Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-01-24


ing, he saw the square shoulders, light
eyes and pointed mustache of Lakeiey.
the owner of the st. Georges Gazette.
At the sight of the man and the
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 misgiying that had crossed
his confidence passing from him as he
smiled at Lakeley with keen, alert
pleasure that altered his whole face.
Eve, looking back, saw the expires
sion It attracted and held her, like a
sudden glimpse into 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 it 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. Chilcotev' he exclaimed. "Can
I 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. "Ohr' he
said. ..Indeedr' 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.
sTell me about yourself" she said.
what have you been doing?"
Blessington looked at her. then smil-
| ed again, his buoyancy restored. do
| ing?" he said. "Oh calling every other
afternoon at Grosvenor 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
| ture, had beguiled many dull hour
for her in past days, and she had miss
ed him not a little when his face had
been filed by Greening.
s'But I mean seriously, Bobby. Has
something good turned upf
Blessington made wry face. Some
thing is on its way. That's why I'm on
| duty tonight. Old Bramfell and the
pater are working it between them, so
| if Lady Bramfell or Lady Astrupp hap
pen to drop a fan or handkerchief
| this evening I've got to be here to pick
| it up. See?"
GAS you picked. up my fans and hand
kerchiefs last year and the year be-
fore?'' Eve smiled.
Blessington's face suddenly looked
grave. Il 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 a laugh that one seldom
hears in a London drawing room. 1t
expressed interest, amusement and in
an inexplicable way it seemed also to
express strength.
Eve and Bessington both turned in
voluntarily.
"By Joyei' said BlesSington.
Eve said nothing.
Loder was parting with Lakeley and
his was the laugh that had attracted
them both. The interest excited by his
talk was still reflected in his face and
bearing as he made his way toward
them.
"By Joyel'' said Blessington again.
Il never realized that Chilcote was so
tall.'
Again Eve said nothing. But silently
and with a more subtle meaning she
found herself echoing the words
Until he was quite close to her Loder
did not seem to see her. Then he
stopped quietly.
Il was speaking to Lakeley," he said
HE wants me to dine with him one
night at Cadogan Gardens"
But Eve was silent, waiting for him
to address Blessington. She glanced
at him quickly, but though their eyes
met he did not catch the meaning that
lay in hers. 1t was difficult moment.
She had known him Incredibly, almost
unpardonably absentminded, but it had
invariably been when he was suf
fering from nerves, as she phrased it
to herself But tonight he was OBJ
viously 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? But he was studiously
studying suit of Chinese armor that
stood close by in a niche of the wall
Bobby has been keeping me amused
while you talked to Mr.. Lakeley,' she
said pointedly.
niroofIxy a1droccof7 r of}oY- f11rr,od and