Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-29

She wore the same gown OF pale-colored
cloth, warmed and softened by rich furs.
that she had worn on the day she and
Chilcote had driven in the park. She was
drawing on her gloves she came into the
room. and pausing near the door. she
looked across at Loder and laughed in her
slow amused way.
Il thought II would be you" she said,
enigmaticaly.
Loder came forward. ''You expected me?''
he said guardedly sudden conviction
filled him that 1t was not the evidence Of
her eyes, but something at once subtler
and more definite that prompted her recog
milton of him.
She smiled why should expect you?
On the contrary, I'm waiting to know why
you're here?'
answered in her own light tone LAS far
as that goes he said, Tets make 1t my
duty call-having dined with you. I'm an
old-fashioned person"
For a full second she surveyed him
amusedly; then at last she spoke MY
dear Jack'-she laid particular stress on
the name-'I never imagined you punctili-
GUS I should have thought bohemian
would have been more the word
Loder felt disconnected and annoyed
Either, like himself, she was fishing for in
formation, or she was deliberately playing
with him In his perplexity he glanced
across the room toward the fireplace
Lillian saw the look. Won't you sit
DOWN." she said, indicating the couch. II
promise not TO make you smoke. 1 shan't
even ask you to take off your glovesi''
Lf3der made no movement HIS mind
was unpleasantly upset. 1t was near
ly fortnight since he had seen
Lillian, and in the interval her at
titude had changed, and the change
ply of woman who, knowing herself with
out adequate weapons, withdraws from a
combat that has proved frutless; or Il
might imply the merely catlfke desire to
u q a In nv Il, l1x.J ~.
at the delicate face, the green eyes some
what obliquely set, the unreliable mouth;
and instantly he inclined to the latter the
CRY. The conviction that she possessed the
telegram filled him suddenly, and with IL
came the desire to put his belief to the test
to know beyond question whether her
smiling unconcern meant malice or mere
entertainment.
said, quietly. you said I thought 1t would
be YOU Why did you say that?'
Again she smiled-the smile that might be
malicious or might be merely amused. oh
she answered at last, II only meant that
though had been told Jack Chilcote want
ed me, 1t wasn't Jack Chilcote 1 expected
to see!"
After her statement there was pause
LodeT's position was difficult. Instinetively
convinced that, strong in the possession of
her proof, she was enjoying his tantalized
discomfort, he yet craved the actual eyi-
dence that should set his suspicious to rest
Acting upon the desire, he made a new
beginning.
do you know why came?" he asked.
Lillian looked up innocently. TITS SO hard
to be certain of anything in this world"
she said. But one is always at liberty to
guess"
Again he was perplexed Her attitude
was not quite the attitude OF one who con-
trolls the game, and yet He looked at
her with a puzzled scrutiny. Women for
him had always spelled the inctmprehens-
ible: he was at his best, his strongest. his
surest In the presence of men. Feeling his
disadvantage, yet determined to gain his
end, he made last attempt.
How did you amuse yourself at Gros-
venor square this morning before Eve came
to yQu2'' be asked. The effort was awk-
wafdiy blunt, but 1t was direct.
Lillian was buttoning her glove. She did
not raise her head as he spoke, but her
fingers paused in their task. For a second
she remained motionless. then she looked
up slowly:
oh" she said, sweetly, $50 / was right
in my guess? You did come to find out
whether I sat in the morning room with
my hands ip my lap-or wandered about IN
search OF entertainment"
Loder colored with annoyance and appre-
hension. Every look, every tone OF Lillian s
was distasteful to him. No microscope
could have revealed her more fully to him
than did his own eyesight. But It was not
the moment for personal antfpathies: there
were other interests than his own at stake.
With new resolution he returned her glance.
Then must still ask my first question,
why did you say, I thought IL would be
your His gaze was direct-so direct
that It Disconnected her. She laughed a
little uneasfly.
Because / knew"
How did you known
because she began: then again she