The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-01
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she wondere? But he was studlocsly
studying salt Of Chinese armOr thar
stood close by in niche of the wall.
BOBBY hes tccn keeping me amused
while you talked 10 Mr. Lakeley," she
said pointedly
Directly addressed, Loder turned and
looked at Blessington. How d'you
do?" he said. with doubtful cordially.
The name of Bobby conveyed nothing
to him.
To his surprise Eve looked annoyed
and BlessiEgton's fresh colored face
deepened in tone With a slow, uncom-
Portable sensation he was aware Of
having struck wrong note.
There was short. unpleasant pause
Then, more by intuition than actual
tight Rlessington saw Ewes eyes turn
from him to Loder, and with quick
/ tact he saved the situation
How d'you do, sir?" he respoIase
looking $3.50 uncommon well. was
just telling Mrs. Chilcote that i hold
a commission for Lady Astrupp to-
night I'm sort of scout at present
reporting on the Outposts" He spoke
fast and without much meaning, but
his boyish voice eased the strain
Eve thanked him with a smile.
"Then we mustn't interfere with a
person On active service she said
eBesides, we nave our own duties to
get through She smiled again and.
touching Loders arm, indicated the re-
ception roo;As.
When they entered the larger of the
two rooms Lady Bramfell was still
receiving her guests. She was a tai!
and angular woman who, except for u
certain beauty of hands and feet and
4 certain similarity of voice. possessed
nothing in common with her sister Lii
lian. She was speaking to group of
people as they approached, and the
first sound of her sweet and rather
drawing tones touched Loder with a
curious momentary feeling-a vague
suggestion of awakened memories.
Then the suggestion vanished as she
turned and greeted Eve.
How sweet of you to comet she
And it seemed to Loder
that a. more spontaneous smile lighted
up her face. Then she extended her |
hand to him. And you, too!'' she add
ed. Though fear we shall bore you
1readfully''
Watching her with interest, he saw |
the change of expression as her eyes
turned from Eve to him and noticed a
colder tone in her voice as she address
ID him directly. The observation NOV
ID him to self assertion.
That's a poor compliment to me
he said. ITO be bored is surely only
'olite way Of being name"
Lady Bramfell smiled. "What!' she
You defending your so
ial reputation
Loder laughed little. The smaller
is the more defending it needs he
eplicd
Another stream of arrivals swept by
hem as he spoke. Eve smiled at their
ostess and moved across the room.
nd he perforce followed As he gain
u HCl 0lNlt tuc Illllc COuIl dDOul lJuu9
'ramfell was left well in the rear. the
reat throng at the farther end of the
Dom was not yet reached, and for the
loment they were practically alone.
There was Il certain uneasiness in .
nat moment of companionship. 1t .
aemed to him that Eve wished to
1eak, but hesitated Once or twice
le opened and closed the fan that she
as carrying then at last, as if by an
fort, she turned and looked at him
why were YOU so cold to Bobby
she asked. Doesn't it
.em discourteous to ignore him as
III didY :.
Her manner was subdued. 1t was :,
1t the annoyed manner that one uses :.
man when he has behaved i'll; it !,