Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-02
THE MASQUERADER
BY KATHERINE CECIL THURsToN,

Aahor Of "The Circle" Etc

expressed vague envy of the late Lord
Astrupp: but. even had circumstances per-
mitted, It Is doubtful whether he would
have chosen to be his successor Lillian as
friend was delightful. but Lillian as a
| wife would have been different consid-
| Grafton.
What is the toy for7'' he asked again.
She looked UP slowly. How cruel of you,
Jackl 1t Is my very latest hobby"
1t was part OF her attraction that she
was never without a craze. Each new one
was as feeting as the last. but to each she
| brought the same delightfully."- insincere en-
| thusfasm. the same picturesque devotion.
Each was a pose, but she posed so sweetly
| that nobody lost patience.
You mustn't laugh she protested. let
ting the kitten slip to the ground. i've
had lessons at FIVE guineas each from the
most fascinating persona Professional;
| and I'm becoming quite an adept. OF
course l haven't been much beyond the
milky appearance yet. but the milky APP
pearance is everything, you know the rest
viii come am trying to persuade Blanche
to let me have pavilion at her party in
March and gaze for all you dull political
people. Again she smiled.
Chilcote smiled well. How is It
done?' he asked. momentarily amused.
"Oh, the doing is quite delicious You sit
at table with the bail in front of YOU.
then you take the subjects hands. spread
them out on the table. and stroke them
very softly while you gaze into the crys-
tai; that gets up the sympathy, you know
She looked up innocentfy. Shall 1 show
your"
Chilcote moved a small table nearer to
the couch and spread his hands upon it,
palms downward. Like this, eh?" he said
Then a ridiculous nervousness seized him
and he moved away. Some other day." he
said, quickly. You show me some
other day. I'm not very fit this afternoon
II Lillian felt any disappointment, she
showed none Poor old thing!'' she said
softly. Try to sit here by me and we
won't bother about anything" She made
a fnr u
dropped into it she took his hand and pat
ted it sympathetically
The touch was soothing and he bore it
patiently enough After a moment she
lifted the hand with little exclamation of
reproof.
You degenerate person! You have ceas-
ed to manicure. What has become of my
excellent training?'
Chilcote laughed. Run to seed" he
said, lightly. Then his expression and tone
changed. When a man gets to my age"
he added little social luxuries don't seem
worth while; the social necessities are irk-
some enough Personally l envy the beg
gar In the street-exempt from shaving
exempt from washing"
Lillian raised her delicate eyebrows. The
sentiment was beyond her perception
But mantcuring," she said reproach.
fully, when you have such nice hands
II was your hands and your eyes. you
know, that first appealed to me- She
sighed gently, with a touch of sentimental
remembrance. And thought it so strong
Of you not to wear rings-it must be such
temptation She looked down at her
own fingers glittering with jewels
But the momentary pleasure of her touch
was gone Chilcote drew away his hand and
picked up the book that lay between them.
other Mems Shoes he read. "A novel
of course?'
She smiled. 'Of course Such a fantastic
story. Two men changing Identities
Chilcote rose and walked back to the man
telpiece.
Changing identities?" he said with
touch of interest.
Yes One man is an artist. the other a
millionaire; one wants to know what fame
is like, the other wants to know how II
feels to be really sinfully rich So they ex-
change experiences for month" She
laughed.
Chilcote laughed as well. But how?" he
asked:
"Oh, l told you the idea was absurd
neither their friends nor their servants see
any difference! Such a. thing couldn't be,
could it?'
Chilcote looked down at the fire. No" he
said, doubtfully No. 1 suppose not"
OF course not. There are likenesses but
not freak likenesses like that"
Chilcote's head was bent as she spoke Int
at the last words he lifted it.
By Jovel l don't know about thatr' he
said Not so very long ago 1 saw two men
SO much alike that II He stopped
Lillian smiled.
He colored quickly. You doubt me?' he
asked.
My dear Jack!' Her voice was delicately
reproachful.
Then you think that my-my imagination
has been playing me tricks?
My dear boy! Nothing of the kind Come
back to your place and tell me the whole
taller She smiled again, and patted the
couch invitingly.
But Chilcotes balance had been upset.
For the first time he Lillian as one of
the watchful. suspecting crowd before which
he was constantly on guard. Acting on the
fa
door
IL have an appointment at the House"
he said, quickly. 'Ill look in another day
when-when I'm better company. I know
l m g. bear today My nerves, you know"
He came back TO the couch and took her
hand; then he touched her cheek for an in
slant with his fingers.
Goodbye" he said Take care of your
self-and the kitten" he added with forced
gayety, as he crossed the room
Go be continued tomorrow