The Red Cloud chief., 1907-02-08

Ieellng IuT IUOTe like I'LL dCtOT |
in n drama than an ordinary
S man In u peculiar situation. 1t
was the first time he had played Chill
cote to a purely social audience and
the first time for many years that he
had rubbed shoulders with a well
dressed crowd ~ostensibly brought to-
gether for amusement. As he follow
ed Eve along the corridor that led to
the reception rooms he questioned the
reality Of the position again and again:
then abruptly, at the moment when the
sensation Of familiarity was strongest,
q 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.
A, the sight of the man and he
sound OF his greeting his doubts and
speculations 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.
He lifted his head unconsciously, the
shade of misgiving that had crossed
his confidence passing from him as he
smiled at Lakeley with a keen, alert
pleasure that altered his whole face.
Eve, looking back. saw the express
sion. 1t attracted and held her, like a
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 ChilcOte's
face. The impression came quickly
and with II. a strange. warm rush of
interest that receded slowly, leaving an
odd sense of loneliness. But, at the
moment that the feeling came and pass
ed, her attention was claimed In an
other direction. A slight, fair haired
boy forced his way toward her through
the press of people that filed the cor
ridor.
Mrs. Chlicote" he exclaimed. Can
1 believe my luck In finding you aloneT'
Eve laughed. 1t seemed that there
was relief in her laugh. How absurd
you are. Bobby!" she said kindly. But
you are wrong. My husband Is here.
am waiting for him."
Blessington 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 1t away.
"Tell me about yourself" she said.
what have you been doingT'
Blessington looked at her. then smil-
ed again, his buoyancy restored. "Do-
lng?' he said. "Oh, calling every other
afternoon ut Grosvenor square, only to
find that a certain lady Is never mt
home"
AT his tone Eve laughed again. The
, boy, with his frank and ingenious ma
ture, had beguiled many Il dull hour
, for her in past days, ana she had miss
i ed him not Il little when his face had
been filed by Greening.
p, "But / mean seriously, Bobby. Has
+, something good turned upF'
, Blessington made a wry face. Some
, thing Is on its way. That's why I'm on
: duty tonight. Old Bramfell and the
q pater are working 1t between them, so
I: if Lady Bramfell or Lady Astrupp hap
, pen to drop a fan or Il handkerchief
y this evening I've got to be here to pick
1t up. See?'
"As you picked up my fans and hand
l kerchiefs last year and the year be
a fore?" Eve smiled.
Il B~lessington's face suddenly looked
grave. II wish you hadn't said that
:, he said. Then he paused abruptly
o Out of the hum Of talk behind them 9
mans laugh sounded. 1t was not loud
but it was a laugh that n seldom
e hears in n London drawing room. L
r expressed interest, amusement and II
l. an inexplicable way 1t seemed also t.
y express strength.
Eve and Bessington both turned in
e voluntarily.
l. "By Jove!' said Blesslngton.
G Eve said nothing.
Loder was parting with Lakeley ant
s his was the laugh that had attracted
d them both. The interest excited by hi