The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-27


much of charity bazaar"
Everybody laughed. and at the same
moment BIessington came quickly
across the room and Joined the group.
"HeIlo.' he said. Anybody seen
witcbeston: He's next on my list for
the crystal business.
Again the whole party laughed, and
RramfeIl. stepping forward, touched
RIessington's arm in mock seriousness.
."WItcheston is playing bridge, like
a sensible man. he said. Leave him
in peace, Bobby"
RIessington made a comical grimace.
.Rut I'm working this on commercial
nrincinles'' he said. Il keep the list,
names and hours complete, and Lady
Astrupp gazes in blissful ignorance as
TO who her victims are. The whole
thing is great, simple and statistical
For. goodness sake, Bobby, shut
mr. Bramfelrs round eyes were
twinkIing with amusement.
But my system
Systems, All, we all had them when
we were as young as you are.'
"And they all had flaws, Bobby
Eve broke in I'VE were always find
ing gaps that had to be filed up. Never
mind about Lord Witcheston. Get a
substitute. 1t won't count if Lillian
doesn't know"
BIessington wavered as she spoke.
His eyes wandered round the party
and again rested on Bramfell.
Not me, Bobby, Remember I've
breathed crystaIs-practically lived on
them-for the last week Now, there's
Chilcote''- Again his eyes twinkled-
All eyes We're turned on Loder,
though one or two strayed surrepti-
tiously to Eve. She, seeming sensitive
to the position, laughed quickly.
"a very good idea.' she said. "Who
wants to see the future if not poll
tician?'
Loder glanced from her to Blessing
ton. Then, with very feminine I'M
pulse. she settled the matter beyond
dispute.
..PIease use your authority, Bobby
she said ''And when you've got him
safely under canvas come back to me-
IFS wears since we've had talk" She
nodded and smiled, then instantly turn
ed to Bramfell with some trivial re-
mark.
For a second Loder waited; then.
| with q movement of resignation, ne
| laid his hand on Blessington's arm
| Every WELL" he said. But, If my rate
| is black witness it was my wire VINO
| 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 a SAVIOR of recklessness. The small
| discontinue of his earlier slip vanish
| ed before it. He experienced a strong
| reaction of confidence in his luck.
| With a cool head, a steady step ana 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
| it came as something wonderful and
unlocked for, with its clustering green
branches, its slight, unoppressive
scents, its temperately pleasant atmos-
| Dhere. He felt TO 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 a voice or the sound of a laugh,
| bringing with it 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. 1t
seemed so paltry TO mar the quiet of
the place with the absurdity of side
show. He turned to Blessington with
| a touch of abruptness.
"What am l expected to do?" he
| asked
Blessington looked up, surprised
"Why. l 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 l TO do?" he persisted
"Oh. nothing. Being the priestess, she
| naturally demands acolytes. but she'll
let you know that she holds the prior
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 wild
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.
1t was an artistic little structure
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 a moment in
uncertainty. looking about him; then
catching sight of them, he came for
ward, laughing.
ba exclaimed