The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

Deen Dur ave Gays 81 home, ana al.
ready the quiet. grass grown court OF
i Clifford's inn, the bare staircase. the
j comfortless privacy of Loder's rooms
seemed n haven of refuge The speed
with which this hunger had returned
| frightened him.
He walked forward rapidly and with
out encountering a check. Then sud
denly the spell was broken From the
slowly moving. brilliantly dressed
~throng of people some one called him
by his name. and. turning, he saw Lii
liam Astrupp.
She was stepping from the door OF a
jewelers. and as he turned she paus.
ed, holding ont her hand
1.-THE very person I would have wish
ed to see." she exclaimed Where
have you been these hundred years /?
I've heard of nobody but you since
you've turned politician and ceased TO
be 4 mere member of parliament" She
laughed softly. The laugh suited the
light spring air. as she herself suited
tie pleasant, superficial scene
He took her hand and held it, while
his eyes Travelled from her delicate
face 10 her pale cloth gown. from her
soft ftrs to the bunch OF roses fasten-
ed in her muff The sight of her was
a curious relief Her cool, slim fingers
We're SO casual. yet so clinging; her
voice and her presence were SO redo
lent of easy, artificial things.
How well you look!" he said invol-
unfairly.
Again she laughed. That's my pre-
rogative," she responded lightly. But
I was serious in being glad to see you.
Sarcastic people are always so intui-
tive. I'm looking for some one with
intuition"
Chilcote glanced up. "Exuavagant
again!' he said dryly.
She smiled at him sweetly. Jack"
she murnured. with slow reproach.
Chilcote laughed quickly. II under
stand. You've changed your minister
of finance. I'm wanted in some other
direction
This time her reproach was express
ed by glance. You are always
wanted she said.
The words seemed to rouse him
again to the shadowy self distrust that
the sight OF her had lifted.
"Its-it's delightful to meet you like
this" he began, land l wish the meet
ing wasn't momentary. But I'm-I'm
rather pressed for time. You must let
me come round one afternoon-or even
ing, when you're alone" He fumbled
for moment with the collar of his
coat and glanced furtively upward to-
ward Oxford street
But again Lillian smiled. this time to
borcolf ba I1paapSfoo1 anvShtnO
on earth, It was Chilcote and his
moods.
IF one may be careless of anything,
Jack" she said lightly, surely it's of
time. I can imagine being pressed for
anything else in the world. If it's an
appointment you're worrying about,
motor goes ever so much faster than a
cab" She looked at him tentatively,
her head slightly on one side, her muff
raised till the roses and some of the
soft fur touched her cheek.
She looked very charming and very
persuasive as Chilcote glanced back.
Again she seemed to represent a re-
spite-something graceful and subtle
in a world of oppressive obligations.
His eyes strayed from her figure to the
smart motor car drawn up beside the
curb.
She saw the glance. Ever so much
quicker" she insinuated And, smiling
again. she stepped forward from the
door of the shop. After a seconds
indecision Chilcote followed her.
The waiting car had three seats, one
in front for the chauffeur, two visa
Wis at the back, offering pleasant posi- |
bilities OF tete-a-tete.
The park-and drive slowly" Lillian
ordered as she stepped inside, motion
ing Chilcote to the seat opposite.
They moved up Bond street smoothly |
and rapidly. Lillian was absorbed In |
the passing traffic until the Marble |
arch was reached; then, as they glided |
through the big gates, she looked |
across at her companion. He had |
turned up the collar of his coat, though |
the wind was scarcely perceptible. and
buried himself in it to the ears.
1T is extraordinary she exclaimed
suddenly as her eyes rested on his |
face. 1t was seldom that she felt |
drawn to exclamation. She was usual
~ too indolent to show surprise. But
now the feeling was Chilled forth be-
fore she was aware.
Chilcote looked up. whats extraor-
1inary:" he said sensitiyely.
She leaned forward for an instant
and touched his hand.
Bear she said teasingly.- did 1
rub your fur the wrong way:' Then,
seeing his expression. she taetfully
her tone. "I'll explain. 1t
was the same thing that struck me the
night of Blanche's party-when you
looked at me over Leonard Kaines
head. You remember She glanced
away from him across the park to
where the grass was already showing
greener.
Chilcote felt i'll at ease. Again he
put his hand to his coat collar
ooh. yes" he said hastily; yes" He
wished now that he had questioned Lo-
Ter more closely on the proceedings of
that party 1t seemed to him on look
ing back that Loder had mentioned
nothing on the day Of their last ex-
.hanoa hrf tho nafitiaaI cop,nIica fionS