Tait with I...” she read. ”Why.
you've forgotten the casential thing?"
He looked up. “the essential
thing?”
Sine untied. “the bins cram.“ she
said. "Isn't it m oven a little
one?”
The tons was very soft. Chilcota
yielded.
“You have one blue pencil.” he said.
in suddan response to her mood.
She glanced up in quiet pleasure at
her success. and. with a charming
after-ration of seriousness. marked
the engagement with a. big cross. At
the same moment the car flattened
weed, as the chauffeur waited for
further orders.
Lillian shut the engagement-boot
and handed it back. “Where can 1
drop you?" she asked. "At the club?”
The question recalled him to a
sense of present things. He thrust
the boot into his pocket and glanced
about him.
They had paused by Hyde Park
corner. The crowd of horses and
carriages had thinned as the hour of
lunch draw near. and one wide ro -
way of the park had an air of ad
spare. The suggested loneliness af-
fected him. The tail trecI. still be-
reft of leaves. and the colossal gate-
way incomprehenaively stirred the
sense of mentnl panic that sometimes
acinvri him in face of vastness of
space or of architecture, In one mo-
nwnt. Lillian. the appointment he had
Just made. the manner of its making
«all lq'ft him. The vmrid was numi
hls own personality, his own
linummite inclinations.
“Ivan”: bother about me!” he said.
’0‘
The
on
and
Oh.
‘ou
wd
2 son
an
She
h a
t “P
- only
0'1:
ftlr.
rut-t
vans."
ngly
nch.
Root.
her
each
. urn
her
We
g‘lirtl
ions
his
c0 1..
"_..
ught
ut it
alto-
“‘"ll
rseif
with
ll: it quickly. "1 can get out here. You‘ve
unw- iu-on very good. it's been a delight-
nw‘ ifui morning." With a hurried pres.
siirc of her fingers he rose and sic-p-
rmi from the car.
. Reaching the ground. he pauscd
“nt‘for a inmnc'nf and railed his h'l"
id of? ' ‘
, ithrn, \vi'imut a second glance. he
elvoimmfld and walked raphil away.
i Lillian sat watching h.m medita-
it'w-iy She saw him pass through
"0“llho gatc-wny. saw him hail a hon»
CliLirl
vpukfl"
I
' “““ 1 sum. tho-n slu- rememhcrcvl the wait-
- "l" ing chauffeur.
inn?"
_.___—
high CHAPTER XXI
7., y N the same day that Chilcota had
“VDH parted with Lillian—hut at three
‘o‘rlovh in the afternoon—Lodcr.
,«imsed in (‘hiicote's clothes and with
I‘hllcoie's hoavy overcoat slung over
his arm. walked from Fleet Street to
.Crosvenor Square. He walked stead-
”it‘ll
vlnus
dang.
After'
an foam-oval '
mtgantnrstflatimdlm
aerial form
adopted by
THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY
JOHN QEILCOTE. member of the House of Commons, a party to a
infamagho of convention and confirmed drug addict, changes places in
a w
JOHN LODER, who is his exact counterpart in appearance. So success-
ful is the deception that the masterful Loder becomes not only the
strong political lieutenant of ‘
FRAIDE, the great party leader. but is never suspected by the servants
or by Chilcote's beautiful and unhappy wife.
EVE, who, however. is mystified by her husband's change in manner.
At a social function Loder is inveigled into a darkened tent, when
LADY LlLLlAN ASTRUPP. close associate of Chilcote. is indulging ha
hobby of crystal-gazing and makes him remove his rings, exposing tho
give-away scar on his finger. Realizing his danger, Lode: induces
young
BLESSINGTON to tell her she had been deceived by the darkness in her
first belief that Chilcote was the subject. The following morning his
fears are submerged by the interest he takes in the news of political
developments in Persia. Russia having dispatched a large armed
force to the seat of the insurrection against the Shah. Following I
conference with
LAKELY. editor of St. George’s Gazette. he appears as spokesman for
his party. delivering an address attacking the government for its lax
policy. He is enjoying the thrill of his brilliant political triumph when
he is recalled by Chilcote. who resumes his own life. Chilcota meets
Lady Lillian. and they go for a drive together in her motor car. She
makes him quite uncomfortable by her references to “likenesses."
t I a-ngs
“My dear Jack,” she said softly. “let’s forgot tedious
things and enjoy ourselves." [Marcia Manon with Guy
Bates Post in a scene from “The Masquerader.”]
effectively as her eyes and her face} fie nemd the mint rustling of her
were framed by her black hair. For dress .1: she turned towards him. and
., , ily. neither slowly nor yet fast. The
h‘,:leiafion of his last Journey over the
' ‘snnze ground was tempered by feel-
inzs he could not satisfactorily brack-
tm, of Hell to himwlf. Thor» was i
[1 so i of x-cbrment elation and more of ma-
1! a:‘liurod determination in his gait and
d it. i bearing than there had horn on that
th . night. though the incidents of which
*tlivy were the outcome were Very
‘complex.
(in roachlng Chllcote‘s house he
at . pound upstairs; but, still following
“.5, . tho routine of his previous return. he
.mflrlld not halt at Chllcote's door. but
;lnnvod onward towards Eve‘s sitting
’ room and there paused.
rim:-
anmo’
9.“
oil—
at a
gor.
thcn
"us! in that pause his numherlesa ereg~
,, m ulur thoughts fused into one.
. on.” He had the same undefined sense
‘a‘fly'or standing upon sacred ground that
”My? ’ had touched him on the previous oc-
WH. melon. but the outcome of the sausa-
hrr :'~n was (Lifer-exit. This time he rais-
and mi his band almost immediately and
l we tripped on the door.
”P“, H:- wnltwi, but no voice rt-sprmded
m L a ki‘sn K with a sense of disap-
.‘ or pn‘ntmvnt llP kiiM'ltvil attain; thrn.
:vl‘“'~~‘il..: his don-milliatiun still fur‘
im-r t.» turn-«i the handle and enter-
ed the room.
5.. private room 1; without mean:
ingc—whother trivial or the reverse.
‘ in a room. perhaps more even than in
spw- h. in luck. or in work. dues tho
1': pm,“ of the individual make itso-lf
“9‘10? ling-r9. on the wax of outer
{w'lKth9ll1nQT self imprints its seal
l-ri‘fffiri'w‘! its fleeting claim to sop-
nrw'a individuality. This thought.
win. its nrrt-stln: interest, made L0-
vle' walk slowly. almost seriously.
half-way across the room and then
pause to study his surroundings.
The room was of mcdlum sine—
rmt too larre for comfort and um too
small for ample space. At a first lm‘
rvrc-ulon it struck him as unlike any
mirivipation of a woman‘s sanctum.
It“? The walls panelled in dark wood: the
hm'richiy bound books; the beautifully
”1"" . unsigned bronze ornaments; even the
“td'ldowen, deep crimson and violet-blue
‘in tons. had an air of sombre harmo-
tny that was scarcely feminine. With
ta strangely pleasant impression he
realised this. and. following his habit.
uai impulse. moved slowly forward
towards the fireplace and there paus-
ed, his elbow resting on the mantel-
out :piece.
1 as had scarcely settled comforta-
tiw ‘hly into his position, scarcely entered
‘H -‘-v
~.t‘]'.‘.
f.
. .,—..
from
. :,..
rang
rout?
. h
K" S
(filli-
-.nors
but
dded;
utter-l
of a‘
' uh!»
ould,
ower
and.
face
shall ,
mil
0 by
had on his second and more comprehen-
. sire study of the place. than the ar-
"if," rangeme‘nt of his mind was altered
by the turning of the handle and the
opening of the door.
The new-comer was Eva herself.
She was dressed in outdoor cl es.
and walked into the room quic iy:
then. as index- had done. she too
lpaused.
. her; The gastula so natural and spon-
side tsneous. bad a peculiar attraction:
as she glanced up at him. her face
alight with inquiry. she seemed as-
traordinarily much the owner and
at".
- her
1nd.
, he
very
- the
one momcnt ho forgot that his pres- he know that he had struck the right
once demanded crplanntion; the next Char'l. All true Women respond toan
she had an'll' vxplnnatlon noodloss. appeal for aid as steel answers to
{She bud been looking at him intent- the magnet lie could feel her ex-
I 1y; now she came forward'slowly. iit“‘l.'lil-‘}' in the simnce
“John?" she said, half in appeal. "You know—w. all Know—that
half in question. ltho prcwnt mnnknl Is very vital.
He took it step towards beta-Tim ii's l'li’ipnssiliie to deny the cri-
“Lmvk at me," he said. quiotiy mni‘sie in the air. Nobody feels it more
involuntarily. In the sharp dosircto’1li:1n i dw—nobody is more exorbi—
establish himself in her record hmmmly keen in have a share—n part.
forgot that her eyes had never loftwviwn lliv rmi light comes-—" Be
his face. gsp-ppd; iiu-n he turned slowly and
~ But the lncongrulty of the wordsfifwir “it's iiwi. "If a man is to we
did not strike her. "Uh!" sh.» o.v,t‘vwl in such it. desire.” he went on.
cialmcd. “l—l believe i know. :iirw-t»i«lt~7i'|"!‘:i‘v~ly. "he must exclude all
ly i saw you here." Tim qullk rm: ”'iwrw-lie must have one purpose.
of life vibrating in hcr tone surpr‘w'i nu- iiilf‘rvst. one thought. Ho must
him. But he had min-r thoughts forgot ti:n:—-"
more urgent than surmise. é no lli'tcd her head quickly.
in the fiw days of hani~nmont just ; "—that he has a wife.” she finished.
lived throucli. the need for n rcaIl-‘m-nziy, “i think I understand.”
justment of his position with regard, There was no annoyance m be,
t” llPl' had Cflme ‘0 him forcibly. Till" far“ or rnfupl no sug‘e'uon of “l:-
‘momnry of the night when wcuknos< . iq‘ngss o. ”f hurt vanity. She had
and he had 2'99“ 5‘ perilously "l”wirmirl his moaning with disconcertluz
quarters had returned to him pcr- . .v.;..um..ss nnd responded with discon-
slstently and uncomfortably. spoilinzlc..ngn: “pnemsny. A Md“. um
i
the rcmomhranco of his triumph. it i V...)- human dissatisfaction with m.
lliad boon “'eil enough to smother tho rcmijustme'nt scheme fell upon no.
ithought of that night in days “1'1"“ Opposition is the whip to ‘c.
l'm'k- n?” "a" ”'9 "~'“"““K "'-' ”mun; a too-ready acquiescence the
ibinttod out the umknws? llnd ”tsiuckcncd rein. .
i — . l ..
:fi:§,'“‘:"nf?rf°°:f‘r ‘gwmfif’l ”Sim" :an "Did i any that?" he asked. quick.
.. - .l " _ .. i.\ ‘s _‘ ,...l H a v ,
Istrvnzth doc-s not turn his '{nlll 1; upon ' '3'“ f.‘:.x.:h.n..,i“u:,s. 1:23.; 23:31:;-
tenzptution: he {nova and (polls it.‘ 2'”; ‘ ’
gm the solitary (lays in (‘lifl'nrti'si Irm'%:zra-i‘rlainreuicILible smile ”tilted ID h“
iln the solitary nirht-hours spout in ‘ . . ..
ltramplng the city stream. this hmt You dd“ say. bf“ you-33‘)?“
been the conviction that had recurrul l 5"“ “m““rm- gravely. °u
lure the some as words to a woman.
again and again. this the problem to
which, after much consult-ration. he
had found a solution—satisfactory at
least to himself. When next (‘hilcnte
called him—it was notable that he
had used the word "when" and not
“if." When next (.‘hlicote called him
he would make a new departure. He
would no longer avoid five: he would
successfully prove to himulfthat one
interest and one alone tilled his mind
-the pursuance of Chllcotc'a polit-
ical career. So does man satisfac-
torily convince himself against him-
self. He had this intention fully in
mind as he came forward now.
“Well." he said slowly. “has it
been very hard to have faith—these.
last five days?" It was not precise-l
iy the tone he had meant to adopt;‘
but one must begin.
Ere fumed at his words. liercyos
were brimming with life. her cheeks
still touched to a deep. soft color by
the hecnuesa of the wintry air.
“No." she answered, with a shy.
responsive touch of confidence. “I
seemed to keep on believing. You
know converts make the best de-
votees." She laughed with slight
embarrassment. and glanced up at
him. Something in the blue of her
eyes reminded him unexpectedly of
spring skies—full of youth and prom-
be.
He moved abruptly and crossed the
room towards the window. “Eve."
That's tvhy we are so Wattle."
Arnin she smiled. Some idea. baf-
fling :inrl incomprehensible to Loder.
was s‘irrinz in her mind.
C'T‘xM‘I'vilS of the lmpreadon. he
mover} still nearer. “Y0“ JUMP ‘9
conclux'iwns." he said. abruptly.
“What I meant to imply—4‘
“—-v':is precisely what I‘ve under-
stood.” Aznin aha finishedvhls scu-
tence. Then she laughed softly.
“How- very wise, but how V017. '9?!
foolish men arei‘ You come to the
conclusion thatbecause a woman ls—
is interested in you she is 80m! t0
hamper you in some direction. and
after infinite pain: you summon all
your tact and you set about saving
the situation." There was interest.
even a touch of amusement. in her
tone. her eyes were still fixed upon
his in an lndeflnnble glance. "YOU
think you are being very diplomatic.”
she went on. quietly. “but in min,
you are being very WML Th.
woman reads the whole of your
moaning in your very drSt mee—
if she hasn‘t known it before you be-
gun to speak."
Arain Loder made an interruption.
but again she checked filmy
"N0." she said. still stalling. “You
should never attempt Ila 9 m
Shall i tell you why?" '1
Hr stood silent, puss-led and inten-
aflnndmntwitn wmmyflnwhoso‘scrm‘m .6
fiodemlnmnoothsW.wasroatsanowappm ,
the man's canes ranks infinitely
higher in her eyes than any personal
desire for power.”
For a moment their eyes mot. then
abruptly Lodar looked away. She
had gauged his intentions incorrect-
ly, yet with diaconcertlng insight.
Again the suggestion of an unusual
personality below the serenity of her
manner recurred to his imagination.
, With an impulse altogether foreign
to him he lifted his head and again
not her glance. Then at last he
note. but only two words. "Forgive
me i“ he said. with simple. direct sin-
corlty.
CHAPTER XXII
AFTER his interview with Eve,
We? retlred'to the study and
spent the renaming hours of the day
and the whole span of the evening
In work. At one o‘clock. still feeling
flush in mind and body, ne dismissed
Greening and passed into Chiicote‘s
bedroom. no interview with EvE.
though widely different from the one
be had antlcbated. had left him
stimulated and alert. In the hours
that fdlowed it there and been an
added anxiety to put his mind into
harneu. an added gratification in
finding it answer to the rein.
A pleasant cans of retrospection
settled upon him as he slowly on
dressed; and a pleasant sense of in-
terest touched him as. ceasing to the
dressingltable. he caught sight of
Chll-oote'a engagement-book—tsken
with other things from wetsuit be
had changed at manor-time and cars
fully laid aside by Bcnwich.
He picked it up and slowly turned
the pages. It always held the sug-
gestion of a lotteryh-tnis dipping into
another man‘s engagements and
drawing a prize or a blank. It was
a sensation that even custom had not
dolled.
At first be turned the pages slowly,
than by degrees his fingers quickened.
Beyond the fact that this present
evening was free. he knew nothing
of his promised movements. The
abruptness of Chilcote's arrival at
Cllfl'ord‘s Inn in the afternoon had
left no time for superfluous ques-
tions. Be skimmed the writing with
a touch of interested haste. then. all
at once he paused and smiled.
"Big enough for a tombstone!” he
said below his breath as his eyes
rested on a large blue cross. Then he
smiled agaln‘ and held the book to
the light.
“Blue 83. Cadogan Gardens. 8
o'c. Talk with L." be read. still
speaking softly to himself.
He stood for a moment ponder-
ing on the em. then once more his
glance reverted to the cross.
“Evidently meant it to be soon." he
mused; "but why the deuce isn‘t he
more explicit?" As he spoke, a look
of comprehension suddenly crossed
his face and the puzzled frown be
tween his eyebrows cleared away.
With a feeling of satisfaction he
remanberod thdy'a frequent and
pressing suggestion that he should
dine with him at Cadogan Gardens
and discuss the polltcai outlook.
Lakciy must have written during
his absence. and Chilcote. having
marked the engagement. felt no fur-
ther rammniblilty. The invitation
could scarcely have been verbal. as
Chllcote, he knew. had lain very
low in the live days of hls return
home. '
So he argued, as he stood with the
book still open in his hands. the blue
cross staring imporativeiy from the
white paper. And from the argument
rose thoughts and suggestions “I
soothed. in his mind long after the
lights had been switched off. long
after the lira had died down and he
had been left wrapped in darkness
in the great canopled bed.
And so it came about that he took
his second false step. Once during
the pross‘of the next morning's work
it crossed his mind to verify his con-
victions by a glance at the directory.
But for once the strong wish that
evolves a thought conquered his cau-
tion. His work was absorbing: the
need of verification seemed very
small. He let the suggestion pass.
At seven o'clock be dressed care-
fully. Bis mind was full of Lately
and of the possibilities the night
might hold; for more than once be
fore. the weight of the St. George's
Gazette. with Lately at its back. had
turned the poitical scales. To be
marked'by him as a coming man‘vvas
at any time a favorite portcnt; to
be singled out by him at the present
juncture was mentions. A thrill
of expectancy. almost of excitement.
passed through him as be surveyed
his appearance preparatory to leav-
ing the house.
Passing down-stairs, be moved at
once to the hall door; but almost as
his hand touched it be halted, st-
tractcd by a movement on the land-
ing above him. Turning. he saw
Eve.
She was standing quite still. look-
ing down upon him as aha had looked
once before. As their eyes mot. she
changed her position hastily.
“You are going out?" she asked.
And it trod Lode quickly that
there was a suggestion. a shadow of
Whitman: in the tone of her
voice. loved by the impression. he
with unusual promptnem.
“Ins." he said. “I'm dining out-
dining with [45:11”
She "ch!!! in!
intently ‘ while
his words readied her. oer whole
face brightened.
toll.
o’c.
designer of bar surroundings She
was named by them as naturally and
be said. without looking round, “I
want your help.”
..._ .W- ; “la-:32}
/
"Roman." she
“when a woman - i
. ‘
it":
ested.
he spoke: then. as the meaning of
~.
pathy.
Loder, looking up at bar. fit his
senses stir. At sound of ls. words
his secret craving for success quick-
ened to stronger life. The nun
whose sole incentive lies within may
go forward coldly and :
but the man who grasps a some
inspiration. who, even unconsciously.
ls imposed by another force. has a
stronger Impems for attack. a aux-or.
more vital newlngpower. Still watch-
ing her, be answered instinctively:
“Yes.” he said. nowly.’ "a low
step." And. with a smile of fare-
well he turned. opened Gas «but. and
passed into the road.
The thrill of that one moment was
still wam as he reached Oadognn
Gardens and mounted the steps of
No. 33—00 vitally worm that he
paused for an instant before pressing
the electric bell. Then at last, donn-
noted by anticipation, he turned and
raised his hand.
The action was abrupt. and it was
onlyashlsflnsvrsprsaedthobell
that a certain unexpectedneaa. a car-
taln want of suitability in the sweet
of the house, struck him. The door
was white, the handle and knocks:-
wcre of masdvo silver. The first
seemed a disappointing index of
Lakely's private taste. the second a
ridiculous temptation to needy hu-
manity. He looked again at the
number of the house. but it stared
back at him oonvlnclngly. Then the
door opened.
So keen was his sense of unflinc-
manstii tryingtofusehlslmpres-
slon of Lakeiy with the idea of silver
dooronttlngs. he stepped into the hall
without the usual preliminary quea-
tlon. Suddenly realizing the neces-
sity. be turned to the servant; but
the man forestalied him:
"Will you come to the white room.
sir? And may I take your coat?"
The smooth certainty of the man's
manner surprised him. It held an-
other savor of disappointment—seem-
ing as little in keeping with the keen.
business—like Lakeiy as did the house.
Still struggling With his impression.
he allowed himself to be relieved of
his hat and coat and in silence nah-
end up the shallow staircase.
As the last step was ruched it
came to him again to mention bl!
host‘s name: but simultaneously with
the suggestion the servant stapled
forward with a quick. silent move-
fear of the 7
stupid title train ranoi! the rails
near Pistol-la and smashed itself up.
Fortunately we were within half a
mueofavmagqaowawcreu'tqnite
bereft. The village was impossibly
like. a toy village. and the accom-
modatlon what one would expect in
a Noah's Ark. but it was all abso-
lutely picturesque. I put up at the
uttlalnnwlthmymaldandxoxo—
Ko 30 was such a sweet dog—a
white poodle. I was trunendously
been on poodles that year.” She
stopped and looked thoughtfully to-
wards thc are. ~
“But to come to the point of the
story. Jack. the toy vfllaga had a. boy
doll!” sac laughed again. “He was
an Englishman—and the first person
tometomy cesarean thanlghtof
the smash-up. He was staying at
the Noah's Ark inn: and after that
first night l—be—we— Oh, Jack.
haven‘t you any imagination?" Her
voice sounded petulant and sharp.
The man who is indilferent to the
recital of an old love affair implies
the worst kind of listener. “I believe
you aren't interested." she added. .in
another and more reproachfui cone.
Ha leaned forward. “You're wrong
there.“ be said. slowly. “I’m deeply
interested.“
She glanced at him again. His
tons reassured hotshot his words
left her uncertain: Chllcote was
tardy emphatic. With a touch of
hesitation she went on with her tale:
“As! toidmbewasthefirstto
nnd us—to find me. I should say, for
my stupid maid-was having hysteria
farther up the line, and K0 K0 was
lost. I remand»: the first thing I
did was to send him in search of
ment and throw open a door. K0 K0,... .
"Mr. Chilcotel" he announced. in Notwi dl hlspnsltion We
a subdued. discreet voice. found .. w a; smile. ubm h;
Loder‘s amt lmprésslon was of a
room that seemed unusually luxuri-
ous. soft, and shadowed. Then all
impression of inanimate m left
him suddenly.
For the fraction of a second he
stood in the doorway. while the
room seemed empued of everything.
except a figure that rose slowly from
a couch before file fire at sound of
Chilcote‘s name; then, with a calm-
ness that to himself seemed incred-
ible. he moved forward into the room.
He might. of course. have beaten
succeed?” he said. dryly.
“Succeed? “Oh. yes. he succeeded.“
She also smiled involuntarily. “Poor
Ko K0 was stowed sway under the
luggage-van;- and after quite a lot
of trouble he pulled him out. When
it was all done the dog was quite on-
hurt and livélier than ever, but the
[Englldnnan had his anger almost hit-
ten through. K0 K0 was a dear.
but his teeth and his temper were
both very sharp!" She laughed once
more in soft amusement.
lodcr was silent for a second. then
a retreat and obviated many things; he too is 's abort. ear-
but life is full of might-harms. castle laugh. “And you tied up the
and retreat never presents itself wound. I suppose?”
agreeably to a strong man. 31! 1m- an. glanced up. half delaased.
pulse was to ace the amount. and “We were both staylng at the little
he acted on the impulse. inn.” also said. as though no further
Liiiisn had risen srowly: and as explanation could be needed. Then
he neared her she held out bar band. min her manner CW She
“Jack!" she exclaimed. softly. moved imperceptibly nearer and
“How sweet of you to render!” touched his right hand. 'His left.
The voice and words came to him “hid! m farther away from her,
with great diaunctneas, and as they was well in the shadow of the cash-
came one uncertainty passed foravar ions.
from his mind—tbs question as to “Jack.” abs mid. massing”. “it
what relation she and Chllcota held isn't to tell you this stupid old story
to each- other. With the realisation that I‘ve broosnt’you have; it's really
came the thought of Eve. and is the to tell you a sort of sequel." She
mldstofhlsowndlfllcultyflsfsca stroked his hand gaudy once or
hardened. twice. “Aslsay,lmattblsman and
Lillian ignored the coldnem. m. ws—wa had an affair. Ion under
lug his hand. she smiled. “You're stand? Then we curtailed—quar-
unusually punctual.“ to said. “But relied cows badlyband I cam my.
your handaaracold. Gomacloserto l’va remembered him rather longer
the tire.” than '1 member mat people—he
Loder was not sendble that his wasaneoftbosedoggod individuals
hands were cold. but he suflsrsd him- who stick in one’s mind. But he has
selftobedrawnforwsrd. atayodhimlnaforanothsrreasou—"
One end ofthecouch walls dre- Acalnsbelookodup.“fiehasstayed
light. the other in shalom By a because you helpedtoteep blmtbere.
fortunate arrangement of chance ”1- You know how I have sometimes put
nan selected the bugnter end for her- my hands over your mouth and told
self and offered the other to beryouthatyonreyesremlndodmeof
guest. With a quickaensasframlte someonselsol WelLthat someone
he accepted it. At least he could it .was my Englishman. But you
secure fromdetsctlonwhnahatsm- mash‘tbajealombawasaborrld,
porized with fate. ‘
For a mt they sat silent. than
Lillian stirred. “Won’t you note?”
a.
8
all; Lillian's slow. soothing voice.
With a sense of oppression he at!!-
oned his shudders and sat atsalghnr
in his place. ' "
Was-slamming;
an abrupt movement. he drew his
“No." he mldfldon'tvmlnklhandn-ombatwaahavs. .
shall smoke." ' .3 “Am! you surprised?" abs asked
Shemoved nearermnhn. “Mum.w.a.dcllcatonoteofr&
Jack.” she said. pleadinglg. "don‘t wont: . .
sayyon'ralnabadmood. Don't!!! Bestsrtsd‘ighfly.sslfreeaned
you wanttopostponoagsin.’ Shemthawnofthemtw
lookedupat hlmandlanghsdallttle prlssdr'hossldz- "Wbyabouidlbe
inmockconstsrnatloo. surprised? Onapcrssnmoreorls-
Loderwaaataloas. abigpaflyisa‘tasaonlshlna. Be-
Anotber silence followed. mymmscta,
ullian waited; then she
auddcnlyand rose from the couch.
leemanyindolent middlema-
msod a touch of obatlnscy: and
now that» her triumph over alicots
was more thatahahadvia-
while tom IID
inxarlo, usly. “Be-
boy.“ she said. softly.
2 it's one of those
fascinating mysteries that come once
“was In. Lately?" as. said. “on,
(nested her right to command him. lnailfstlmafi’
her originaipurpoaecamanpper- —-—-,.
mountain. Coidormtemnsmln-
Norwalk Chronicler