The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-15
CHAPTER XVI.

AiNtiAs II isfuN ud
recognized Chiieote by th
rings and had been reused to curlOsit
the incident would demand settlement
sooner or later = settlement in wha
proportion he could hazard no guess
If, on the other hand. her obviou
change OF manner had arisen from
any other source--he had a hazy idei
that woman's behavior could neva
be gagged by accepted theories-theI
he had safeguarded ChilcOte's inter
ests and his own by his securing O
Blessington's promise. Blessington Ii,
knew would be reliable and discreet
With a renewal of confidence-a pleas
ant feeling that his uneasiress haG
been groundless-he moved forward Il
greet Eve.
Her face with its rich. clear color.
ing, seemed to his gaze to stand out
from the crowd of other faces as from
a frame, and sense OF pride touched
him. In every eye but his ewn her
beauty belonged to him.
His face looked alive and masterful
nopolize your he said with the quick
ness of speech borrowed from Chill
cote. We've see so little Of each
other"
Almost as if compelled, her lashes
lifted, and her eyes met his Her
glance was puzzled, uncertain, slightly
confused. There was deeper color
than usual In her cheeks Loder felt
something within his own conscious
ness stir in response.
"You know you are yielding" he
said
Again she blushed.
He saw the blush and knew that il
was he his words, his personality
that had called it forth. In Chilcote's
actual semblance he had proved his
superiority over Chilcote. For the first
time he had been given tacit, per-
sonal acknowledgement of his power.
Involuntarily he drew nearer to her
Lets get out of this crush"
She made no answer except to bend
her head, and it came to him that, for
all her pride. she liked-and uncon
sciously yielded determination. With
a satisfied gesture he turned to make
a passage toward the door.
But the passage was more easily de-
sired than made. In the few moments
since he had entered the supper room
the press Of people had considerably
thickened until a block had formed
about the doorway. Drawing Eve with
him he moved forward for a dozen
PAGES, then paused, unable to make
further Roadway.
AS they stood there he looked back
at her. What studyjn democracy a
crowd always is!' he said.
She responded with bright, appre-
ciative glance, as If surprised into
He wondered sharply
what she would be like IL her enthu-
siasms were really aroused. Then a
stir In the corridor outside caused a
inside the room, and with a
certain display of persistence he was
enabled to make passage to the door.
There again they were compelled to
halt. But though tightly wedged into
ais new position and guarding Eve with |
,ne arm, Loder was free to survey |
he brilliantly thronged corridor over
he head Of a man few inches shorter
han himself, who stood directly In |
'ront of him.
"What are we waiting FORT" he asked
rood humoredly, addressing the back
4 the strangers head.
The man turned, displaying a genial
ace, red mustache and an eyeglass.
''Hullo, Chilcotev' he said. Hope
es not on your feet I'm standing"
Loder laughed. "No," he said. "And
Ion't change the position. If you were
n inch higher l should be blind as
yell as crippled"
The other laughed. 1t was pleasant
urprise to find Chilcote amiable under
iscomfort He looked round again In
light curiosity.
Loder felt the scrutiny. To create a
version he looked out along the cor
ldor. II believe we are waiting for
he exclaimed. whats
lis ?" Then quite abruptly he ceased
, speak.
Anything Interestingly" Eve touched
Ia arm
He said nothing. He made no effort
, look round. His thought as well as
ID speech was suddenly suspended. !
The man In front of him let his eye !
lass fall from his eye, then screwed
in again.
"Jove," he exclaimed, here comes 1
n sorceress! It's Ike the progress 81 !
fairy princess. I believe this 10 the )
Gaming of our getting penned In h
re- He chuckled delightediy.
Loder said nothing. He STARED \
raight on. over the others head. s
Along the corridor, agreeabIy con- Q
lous OF the hum OF admiration she o
oused. came Lillian Astrupp, sur d
unded by little court, Her delicate q
&c was III up: her eyes shone under a
. faint glenn of her hair; her gown o
gold embroidery swept round her "
acefully. She was radiant and ul-
lphant but sue was also excited. The v
was evident In her laugh. in d
!, s,aeturpa in hop eVes nS they turn ! ~