The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-03-29

uluaTuOunDly aDScntmlnueu, DuC 1t naQ
!nTarinbly been when he was suf-
fcr!ng from nerves, as she phrased 1t
to herself But tonight he was OBJ
v!ously in the possession Of unclouded
faculties. She colored slightly and
glanced under her lashes at Blessing
ton. Had the same idea struck him,
she wondered? Put lie was studiously
studying suit of Chlnese. nrmor that
stood close by In n niche of the wall.
Bobby has been keeping me amused
gsfllirHHg ggsliHH ai9}n}t a89n talked to Mr.. Lakeley," she
Directly addressed, Loder turned and
!ooled at Blessington. "How d'you
co.! he said. with doubtful cordlality.
me name of Bobby conveyed nothing
To his surprise Eve looked annoyed
and BlessingtonS fresh colored face
deepened In tone. With slow, uncom.
ortable sensation he was aware of
having struck wrong note.
There was short. unpleasant pause.
Then, more by Intuition than actual
sight, Blessington saw Ewes eyes turn
from him to Loder, and with quick
tact he saved the situation
How d'you do. sir?' he responded,
with smile. II congratulate you on
looking $3.50 uncommon we'll. I was
Just telling. Mrs. .Chilcote that l hold
commission for Lady Astrupp to-
night. I'm sort of scout at present
-reportinaSn the outposts." He spoke
fast and without much meaning, but
his boyish voice eased the strain.
Eve thanked him with smile.
foS nt,,ff ;-4~
person on active service" she said.
Besides, we have our own duties to
get through" She smiled again and,
touching Loder's arm, indicated the re-
ception rooms.
When they entered the larger of the
two rooms Lady Bramfell was still
receiving her guests. She was q tall
and angular woman who, except for a
certain beauty of hands and feet and
certain similarity of voice. possessed
nothing in common with her sister LII
Han. She was speaking to a group of
peopla as they approached, and the
first sound of her sweet and rather
drawling tones touched Loder with a
curious momentary feeling-a vague
suggestion. of awakened memories.
riIru- tire suggestion vanished as she
turned and greeted Eve.
How sweet of you to comev she
murmured. And 1t seemed to Loder
that more spontaneous smile lighted
up her face. Then she extended her
hand to him. "And you, toow she add
ed. Though 1 fear we shall bore you
dreadfully"
Watching her with interest, he saw
the change Of expression as her eyes
turned from Eve to him and noticed q
colder tone in her voice as she address
ed him directly. Tie observation mov-
ed him to self assertion.
"That's a poor compliment to me-"
he said. "To be bored is. surely only u
polite way of being inane."
Lady Bramfell smiled. what" she
exclaimed. You defending your So
clal reputationa"
Loder laughed q little. THE smaller
it is the more defending 1t nsods," he
repledsS.. S~.A
Another stream Of arrivals swept by
them as he spoke. Eve smiled at their
hostess and. moved across the room.
and he perforce followed. AS he gain
ed her side the little court about Lady
Bramfell was left we'll in the rear, the
great throng at the farther end OF the
room was not yet reached, and for the
moment they We're practically alone.
There was certain uneasiness in
that moment of companionshIp. 1t
seemed to him that Eve wished to
speak, but hesitated. Once or twice
she opened and closed the fan that she
was carrying. then at last. as If by an
effort, she lurnei and looked at him.
"Why r-c-e you so cold to- Bobby
Blessington?" she asked. Doesn't 1t
seem discourteous to ignore him pa
you did?" --..--.,- ,.deu 1t NO.
-"e annoyed manner that one re-.
~ man when he has behaved I'm. -
was the explanatory tone ono n,,o,h,
opt toward an incorrigible child.
Louer feit this. but the gIst of a re-
marx always came to him first. its
iioue OF expression later. The fact |
'hat IL was Blessington whom he had |
Observation-Disclosures to whom he
haa spoken with vague politeness-
came 70 him with sense of uppleas.
ihtness. He was not to blame in tho
hatter nevertheless he blamed him
SCH. de' was annoyed that he should
AVE wy lhade the slip In Ewes presence
lucy were moving forward, neariny
ne press OF people in the second room
heh Eve spoke. and the fact filed
I'M win an added sense of annoy.
nee. People smiled and bowed to
er from every side: one woman lean.
forward as they passed and wbjs.
ered something in her ear. Again
ne sensation Of futility and vexatlon
lied MIN; again he realized how pal
aoic was the place she held In the .
'orld. Then, as his feelings reacbad r