Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-28

~ WAS tOO idlC.
But YOU saw him afterward-in the
rooms" Loder spoke unwillingly.
mo, | didn't-that's the other point.
l didn't see him i'll the rooms, and |
haven't seen him since. Directly he
was one | left the tent pretended
to be hungry and bored-but, though l
went through every room, he was no
where to be found. Once"-she hest
tated and laughed again-"once |
thought l had found him, but it was
only vou-you. as you stood in that
doorway With your mouth and chin
hidden by Leonard Kaine's head.
Wasn't it q quaint mistaken"
There was an uncertain pause. Then
Loder, feeling the need of speech.
broke the silence suddenly. Where
do l come in" he asked abruptly.
What am l wanted for!'
ITO help to throw light on the mys-
terry! Five seen B%lanche's list of peo-
pie, and there wasn't Il man | couldn't
! place = no outsider ever squeezes
| through B%lanche's door. 1 have ques-
toned Bobby Blessington, but he can't
remember who came to the tent last.
And Bobby was supposed to have kept
count" She spoke in deep scorn, but
almost immediately the scorn faded
! and she smiled again. "Now that I've
explained, Jack" she added, what do
| you suggest"
! Then for the first time Loder knew
| what his presence in the room really
| meant, and at best the knowledge was
diSconcerting. 1t is not every day
that a man is called upon to unearth
| himself.
"SuggeSt!' he repeated blankly.
Yes. I'd rather have your idea of
the affair than anybody else's. You
are 50 dear and sarcastic and keen
that You can't help getting straight at
! the middle of a fact"
When Lillian wanted anything she
could be very sweet. She suddenly
dropped her half p%etulant tone; she
suddenly ceased to be a spoiled child.
With a perfectly graceful movement
she drew quite close to Loder and slid
gently to her knees.
This is an attitude that few women
can safely assume 1t requires all the
attributes of youth, suppleness and Il
certain buoyant ease. But Lillian new
err acted without justification and as
she leaned toward Loder. her face lift
ed. her slight figure and pale hair soft
ened 10y the freight, she made q pic
ture that it would have been difficult
to criticise.
But the person who should have APP
preciated it stared steadily beyond it
to the fire. His mind was absorbed by
n questionable question of how he
might reasonably leave the house be-
fore discovery became assured.
Lillian. at%tentively watchful of him,
saw the uneasy look. and her own face
fell. But, as she looked, an inspiration
came TO her-a remembrance of many
facilitated by the timely use of to-
bacco.
Jack" she said softly, before YOU
say another word l insist on your
lighting a cigarette" She leaned for
ward, resting against his knee.
AT her words Loder's eyes left the
fire. His attention was suddenly need
ed for Il new and more imminent diff
Guilty. Thanks" he said quickly. Il
I have no wish to smoke
ut isn't IL matter of what you wish,
but of what I say" She smiled. She
knew that Chilcote with a cigarette be
tween his lips was infinitely more trac-
table Than Chilcote sitting idle, and she
had no intention of ignoring the know!-
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 un~hesitatingly at
the less risky theme.
She looked up at him. You're nj
ways nicer when you smoke" she per
sisted ca~ressingIy. Light II 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
LID AIhSliSliloli ltpIl lldIN WAS dt
your sisters party and why he disap.
peared?"
There are times when a malignant
obstinacy seems to affect certain PEG.
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 regainina
his advantage. He wondered quickly
whether n hand could possibly suf.
flee for the taking out and lighting OF
two cigarettes. Then all need FOL
speculation was pushed suddenly aside.
Lillian, looking into his face, saw his
fresh look of disturbance. and from