Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-23


Bsamfell raised his eyebrows.
my sister-in-lsw hasn't engaged you
as a victim" Then he turned in
Ewes direction. you've heard OF our
new departure, Mrs. ChilcoteY
Eve looked round from the lively
group by which she was surrounded.
"Lilian's crystal gazing? why, OF
courset' she said. "She should make
a very beautiful seer We are all quite
curious"
Bramfell pursed up his lips. "She
has q very beautiful tent at the end
OF the conservatory. 1t took five men
as many days to rig Il up. We could
not hear ourselves talk for hammer
ing Ny wife said II made her feel
quite philanthropic, it reminded her so
much OF a charity bazaar"
Everybody laughed. and at the same
moment BlessiDgton came quickly
across the room and joined the group.
'Hello?' he said. Anybody seen
Witcheston? He's next on my list for
the crystal business"
Again the whole party laughed, and
Bramfell. stepping forward. touched
BleSsingtOn's arm in mock seriousness.
"WitchestOn is playing bridge. like
a sensible man." he said. Leave him
in peace. Bobby"
Blessington made a comical grimace
But I'm working this on commercial
principles" he said. Il keep the list
names and hours complete. and Lady
Astrupp gazcs in blissfui Ignorance as
10 who her victims are. The whole
thing is great. simple and statistical"
''FOr goodness sake. Bobby, shut
upr' Bramfelrs round eyes were
twinkling with amusement
But my syssem'-
"Systemsi All we all had them when
we were as young Us you arer'
"And they all had flaws. Bobby"
Eve broke In. I'VE were always ind
Ing gaps that had 70 be filed up. Never
mind about Lord WitchestOn- Get a
substitute. IL won't count II Lillian
doesn't know"
Blessington wavered as she spoke.
His eyes wandered round the party
and again rested on BramfeI.
"Not me. Bobby Remember. I've
breathed crystals-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 60 Eve. She. seeming sensitive
TO the position. laughed quickly.
a. very good idear' she said. "Who
wants TO see the future II not n poll
tlclanT
Loder glanced from her 20 Blessing
ton. Then. with a very feminine Inn
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 10 me.
It's years since we've had talk" She
nodded and smiled. then instantly turn
ed 20 Bramfel with some trivial re
mark.
For n second LOder waited; then.
with a movement OF resignation. he
laid his hand on Blesslngton's arm.
Every we'll" he said. "But. II my fate
Is black. witness II was my wife who
sent me 10 It." His faint pause on the
word wife. the mention OF the word It
self in the presence OF these people.
discontinue OF his earlier slip vanish
ed before Il. He experienced a strong
reaction OF confidence In his luck
With a cool head. a steady step and n
friendly pressure OF the fingers on
Blessingtons arm. he allowed himself
10 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 feature OF
the Bramfcll town house. and 20 Loder
IL came as something wonderful and
unlocked for. with its clustering green
branches. Its slight. unoppresslve
scents. its temporarily pleasant atmos-
phere. He felt no wish TO speak as
still guided by Blessington. he passed
down the shadowy paths that In the
half light had the warmth and mystery
OF a southern garden. Here and there
from the darkness came the whisper
Ing OF a voice or the sound OF laugh,
bringing with 1t 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 sudden sense Of annoyance. II
seemed so paltry TO mar the quiet Of
the place with the absurdity OF side
show. He turned TO Blessington with
touch OF abruptness.
What am I expected TO doT' he
asked
Blesslngton looked up. surprised
"Why. I thought. sir he began; then
he instantly altered his tone. "Oh,
| Just enter into the spirit of the thing
Lady Astrupp won't put much strain
on your credullty. but she'll make a
big call GA your solemnity." He laugh
ed.
He had &c infectious laugh. and 10
der responded TO t.
But what am | 10 dol' he persisted.
"Oh, nothing Being the priestess, she
naturally demands acolytes. but she'll
let you know that she holds the prior
| place The tent is so fixed that she