The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-01

J that It was BIessIn2ton whom be hai
encountered Biessingt0n TO whom b
nad slioken with vague polifeness-
came 70 him with a sense OF unpleas
antness. He was not TO blame In th'
mafter. nevertheless he blamed him
self he was annoyed that be shoule
have made the - In Ewes presence.
They we're n:oVias forward. nearins
the press OF people in the second room
when E-e sroise and the fact filled
him with an added sense OF annoy
ance. People smiled and bowed 70
her from eve-y side: one woman lean
ed forward as they passed and whis.
pered something in her ear. Again
the sensation Of futility and yexation
) 6lled MIN: c.,lin he realized how pal
lpable was The place she held in the
world Then, rs his feelings reached
their height and speech seemed forced
upon him, small man with round
face. catching glimpse of Eve. dart
ed from a circle of people gathered in
one of the windows and came quickly
toward them. With an unjust touch
Of irritation he recognized Lord Bran
fell.
Again the sense OF Ewes aloofness
stung him as their host approached.
In another moment she would be lost
to him among this throng Of strangers
claimed by them as by right.
Eve" he said Involuntary and I'M
Ter his breath.
She half paused and turned toward
him. ''Yes?" she said, and he wonder
ed if it was his imagination that made
the word sound slightly eager.
about that matter of Blessington,
be began; then he stopped. Bramfell
had reached them.
The little man came up smiling and
with an outstretched hand. There's
no penalty for separating husband and
wife. is there. Mrs. Chilcote? How are
Jou, Chilcote? He turned from one
to the other with the quick, noiseless
manner that always characterized him.
Loder turned aside to hide his veXa-
hon, but Eve greeted their host with
Ter Hsual ser possessed smile
lou are tAeLnpt lIO1H oil pCHdlllCo
tonight" she said Then she turned to
greet the members of his party who
had strolled across from the window
in his wake
AS she moved aside Bramfell looked
at Loder. well, Chilcote, have you
dipped into the future yet" he asked
with laugh,
Loder echoed the laugh. but said
nothing. In his uncertainty at the
question he reverted to his old re- i
source Of silence.
Bramfell raised his eyebrows.
"Whatv' he said. Don't tell me that |
my sister-in-law hasn't engaged you |
as a victim" Then he turned in |
Ewes direction. you've heard of our
new departure, Mrs. Chilcote"
Eve looked round from the lively I
group by which she was surrounded. [
"Lillian's crystal gazing? Why, of
course! she said "She should make
A very beautiful seer We are all quite
curious"
Bramfell pursed up his lips. "She
IF the conservatory. 1t took five men
rs many days to rig it up. We could
lot hear ourselves talk for hammer
ng My wife said it made her feel
quite phlanthropic, it reminded her so
much of charity bazaar"
Everybody laughed, and at the same
moment Blessington came quickly
.cross the room and joined the group.
"Hello!' he said. Anybody seen !
He's next on my list for
he crystal business"
Again the whole party laughed, and
3ramfell, stepping forward, touched
arm iIf mock seriousness.
"Witcheston is playing bridge, like
sensible man." he said Leave him
n peace. Bobby"
BIessington made q comical grimace
But I'm working this on commercial
rinciples," he said Il keep the list,
ames and hours complete, and Lady
.strupp gazes in blissful ignorance as
} who her victims are The whole /,
hing is great, simple and statistical" !
For goodness sake, Bobby, shut )
pr Bramfells round eyes were =
with amusement.
But my system"
Systems! All we all had them when
e were as young as you arer'
and they all had flaws, Bobby" !
We broke in. Eve were always find
g gaps that had to be filled up. Never a
ind about Lord Witcheston. Get a :
Institute 1t won't count if Lillian I
,esn't know"
Rlessington wavered as she spoke.
Is eyes wandered round the party
id again rested on Bramfell
mot me, Bobby! Remember, I've
eathed crystals practically lived on -
the last week. Now, there's
lilcote''- Again his eyes twinkled ~
All eyes were turned on Loder,
ough one or two strayed surrepti- st,
'usly to Eve. She, seeming sensitive
the position, laughed quickly.
"A very good ideaw she said. "Who ne
lnts to see the future If not poll
lan?' act
4oder glanced from her to Blessing
4. Then, with a very feminine i'm 20