Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-07

saw the uneasy look. and her own face
fell. But, as she looked, an Inspiration
came to her--a remembrance of many
interviews with Chilcote smoothed and
facilitated by the timely use Of TO-
bacco.
Jack" she said softly, before you
say another word / insist on your
lighting cigarette" She leaned for
ward, resting against his knee.
At her words Loder's eyes left the
| fire. His attention was suddenly need
cd for new and more imminent diff
Guilty. Thanks" he said quickly. 81
| I have no wish to smoke"
at isn't matter of what you wish,
but of what ] say" She smiled. She
knew that Chilcote with cigarette be-
tween his lips was infinitely more trac-
table than Chicote sitting idle, and she
! had no intention Of ignoring the knowl.
edge
But Loder caught at her words. BE
| fore you ordered me to smoke" he said,
you told me to give you some advice.
Your first command must have prior
claim" He grasped unhesitatingly at
the less risky theme.
She looked up at him. You're al
ways nicer when you smoke" she per-
sisted caressngy. Light Il cigarette
and give me one"
Loder's mouth became set. NO" he
said, well stick to this advice bust
ness. 1t interests me-"
"Yes-afterward."
mo; now. You want TO find out why
this Englishman from Italy was at
your sisters party and why he disap-
peared?'
There are times when malignant
obstinacy seems to affect certain peo
pie. The only answer Lillian made was
TO pass her hand over Loder's waist
coat and, feeling his cigarette case. to
draw it from the pocket.
He affected not to see it. do you
think he recognized you in that tent?"
he insisted desperately.
She held out the case. Here are
your cigarettes. You know we're al
ways more social when we smoke"
In the short interval while she looked
up into his face several ideas passed
through Loder's mind. He thought of
standing up suddenly and so regaining
his advantage. He wondered quickly
whether one hand could possibly suf-
flee for the taking out and lighting of
two cigarettes. Then all need for
speculation was pushed suddenly aside.
Lillian. looking into his face, saw his
fresh look Of disturbance. and from
long experience again changed her tao
tics. Laying the cigarette case on the
couch, she put one hand on his shoulder,
the other on his left arm. Hundreds of
times this caressing touch had quieted
Chilcctc.
"Dear old boy" she said soothingly,
her hand moving slowly down his arm.
In flash of understanding the con-
sequences of this position came to him.
Action was imperative. at whatever
risk With an abrupt gesture he rose.
The movement was awkward. He
got ia his feet preciptately. Lillian
drew back, surprised and startled
catching involuntarily at his left hand
TO steady her position.
Her fingers grasped at, then held his
He made no effort to release them
With logged acknowledgment he ad
mitted himself worsted.
How long she stayed immovable
holding his hand. neither Of them knew
The process of a woman's instinct Is so
subtle, so obscure, that it would be
futile to apply it to the commonplace
test of time. She kept her hold tenaci
ously, as though his fingers possessed
some peculiar virtue. Then at last she
spoke.
Rings. Jack? 2" she said very slowly
And under the two short words whole
world of incredulity and surmise made
itself felt,
Loder laughed.
At the sound she dropped his hant
and rose from her knees. What hel
suspicious. what her instincts We're SHE
could not have clearly defined, but hel
action was unhestating. Without
moments uncertainty she turned to the
fireplace, pressed the electric buttoI
and flooded the room with light.
There is no force so demoralizing a:
unexpected light Loder took a ste!
backward, his hand hanging unguard
cu ny HIS slut, anu SltIplus
forward, caught it again before he
could protest. Lifting it quickly, sh'
looked scrutinlzlngly at the two rings.
All women jump to conclusions, anC
it is extraordinary how seldom the,
jump short. Seeing only what Lillian
saw, knowing only what she knew, N
man would have staked a definite Opin
, ion, but the other sex takes Il dlfferen
view. AS she stood gazing at the ring
her thoughts and her conclusions spec
through her mind like arrows-all aim
ed aud all tending toward one point
She remembered the day when she AM
= Chilcote had talked of doubles, he
t skepticism and his vehement defens
, of the idea. his sudden interest in tn
: book Other Mems Shoes" and hi
t anathena against life and its irksom
. round of duties. She remembered he
t own first convinced recognition of tn
Z eyes that had looked at her in the door
| way of her sisters house. and, last o
= all, she remembered Chilcote's unaC
, countable avoidance of the same sub
ect of likenesses when she had men
, toned it yesterday driving through tn
, park, and with 1t his unnecessaril
5 curt Reputation of his former oplr
toms Sha rayiaunl anph itpm tho