Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-07

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ed. holding out her hand
.The very person / would have wish
ed to seer she exclaimed. Where
have you been these hundred years?
I've heard of nobody but you since
you've turned politician and ceased to
be mere member Of parliament" She
laughed softly. The laugh suited the
light spring air, as she herself suited
the pleasant, superficial scene.
He took her hand and held it, while
his eyes travelled from her delicate
face TO her pale cloth gown, from her
soft furs to the bunch of roses fasten-
ed in her muff. The sight Of her was
a curious relief Her COOL slim fingers
were so casual. yet so clinging; her
voice and her presence were so redo
lent of easy, artificial things
s.How well you Iookp' he said invol-
unfairly.
Again she laughed. That's my pre-
rogative." she responded lightly. "But
L was serious in being glad to see you.
Sarcastic people are always so intui-
tive I'm looking for some one with
intuition"
ChiIcote glanced up. "Extravagant
again? he said dryly
She smiled at him sweetly. "Jackp
she murmured. with slow reproach-
Chilcote laughed quickly. II under
stand You've changed your minister
of finance. I'm wanted in some other
direction
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ed by a glance. "You are always
wanted" she said.
The words seemed to rouse him
again to the shadowy self distrust that
| the sight of her had lifted.
"It's-it's delightful to meet you like
| this he began. 'sand wish the meet
| ing wasn't momentary. But rm-Im
rather pressed for time. You must let
me come round one afternoon-or even
ing, when you're alone" He fumbled
for 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, it was Chilcote and his
| moods.
/ IF one may be careless of anything,
| jack she said lightly, surely it's of
| time. can imagine being pressed for
anything else in the world. If it's an
appointment you're worrying about,
motor goes ever so much faster than a
cab" She looked at him tentatively,
her head slightly on one side, her muf
raised till the roses and some of the
soft fur touched her cheek.
! She looked very charming and very
persuasive as Chilcote glanced back.
/ Again she seemed to represent re-
something graceful and subtle
| in a 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" che insinuated. And. smiling
again, she stepped forward from the
door Of the shop. After seconds
| indecision CEilcote followed her.
The waiting car had three seats. one
| in front for the chauffeur. two VISA
| Wis at the back. Offering, pleasant posi-
| biiities of a tete-a-tete.
| "The park-and drive slowly" Lillian
ordered as she stepped inside. motion
ing Chilcote to the seat opposite.
They moved up Bond street smoothly
! ind rapidly. Lillian was absorbed In
\ the passing traffic until the Marble
arch was reached; then, as they glided
| through the big gates, she looked
across at her companion. He had
| turned up the collar of his coat, though
the wind was scarcely perceptible, and
| buried himself i'll it to the ears.
1T is extraordinary she exclaimed
suddenly as her eyes rested on his
face. 1t was seldom that she felt
| drawn to exclamation. She was usual
| ly too indolent to show surprise. But
now the feeling was called forth be-
fore she was aware.
Chilcote looked up. What's extraor-
| dinary?" he said sensitiyely.
She leaned forward for an instant
and touched his hand.
Bear she said teasingly. did /
rub your fur the wrong way?" Then,
seeing his expression, she tactfully
changed her tone "IIl explain. 1t
was the same thing that struck me the
night Of Blanehe's party-wben you
looked at me over Leonard Kaine's
head You rememberY' She glanced
away from him across the park to
where the grass was already showing
greener.
Chilcote felt i'll at ease. Again he
put his hand to his coat collar
'Oh. yes he said hastily; yes" He
wished now that he had questioned Lo-
der more closely on the proceedings Of
that party. 1t seemed to him on look
ing back that Loder had mentioned
nothing on the day of their last ex-
change but the political complications
that absorbed his mind.
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