Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-22

ITO help to throw light on the MYSTERY
| I've seen Blanche's list of people. and
| there wasn't man l couldn't place-no
outsider ever squeezes through Blanche's
door. have questioned Bobby Blessing
| ton, but he can't remember who came to
| the tent last. And Bobby was supposed to
| have kept count! She spoke in deep
scorn; but almost immediately the scorn
| faded and she smiled again. Now that
| I've explained, Jack" she added, what do
| you suggest?"
Then for the first time Loder knew what
his presence in the room really meant: and
| at best the knowledge was disconcerting.
| 1t Is not every day that man is called
| upon to unearth himself.
Suggest" he repeated bankly.
Yes I'd rather have your idea of the
affair than anybody eise's You are SO dear
and sarcastic and keen that you can't help
getting straight at the middle Of fact.
When LILLIAN wanted anything she could
| be very sweet She suddenly dropped her
| half-petulaut tone she suddenly ceased to
be spoiled child. With perfectly grace
| full movement she drew quite close to Loder
! and slid gently to her knees.
This Is an attitude that few women
can safely assume; 1t requires all the at
| tributes of youth, suppleness and certain
buoyant ease. But Lillian never acted
without justification. and as she leaned
toward Loder. her face lifted. her slight
figure and pale hair softened by the fire.
light, she made picture that 1t would
have been difficult to crittc,se.
But the person WHO ShOuEu nave dpPTt-
ciated it stared steadily beyond it TO the
Are. His mind was absorbed by one Ques-
tion-the question OF how he might reason
ably leave the house before discovery be-
came assured.
Lillian, attentiveiy watchful Of him, saw
the uneasy look. and her own face fell.
But as she looked. an inspiration came to
her-a remembrance OF many interviews
with Chtlcote smoothed and Facilitated by
the timely use of tobacco.
Jack" she said. softly, Before YOU say
another word ] insist on your lighting
cigarette" She leaned forward, resting
against his knee.
At her words Loder's eyes left the fire.
His attention was suddenly needed for g.
new and more imminent difficulty
''Thanks!' he said. quickly. IL have no
III isn't matter OF what you wish, but
Of what I say She smiled. She knew
that Chilcote with a cigarette between his
lips was Infinitely more tractable than Chill
cote sitting idle. and she had no intention
of ignoring the knowledge
But Loder caught at her words Before
you ordered me to smoke" he said, you
first command must have prior claim"
He srasped unhesitatingiy at the less risky
theme.
She looked up. at him. You're always
nicer when you smoke" she persisted.
caressingly. Light cigarette-and give
me one
Loder's mouth became set. mo-" he
said well stick to this advice business.
II interests me-
"Yes-afterward."
mo, now. You want to find out why
thfs Englishnaan from Italy was at your
sisters party, and why he disappeared?
There are times when a malignant OBJ
stinacy seems TO AFFECT certain people. The
only answer Lillian made was to pass her
hand over Loder's waistcoat. and feeling
his cigarette case, draw It from the pocket.
He affected not to see It. DO you think
| he recognized you In that tent?' he insist
ed, desperately.
She, held out the case. Here are your
cigarettes. You know we're always moro
SOCIAL when we smoke"
In the short interval while she looked up
into his face several ideas passed through
Loder'S mind.
He thought of standing up suddenly and
SO yegaiairg his advantage; he wondered
| suffice for the taking out and lighting OF
two cigarettes. Then all need for specuia-
| ton was pushed suddenly aside.
fresh look 81 dis.arb S and nd from on" long
| experiences again changed her tactics. Lay
one hand on his shoulder, the other on his
| left arm. Hundreds OF times this caressdng
| touch had quieted Chsicots:
Dear old poy!s che Bald, soothinsly.
n Hash of understanding the c6nse-
| quencss Of this position came to him. Action
Vas imperative at whatever risk With an
Tho movement ~as awkward He got to
| his feet precipitately: Lillian drew back.
e,irprised and startled catching inyoiun-
tarily at his left hand to steady her POSI-
ton Il
Her fingers grasped at. then held his. lie
made no efEort to release them. With q
| doggei acknowledgment, he admitted him
self worsted.
How long she stayed immovable. holding
| his hand. neither Of them knew. The proc
| ess of o womans instinct Is so subtle, 80
1 u the commonplace tesr Of tins. She kept