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

her hold tenaciously. as though his fingers
possessed some peculiar virtue; then at last
she SPOKE
Rings Jack7" she said very slowly. And
under the two short words whole world
of incredulity and surmise made itself felt.
Joder laughed.
At the sound she dropped his hand and
rose from her knees. What her suspicious,
what her instincts were she could not have
clearly defined. but her action was unhesi-
tating. Without a moments uncertainty
she turned to the fireplace, pressed the cleo
trio button, and flooded the room with light.
There Is no force so demoraliZing as I'M
expected light. Loder took a step back
ward, his hand hanging unguarded by his
side; and LILLIAN, stepping forward caught
/ It again before he could protest. Lifting It
quickly, she looked scrutinizingly at the
two rings.
All women jump 60 conclusions, and 1t is
extraordinary how seldom they jump short.
Seeing only what Lillian saw, knowing only
what she knew, no man would have stakei
definite opinion but the other sex takes
a different view. AS abe stood gazing at
the rings her thoughts and her conclusions
sped through her mind like arrows-ali
aimed and all tending toward one point,
She remembered the day when she and
Chilcote had talked of doubles her scepti-
cism and his vehement defense OF the idea;
his sudden interest In the book "Other
Mems Shoes" and his anathema against
life and Its irksome round of duties. -.ie
remembered her own first convinced recog-
milton of the eyes that had look at her in
the doorway Of her sisters house; and; last
of all, che remembered Chilcotes unao-
countable avoidance of the same subject
Of hkenesses when she had mentioned It
yesterday driving through the park-and
with 1t his unnecessarily curt reputation
of his former opinions. She reviewed each
item, then she raised her head slowly and
looked at Loder.
He was prepared for the glance and met
II steadily.
In the long moment that her eyes search
ed his face 1t was she and not he who
changed color. She was the first to speak
You were the man whose hands / saw In
the tent, she said. She made the state
ment in her usual soft tones, but slight
tremor OF excitement underran her voice
Poodles, Persian kittens, even crystal gag
Ing balls. seemed very far away in face OF
this tangible, fabulous. present interest
You are not Jack Chilcote" she said. very
slowly. You ara wearing his clothes, and
speaking in his voice, but you are not
Jack Chilcote." Her tone quickened with a
touch OF excitement. You needn't keep ST.
lent and look at me-" she said Il know
quite well what am saying-though I don't
understand it. though ] have no real
proof She paused. momentarily discon-
certed by her companions silent and steady
gaze, and in the pause a curious and unex-
pected thing occurred
Loder laughed suddenfy-a full, confident
treasured laugh. All the web that the past
half-hour had spun about him. all the in
tolerable sense Of an impending crash. lift
ed suddenly. He saw his way clearly-and
it was Lillian who had opened his eyes.
Shl looking at her. he smiled-a smile of
reliant determination such as Chilcote had
never worn in his life. And with a calm
gesture he released his hand.
The greatest charm of woman Is her
imagination" he said. quietly. without it
there would be no color in life: we could
come into apd drop out Of IT with the
He paused and smiled again.
At his smile Lillian tnvoluntarily drew
back, the color deeping in her cheeks. why
do you say that?" she asked.
He lifted his head. With each moment he
felt more certain of himself. Because that
Is my attitude he said. las a man / adj
mire your magination. but as man / fail
to follow Your Reasoning
The words and the tone both stung her
do you realize the position?" she asked,
sharply. DO you realize that, whatever
your plans are, can spoil them?'
Loder still met her eyes. Il realize moth
ing of the Sort he said.
sThen you admit that you are not Jack
Chilcote?'
II neither deny nor admit. My Identity
fE obvious. can get twenty men to swear
to Il at any moment that you like The
fact that I haven't worn rings till now
will scarcely interest them
But you do admit-to me, that you are
Il deny nothing-and admit nothing. I
still offer my congratulations.
Upon wl,at?'
saThe same possession imasina ton ..
Lillian stamped her foot. Then, by
Quick effort, she conquered her temper.
prove me TO be wrongt she said, with a
fresh touch OF excitement Take or your
rings and let me see your hand"
with deliberate gesture Loder put his
hand behind his back. II never crafty
childish curiosity he slid, with another
5. - q. 4. - !. ,,,,,ov Ecross.a ,,s 50.