Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-03

laid his hand on Blessington's arm. ssvery we'll" he said. But, if my fate is black, witness 1t was my wife who sent me to it." His faint pause on the word wife, the mention of the word it. self in the presence of these people, had savor of recklessness. The small discontinue of his earlier slip vanish cd before 1t. He experienced g strong reaction of confidence in his luck. With a cool head, steady step and a friendly pressure of the fingers on Blessington's arm, he allowed himself to be drawn across the reception rooms. through the long corridors and down the broad flight of steps that led to the conservatory
 The conservatory was a feature of the Bramfell town house, and to Loder 1t came as something wonderful and unlocked for, with It's clustering green branches, it's slight, unoppressive scents. its temperately pleasant atmos- phere. He felt no wish to speak as, still guided by Blessington, he passed down the shadowy paths that in the half light had the warmth and mystery of southern garden. Here and there from the darkness came the whisper ing of voice or the sound of laugh. bringing with 1t the necessary touch of life. Otherwise the place was still.
 Absorbed by the air of solitude, con trasting so remarkably with the noise and crowded glitter left behind in the reception rooms, he had moved half way down the long green aisle before the business in hand came back to him with sudden sense of annoyance. It seemed so paltry to mar the quiet of the place with the absurdity of side show. He turned to Blessington with . touch of abruptness.
 "What am I expected to do?" he asked.
 Blessington looked up, surprised. "Why, thought, sir"- he began; then he instantly altered his tone. ''Oh. just enter Into the spirit of the thing. Lady Astrupp won't put much strain on your credulity, but she'll make a big call on your solemnity." He laugh ed.
 He had an infectious laugh. and Lo- der responded to it.
 'But what am to do?" he persisted.
 ''Oh. nothing. Being the priestess, she naturally demands acolytes, but she'll let you know that she holds the pricr place. The tent is so fixed that she sees nothing beyond your hands, so there's absolutely no delusion." He laughed once more. Then suddenly he lowered his voice and slackened his steps. Here we are," he whispered in pretended awe.
 At the end of the path the space wid- ened to the full breadth of the conserv- atory. The light was dinner, giving an added impression of distance; away to the left Loder heard the sound of splashing water, and on his right hand he caught his first glimpse of the tent that was his goal. g s1
 It was an artistic little structure-a pavilion formed of silky fabric that showed bronze in the light of an orien- tai lamp that hung above its entrance. As they drew closer man emerged from It. He stood for moment in uncertainty, looking about him; then, catching sight of them, he came for ward, laughing. t
 By George" he exclaimed, tits as dark as limbo in there. 1 didn't see you at first But I say. Blessington, it's beastly shame to have that thun- dercloud barrier shutting of the sor- ceress. If she gazes at the crystal, mayn't we have something to gaze at too"
 Blesslngton laughed. You want too much. Galltry." he said. Lady As trupp understands the value Of the un- attainable. Come along, sir.' he added to Loder. drawing him forward with an energetic pressure of the arm.
 Loder responded. and as he. did so a flicker of curiosity touched his mind for the first time. He wondered for m instant who this woman was who aroused so much comment. And with the speculation came the remembrance of how she had assured Chilcote that on cne point at least he was invulner- able. He had spoken then from the height of a past experience-an expe- rience so fully passed that he wonder ed now If 1t had been as staple guar antee as he had then believed. Mans for outliving is astonishingly complete. The long ago incident in the Italian mountains had faded. like q crayon study in which the tones have merged and gradually lost character. The past had palei before the present, as golden hair might pale before black. The s,mIle came with apparent irrele- vance. Then again BIessington pressed his arm
 Now. sirr' be said. drawing away md lifting the curtain that hung before he entrance of the tent.
 Loder looked at the amused. boyish lace lighted by the hanging lamp and ,mfIed pleasantly: thea. with a shrus f the shoulders. b. entered the pa- rtl,oo- and the curtain fell behind him.
 CHAPTER xv.
 x entering the pavilion LOder's h fist feeling was one of an-
 noyed avkwardness at finding -