‘. 4'
ALLMENT
ontinuod
what d‘you thinkl
is for a compli-
but at lost his own lrrqmessiblo so
tivlty mad. silence unondurable. He
caught up his pencil and tapped lul-
patiently on the desk.
“Chilcote.” he said. quickly and
with a gleam of sudden anxiety.
"you're not by any chance doubflul
of yourself?"
At sound of his voice Loder lifted
his face: it was quite pal. again. but
the energy and resolution that had
(Vim! into it when Lonely first gpoko
were still to be seen.
"."n, Lat-My," he said, very slowly,
."ii's not tho snrt of moment in which
a mun doubts himself."
d. “I think," her
we can't overesti-
and took a long
"And we mustn't
Fefl‘mrough crowd
Ive-(l his hand in
first edition llmt
sk.
h.s glance, smiled
nann. "Tilt-Y
n it uli along. if
lli‘kllll‘i‘," he éLll‘i
"in? n‘i~<-.l
' r' 0"» inui. m:
“.n Nun
CHAPTER XIX
I
uo‘uit'bp
AND so it came about that Loder
wu- from! from one responsihii‘
it)‘ in liliilv'ldkt‘ nnhtlier. From the
if ‘l'll‘l‘h 37th, \thvn Lakcly
hml s'\;l~il;llliv‘ti tit- tmiiiirni pro
uranium in "in fillii‘F‘u of the St.
Hoot-go‘s Hun-'te, in the afternoon of
April iv ii" {n'inrl himsvlf a central
figure in tho whiritmni of notivity
i'..it formed i'seif .n Pomcrvative
:‘ n‘lv-s.
wan
“Mu
ultii.’ ill"
“3‘ lmi‘l ti
W? V:-
'-.ti
nwrmiw.
,. ,
. :r‘mii
:- w‘nuic. i
‘ - .I-i‘i Ll’N-r
" "'l "to hows
- ' r. :31: 1"
mi up “i can
.‘VL'ill Zl‘1.i
I ‘n ”H 1‘ wmmm for which he
l..i,.-lj\‘ had touched ill“,
the s’timtion on that
am! sum-ending events. each
, . v .th i‘s own importance. had
. kiwi! 'im preci<inn or his forc-
tlx"\
. .‘w!
him n'rn‘tv fur n '
illi ll “‘
.ml ;~~‘~~
L.-~ i'unr‘ (if
n 11"": , '_,.,,,
i 21;. .2 ‘
.» ~ 2
l‘ut'
Minutv‘v nutchfnl of Russia‘s at-
. ‘.'ii(lv, i“l‘ili'li‘ quietly organized his
" “A ("mu illi’l s'rr‘ngthc-ned his position
" ith a ntutwrruviiilm grasp of oppor-
tunily; nmi tn Lorier the attributes
displayed luv ids lender during those
triing tiny: fir-melt an endless and
'i‘.a-Irliir..t K'iull Setting the thought
at t (mile, ignoring his own
rumfzinn nni t a rinks he rlnily ran.
he hmi fu‘ . -. tili'"l to 'lm glamour
.,_a ttw m Ilin‘il’, and in the first free
.' rv Y‘. be lull given un-
‘ iii t- z .. ml. 2' cl .y i... p.-\k¢-q<pli Hf
.li, flTl‘i tit-‘vriliLi'ltlflnn
tin...- ti' at Full r‘iu‘itm-rl him.
Vim: iiogw‘ in a constant
puns-m i with Frame, he
‘vnt‘vr-Il 1' any \ u'tinliiv lowering of tact
“run-n in i'i'l‘O five vital
Gila =l'.l.iifl width the thrill! of I
.x‘ail- tIu"v Lung upwn one item of
'1 is frniu n "wintrv thousands of
Hull-"I 'l'.“‘.ll'. Fri:- ul'mtlii Run in silh-
r" -- “ u Luau—1‘02; llnmrns and. laden
\'.lli iln- hunnrs of the i-I‘ur‘emtiker.
the i'r‘fmilcr. then the
[-Hll‘zt'ill Iil't'llfl would remain limit!-
turivwi, lili’ slimiivi the all-important
l’Tlet'lr‘t'Yii {it"‘il'ilP‘l by lnillflly h0-
conu- iin nv‘r'etrlmi ler‘t llcfnrt- Parlia-
mt'n,’ rmw for tht- F140“? recess. then
ihe tire: blow in tho fizht that would
rngc (luring tho s-iccm-vling session
m'iit incvitnlliv hr- striick. in the
'iwnn time it What ll‘raide's difficult
pmttiun in wait and watch‘ and yet
paw-servo his dignity.
it wag-z curly in the afternoon of
March Emil that Lnder. in response
in A long: «undid: invitation. lunched
quir'ly pith ihn l'rnitit-s. living 1.
‘11}eti hy sumo- (‘ommunlcniinns from
“ark. he was a few minutes late in
keeping his appointment. and on be-
ing shown into the drawing-room
found the little group of three that
wna to niukl- up the party already
aHelmhicd—-l"rnhie, Lady Sarah—and
Eve. As he entered the room they
«'cased to speak, and all threo turned
in his direction.
’ “a tribute to the". In the tlrst moment he had a vague
personality. )tmprcssion of responding suitably to
.. , .. .imdy Sarah‘s cordial greeting; but
i’W“Fi!lnk h ihe knew that immediately and un-
's'r: lit—:3 in“: consciously his eyes turned to Five.
éu‘n-mmuzh " builfi while a quick sense of surprise and
‘v him ‘1 “to“ r‘m‘ mtisfuction passed through him at
....’.."‘..{...rii imwt mm or her. For an instant he
i'whr h.- ”to "m” wondered how she would mark his
“Egg” o‘mwfl;mfi' uvnidilnCe of her since their last
as w“. l... . Ima'. r-wntfui interview; then Instantly be
m, ... ' ‘ ‘ Hamil fmmuflii fihrithe pgssikng doubt.
' , i‘nr, e ore a t. ngs, e new or
each o‘h" in mm‘ To be a woman of the world.
;"” as I that H..; lie look Fraltle's outstretcth
of whether Iluflmu‘l’l‘illi‘l; and again he looked towards
but ”I" question i lane. waiting for her to speak.
r,” n... “f I'M-“ml She mot his glance. but said path
in mg. surlued.’ 1-" ing. instead of speaking she smiled
“k”. (’hilf‘OIP. thatil“ lllm~-il smile that was far more
w. h...” that ”wirennuring than any words. a smile
lumi, but that mis- , that in a Ilnsle second conveyed for-
irinlt. has ,.,,.-,.n.-...Hgiveness. approbation, and a warm.
nfity mu... and mm. i almost tender sense of sympathy and
, herself at yap“; i comprehension. The remembrance of
9.1 bprfiplf on thg ! that smile stayed with him long after
(in Mimi)": new-Sibey were seated at table: and far
r. was braced. his into the future the remembrance of
igli'ene'i, by the smiths lunch itself. with its pleasant
private‘ sense of satisfaction, was
mm... huforg the: destined to return to him in retro—
9 want an. "n... first i spot-rive moments. The delightful at-
lion-1 ;;, on 1:... n..,..mosphere of the Fraldes' home life
ti}. r.'lV
ti: it. 3 4 ‘lmx'w",
.ll‘.‘ (if e‘il'ipr ("r-Ne
y"; nf ‘1 link“
‘ m' \"‘}fi r-.; l'
><- T:i:'.T.m‘i .
. it .I Lilia] min-u. ‘
i‘: ll 4 l': ....
"lvi. ., i Pr» -l"'s
Ht-"u
n 'l..‘
‘ all}: {ma
«munici-
V? (I? u.‘
:Ilr‘ n:-,;,-
re "
I’ I
“fill a "”H‘L‘" nu
i bier
-nx i'n-u :ui, tank ..
(it“l:
“.3". o
." hr
l"‘.v"?‘ Inf]
it im'
in ills
mo
a.‘~'\"ll. rfi‘l‘n H‘ [.H\‘
wl'li
tilt-ti
lithillfy he [ovum]
ll‘lni7t'ri h tn
u'i’H'm'iinll:
" he lziirl. “there's
‘h Mlmewherw-Jnil
0- inc man to 310‘],
live yonrx‘
lou’nwl lively on the
tinr AM: in businen's
ii vl ll smite prom.»
reputation like that
”win whnn h.- ‘Ii‘rris
't deny tlm' vmi'v.»
ly." he nildwl.
unensy lliqu'liit‘lii,
a different G-fli-v'tu
o .us‘d, "HIP?! lnll‘
at [Mt you down on
l've altered my
« months."
~rrv-d in his seat. A
were stirring in his
ord wrung from
other stimulus to
- fill F's"
ilw
:‘t-«t.
3...... A... _, rhufbnd always been a wonder and a:
H, q... rm. war-[mun]. to him; but on this day he
wt: tw- a n...i museum! to "a“? i" "1““an b’ ‘
“3- inow light, as he watched Eve soften
:under its influence and felt himself
ldrawn imperceptibly from the pal.
tion of a speculative outsider to that
of an intimate. It was "a fresh side
to The complex. fascinating life of
which Prairie was the master spirit.
Tiles" reflection. had grown agree-
ably familiar to his mind: the talk.
momentarily diverted into social
channels. was quietly drifting back
to the inevitable question of tho
ustratum" that in private menu
was never far from their lips. when
the event that was to mark and sop-
arato that day from those Cast bad
preceded it was uncaromonioualy
thrust upon them.
Without announce-cu: err-apology,
the door was suddenly lug ops.
and Lakely entered the room.
His face was brimming m D
still. Overwhelm.
ad suddenly opened
a moment the un-
vr months had be
thin j'ifitiflcation of
impo'uturn was sudv
ie. in the stress of
t», ion, leaned for-
his elbows on the
face between his
kely made no ro-
n and man’s moods
teresr to his.paper
tics. That (milcoto
of thP.Kl-Ol’lfl he
. ed only natural:
ow that mus-«dono-
ng gravity Seemed
some seconds he
to disturb him;
This fossaouu's'lflvilis
current first National
H
5‘53;
life with
FRAIDE. tho grout party leader.
Loder becomes not out:
is never suspectod by
hobby of c
give-away scar on his finger.
you“
first belief thatChiicoto was the
developments in
message he goes to the office of
f-
o
f
. a.
o'---
V“, [outdo-v-
cote in “Tho Mosqueradcr."]
cltemcnt, and his eyes flashed. In
the first basic of the entry he failed
to see that there were ladies in the.
room. and. crossing instantly to
l-‘raide. laid an open telegram before
him. .“This is oflcial. sir.“ he said.
Thou at last he glanced round the
table.
"Lady Sarah i" he exclaimed. "Can
you forgive Inc? But I‘d have given
a hundred pounds to be the first with
this 3" llo glanced back lit Fraide.
Lady Sarah rose and stretched mil
her hand. "Hr. Lakely." she said.
“I more than understand 1" There
was a thrill in her warm. cordial
voice. and her eyes also turned to-
wards her husband.
0f the whole party. Fraide alone
was perfectly calm. He sat very
still, his small. thin figure erect and
dignified, as his eyes scanned the
message that meant so much.
Eve. who had sprung from her
seat and passed round the table at
sound of Lakely’s newu, was leaning
over his shoulder, reading the tele
gram with him. At the last word she.
lifted her head, bor face fiusbed with
excitement.
"How splendid it must be to be a
man i" she exclaimed. And without
premeditatlon her eyes and Lodcr‘s
met.
in this manner came the news
from Persia. and with it Lodcr's defi-
nite call. In the momentary stress
of action it was impossible that any
thought of Chilcoto could obtrude it-
self. Events had followed each other
too rapidly. decisive action had been
too much thrust upon him. to allow
of hesitation; and it was in - this
spirit. under this vigorous pressure.
that be made his attack upon the
government on the day that followed
Fraide‘s luncheon party.
That mdefinablo attentiveness. that
alert sensation of impending storm,
that is so strong an index of the par-
liamentary atmosphere was very
keen on‘that memorable firsfof April.
It was obvious in the crowded bench-
cs on both sides of tho House—in the
oneness of purpose that insenaibly
made itself felt through the ranks of
the Opposition. and found definite
expression in Pruido’a still figure and
tightly abut lips—in tbs unmistaka-
bleluncaslness that lay upon the min-
isterial bunches. .
But notwithstanding these indica-
tion of battle, the early portion of
the, proceedings was unmarked by
excitement. being tinged with the
purpouoleas lack of vitality that bad
of late marked all affairs of the Set.
borough Hinton-y: and it wu not un-
til the adjournment of the House for
tbelastorroceosbad atlostbeen
moved that” tho spirit of activity
but!“ in tho air descended and
galvaallsd the assembly into life. It
was magnum astlroflntoreot. that
the strong
o servants or by Chilcoto's beautiful wife,
EVE, who. however. is mystified by her husband's change in manner.
At a social function Lode: ia'inveigled into a darkened tent. whore
LADY LILLIAN ‘STRUPP, close associate of Chilcoco, is indulging list
and makes him remove his rings. exposing the
Boolisinlhis great danger Loder induces
BLESSINGTON to foil her she had been deceived by the darkness in her
He watched her in silence as she poured. .
[Guy Bates Poof as John Loder and Ruth Sinclair as Eve Chll-
THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY .
JOHN CHILCOTI. member of the House of Commons, a party to a mac-
riago of convention. and confirmed drug addict. changes places in
JOHN LODER. who is his exact counterpart in appearance, after making
a near spectacle of himself in Parliament. despite the promptings of
So succslful is the deception that
political lieutenant of Fraide but
subject. The following morning his
fears are submerged by the interest he takes in the news of political
orsio. Russia having dcspatched a large armed force
to the seat of tho insurrection against the Shah.
In response to a
LAKELY. publisher of St. George's Gazette.
3.2;,65
out the tea.
[uteri the ditficulty of Loder’s position
i-o-and that man was Loder himself.
; He rose slowly and stood silent for
.a couple of seconds. his body braced.
Zhis fingers touching the sheaf of
inotos that day in front of him. To
the Waiting House the silence was
ei'fective. it might mean ovensssur—
once. or it might mean a failure of
nerve at a critical moment. Either
pnslillilily had a tinge of piquancy.
Moved by
pairs of eyes turned upon him with
,new interest; but up in the Ladies'
iiiaiicry live clasped her hands In
sudden apprehension; and Fraide. sit-
ting slimy in his seat. turned and
shot one swift glance at the man on
whom. against prudence and. prece-
‘dont, be had pinned his faith. The
: glance was nift but very searching.
‘and with a characteristic movement
of his wiry shoulders he resumed his
position and his usual grave. atten-
tive attitude. At the same moment
Loder lifted his head and began to
speak.‘
Here at the outlet his inexperi-
ence met him. His voice. pitched too
low. only reached those directly near
him. It was a moment of great
strain. Eve listening intently. drew
a long bread: of suspense and lather
lingers drop apart; the sceptical.
watchful eyes that faced him. line
upon line, seemed to flash and bright-
en with critical interest; only Fraide
made no change of expression. He
sat placid, serious. attentive. with
the shadow of a smile behind his
eyes.
Again Indcr paused. but tbia time
the pause was shorter. Tbs ordeal
be had dresdcd and waited for was
passed and he saw his way clearly.
With the old movement of the shoul-
dera be straightened himself and once
more began to speak. This time his
voice rang quietly true and command-
ing act-o- the floor of the House.
Nofimtatispcslbercally great;lt
must of necessity possess more of
province-y than of achievement; nevo
ertbelem it is by‘tbe first step that a
man marks the value, not only of his
cause. but of himself. Following
broadly on the lines that: tradition
has laid down far the Conservative
orator. Lode: disguised rather than
displayed the vein of strong. persua-
sive eloquence that was his natural
gift. The occasion that might possi-
bly Justify sucks display of indi-
viduality audit lie with the future,
but it had no application to the pres-
out. For tho mt his duty was
to pole. his party sentiments with
as much tucidlty. as much logic, and
asmuchealmcouvlctiouaslaywltb-
115.1111 capacity.
the same impulse. fifty.
comm mmwmmym WWW}
udaphdfiomhhnmbmthsdmnon.6wmgstumwappem u
sharp consciousness of personal dif-
ficulties. was given lmmunlw.
Pitching his voice in that quietly
masterful tone that beyond all others
compels attention. he took up his
subject and dealt with it with tho
passionate force. .. "With grout skill
he touched on the steady southward
advance of Russia into Persian ten.
rltory from the distant: days when.
by a curious irony of fate, Russian
and British enterprise combined to
make entry into the cguntry under
the sanction of the Grand-Duke of
Moscovy. to the present hour, when
this great power of, Russia—long
since alienated by interests and de-
sires from her form cooperatow—
had taken a step Q11 in the eyes
of every thinking must possess
a deep significance. With quiet per-
sistence he pointed out the peculiar
position of Mashed in the distant
province of Kborasan; its vast dis-
tance from the Persian Gulf. round
which British interests and influence
centre, and the consequently alarm-
ing position of hundreds of traders
who, in the security of Brim sov-
ereignty, are fighting their way up
ward from India. from Afghanistu,‘
even from England herself. , .
Following up this point. he _
on these subjects of the ti
crown who, cut off from adequ ei
assistance, can only turn in personal
or commercial peril to the protective
power of the nearest consulate. Tb
D
quietly demanding the attention?
his hearers. be marshaled fact a
fact to demonstrate the isolation and
inadequacy of a consulate so situ-
ated: the all but arbitrary power of
Russia, who in her uew.occupation
of Meshed had only two considera-
tions to withhold her from open ag-
gression—the knowledge of England
as a very considerable but also a very
distant power; the knowledge of Per~
sia as animmlnent but wholly impo-
tent factor in the case.
Having stated nis opinions, he re-
verted to the motive of his speech—
his desire to put forward a strong
protest again-st the adjournment of
the House without an assurance from
the gowrnment that immediate meas—
ures would be taken to safeguard
British interests in Mashed ' and
throughout the province of Xhoraaan.
The immediate outcome of Loder's
speech was all that his party had de-
sired. Tbe effect on the House had
been marked; and when. no satisfac-
lory response coming to his de-
mand. he had in still more resolute
and insistent terms called for s divi-
sion on the motion for adjournment.
the result had been an appreciable
fall in the government majority.
To Loder himself. the realization
that he had at last vindicated and
justified himself by individual action
had a peculiar effect. His position
had been altered in one remarkable
particular. Before this day he alone
had known himself to be strong:
innw the knowledge was shared by
others and he was human enough to
be susceptible to the change.
The first appreciation of it came
immediately after the excitement of
the division. when Frame. singling
him out. took his arm and massed it
affectionately.
“My dear Cbllcote," be said. “we
are all proud of you!” Then, look-
ing up into his face. he added. in a
grave:- Itone. “But keep your mind
upon the future; never be blinded
by the present—however bright it
seems."
At the touch of his band's: the
spontaneous approval of his first
words. Loder's pride thrilled, and in
a vehement rush of ambition his
senses answered to the praise. Then,
as Fraide in all unconsciousness add-
ed his second sentence, the bot glow
of feeling, suddenly chilled. Ira
sweep of intuitive reaction the mean-
ing and the danger or his falsely real
position extinguished his excitement
and turned his triumph cold. With
an involuntary gesture ho withdrew
his am. . ..
“You're very good. sir.” be said.
"And you’re very right- We never
should forget that there ls—a fu-
ture." ’
The old man glanced up. surprised
by tile tone.
“Quito Io, Chllcote.".he sald,‘klnd-
ly. “But we only advisertbose in
whom we believe to look towards it.
Shall we find my wife? I know she,
will want to bear you home with us.”
But Loder’o joy in himself and his
achievement had dropped from him.
He shrank suddenly from Lady
Sarah's congratulations and Eve's
warm. silent approbation. 7
‘Tbaoks. sir." be said. “but I don't
feel fit for society. A touch or my
—-nerves. I suppose." ,no laughed
“But do you saying to
her?" He-asdded this as if tubal:-
reluctsni aftectbougbt. Then. with
a about pressure otl‘raido’ahand. he
turned. evading tbe‘nsay groups that
A»...
L
listened to his speech. Pa-lng at
once into the room, he crossed as if
by instinct to the desk. and there
halted. 0n die top of sane unopened
letters lay the Want yellow en-
velope of a telegram—the telegram
that in an unformod. subconscious
way had sprungto his expectation
on the 1110!!th of Fraide’s congrat-
ulatlon. ~ - ,
Very quietly be picked lt-up. epon-
ed and read it. and. with the auto
matic caution that had become habit-
ual, carried’it across the room and
dropped it in the fire. This done. he
returned to the desk. read the letters
that awaited Chllcote, and, scribbling
the necessary notes upon the mar.
gins. left them in readiness for
Greening. Then. moving with the
same quiet suppression. he passed
from the room. down the stairs, and
out into the street by the way be had
come.
CHAPTER XX
ON the fifth day after the mo-
mentous lst of April on which
he had recalled Letter and resumed
is own life Obilcote left his house
' walked towards Bond Street.
’I‘bdfigb the morning was clear and
the air alumst warm for the time of
816 year, he was buttoned into a
long overcoat and was wearing a
uffler and a pair of doesklu gloves.
" s be named along the street he kept
close to the house fronts to avoid the
sun the: was everywhere stirring the
winter-bound town, like a suffusion
of young blood through old veins. He
avoided the warmth because in this
instance warmth meant light. but as
he moved he shivered slightly from
time to time with the haunting. per-
meating mid that of late had become
his persistent shadow.
He was ill at ease as he hurried
forward. “’ith each succeeding day
of the old life the new annoyances.
the new obligations became more
hampering. Before his compact with
Loder this old life had been a net
about his feet; now the meshes seem-
edlto have narrowed. the net itself
to have spread until it another-ed his
whole being. His own household—
hls own rooms. even—«flexed no
sanctuary. The presence of another
personality tinged the atmosphere.
It was preposterous, but it was un-
deniable. 'l‘he lay figure that he had
set in place had proved to be flesh
and blond—had usurped his life. his
position. his personality. by sheer
right of strength. As he walked alonx
Bond Street in the first sunshine of
the year, jostled by me welldressed
crowd. he felt a pariah.
He revolted at the new order of
one—the iron of expediency had en-
tcred into his soul. He dared not
Jeopardize lnder's position, because
he dared not dispense with Loder.
The door that guarded his vice drew
him more resistlcssiy with every in-
dulgence, and Lodetvs was the voice
that called the “Open Sesame !"
He walked on aimlessly. He had
been but five days at home. and al-
ready the quiet. grass-grown court of
(ilitl'ord‘s Inn, the bare staircase, the
comfortiess privacy of Loder‘a rooms
seemed a haven of refuge. The speed
with which this bungee had returned
frightened him.
He walked forward rapidly and
without encountering a check. Then,
suddenly, the spell was broken. From
the slowly moving, brillantly dressed
throng of people some one called
him by his name; and turning he saw
Lillian Astrupp.
She was stepping from the door of
a jeweller’s. and as he turned she
paused, holding out her band.
“The very person I would have
wished to see!" she exclaimed.
“\Vhere have you beenthese hundred
years? I‘ve heard of nobody but you
since you've turned politician and
ceased to be a more member of Par-
liament!" She laughed softly. The
laugh suited the light spring air, as
she herself united the pleasant, su-
perficial scene. ‘
He took her hand and held it. while
his eyes‘travelled from her" delicate
face to her pale doth gown, from
her soft furs to the bunch of roses in
her muff. The sight, of her was a
curious relief- Her cool, slim fingers
were so cesium-yet so clinging, her
voice and her presence were so redo-
lent of easy. artificial things.
“How well you lookl" he said, in
volutarlly. ' '
Assinabe laughed. “That‘s my
“But I was serious in being glad to
see you. Sarcastic peopleare always
so intuitive. I‘m looking for some
one with intuition." . .
Obilcoto glanced up. ‘flixtnvagant
“gm?" he said 4171!. :
She smiled athlmowcctly. , ’J‘ackl“
she murmured mm was.
Oldiboto Wed aulfily. “1‘ in.
demand. tofu changed your Min-
ister of Finance. I‘m wanted .in
some cameras-action." - * ~ * ‘
This unto-her Wm ex—
pressed by a glance. {Woods-e ob
ways wanted? diurnal.» fi'
'11:; words. sea-acids rouse tun
things. but the revolt was a silent -
prerogative,” she’responded,‘ lightly. .
He fumbled for a moment with the
collar of. cost. and glanced furs
lively .upw towards Oxford Street.
But again Milan . smiled-this
time to herself. If she understood
anything .cu earth it was Cibllcots
and his moods.
“If one may be careless of any-
thing, Jack," she said. lightly. "surely
it's of time. I can imagine being
pressed for anything else in tho
world. If it‘s an appointment you're
worrying about. a motor goes over
so much master than'a cub—J She
looked at him tentatively. her head
slightly on one side, her muff raised
till the roses and some of the soft
fur touched her cheek.
' She looked very charming and very
persuasive as Cbllcote glanced back.
Again she seamed to represent a re-
spite—something graceful and sums
in a world of oppressive obligations.
His eyes strayed from her figure to
the smart motor-car drawn up beside
the «no. .
She saw the glance. "Ever so m
quicker." she insinuated: and. smil-
ing again, she stepped forward from
the door of the shop. After a no
ond'a indecision Cblcote followed her.
The waiting car had three seats-—
one in front for the chauffeur, two
vls-a-vls at the back. offering plus-
ant possibilities of a tete-a—tete.
"The Park—and drive slowly," Lil-
lian ordered, as she stepped inside.
motionlng Obilcote to the seat op-
posite.
They moved up Bond Strcd~
smoothly and rapidly. Lillian was
absorbed in the passing tramc until
the Marble Arch was reached; men.
as they glided through the big gates,
she looked across at her companion.
He had turned up the collar of his
coat, though the wind was scarcely
perceptible, and buried himself in it
to the cam. .
“It is extraordinary !” she exclaim-
ed, suddenly, as her eyes rested on
his face. It was seldom that she felt
drawn to exclamation. she was usu-
ally too indolent to show surprise.
But now the feeling was called forth
before she was aware.
Ohiicote looked up. “What'l or
traordinaryl" be said, sensitively.
She leaned forward for an instant
and touched his hand.
"Bear!" she said. teasingly.
I rub your fur the wrong way?"
Then. seeing his expression. she tad-
fixlly changed her tone.
It was the same thing that struck
me the night of Blanche‘s party—-
“Did
“ru expat-L 7
u
\
i
all
when you looked at me over Leonard ,
Kaiue‘s head. You remember?"
glanced away from him across the
Park to where the grass was already
showing greener.
Ohllcate felt ill at ease. Again he
put his band to his coat collar.
“Oh yes,“ he said hastily—“ya."
He wished now that be bad question-
ed Lode:- more closery on the pro-
ceedings of that party. It seemed to
him, on looking back, that Loder bad '
mentioned nothing on the day- of
tibelr last exmange but the political
complications that absorbed his mind.
"I couldn’t explain then.” Lillian
went on. “I couldn't explain before
a crowd of people, that it wasn’t your
dark bead showing over Leonard‘s
red one that surprised me. but the
most wonderful, the most extraordi-
nary llkeness—" She paused.
The car was moving slower: more
was a delight in me easy motion
through the fresh. early air. But
Chilcote's uneasiness had bout
aroused. He no longer felt soothod.
“What likeness?” he asked. sharply.
She turned to him easily.
likeness I have noticed before." also
said. ‘
ed strange, but that suddenly be-
came incredible at Blanche’s party."
He moved quickly. “Likenesses are
an illusion." he said. “a mere imagi-
nation of the brain!” Bis manner
was short; his annoyance sctming-ly
out of all proportion to its cause.
Lillian looked at him afresh in sligh-
ly interested mrpdse.
She ‘
“A likeness that always seem--
um.‘
"Yet not so very long ago, yeah
yourself—" she began.
“Nonsense!" he broke in. “I‘ve
always denied likenesses. Such things
don‘t really exist. Likeness-seeing is
purely an individual matter—o, pro-
conceptlon.” He wake fast; he was
uneasy under the cool scrutiny of . i I
her green eyes.
atempt at self-control and new
ance be altered his voice. “After
all, we‘re being very stupid !" be ex-
claimed. “We're worrying over
something that doesn’t exist."
Lillian was still lazily interested.
To her on belief, she had seen Ohil.
cofelaotdnthenlghtofherslsber’a
reception. Then she badbeen too
preoccupied to notice either his man-
3
g.
5
3
9'
o
3.
tr
5'
And with a sharp :
decomruourw-
g
3i.
a
i
Norwalk Chronicler