Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-02-21

We e 5 young as you are!"
"And they all had flaws, Bobby"
Eve broke in. I'VE were 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 wavered as she spoke.
His eyes wandered round the party
and again rested on Bramfell.
"Not me, Bobby! Remember, Eve
breathed crystaIs-practically lived on
them-for the last week. Now, there's
Chilcote''- Again his eyes twinkled.
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 idea" she said. "Who
wants to see the future if not a poll
tician?'
Loder glanced from her to Blessing
ton. Then, with a 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 a talk" She
nodded and smiled, then instantly turn
ed to BramfeI with some trivial re-
mark.
For a second Loder waited; then,
with a movement of resignation, he
laid his hand on Blessington's arm.
Every 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 a 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 flight of steps that led to the
conservatory.
The conservatory was a feature of
the Bramfell town house. aud to Loder
it came as something wonderful and
unlocked for. with it's clustering green
branches. it's slight unoppressive
scents. it's temporarily pleasant atmos-
phere. He felt no wish to speak as,
still guided by Blessington,. he passed
down the shadowy paths hat in the
half light had the warmth and mystery
NJ a contboyn pardan LJara and thoro
from the darkness came the whisper
ing of a voice or the sound of a 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 sudden sense of annoyance. 1t
seemed so paltry to mar the quiet of
the place with the absurdity of a side
show. He turned to Blessington with
a touch of abruptness.
"What am / expected to do?" he
asked.
Blessington looked up, surprised.
"Why, 1 thought, SIR he began; then
he instantly altered his tone. ooh,
just enter into the spirit of the thing.
Lady Astrupp won't put much strain
on your ecredulity, but she'll make a
big call on your s%olemnity." He laugh
ed.
He had an infectious laugh. and Lo-
der responded to it.
But what am l to dol" he persisted.
ooh, nothing. Being the priestess, she
naturally demands acolytes. but she'll
let you know that she holds the pric"
place. The tent is so fixed hat she
sees nothing beyond your hands. so
there's absolutely no delusion." He
laughed once more. Then suddenly
he lowered his voice and slackened his
steps. "Here we are" he whispered
in pretended awe.
At the end of the path the space wild
ened to the full breadth of the conserv-
atory. The light was DINNER. giving
an added impression Of distance: away
to the left Loder heard the soGi:G OF
s%plashing water, and on his right hand
he caught his first glimpse of the tens
that was his goal.
1t was an artistic little structural
pavilion formed of silky fabric that
showed bronze in the light of an oriun.
ta1 1amp that hOno ahnvn itS onA,.,r..n