Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-04-01
ory Of her earlier suggestion came as a

tons someone's, ana I've Deen rather
wanting suggestion on an-an adven
ture that I've had" She looked down
at her flowers with charmingly atten-
tive air.
But Chilcote's restlessness had in
creased. Looking up, she suddenly
caught the expression, and her own
face changed.
"My dear Jack" she said softly,
what bore I am! Let's forget tedi-
GUS things and enjoy ourselves" She
leaned toward him caresslngly with an
air Of concern and reproach.
The action was not without effect.
Her soothing voice, her smile, her al
most affectionate gesture, each carried
weight. With a swift return Of assur-
ance he responded to her tone.
"Righty' he said. Right! We will
enjoy ourselvesw He laughed quickly
and again with a conscious movement
lifted his hand to his muff1er.
"Then we'll postpone the advice"
Lillian laughed too.
Yves. Right! Well postpone it." The
word pleased him, and he caught at it.
eve won't bother about it now, but
we won't shelve it altogether. Well
postpone it."
Exactly" She settled herself more
comfortably. you'll dine with me one
highland we can talk it out then. l
see so little Of you nowadays" she
added in lower voice.
my dear girl, you're unfair! Chill
cote's spirits had risen. He spoke rap
idly, almost pleasantly. ut isn't who
keep away. It's the stupid affairs OF
the world that keep me. I'd be with
you every hour Of the twelve II had
my way"
She looked up at the bare trees. Her
expression was delightful mixture OF
amusement, satisfaction and skepti-
cism. "Then you will diner she said
at last.
Certainly" His reaction to high
spirits carried him forward.
.Now nice? Shall we fix O. day?"
"a day? Yes: yes-if you like" He
hesitated for an instant, then again the
impulse Of the previous moment domi-
mated his other feeling. "Yes," he said
quickly; 'yes. After all, why not fix It
now?" With sudden inclination to-
ward amiability he opened his over
coat, thrust his hand into an inner
pocket and drew out his engagement
book-the same long, narrow book tit
ted with two pencils that Loder had
scanned so interestedly on his first
morning at Grosvenor square. He
opened it, turning the pages rapidly.
"What day shall it be? Thursdays
full-and Friday-and Saturday. What
q boreg He still talked fast.
Lillian leaned across. What sweet
bookw she said. But why the blue
crossesy She touched one Of the
pages with her gloved finger.
Chilcote jerked the book, then laugh
ed. with q touch Of embarrassment.
ooh, the crosses! Merely to remind
me that certain appointments must be
kept. You know my beastly memory!
But what about the day? Shall we fix
the day." His voice was in control,
but mentally her trivial question had
disturbed and Jared him. "What day
shall we say?" he repeated. Monday
In next weekY'
Lillian glanced up, with faint ex-
clamation of disappointment. "How
horribly far away! She spoke with
engaging petulance and, leaning for
ward afresh, drew the book from Chill
cote's hand. "What about tomorrow"
she exclaimed, turning back page.
"Why not tomorrow? l knew saw a
blank space"
s"Tomorrow! On, II He stopped.
"Jackw Her voice dropped. 1t was
true that she desired Chilcote's opinion
on her adventure, for Chilcote's opin.
ion on men and manners had certain
bitter shrewdness, but the exercise OF
her own power added point to the
desire. If the matter had ended with
the gain or loss of tete-a-tete with
him, it Is probable that, whatever Its
utility, she would not have pressed 1t,
but the underlying motive was the
stronger. Chilcote had been satellite
for years, and it was unpleasant that
any satellite should drop away into
space.
"Jack! she said again in lower
and still more effective tone, and. lift
ing her muff, she buried her face in
her flowers. 81 suppose shall have
to dine and go to music hall with
Leonard-or stay at home by myself"
she murmured, looking out across tho
trees.
Again Chilcote glanced over the long,
tan strewn ride. They had made the
full circuit Of the park.
"It's tiresome being by oneself" she
murmured.
For awhile he was irresponsible; then
slowly his eyes returned to her face.
He watched her for second, and, lean
ing quickly toward her, he took his
book and scrubbed something in the
vacant space.
She watched him interestedly. Her
face lighted up, and she laid aside her
muff.
Dear JackY she said. "How very
sweet OF your 1aen, as he held the
book toward her, her face fell. Dine
SO Cadogan gardens, &C.; talk with
l., !" she read. "Why, you've forgotten
the essential thingr
He looked up. "The essential thing?"
She smiled. 1.-THE blue Cross" she
-