Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27

pleasurey'- He spoke fast, with tho uneasy tone that so often underran hls words.
 Lady Astrupp took his hand with q conHding gesture and smiled.
 Never displeasure," she said finger lngly, and again she smiled. The smile might have struck . close observer as faintly artificial. But what man in Chilcote's frame of mind has time to be observant where women are con cerned? The manner of the smile was very sweet and almost caressing, and that sufficed.
 What have you been dolng?" she asked after q moment. "l thought I was quite forgotten" She moved across to the couch. picked up the kit. ten and kissed 1t. Isn't this sweet" she added.
 She looked very graceful as she turn ed, holding the little animal up. She was woman of twenty-seven, but she looked a girl. The outline of her face was pure, the pale gold of her hair almost ethereal, and her tall, slight figure still suggested the suppleness, the possibility of future development, that belong to youth. She wore a lace colored gown that harmonized with the room and with the delicacy of her skin.
 Now sit down and rest or walk about the room. I shan't mind which" She nestled into the couch and picked up the crystal ball.
 "What is the toy for?" Chilcote looked at her from the mantelpiece, against which he was resting. He had never defined the precise attraction that Lillian Astrupp held for him. Her shallOwness soothed him; her in- consequent egotism helped him to for get himself. She never asked him how he was, she never expected i'm possibilities. She let him come and go and act as he pleased, never demand ing reasons. Like the kitten, she was charming and graceful and easily amused. It was possible that, also like the kitten, she could scratch and be spiteful on occasion, but that did not weigh with him. He sometimes ex- pressed vague envy of the late Lord Astrupp, but even had circumstances permitted 1t is. doubtful whether he would have chosen to be his successor. Lillian as friend was delightful, but Lillian as a wife would have been a different consideration.
 "NNhat is the toy for?" he asked again.
 She looked up slowly. "How cruel of you, Jack! It is my very latest hobby"
 It was part of her attraction that she was never without craze. Each new one was as feetine as the last. but to each she brought the same delightfully."- insincere enthusiasm. the same pictur. esque devotion. Each was pose, but she posed so sweetly that nobody lost patience.
 "You mustn't laughw she protested letting the kitten slip to the ground "I've had lessons at 5 gulneas each from the most fascinating personal professionalism I'm becoming quite an adept. Of course l haven't been much beyond the milky appearance yet. but the milky appearance IS every thing, you know. The rest will come. l am trying to persuade Blanche to let me have pavilion at her party in March and gaze for all you dull politi- cal people," And she smiled.
 Chllcote smiled as we'll. "How is it dene?" he asked. momentarily amused.
 "Oh, the doing is quite delicious. You sit at table with the ball in front of you. Then you take the subjects hands. spread them out on the table aud stroke them very softly while you gaze into the crystal. That gets up shc sympathy. you know" She looked up innocently. Shall show you?'
 Chilcote moved small table nearer to the couch and spread his hands upon 1t, palms downward. Hike tbls. eh?'' Ee said. Then a ridiculousness seized him. and he moved away. "Somc other day" he said quickly. You can show me some other day. I'm not very if this afternoon"
 If Lillian felt any disappointment she showed none. Poor old thing." she said softly. "Try to sit here by me and we won't bother about anything" She made place for him beside her, and as he dropped Into it she took his hand and patted 1t sympathetically.
 The touch was soothing. and he bore 1t patiently enough. After moment she lifted the hand with little ex. clamation of reproof.
 "you degenerate person! You have ceased to manicure. What has become Of my excellent trainingf"
 ChIlcote laughed. Run to seed" he said lightly. Then his expression and tone changed. When a man gets to my age" he added. little social luxu. rics don't seem worth while. The SO cial necessities are irksomes enough Personally l envy the beggar In the street-exempt from shaving. exempt from washing
 Lillian raised her delicate eyebrows The sentiment was beyond her percep. ton.
 But manicuring.- she said reproach. fully. 'when you have such nice hands It was. your hands and your eyes. you