Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-26

mere. slrt Tho cabman peere,
down through thc roof door
Chilcote raised b.s bead con. any
where near Pail Mall" he said Then
as the horse started forward. he Dut
up bis hand and shook the trapdoor
"WaitF' be called 1--WE changed ny
mind Drive 20 Cadogau gardens. No
30"
The distance TO Cadoean Gardens
was covered quickly Chucote had
hardly realized that his destination
was reached whom the cab pulled m
Jumping out De paid The fare and
walked quickly 10 the hall door Of No.
80
Is Lady Asuupp at homer he ask
ed sharply as the door swung back iu
answer to his knock.
The servant drew back defereutfaliv
Her ladyship has almost finished
lunch. sir" De said.
For answer Chilcote stepped through
the doorway and walked halfway
across the bah.
"AU right" ne said. But don't dis
turb her on my account TN wait in
the white room TN she has finished "
And. without taking further notice OF
the servant DC began TO mount the
stairs
Ia the room where De had chosen to
wait pleasant wood tire Frightened
the dun January afternoon and sof-
tered Che thick white curtains. the Gilt
furniture ana the venetian vases filled
with white roses Moving straight
forward. Chilcote paused by the rrate.
and stretched bis hands 90 the blaze.
then. with his usual instability. DE
turned and passed 20 couch that
stood yard or two away.
On the coach. tucked away between
novel and crystal gazing BAN. was
white Persian kitten. fast asleen
Chilcote picked mp the Ian and held 30
between his eyes ana the Gre. then be
laughed supcrciiiously. tossed IL back
into Its place and caught the kittens
taiL Tho little animal stirred. stretch.
ed itself and BEGAN 90 pur At the
same moment the door OF the room
opened
Chiicote turned around Il particu.
larry said you were not TO be disturb.
ed, he began. Have 1 mcrited dis
pieasureT lie spoke fast with the
uneasy tone that so often underran
his words
Lady Astrupp took his hand with
conhding gesture and smiled
Never dispicasurc." she said lincer-
ihgly. and again she smiled. The smile
might have struck a close observer as
family artificial But what man In
Chllcoto's frame of mind has time 10
be ooServont where women are CON
eerned2 The manner OF the smile was
very sweet and almost caresslng. and
that suMccd
What have YOU been dolngf" she
asked after moment II thought I
was quite forgotten" She moved
across 20 the couch. picked up the kit
ten and kissed &c. Isn't this sweetf-
she added
She looked very graceful as she turn
ed, holding the little animal up. She
was a woman Of twenty seven. but she
hooked girl. The outline of her face
was pure, the pale gold or her hair
almost ethereal. and her tall. slight
figure stili suggested the suppleness.
the possibility OF future development.
that belong 10 youth She wore a lace
$4,000 r~NNf II NAAtAA AAaAA AAANiAAlat4 WIFI
the room and with the delicacy OF her
skin.
Now sit down and rest or walk
about the room. shan't mind which
She nestled into the couch and picked |
up the crystal ball.
What is the toy for?" ChIlcote
hooked at her from the mantelplece.
against which be was resting. He had
never defined the precise attraction
that LILLIAN Astrupp held for him. |
Her shallOwness soothed him; her IN |
consequent egotism helped him to for
get himself. She never asked him
how he was, she never expected i'm
possibilities. She let him come and go
and act as he pleased. never demand
ing reasons. Like the kitten she was
charming and graceful and easily
amused. Il was possible that. also Ike
the kitten. she could scratch and be
spiteful on occasion, but that did not
weigh with him. He sometimes ex-
pressed vague envy Of the late Lord
Astrupp. but even had circumstances |
permitted IL Is doubtful whether be
would have chosen to be his successor. |
Lillian as a friend was delightful but |
Lillian as a wife would have been a |
different consideration.
what Is the toy forY' he asked |
again.
She looked up slowly. "zIow crue! |
OF you. Jack! 1t Is my very latest
hobby"
II was part OF her attraction that she
was never without a craze. Each new
one was as fieeting as the last. but tc 1
each she brought the same delightfully."- |
insincere enthusiasm. the same pictur-
esque devotion. Each was a pose. but |
she posed so sweetly that nobody lost
patience.
you mustn't laugh!- she protested.
ietting the kitten slip to the ground.
tive had lessons at 3 guineas each
from the most fascinating persona
Professionalism I'm becoming quite
an adept CDR course I haven't been
much beyond the milky appearances
yet. but the milky appearance is every
thlng. you know. The rest will come.