The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-04-05

The conservatory was n feature of
the Bramfell town house, and to Loder
1t came as something wonderful and
unlocked for, with it's clustering green
branches, its slight, unoppressive
scents its temperately pleasant atmos-
phere. He felt no wish to speak as,
still guided by B,eSsington, 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 voice or the sound of Il laugh.
bringing with 1t the necessary touch Of
life. Otherwise the place was still.
Absorbed by the .air Of solitude, con-
trastng 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 n 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 abruptncss.
what am 1 expected to do?" he
asked.
BIessington looked up, surprised.
AWhy, 1 thought sir he began; then
he instantly altered his tone. ooh,
Just enter into the spirit of the thing.
Lady Astrupp won't put much strain
on your credulity, but she1, make q
big call on your solemnity." He laugh
ed.
He had an Infectious laugh, and Lo-
der responded to 1t.
"But what am to do?" he persisted.
ooh, nothing Being the priestess she
naturally demands scolytes, but--he'i
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.S 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-a
pavilion formed Of silky fabric that
%, ,omn that hung above it's entrance:
AS they drew closer man 80 ~
from II He stood for momeht IA
uncertainty, looking about nm 'n Hnr
catching sight Of them, he caihe Iva
ward, laughing. , .,t,s q,
"Ry George" he exclaimed, a
.dork as limbo In there! l d,unt Sc
Won at first. But l say, biess.hS. Wv
it.s q beastly shame to have that uiui
dorc,oud barrier shutting OH the so'
no,.ass If she gaZes at the crys'a
mavn't we have something TO ea"e
tooT' .,
R,essington laughed. "You want u
.h cal,try." he said. Lady
trnnp understands the value OF lhe -
.tainab,e Come along, sir!' he aau'
20 Ioder. drawing him forward WI
an energetic pressure OF the arm.
oder responded, and as he did so
flicker Of curiosity toucheu ns
Cor the first time. lie "ohueieu
an instant who this woman was
aroused so much comment. Anu y"
tho sneculation came the reneilo'a
90 hnu she had assured Chilcote
I,
~, ono noint at least he was ln'uii
.ah,e He had spoken then from
height of a past experlence-ah e.
rience so fully passed that he WOW IN
cd now IL 1t had been as stapie
antee as he had then believed M
.capacity for outliving Is astonisn.' ~,
complete. The long ago incideh' ~, ~
italian mountains had taueu' nS
crayon study in which the tones
merged and gradually lost charu
-Tbe mast had paled before the pre-
.as golden hair might pale before
~Tne smile came with apparent
1ance: Then again Blesslnston DE-
his arm. ,,,no
"Now, sir" he said, dra"lhs
and lifting the curtain that huhs
+ho entrance of the tent. :,
Loder looked at the amused .
face lighted by the hanging lalhl
smiled pleasantly; then, with
'of the shoulders, he entered u
vi,ion. and the curtain fell Deh'ho
CHAPTER XIV.