The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-29

recognized Ch4~,otY by TIT
rings and had been rofTsess to curiosit,
the incident would demand settlement
sooner or later - settlement in wha
proportion he could hazard no guess
If, on the other hand, her obvious
change Of manner had arisen from
any other source-he had a hazy ides
that a woman's behavior could never
be gagged by accepted theories-theI
he had safeguarded Chilcote's inter
ests and his own by his securing Of
Blessington's promise Elessington he
knew would be reliable and discreet
With q renewal of confidence-a pleas
ant feeling that his uneasiness had
been groundless-he moved forward t.
greet Eve.
Her face, with its rich, clear color
from the crowd of other faces as from
frame, and sense Of pride touched
him. In every eve but his own heI
beauty belonged to him.
His face looked alive and masterful
as she reached his side. May I mo-
nopolize your he said with the quick
ness of speech borrowed from Chill
cote We've see SO little Of each
other"
Almost as If compelled, her lashes
lifted, and her eyes met his. Her
glance was puzzled, uncertain. slightly
confused. There was a deeper color
than usual in her cheeks. Loder felt
something within his own conscious
ness stir in response.
"You know you are yielding" he
said.
Again she blushed.
He saw the blush and knew that it
was he-his words, his personality
that had called 1t forth. In Chilcote's
actual semblance he had proved his
superiority over Chilcote. For the first
time he had been given tacit, per
sonal acknowledgment of his power.
InvoIuntarily he drew nearer to her.
Lets get out Of this crush
She made no answer except to bend
her head, and it came to him that. for
all her pride, she liked-and uncon-
sciously yielded REORGANIZATION. With
a satisfied gesture he turned to make
a passage toward the door
But the passage was more easily de-
sired than made. In the few moments
since he had entered the supper room
the press Of people had considerably
thickened until a block had formed
about the doorway. Drawing Eve with
him he moved forward for a dozen
PAGES. then paused, unable to make
further Roadway.
As they stood there he looked back
at her. What a study in democracy
crowd always ISL he said.
She responded with bright, appre-
ciative glance, as if surprised into
naturalness. He wondered sharply
what she would be like il her enthu-
siasms We're really aroused. Then a
stir in the corridor outside caused
movement inside the room, and with
certain display of persistence he was
enabled to make passare to the door.
There again they were compelled to
halt. But though tightly wedged into
his new position and guarding Eve with
one arm, Loder was free to survey
the brilliantly thronged corridor over
the head of a man q few inches shorter
than himself, who stood directly in
front of him.
what are We waiting for?" he asked
good humoredly, addressing the back
OF the strangers head.
The man turned. displaying a genial
face. a red mustache and an eyeglass.
"Hullo. Chilcoter' he said Hope
it's not on your feet I'm standing"
Loder laughed. NO, he said "And
don't change the position. If you We're
an inch higher 1 should be blind as
well as crippled"
The other laughed. It was pleasant
surprise to find Chilcote amiable under
r1tSnnn,fnrf To Cd ~ ~
slight curiosity.
Loder felt the scrutiny. To create a
diversion he looked out along the cor
ridor. Il believe we are waiting for
something" he exclaimed. whats
this?" Then quite abruptly he ceased
to speak.
Anything interestingly" Eve touched
his arm
He said nothing He made no effort
to look round. His thought as well as
his speech was suddenly suspended.
The man in front of him let his eye
glass fall from his eye. then screwed
it in again.
"Jove.' he exclaimed, "here comes
or sorceress! Its like the progress Of
fairy princess. / believe this is the |
meaning Of our getting penned in
here" He chuckled delightedly.
Loder said nothing. He stared |
straight on over the others head
Along the corridor, agreeably con-
scious of the hum of admiration she |
aroused. came Lillian Astrupp, sur |
rounded by a little court. Her delicate |
face was lit up; her eyvsz shone under |
the faint CLEAN OF her hair; her gown |
of gold embroidery swept round her |
gracefully. She was radiant and tri- |
umphant. but she was also excited. The /
excitement was evident in her laugh. in |
her gestures. in her eyes. as they turn
ed quickly in one direction and then |
another
Loder. gazing in stupefaction over
the other mans head. saw it-felt and /
it with a mind that leapei |
back over a space Of years. AS In 6
shifting panorama he saw a night OF /
disturbance and confusion in faron /
italian valley-a confusion from which
one face shone out with something OF
the pale. alluring radiance that filtered