried him. it! Hes just told me you said your name was George. It is enough. anShe turned, her head high, and went My name is George Boris, to the door, and no one hindered her swered Kralinsky, less confidently. He was not a coward, but he had from going out SYNOPSIS. Good-mornin- e, man-rope- eye-glas- . tion of the mystery and sent Count forwarded from Paris. The letter was Yuryi Leven to Siberia; for he was from Margaret to tell him that shs also took back what she had thought Boris Levens twin brother. The truth turned out to be that there about Baraka and hoped to see hina had been three brothers, the youngest and her before long. She said shs being Ivan, and they had all entered was glad, on the whole, that he had the same Cossack regiment, and had acted like a lunatic, because it waa served in the Caucasus, where most likely that they would both be bap-prie-r. officers learn the Tartar language, She herself, she said, was gowhich is spoken by all the different ing to be married to Mr. Van Torp at tribes. It will be simpler to designate St. Georges, Hanover square, befors them by the English equivalents for sailing for New York, where she waa their names. going to sing at the opera after Boris behaved himself tolerably Christmas. If he should be in town well in the army, but both his broth- then she hoped he would come and ers, John and George, who was his bring his wife. The booklet was an announcement, twin, were broken for cheating at cards, and emigrated to America. So interleaved with fine etchings, to tha long as they all wore their beards as effect that The Mme. da Cordova and officers of Cossack regiments usual- Rufus Van Torp Company would ly do, they were very much alike. open their new opera house in Fifth They were all educated men of refined avenue less than two years henca tastes, and particularly fond of music. with a grand Wagner festival, to last When his two brothers were cash- two months, and to include the periered, Boris resigned, entered the dip- formance of Parsifal with entirely lomatic service, married Lady Maud new scenery, and the greatest living Foxwell, and was killed by a bomb artists, whose names were given. in St. Petersburg. John and George separated in Mr, Van Torp had told the diva America when they were tired of that he would like her to choose a punching cattle. wedding present which she really John was something of a naturalist wanted, adding that he had a few and was by far the most gifted of the things for her already. He produced three as well as the most daring. He some of them, but some were on pagravitated to China and at last to per. Among the latter was a bouse la Mongolia, wandering alone in search New York, overlooking the park and of plants and mineral, and It was to copied exactly from her own in Lonhim that Baraka showed the ruby don, the English architect having been mine. He got back to civilization sent to New York himself to build it. with his treasure and took it to Two small items were two luxurious Petersburg unmolested. private cars of entirely different patThere he found George earning a terns, one for America and one for poor living in an obscure position in Europe, which she was always to usa the public service, his conduct in th when she traveled, professionally of army having been condoned or over- otherwise. He said he did not glva looked. John, who was the Incarna- her the Lancashire Lass because It tion of selfishness, would do nothing wasn't quite new having been about for him. .George, exasperated by him, ten months in the water but he had and half starved, murdered him in his own reasons, one of which waa such a way that he was supposed to that the yacht represented a sentiShe Followed Him. have died by an accident, took posses- ment to him, and was what be would sion of his hoard of unsold rubies, and have called a souviner. But if shs never been face to face with Van wrote to his twin brother to come and could think of anything else she fanTorp when he meant business, and the share the fortune John had left them. cied, now was the time." terrible American cowed him. George and Boris had been in conShe said that there was only ona My husbands name is only Boris stant correspondence, and had even thing she should really like, but that nothing else, said Lady Maud. helped each other with money from she could not have it, because it was Well, this isnt your husband; this time to time. Some weeks elapsed not in the market. He asked what it if is George, whoever, he is, and you after Boris return to St. Petersburg was, and it turned out to be the ruby dont believe it, Im going to give you before his death, and during that time which Logotheti had given her, and an object lesson. he told George, who knew London had taken to Plnneys to be cut, and well and had, moreover, helped him in which had been the cause of so many Thereupon Mr. Van Torp pressed the button of a bell in the' bulk-heahis attempt to get a divorce, a vast unexpected events, including her marnear the door, which he opened, and number of details about his married riage. Logotheti had it in his posseshe stood looking out. A steward came life and his wife's behavior, her char- sion, she supposed, but he had shown at once. acter and tastes. Then Boris was good taste in not trying to press it on Send me Stemp, said Van Torp in killed in the street, and George left her as a wedding present, for she a low voice, ps he stepped outside. the country and changed his name, could not have accepted it. NevertheYes, sir. with the vague Idea that his own was less, she wanted it very much, more And, see here, send six sailors with not a very creditable one and that if as a remembrance than for its beauty. him. he kept it he might be troubled by his Mr. Van Torp said he thought he Very good, sir. brother Boris numerous creditors. He could fix that, and he did. He went Mr. Van Torp went in again and began life over again as Kralinsky. directly to Mr. Pinney and asked shut the door. Kralinsky disdained He had not entertained the least in- what had become of the stone. Mr. tention of passing himself for Boris Pinney answered that it was now cut flight, and was looking out of a window. Lady Maud had sat down again. and claiming Lady Maud as his wife and was in his safe for sale. The For the first time in her life she felt till he met her, and her beauty made good man had felt that it would not weak. him lose his head completely when he be tactful to offer it to Mr. Van Torp. saw that she took him for her hus- Logotheti, who was a fine gentleman In less than one minute the door band. He would have been found out in his way, had ordered it to be sold, opened and Stemp appeared, impassive and respectful. Behind him was Wandering Alone In Search of Plants inevitably sooner or later, but Van when a good opportunity offered, and and Minerals. the boatswain, a huge Northumbrian, Torp's vigorous action shortened Lady directed that the money should be Its nothing. Thank God it hit me! Maud's torments. and five young seamen in perfectly given to the poor Greeks in London, new guernseys, with fair quiet faces. It was meant for you. George was tried, and Russian jus- under the supervision of Lady Maud Van Torps rage instantly turned tice awoke, possibly under pressure Leven, the Turkish ambassador and Stemp. into tender care, and he insisted on from England. The family history of the Greek minister, as a committee. "Yes, sir. Take that man somewhere and examining the wound, which was the Levens was exhumed and dis- Mr. Pinney, after consultation with the slight but would leave a scar. By a sected before the courts. The creditors best experts, valued it at 14,000 shave him. Leave his mustache on. miracle the ball had grazed the angle of Boris Leven appeared in legions pounds. Mr. Van Van Torp pointed to Kralinsky. Torp wrote . check For once in his life Stemp gasped of the temple without going near the and claimed that in proper course for the money, put the stone into an he should have Inherited the rubies inner pocket, and took it to the diva. for breath. Kralinsky turned a green- temporal artery, and scarcely singefrom liis murdered brother, and would ish white, and seemed paralyzed with ing the thick brown hair. Well," he said, smiling, heres Van Torp rang and sent for water then have been able to pay his debts. your ruby, anyway. rage. Anything else toTake his beard ofT, sir, you mean? and absorbent cotton, and made a The court thought so too, and ordered day? Yes. Leave his mustache. Here, very neat dressing, over which Lady the confiscated treasure to be sold. Margaret looked at him wondering-ly- , But since it had been Boris', the and then opened the small morocmen, added Van Torp, take that fel- Maud tied her big veil. Just as this done Stemp appeared at the door. law was obliged to declare that the co case. low outside and hold him down in a was ' Its ready, sir, if you would like to residue of the money, after paying the Oh oh oh! she cried, in rising chair while Stemp shaves him. See? The boatswain looked doubtful. lies come and see. Ive not scratched him debts, was the property of ' Countess Intimations of delight. I never savr sir." Ijeven, Boris widow. anything so beautiful in my life! Its pretending to be somebody hes not, once, "All right. Van Torp turned to Maud thus found herself in ever so much more glorious than Wuen said Van Torp, on my ship, and I Do you feel faint? Lean possession of a considerable fortune, I last saw it!" want to see his face. Its mutiny if Lady Maud. on my arm. for she accepted the Inheritance when Its been cut since then, observed you dont obey orders! was assured that it would go to Mr. Van Torp. But walked she she she would not. and boatthe Aye, aye, sir," responded It ought to have a name of its own! swain cheerfully, for he rather liked bravely,- holding herself so straight the Russian crown if she refused it. The wealth Lady Maud thus com- Im sure its more beautiful than many the job since there was a good reason that she looked much taller than he, though sne felt as if she were going mands enables her to carry much of the named crown jewels! She felt for it. to execution. further than formerly the peculiar half hypnotized as she gazed into the But Instead of going about his busiA moment later she uttered a loud form of charity which she believes to glorious depths of the great stone. ness gently, the Northumbrian giant be her own invention. if it may be "Thank ou, she cried, thank you so suddenly dashed past Van Torp in a cry and clung to Van Torp's shoulder flash, and jumped and hurled himself with both hands. But as for him, he properly called charity at all, and very much. Pin gladder to have it which consists in making it worth than all the other things. head foremost at- - Kralinskys'Tegs, ex- said only two words. while and agreeable to certain unforAnd thereupon she threw her magactly as if he were diving. In the tunate people to live decent lives in nificent arms around Rufus Van Torps The man was not Boris Leven. count's violent fall the revolver he The eyes, the upper part of the face, quiet corners without starving, In- solid neck and kissed his cool flat had drawn was thrown from his hand and went off in the air. The boat- the hair, even the flowing mustaches stead of calling to them to come out cheek several times; and it seemed virtue-curtaiand be quite natural to her to do so; and she swain had seen it in time. The big were his but not the small retreating from behind the man struggled a little, but the five chin crossed by the sharp, thin scar reformed in public. It is a very ex- wished to forget how she had once pensive charity, however, and very kissed one other man, who had kissed long healed. seamen held him fast and carried him of a sword-cu- t I know who you are," said Van hard to exercise, and will never be her. out kicking. It wants a name, doesnt it? asTorp, surveying him gravely. Youre popular; for the popular charities are Stemp. Levi's brother, that dis- those that cost least and are no trou- sented Mr. Van Torp. The valet was preparing to follow Yes. You must find one for it. the prisoner, and was quite calm appeared before he did. I remember ble. Mme. Konstantinos is scar. that Well, he said, after what's hapLogotheti again. Let me off easy, said learning French and English on the pened, I suppose we'd better call it Yes, sir. Ive not done you Bosphorus with" her husband, and will The Divas Ruby. If he wont sit still to be shaved, Levis brother. THE END. make a sensation when he brings her harm. any off. cut his head Beyond wounding Lady Maud, aft- to London and Paris. On the day of Yes, sir, Sugar from Old Rags. Van Torps eyes were awful to see. er trying to pass yourself off as her his marriage in Constantinople Logois now manufactured in Gera received letter from Sugar theti dead I No. husband. wont He had never been so angry in his let you Lady life. He turned and saw Lady Maud off. Boatswain, I want this man ar- Maud telling him how sorry she was many from old rags. The rags are treated with sulphuric acid and conpressing her handkerchief to her right rested, and well take him and all his that she had not believed him that verted into dextrine. This is treated on at the and Scaletta, the yacht British consul day sayThe ball had grazed it, belongings before temple. not been in Messina in less than an hour. You ing that she hoped to meet his wife with a milk of lime, and is then subthough it had certainly meant for her. just attend to that, will you? Some- soon. It was an honest apology from jected to a new bath of sulphuric acid, which converts it into glucose. The an honest woman. Rufus!" she cried in great distress, body go and tell the captain. He received a letter a few days glucose obtained by this process is Aye, aye, sir. what have you done? later from Margaret, and on the same identical with that of commerce, and "The question is what hes done to The rest is soon told. A long in- day a magnificently printed and reck- may be used in the same way for conI believe you, answered Van Torp. the blackguard has shot you! quiry followed, which led to the solu lessly illustrated booklet reached him, fections, ices, etc. . -- - n Long-legge- d Long-legge- |