Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-21
CHAPTER XIV.

IL feeling far more like an actor
III in a drama than an ordinary
49, man in a peculiar situation. 1t
was the first time he had played Chill
cote to q purely social audience and
the first time for many years that he
had rubbed shoulders with well
dressed crowd ostensibly brought to-
gethcr for amusement. As he follow
ed Eve along the corridor TINT led to
The reception rooms he questioned the
reality of the position again and again:
then II bruptly, at the moment when the
sensation of familiarity was strongest.
CHEEKY voice hailed him. and, turn
Ing. he saw the square shoulders light
eyes and pointed mustache of Lakeley,
the owner of the St Georges Gazette.
Al the sight of the man and the
sound of his greeting his doubts and
specuations vanished. The essentials
of life rose again to the position they
had occupied three weeks ago. in the
short but strenuous period when his
dormant activities had been stirred
and he had recognized his true self.
lie lifted his head unconscously, the
shade of misgiyiuC that had crossed
his confidence passing from him as he
smiled at Iakesey with keen, alert
pleasure that altered his whole face.
Eve, looking back, saw the express
sion 1t attracted ana held her, like Il
sudden glimpse into a secret room. In
all the years of her marriage, in the
months of her courtship even. she had
never surprised the look on Chilcotes
face. The impression came quickly
and with it a strange, warm rush OF
interest that rcccdcd slowly. leaving an
odd sense of loneliness. Put. at the
moment that the feeling came and pass
ed. her attention was claimed in an
other direction. 4 slight. fair haired
boy forced his way toward her through
the press of people that filled the cor
ridor
"Mrs. ChllcOtc," he exclaimed. "Can
/ believe my luck in finding You aloneT'
Eve laughed. II seemed that there
was relief in her laugh. How absurd
you are. Bobby" she said kindly. But
you are wrong. Ny husband is here
am waiting for him"
Bessington looked around. oh he
said Indeed" Then he relapsed into
silence. He was the soul of good ma.
ture, but those who knew him best
knew that Chilcote's summary change
of secretaries had ranked. Eve, con-
scious of the little jar made haste to
smooth it away.
Tell me about yourself" she said
"Vhat have you been doing"
Blessington looked mt her, then smil-
ii again. his buoyancy restored. do
ingf" he said "Oh, calling every other
afternoon at Grosvcu2r square only to
find that certain lady is never at
home
At his tone Eve laughed again. The
boy. with his frank and ingenious ma
turc, had begui!ed many dull hour
for her in past days, and she had miss
ed him not Il little wien his face had
been filled hy Greeung.
But ! mean seriously, Bobby. Has
something good turned up"
Blcssingtou made Il wry face. Some
thing is on It's way. That's why I'm on
duty tonight Old Bramfel! and the
patcr are wuI.,inG it between them, so
if Lady Branfell or Lady Asuupp hap
pen to drop fan or. Il handkerchief
this evening I've got to he here to pick
it up. Seer
AS you picked up my fans and hand
kerchicfs last year and the year be-
fore?' Eve smiled.
SIi11nnlV 1nn1, oil
grave. 81 wish you hadn't said that"
he said. Then he paused abruptly.
Out of the hum of talk behind them a
mans laugh sounded. 1t was not loud
but it was II laugh that one seldom
hears in London drawing room. 1,
expressed interest, amusement and in
an ineXplicablc way it seemed also to
express strength.
Eve and Bessington both turned in
voluntarily
"By love" said Blessington.
Eve said nothing.
Loder was parting with L.aSeley AMI
his was the laugh that had attracted
them uotn. The Interest excited by his
talk was still reflected in his face and
bearing as he made his way toward
them.
by Jove" said Blessington again
Il never realized that Chllcote was SC
tall"
Again Eve said nothing. But silently
and with more subtle meaning she
found herself echoipg the words.
Until lie was quite close TO her Loder
did not seem to see her. Then ht
stopped quietly.
II was speaking to Lakeley," he said
HE wants me to dine with him on,
night at CadOgan Gardens"
But Eve was silent, waiting for hin
to address Blessington. She glanced
at him quickly, but though their eye,
met he did not catch the meaning tina
lay in hers. 1t was Il difficult moment
She had known him incredibly, almos
unpardonably absentminde1, but it hat
Invariably been when he was SUI
fering from nerves, as she phrased j
to herself. But tonight he was oh
viously in the possession Of uncloudet
faculties. She colorcd slightly an,
glanced under her lashes Mt blessing
ton. Had the same idea struck him
she wondered? But he was studious.l
studying suit Of Chinese armor tina
stood close by in niche of the wall.
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