The Red Cloud chief., 1907-03-08

light spring air. as she herself suited
tie pleasant, superficial scene.
He took her hand and held It. while
his eyes Travelled from her delicate
face 10 her pale cloth gown. from her
soft furS to the bunch of roses fastcn.
cd in hcr mutr. The sight of her was
Il curious relief. Her cool, slim fingers
were so casual, yet SO c%linging: her
voice aud her presence were so redo.
lent of easy. artificial things.
How well you look! :" he said invol-
unfairly.
Again she laughed. That's my pre-
rogative.' she responded lightly. But
| was serious in being glad to see YOU.
Sarcastic people are always so intui.
tive. Tm looking for some one with
intuition"
ChiIcotc glanced up. "E%xtravagant
again. he said dryly.
She smiled at him swectly. Jack
she murmurcd, with slow rcproach.
Chilcotc laughed quickly. II under
stand. You've changed your minister
of finance. I'm wanted in some other
direction"
This time her rcproach vas express
cd by Il glance. You are always
wanted" she said.
The words seemed to rouse him
again TO the shadowy self distrdst that
The sight OF her had lifted.
'It's--lt's delightful to meet you like
this" he began, and | wish the meet
ing wasn't momcntary. But T'm-I'm
rather pressed for time. You must let
me ON round one a~ftcrnoon-or even
ing, when you're alone lie fumblcd
for a moment with the collar of his
coat and glanced furtively upward to-
ward oxford street.
But again Lillian smiled, this time to
herself. If she understood anything
on earth, 1t was Chilcote and his
! moods.
'If one may be careless of anything,
Jack" she said lightly, "surcly It's of
time. | can imagine being pressed for
anything else in the world. If it's an
appointment you're worrying about, n
motor goes ever so much faster than Il
cab She looked mt him tentatively.
her head slightly on one side, her mulf
raised till the roses and some of the
soft fur touched her cheek.
She looked very charming and very
persuasive as Chilcotc glanced back.
Again she seemed to represent a re-
spite-somuthing graceful and subtle
in Il world of oppressive obligations.
His eyes Strayed from her figure to the
smart motor car drawn up beside the
curb.
She saw the glance. Ever so much
quicker" she ~insinuated. And. smiling
again, she stepped forward from the
door Of the shop. After Il seconds
indecision ChilcOte followed her.
, The waiting car had three seats. one
in front for the chauffeur, two visa
Wis ut the back. Offering pleasant posi-
bilities OF Il ~tete-a-tete.
''rhe park-and drive slowly" Lillian
ordered MS she stepped inside, motion
ing ChllcOte to h seat opposite.
They moved up Bond street smoothly
and rapidly. Lillian was absorbed In
the passing traffic until the Marble
arch was resched; then, as they gllded
through the big gates. she looked
across ut her companion. He had
turned up the collar of his coat, though
the wind was scarcely pcrccptible, and
buried himself in 1t to the ears
1T is extraordinary she exclaimed
! suddenly as her yes rested on his
face. 1t was seldom that she felt
drawn to exclamation. She was usual
~ too indolent to show surprise. But
now the feeling was called forth be.
fore she was aware.
Chilcotc looked up. whats cXtraor
dinary:' he said sensitlvcly.
She leaned forward for an instant
ana touched his hand.
Bear" she said teaSingly. Did
rub your fur the wrong wayT' Then
seeing his expression, she tactfully
changed her tone. I'll explain. II
was the same thing that struck me the
night of Blanche's party-when you
head. You remember" She glanced
away from him across the park Il
where the grass was already showing
grcencr.
Chilcotc felt i'll at ease. Again ht
put his hand to his coat collar.
"Oh, yes" he said hastily; yes" III
wished now that he had questioned To
der more closely on the proceedings o.
that party. 1t seemed to him OF look
ing back that I.oder had mentioned
nothing on the day Of their last ex
change but the political complication
|, that absorbed his mind.
II couldn't explain then" LilliaI