The Red Cloud chief., 1907-02-15
The MaSquerader
Continued from Page rhree.)

'S H'S'
that Il woinan's behavior could never
he gagged by accepted theorles-thcr
he had ~safcguarded Chilcote's inter
csts and his w 10y his securing OF
B~lessingtOn's promise. Blcssington he
knew would he reliable and discreet
With q renewal of confidcncc-a pleas.
ant feeling that his uneasiness had
been groundlcSs-he moved forward to
greet Eve.
Her face, with It's rich. clear color.
ing. seemed to his gaze to stand out
trom the crowd of other faces as from
a frame, and II sense Of pride touched
him. In every eye but his own her
beauty belonged to him.
His face looked alive and masterful
as she reached his side. MAY I mo-
nopolize youy" he said with the quick
ness of speech borrowed from Chill
cote. We've see 80 little Of each
other"
Almost as IL compelled. her lashcs
lifted. and her eyes met his. Her
glance was puzzled, uncertain, slightly
confused. There was q deeper color
than usual in her cheeks. Loder felt
something within his own conscious
ness stir in response.
You know you are yielding" he
said.
Again she bluShed.
He saw the blush and knew that It
was he--his words, his personality
that had called il forth. In Chilcote's
actual Semblancc he had proved his
superiority over ChilcOtc. For the first
time he had been given Il tacit. per.
sOnal acknowledgment OF his power.
Involuntary he drew nearer to her.
Lets get out of this cruSh.'
She made no answer except to bend
her head. and it came to him that. FOR
all her pride. she liked-and uncon-
sclously yielded Determination. With
a satisfied gcstur" he turned to make
u passage toward the door.
But the passage was more easily de
sired than made. In the few moments
since he had entered the supper room
the press of people had considerably
thickencd until Il block had formed
about the doorway. Drawing Eve with
him he moved forward for Il dozen
PAGES, then paused, unable to make
further Roadway.
As they stood there he looked back
ut her. what Il study in democracy II
crowd always is he said.
She responded with n bright, appre-
ciativc glance, as if surprised into
naturalncss. He wondered sharply
what she would ne like if her enthu-
siaslns were really aroused. Then a
stir in the corridor outside caused n
movement inside the room. and with a
certain display of persistence he was
enabled to make II passage to the door.
There again they were compelled TO
matt. But though tightly wedged into
his new position and guarding Eve with
one arm. Loder WAS free to survey
the brilliantly throngod corridor over
the head Of Il man Il few inches shorter
than himself, who stood directly in
front of him.
What are We waiting for!" he asked
good humoredly, addressing the back
of the strangers head.
The man turned, displaying a genial
face, Il red mustachc and an eyeglass.
"Hullo, Chilcote." he said. 'Uop,
It's not on your feet I'm standing"
l.odcr laughed. NO" he said. and
don't change the position. If You were
nm inch higher | should be blind rs
Wen MS crippled"
The other laughed. 1t was Il pleasant
surprise 10 find Chilcotc amiablc under
discomfort, He looked round again in
slight curiosity.
Ioder felt the scrutiny. To create II
diversion he looked out along the cor
ridor. Il believe we are waiting for
something" he exclaimed. whats
thisy' Then quite abruptly he ceased
10 speak.
Anything intercstlng;" Eve touched
his arm.
He said nothing. Tie made no effort
TO look round. His thought as well as
his speech was suddenly suspended.
The man In front of him LET his eve
glass fall from his eye then screwed
il i'm again.
"Jovc,' he exclaimed, 'here comes
or sorceress. It's like the progress. OF
Il fairy princess. I believe this is the
meaning of our getting pcnned in
here" He chuckled d~cllghtedly.
Loder said nothing. He stared
straight on over the others head.
Along the corridor, ~agrecahly con.
scious OF the hum OF admiration she
aroused, came Lillian Astrupp. sur.
rounded by q little court. Her delicate
face was lit up; her eyes shone under
the faint CLEAN of her hair; her gown
OF gold embroidery swept round her
gracefully. She was radiant and tri-