Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-24
CONTINUED from sixth Page.

greet the members of his party who
had strolied across from the window
in his wake.
| AS she moved aside Bramfell looked
at Loder. well, Chilcote, have you
dipped into the future YETI" he asked
with a laugh.
Loder echoed the laugh, but said
nothing. In his uncertainty at the
question he reverted to- his old re
source Of silence.
Bramfell raised his eyebrows.
.What!' be said Don't tell me that
my sister-in-law hasn't engaged you
as VICTIM Then he turned in
Ewes direction. you've heard Of our
new departure, Mrs. Chilcote?"
Eve looked round from the lively
group by which she was surrounded
..Lillian's crystal gazing? Why, of
course!v she said "She should make
a very beautiful seer. We are all quite
curious.
Bramfel pursed up his lips. She
has very beautiful tent at the end
of the conservatory 1t took five men
as many days to rig it up. We could
not hear ourselves talk for hammer
ing. Ny wife said it made her feel
quite philanthropic, it reminded her so
much of a charity bazaar
Everybody laughed, and at the same
moment Blessington came quickly
across the room and joined the group.
.HeHoia he said. anybody seen
Witcheston? He's next on my list for
the crystal business"
Again the whole party laughed, and
Bramfell, stepping forward, touched
Blessington's arm in mock seriousness.
"Witcheston is playing bridge, like
a sensible man." he said. Leave him
in peace, Bobby"
Blessington made a comical grmace.
but I'm working this on commercial
i principles" he said. II keep the list,
names and hours complete, and Lady
Astrupp gazes in blissful ignorance as
to who her victims are. The whole
thing is great, simple and statistical
For goodness sake, Bobby, shut
ups' Bramfelrs round eyes were
twinkling with amusement.
"But my SYSTEM
Systems. All, we ali had them when
we were as young as you are!
"And they all had flaws, Bobby"
Eve broke in I'VE We're always find
ing gaps that had TO be filled up. Never
mind about Lord Witcheston. Get a
substitute. 1t won't count if Lillian
doesn't know"
Blessington wayered as she spoke.
His eyes wandered round the party
and again rested on Bramfell.
sNot me, Bobby! Remember, I've
breathed crystals practically lived on
them-for the last week Now, there's
Chilcote'- Again his eyes twinllled.
All eyes were turned on Loder,
though one or two strayed surrepti-
tiously to Eve She, seeming sensitive
to the position, laughed quickly.
"a very good idear' she said. "Who
wants to see the future if not poll
tician?''
Loder glanced from her to Blessing
ton. Then, with very feminine i'm
pulse, she settled the matter beyond
dispute.
please use your authority, Bobby"
she said. ..And when you've got him
safely under canvas come back to me.
|. It's years since we've had talk" She
nodded and smiled, then Instantly turn
ed to Bramfell with some trivial re-
mark
For a second Loder waited; then,
with a movement of resignation, he
laid his hand on Blessingtons arm.
VERY WE'LL he said But, If my fate
is black, witness it was my wife who
sent me to it, His faint pause on the
word wife, the mention Of the word it
self in the presence of these people,
had a SAVIOR of recklessness. The small
discontinue of his earlier slip vanish
ed before it, He experienced a strong
reaction of confidence in his luck.
With cool head, a steady step and a
friendly pressure of the fingers on
Blessington's arm, he allowed himself
to be drawn across the reception rooms,
through the long corridors and down
the broad fight of steps that led to the
conservatory
The conservatory was feature of
the Bramfell town house. and to Loder
it came as something wonderful and
unlocked for, with its clustering green
branches, its slight unoppressive
scents, its temperately pleasant atmos-
phere. He felt no wish to speak as,
still guided by Blessington, he passed
down the shadowy paths that in the
half light had the warmth and mystery
of southern garden. Here and there
from the darkness came the whisper
ing of voice or the sound of laugh,
bringing with it the necessary touch of
life. Otherwise the place was STILL
Absorbed by the air of solitude, con-
trasting so remarkably with the noise
and crowded glitter left behind in the
reception rooms, he had moved half
way down the long green aisle before
the business in hand came back to him
with a s1rdfnn SnrSn of annovancp TT