The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-07
1T II E-
MaSquerader
By KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON,
Author o 1.-THE Circle" Etc.
By KATHERINE CECIL 7
Author of 1.-THE Circle,

horribly far away"' She spoke with
engaging petulance and, leaning for
ward afresh, drew the book from Chill
cote's hand. What about tomorrow"
she exclaimed. turning back a page
"Why not tomorrow? l knew I saw a
blank space"
Tomorrow. Oh, II He stopped.
jack Her voice dropped. 1t was
true that she desired Chilcote's opinion
on her adventure, for Chilcote's opin-
ion on men and manners had a certain
bitter shrewdness, but the exercise Of
her own power added a point to the
desire If the matter had ended with
the gain or loss of a tete-a-tete with
him, it is probable that, whatever its
utility, she would not have pressed it,
but the underlying motive was the
stronger. Chilcote had been a satellite
for years, and it was unpleasant that
any satellite should drop away into
space.
"Jackr' she said again In a lower
and still more effective tone, and, lift
ing her muff, she buried her face in
her flowers. Il suppose l shall have
to dine and go to a music hall with
Leonard-or stay at home by myself"
she murmured, looking out across the
trees.
Again Chilcote glanced over the long,
tan strewn ride. They had made the
full circuit of the park
Its tiresome being by oneself" she
murmured.
For awhile he was irresponsible; then
slowly his eyes returned to her face
He watched her for a second, and, lean
ing quickly toward her, he took his
book and scrubbed something in the
vacant space.
She watched him interestedly. Her
face lighted up, and she laid aside her
mufT.
Dear Jackr' she said. How very
sweet of your Then, as he held the
book toward her, her face fell. Dine
33 Cadogan gardens, o'c.; talk with
L." she read. why, you've forgotten
the essential thingv'
He looked up. THE essential thing?"
She smiled. 1.-The blue cross" she
said. Isn't it worth even q little oneY'
The tone was very soft. Chilcote
yielded.
you have the blue pencil" he said
in sudden response to her mood.
She glanced up in quiet pleasure at
her success, and, with a charming af-
fectation of seriousness, marked the
engagement with a big cross. At the
same moment the car slackened speed,
as the chauffeur waited for further or
ders
Lillian shut the engagement book
and handed it back. where can l
drop you?" she asked. cat the club?"
The question recalled him to a sense
Of present things. He thrust the book
into his pocket and glanced about him.
They had paused by Hyde park cor
ner The crowd of horses and car
riages had thinned as the hour of lunch
drew near, and the wide roadway OF
the park had an air of added space
The suggested loneliness affected him.
The tall trees, still bereft Of leaves, and
the colossal gateway incomprehensively
stirred the sense of mental panic that
sometimes seized him in face of vast
ness of space or of architecture. In one
moment Lillian, the appointment be
had just made, the manner of its max
ing, all left him. The world was filled
with his own personality, his own i'm
mediate inclinations
Don't bother about mev' he said
quickly. Il can get out here. You've
been very good. It's been a delightful
morning" With a hurried pressure OF
her fingers he rose and stepped from
the car.
Reaching the ground, he paused fol
a moment and raised his hat; then
without a second glance, he turned
and walked rapidly away.
Lillian sat watching him meditative
ly. She saw him pass through The
gateway. saw him hail a hanson; theI
she remembered the waiting chauffeur