The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-01
CHAPTER XIV.
ODER entered Lady Bramfelrs
feeling far more like an actor


in drama than an ordinary
IL man in Il peculiar situation. II
was the first tinie ne had played Chill
cote to purely social audience and
the first time for many years that he
had rubbed shoulders with 4 well
dressed crowd ostensibly brought TO
gether for amusement As he follow
ed Eve along the corridor that led to
the reception rooms he questioned the
reality Of the position again and again:
then abruptly at the moment when snC
sensation of familiarity was strongest
a CHEEKY voice hailed him, and, turn.
ing, he saw the square shoulders. light
eyes and pointed mustache of Lakeley,
the owner of the ST Georges Gazette.
At the sight of the man and the
sound Of his greeting his doubts and
speculations vanished. The essentials
of life rose ibgain to the position they
had occupied three weeks ago, in the
short but strenuous period when his
dormant activities had been stirred
and he had recognized his true self
He lifted his head unconsciously, the
shade Of misgiving that had crossed
his confidence passing from him as he
smiled at Lakeley with a keen, alert
pleasure that altered his whole face.
Eve, looking back, saw the express
sion. 1t attracted and held her, like
sudden glimpse into a secret room. In
all the years of her marriage, in the
months of her courtship even, she had
never surprised the look on Chilcote's
face The impression came quickly
and with 1t a strange, warm rush of
interest that receded slowly, leaving an
odd sense of loneliness But, at the
moment that the feeling came and pass
ed, her attention was claimed in an
other direction A slight, fair haired
boy forced his way toward her through
the press of people that filled the cor
rldor
mrs Chllcotev he exclaimed. Can
believe my luck in finding you alone?"
Eve laughed. 1t seemed that there
was relief in her laugh. How absurd
you are, Bobby" she said kindly. "But
you are wrong. My husband Is here.
] am waiting for him."
Blessington looked around "Ohr' he
said. "Indeedw Then he relapsed into
silence He was the soul of good ma
ture, but those who knew him best
knew that Chl1cote's summary change
Of secretaries had ranked. Eve. CON
scous of the little jar. made haste to
smooth III away
TEL Jpe about Yourself" she said.
what have you been doing?"
BIessington looked at her. then snll-
I'd again. his buoyancy restored. DO
ng?" he said. "Oh, calling every other
afternoon at Grosvenor square, only to
ind that certain lady is never at
lome"
At his tone Eve laughed again. The
Joy, with his frank and ingenious ma,
ure, had beguiled many a dull hour
or her in past days, and she had miss
ID him not little when his face had
,een filed by Greening
But l mean seriously, Bobby. Has
omething good turned upY
Blessington made wry face. Some
hing is on it's way That's why I'm ON
uty tonight Old Bramfell and the
ater are working it between them. so /
Lady Bramfell or Lady Astrupp hap, /
en- to drop fan or handkerchief {
his evening I've got to be here to pick :
up See?
"As you picked up my fans and hand {
erchiefs last year and the year be-
re?" Eve smiled.
Blessington's face suddenly looked S
rav.. II wish you hadn't said that" y
e said Then he paused abruptly.
nut Of the hum Of talk behind them n
lan's laugh sounded. 1t was not loud, t
ut it was a laugh that one seldom
ears in a London drawing room. 1t
interest. amusement and in
zpress strength.
Eve and Bessington both turned in
oluntarily.
"By Jover' said Blessington.
Eve said nothing.
Loder was parting with Lakeley and
s was the laugh that had attracted
em both. The interest excited by his /
Tx WAS SLlSl rejected III MS race anu /
caring as he made his way toward
EN-
'By Jove!" said Blessington again.
never realized that Chilcote was so Z
H."
Again Eve said nothing. But silently
ID with more subtle meaning she
und herself echoing the words. Il
Until he was quite close to her Loder 7
not seem to see her. Then he
)pped quietly.
4 was speaking to Lakeley." he said.
lie wants me to dine with him one
yht at Cadogan Gardens"
But Eve was silent, waiting for him
address Blessington. She glanced
him quickly, but though their eyes
Il he did not catch the meaning that
: In hers. 1t was a difficult moment IN
e had known him incredibly. almost "
absentminded. but II had
been when he was suf- IT
ing from nerves. as she phrased Il
herself but tonight he was OBJ WI
'usly In the possession OF unclouded ad