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

It's neoe or expression later. The fact that
1t was Biessington whom he had encoun-
tered-Biessington to whom he had spoken
with vague politeness-came TO him with a
sense OF unpleasantness. He was not to
pIame In the matter; nevertheless he
blamed himself He was annoved that he
should have made the slip in Ewes pres
ence.
They were moving forward. nearing the
press or people in the second room. WHEN
Eve spoke. and the fact filled him with an
added sense of annoyance. People smiled
ana bowed 10 her from every side; one
woman leaned forward they passed and
whispered something in her ear. Again
the sensation of futility and vexation filled
nlm; again he realized how palpahIe was
me place she held in the world Then as
nIS ieeinss reached their height and speech
seemed forced upon him, a small man with
round face catching q glimpse of Eve
uatted from a circle of people gathered IN
Sile OF the windows and came quickly to-
, m4tu them. with an unjust touch Of iIri-
'"tioh ne recognized Lord Bramfal
again the sense of Ewes aloofness stung
Inn as their host approached. In another
moment IA. she would be lost to him among
as by right
Eve, he said. involuntarily and under
his breath ~
.E She haif paused and turned toward him.
1est she said; and he wondered If II was
ms imagination that made the word sound
slightly eager. ''"''U
About that matter OF BIess!ngton-" he
reached them vi iio'
me little man came up smiling and with
an outstretched hand There's no nenaltv
10, , separating husband and wife is there
MIS-. Chilcote? How are you, Chilcote?''
He turned from one to the other with The
acterized him 0''-
Loder turned aside to hide his vexatton
out Eve greeted their host with her usual
self-posSeSsed smile
You are exempt from all penalties to-
nlsht, she said Then she turned to greet
the members of his party who had strn1Ied
across from the window in his wake
AS ne moved aside Bramfell looked Mt
Loder We'll. Chlcote. have you dipped
laugh. "''i u
Loder echoed the laugh but said nothing.
IN ms uncertainty at the question he re
Ve1ted to his old resource OF silence.
Bramfell raised his eyebrows ''Whatr'
ne SAID Don't tell me that my sister-in-
Jaw hasn.t engaged you as victim" Then
ne turned In Ewes direction You've heard
OF our new departure Mrs. Chilcote?"
Eve looked round from the lively group
by when she was surrounded "Liilian's
crystal gazing? Why, of course!S she said.
she should make very beautiful seer.
we are all quite curious
Bramfel pursed up his Inns 'Sba bas a
very beautiful tent at the end of the con-
servatory. 1t took five men as MANY DAYS
10 rig 1t up. We couldn't hear ourselves
taik' for hammer1ng My wife said it made
her so much of a charity bazaar"
Everybody laughed, and at the same mo-
ment BlessinSton came quickly across the
room and joined the group.
"Hallo!" he said. Anybody seen Witch
eston? He's next on my list for the crystal
business"
Again in, the whole party laughed. and
Bramfell, stepping forward, touched Bles-
slngtons arm in mock seriousness.
"Witcheston is playing bridge like SEN
n. cav IL,
Bobby"
Blessington made a comcal grimace
But m working this commercial prin-
clples, he said. II keep the list. names
ana hours complete. and Lady Astrupp
gazes. in blissful ignorance as to who her
victims are. The whole thing is great-sim-
pie and statistical
For goodness sake. Bobby. shut upt'
amusement.
But my system
Systems! All, we all had them when
we were as young as you arer'
And they all had flaws, Bobby" Eve
broke in We were always finding gaps
that had to be filed up. Never mind about
Lord Witcheston. Get substitute; 1t
won't count-if Lillian doesn't know"
Blesngton wavered as she spoke. His
eyes wandered round the party and again
rested on Bramfell.
Not me- Bobby Remember, I've breath
ed crystals-practically lived on them
for the last week. Now, there's Chill
cote" Again his eyes twinkIed
All eyes were turned on Loder, though
one or two strayed surreptitiously to Eve
She, seeming sensitive to the position.
laughed quickly
"a very good idear' she said. WHO
wants to see the future if not politi-
cian?"
Loder glanced from her to Blessington.
Then, with a very feminine impulse, She
settled the matter beyond dispute.
Please use your authority Bobby" she
n Tuh hon -
under canvas come back to me It's years
since We've had talk" She nodded and
smiled. then instantly turned to BramfeIl
with some trivial remark.
For a second Loder waited then with
a movement Of resignation he laid his
hand on Blessfngton's arm. Very well"
he said. But if my fate is black witness
1t was my wife who sent me to It," His
faint pause the word wife the mem
ton of the word itself in the presence of
these people: had a SAVIOR of recklessness.
The small discontinue of his earlier slip
vanished before 1t; he experienced a
strong reaction of confidence in his luck
With a cool head, a steady step and a
friendly pressure of the fingers on Bles-
Singtons arm he allowed himself to he
drawn across the reception rooms through
the long corridors and down the broad
flight of steps that led to the conserva-
tory.
The conservatory was a feature of the
Bramfell town house, and to Loder II
came as something wonderful and I'M
looked Tor - with LIS clustering green
branches, Its slight. unoppressive scents
Its temporarily pleasant atmosphere He
felt no wish to speak as, still guided by
Blessington, he passed down the shadow
paths that in the half light had the
warmth and mystery of a southern gar
den. Here and there from the darkness
came the whispering of voice or the
sound of laugh. bringing with them 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
a sudden sense of annoyance. 1t seemed
SO paltry to mar the quiet of the place
with the absurdity of a side show He
turned to Blessington with a touch of
abruptness.
What am I expected to do??" he asked
BIessington looked up, surprised. ''Why
thought. sir he began. Then he Instant
~ altered his tone oh just enter into the
spirit of the thing. Lady Astrupp won't
put much strain on your creiulity but
she'll make a big call on your solemnity."
He laughed.
He had an infectious laugh. and Loder
responded to it.
But what am to dog" he persisted
'Oh, nothing. Being the priestess, she