Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-05
} CHAPTER XVI.

ET11S business with Blessington IA over, Loder breathed more HI freely. If Lady Astrupp had o recognized Chilcote by the rings and had been reused to curiosity the incident would demand settlement sooner or later settlement in what 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 hay idea that woman's behavior could never be gauged by accepted theories-then he had safeguarded Chilcote's inter- ests and his own by his securing of Blessington's promise. Blessington he knew would be reliable and discreet. With renewal of confidence-a pleas. ant feeling that his uneasiness had been groundless-he moved forward to greet Eve.
 Her face, with its rich, clear color. ing, seemed to his gaze to stand out from the crowd of other faces as from . frame, and sense of pride touched him. In every eye but his own her beauty belonged to him.
 His face looked alive and masterful as she reached his side. May I mo- nopolize you?'' he said with the quick ness of speech borrowed from Chil- 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 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 it forth. In Chilcote's actual semblance he had proved his superiority over Chilcote. For the first time he had been given tacit, per sonal acknowledgement of his power. 1nvoluntarily he drew nearer to her.
 "Let's 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 to-domination. With a satisfied gesture he turned to make . 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 block had formed about the doorway. Drawing Eve with him he moved forward for a dozen paces, then paused, unable to make further headway.
 As they stood there he looked back at her. What study in democracy crowd always isv' he said.
 She responded with bright, appre- ciative glance, as if surprised into naturalness. He wondered sharply what she would be like if her enthu- siasms were really aroused. Then a stir in the corridor outside caused a movement inside the room, and with a certain display of persistence he was enabled to make passage 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 man a few inches shorter than himself. who stood directly in front of him.
 ''what are we waiting fory' 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. Chllcoter' he said. Hope its not on your feet I'm standing"
 Loder laughed. "No." he said. "And don't change the position. If you were an inch higher I should be blind as we'll as crippled
 The other laughed. It was a pleasant surprise to find Chilcote amiable under discomfort. He looked round again in slight curiosity.
 Loder felt the scrutiny. To create a diversion he looked out along the cor ridor. q believe we are waiting for something" he exclaimed. Whats thisr 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 we'll as bis speech was suddenly suspended.
 The man in front of him let his eye glass fall from his eye. then screwed 1t in again.
 "Jove." he exclaimed. ''hcre comes oar sorceress! It's Ike the progress of . fairy princess I believe this is the meaning of our getting penned fin here" He chuckIed delightedly.
 Ioder 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 eyes sbone under the faint gieam of her hair; her gown of gold embroidery swept round her gracefully. She was radiant sn1 tri- but she was also excited The excitement was evident In her laugh. in her gestures. in her eyes. as they turn d quickly In one direction and then anotker.
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