Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-13
XIV.

4
more like an actor in a drama than
| ordinary man in peculiar situation. 1t
was the first time he had played Chilcote
to a purely social audience, and the first
| time for many years that he had rubbed
shoulders with a well-dressed crowd osten-
| sibiy brought together for amusement. AS
he followed Eve along the corridor that
| led to the reception rooms he questioned
| the reality OF the position again and again;
| then abruptly, at the moment when the
sensation of unfamiliarity was strongest,
a CHEEKY voice hailed him. and. turning,
ne saw the square shoulders, light eyes
| and pointed mustache OF Iakeiey, the
owner of the st. Georges Gazette,
| At the sight of the man and the sound
| OF his greeting his doubts and speculations
vanished. The essentials OF life rose again
| to the position they had occupied three
| weeks ago, in the short but strenuous per-
| iod when his dormant activities had been
| stirred and he had recognized his true self
| He lifted his head unconsciousy, the shade
of misgiving that had crossed his conf
| dence passing from him as he smiled at
Iakeley with keen, alert pleasure that
altered his whole face.
! Eve. looking back. saw the expression
| 1t attracted and held her, like a sudden
| glimpse into a secret room. In all the
| years of her marriage, in the months OF
| her courtship even, she had never sur
prised the look Chicotes face. The
| impression came quickly and with It a
! strange warm rush of interest that receded
| slowly, leaving an odd sense of loneliness.
| But, at the moment that the feeling came
| and passed. her attention was claimed in
| another direction. slight. fair-haired
| boy forced his way toward her through the
press of people that filed the corridor
! Mrs. Chilcoter' he exclaimed. Can I
| believe my luck in finding you alone?'
Eve laughed. 1t seemed that there was
relief in her laugh How absurd you are.
| Bobby she said, kindly. But you are
| wrong. My husband is here-I waiting
| for him..
| Blessington looked round. "Ohr' he said.
| Indeed" Then he relapsed into silence.
| He was the soul of good nature, but those
| who knew him best knew that Chilcote's
summary change of secretaries had ranked.
| Eve, conscious of the little jar, made haste
| to smooth 1t away.
Tell me about yourself she said. What
have you been doing?"
| Blessington looked at her, then smiled
again, his buoyance restored. 'Doing?"
he said. ooh, calling every other after
! noon at Grosvenor square-only to find that
| a certain lady is never at home"
| At his tone Eve laughed again. The boy,
| with his frank and ingenious nature had
beguiled many dull hour for her in past
! days and she had missed him not little
| when his place had been filled by Green
| Ing.
| But I mean seriously Bobby. Has
| something good turned up?"
| Blessington made wry face. Something
| Is on It's way-thats why am on duty to-
night. Old Bramfell and the pater are
| working it between them. So If Lady Bran
| fell or Lady Astrupp happen to drop
| fan or a handkerchief this evening I've
| got to be here to pick 1t up. See?"
"As you picked up my fans and hand
| kerchiefs last year-and the year before?"
| Eve smiled.
Blessington's face suddenly looked grave.
II wish you hadn't said that" he said.
| Then he paused abruptly. Out of the hum
of talk behind them mans laugh sound
ed 1t was not loud but 1t was laugh
| that one seldom hears in London draw
| ing room-it expressed interest, amusement,
| and in fnexpicable way it seemed also
| to express strength.
Eve and Blessngton both turned involun-
| tarily.
| by Jove? said Blessington.
| Eve said nothing.
| Loder was parting with Lakely, and his
was the laugh that had attracted them
| both The interest excited by his talk was
still reflected in his face and bearing as
! he made his way toward them.
| by Jover' said Blessington again Il
| never realized that Chilcote was so tall.
| Again Eve said nothing. But silently and
| with more subtle meaning she found her
| self echoing the words.
| Until he was quite close to her, Loder
did not seem to see her. Then he stopped
Il was speaking to Lakely," he said
| He wants me to dine with him one night
| at Cadogan Gardens.
| But Eve was silent, waiting for him TO
|
| quickly but though their eyes met he did
| not catch the meaning that lay In hers
| It was a difficult moment She had known
him incredibly, almost unpardonabiy, ab-
| sent-minded but it had invariably been
when he was suffering from nerves, as
| she phrased 1t to herself But tonight he
! was obviously IN the possession OF uncloud-
| ed faculties. She colored slightly and
| glanced under her lashes at Blessington.
! Had the same idea struck him, she Won
dered? But he was studiously studying
suit of Chinese armor that stood close by
| In a niche of the wall
| Bobby has been keeping me amused
while you talked with Mr.. Lakeiy, she
| said, pointedly.
| looked at Blessington. How dyou do?'
| he said. with doubtful cordiality. The name
| of Bobby conveyed nothing to him.
| To his surprise, Eve looked annoyed, and
! Rlessfngton's fresh-colored face deepened
| In tone With slow, uncomfortable sensa-
| ton he was aware of having struck a
| wrong note. ~
| Then more by intuition than actual sight,
| Blessington saw Ewes eyes turn from MIN
| to Loder, and with a quick tact he saved
| the situation
a smile, II congratulate you on looking
| 500 l1ncommonly well. ! was just tell
| ing Mrs Chilcote that hold a commis-
| sion for Lady Astrupp tonight IN soIt
! of scout at present-report1ng on the out
| posts'' He spoke fast and without much
meaning. but his boyish voice eased the
! strain. ,,
| Eve thanked him with a smile. linen
| we mustn't interfere with person on ac-
| tive service" she said Besides we have
| our own duties to get through she
| smiled again, and, touching Loders arm
| indicated the reception rooms.
When they entered the larger of the two
| rooms Lady Bramfell was still receiving her
| guests She was a tall and angular Wo-
| man who except for certain beauty OF
| hands and feet and a certain similarity cL
| voice. possessed nothing in common with
| her sister Lillian. She was speaking to a
| group of people as they approached, ana
| the first sound of her sweet and rsther
! drawing tones touched LodeE with a GU
rious momentary feeiing-a We que sugges-
! ton of awakened memories Then the sug-
| gestion vanished as she turned and greet
| ed Eve.
How sweet of you to comet" she muir
| INJURED And it seemed to Loder that a more
| spontaneous smile lighted up her face. Then
| she extended her hand to him. And you.
| foot" she added Though / fear we shall
/ bore you dreadfuily
Watching her with interest he saw the
| change of expression as her eyes turned
| from Eve to him, and noticed colder
| tone in her voice as she addressed him di-
| The ohSarva ffon moved him to self