Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-04-03
-THE- ~~~
N1asquerader
By KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON.
Author Of 1.-The Circle" Etc.
Copyright. 1909. By Harper & Brothers
BY KATHERINE CECIL

81 NIlulIy MNIIu luaI III ptuoCb Aol I'LL
instant before pressing the electric
bell Then at last, dominated by antici-
patton, he turned and raised his hand.
The action was abrupt, and 1t was
only as his fingers pressed the bell that
certain unexpectedness. certain
want Of suitability in the aspect Of the
house, struck him. The door was white;
tha handle and knocker were OF mass
I've silver. The first seemed a disap-
pointing index Of Lakeley's private
taste, the second ridiculous tempta-
tion to needy humanity. He looked
again at the number OF the house, but
1t stared back at him convincingly.
Then the door opened.
So keen was his sense OF untitness
that, still trying to fuse his impression
Of Lakeley with the idea Of silver door
fittings, he stepped into the hall with
out the usual preliminary question.
Suddenly realizing the necessity, he
turned to the servant, but the man fore
stalled him:
will you come into the white room.
sir3 And may take your coat?"
The smooth certainty of the mans
manner surprised him. 1t held another
SAVIOR OF disappointment, seeming as
little In keeping with the keen, busi-
nesslike Lakeley as did the house. Still
struggling with his impression, he al
lowed himself to be relieved Of his hat
and coat and in silence ushered up the
shallow staircase.
As the last step was reached 1t came
to him again to mention his hosts
name, but simultaneously with the sug-
gestion the servant stepped forward
with quick, silent movement and
threw open door.
"Mr. Chilcote!' he announced in
subdued, discreet voice.
Loder's first impression was Of a
room that seemed unusually luxurious,
soft and Swallowed. Then NIL impress
sion of inanimate things left him sud
denly.
For the fraction Of second he stood
in the doorway, while the room seemed
emptied Of everything except a figure
that rose slowly from a couch before
the fire at sound Of Chilcote's name.
Then, with a calmness that to himself
seemed Incredible, he moved forward
into the room.
He might of course. have beaten a
retreat and obviated many things, but
life is full Of might have beens, and re-
treat never presents i.Self agreeably to
a strong man. His impulse was to face
the difficulty, and he acted on the i'm
pulse.
Lillian had risen slowly, and as he
neared her she held out her hand.
"Jack," she exclaimed softly, "how
sweet of you to remember"
The voice and words came to him
with great distinctness, and as they
came one uncertainty passed forever
from his mind-the question as to
what relation she and Chilcote held to
each other.A With the realization came
the thought Of Eve, and in the midst
Of his own difficulty his face hardened.
Lillian ignored the GOODNESS. Taking
his hand, she smiled. You're unusual
ly punctual." she said. but your
hands are cold. Come closer to the
fire."
Loder was not sensible that his
hands were cold, but he suffered him
self to be drawn forward.
One end OF the couch was In fire.
light, the other in shadow. BY a for
tunate arrangement of chance Lillian
selected the brighter end for herself
and offered the other to her guest.
With quick sense of respite he ac-
cepted it. At least he could sit secure
from detection while he temporized
with fate.
For a moment they sat silent, then
Lillian stirred. won't you smoke?"
she asked.
Everything in the room seemed soft