Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-06
CHAPTER II.

N X ISS MILLICENT CHINE was MI vaguely conscious of success and such consciousness \ \ is apt to make the best of us trifle elated. It was certainly one of the best balls of the season, and Miss Chyne's dress was without doubt one of the most successful articles of its sort there.
 Jack Meredith saw that fact and noted it as soon as he came into the room. Moreover, it pleased him, and he was pleased to reflect that he was no mean critic in such matters. There could be no doubt about it. because he knew as well as any woman there. He knew that Millicent Chyne was dressed in the latest fashion; no furbished up gown from the hands of her maid, but a unique creation from Bond street.
 Well" she asked in a low voice as she handed him her programme. "are you pleased with it?'
 "Eminently so."
 She glanced down at her own dress. It was not the nervous glance of the debutante, but the practiced flash of ex- perienced eyes which see without ap- bearing to look.
 q am glad" she murmured.
 He handed her back the card with the orthodox smile and bow of gratitude. but there was something more in his eyes.
 "Is that what you did it for?" he in- quired.
 "Of course" with q glance half coquettish. halt humble.
 She took the card and allowed 1t to drop pendent from her fan without looking at it. He had written nothing on it. This was all a form. The dances that were his had been in scribed on the engagement card long before by smaller fingers than his.
 She turned to take her attendant partners arm with q little Haunt, a little movement of the hips. to bring her dress and possibly her self more prominently beneath Jack Meredith's notice. His eyes followed her with that incomparably pleasant society smile which he had no doubt inherited from his father. Then he turned and mingled with the well dressed throng. lowing where he ought to bow. asking with fervor for dances in plain but influential quarters where dances were to be easily obtained.
 And all the while his father and Lady CantOurne watched.
 Behind his keen old eyes Sir John watched Jack go up and claim his dance at the hands of Miss Millicent Chyne. He could almost guess what they said. for Jack was grave. and she smiled demurely. They began dane ing at once. and as soon as the floor became crowded they disappeared.
 Jack Meredith was an adept at such matters. He knew a seat at the end of a long passage where they could sit. the beheld of GIl beholders who happened 10 pass. but no one could possibly overhear their conversation. no one could surprise them. It was essentially a strategical position
 We'll inquired Jack. with a pc culiar hreathiessness. when they were seated. have you thought about itT'
 She gave a little nod.
 They seemel 10 be taking up some conversation at a point where it had been dropped on a previoss pension
 "AndT- he inquired suavely. The society polish was very thickly coated over the man. but his eyes had c hungry look
 By way of reply her gioved hand crept out toward his. which rested on the chair at his side
 Jack she whispered. and that vas zIL
 It was very prettily done. and ,uite naturally. He vas a J1ige of sueh matters and appreciated the girl sh simplicity of the action fully.
 He took the small gIOvei hand snd r-essei It IOvingiy- The tho-ozShnezs f his sccial trainin< prevented auy ur-her display of aEectS01.
 Thank heavenrs be mwEured