Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-09


Lillian laughed too.
"Yes. Right, Wen postpone IT," The
word pleased him, and he caught at il.
"We won't bother about it now. but
we won't shelve it altogether. Wen
postpone it."
Exactly" She settled herself more
comfortably. You'll dine with me one
highland we can talk ii out then. I
see so little OF you nowadays" she
added IN a lower voice.
My dear girl. you're unfairr Chill
cote's spirits had risen. He spoke rap
idly, almost pleasantly 1T isn't who
keep away. It's the stupid affairs OF
the world that keep me. Ia be with
you every hour OF the twelve If 1 had
my way"
She looked up at the bare trees. Her
expression was a delightful mixture OF
amusement. satisfaction and skepti-
cism. Then you viii diner" she said
at last
Certainly" His reaction to high
spirits carried him forward
Now niceI Shall we Tx a dayT'
"A day? Yes; yes-lf you like" He
hesitated for an instant then again the
Impulse OF the previous moment domi-
mated his other feeling Yes" no said
quickly; yes. After al. why not FIX Il
nowF With sudden inclination to
ward amiability be opened his over.
coat. thrust his hand into an inner
pocket and drew out his engagement
book-the same long. narrow book ct
ted with two pencils that LOder had
scanned so interestedly on his first
morning at Grosvenor square. He
opened il. turning the pages rapidly.
"W bat day shah IL be- Thursdays
full-and Friday-ahd Saturday. What
borew He still talked fast.
Lillian leaned across. What a sweet
book" she said. But why the blue
crossesF' She touched one OF the
pages with her gloved finger.
Chilcote jerked the book. then laugh
ed. with a touch OF embarrassment.
"Oh. the crossesi Merely TO remind
me that certain appointments must be
kept You know my beastly memoryl
But what about the day? Shall we OK
the day." His voice was In control.
but mentally her trivial question had
disturbed and Jared him. What day
shall we sayf" he repeated. Monday
Ia next weckT'
Lillian glanced up. with faint ex-
clamaton OF disappointment How
horribly far awayr' 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 n page.
why not tomorrow knew / saw q
blank space"
Tomorrow, oh. II lie stopped.
Jack Her voice dropped. II was
true that she desired Chilcote's opinion
on her adventure. for Chilcote's opin.
ION on men and manners had a certain
bitter shrewdness. but the exercise OF
her own power added point TO the
desire II the matter had ended with
the gain or loss of tete-a-tete with
him. 10 is probable that. whatever its
utility. she would not have pressed u.
but the underlying motive was the
stronger. Chilcote had been satellite
for years, and u was unpleasant that
any satellite should drop away into
space
jack she said again ia a lower
and still more effective tone. and. Hft-
ing her mun. she buried her face in
her flowers. Il suppose / shall have
20 dine and go 10 music hall with
Leonard-or stay at home by myself"
she murmured looking out across the
trees.
Again Chilcote glanced over the long.
tan strewn ride They had made the
fun circuit OF the park
ITS urcsome being by oneself" she
murmurcd.
For awhile he was irresponsible; then
slowly his eyes returned TO her face
He watched her for n second. and, lean
ing quickly toward her. he took his
book and scrubbed something IN the
vacant space
She watched bin interestedly Her
face lighted up. and she laid aside her
mum.
Dear Jackw she said. How very
sweet Of your Then. as he held the
book toward her. her face fen. Dine
80 Cadogan gardens. s &C; talk with
L." she read. Why. you've forgotten
the essential thlngr
He looked up. The essential thingp"
She smiled The blue cross" she
said Isn't 1t worth even little one ?"
The tone was very soft Chlcote
yielded.
You have the blue pencil" he said
In sudden response 70 her mood.
She glanced up 10 quiet pleasure at
her success. and. with charming at
fectation Of seriousness. marked the
engagement with a big cross. At the
same moment the car slackened speed.
as the chauffeur waited for further or
ders.
Lillian shut The engagement book
and handed ii back. Where can
drop youF" she asked AT the club?"
The question recalled him 10 a sense
OF present things. He thrust the book
into his pocket and glanced about him
They bad paused by Hyde park cor
ner. The crowd OF horses and car
riages had thinned as the hour OF lunch
drew near. aud the wide roadway OF
the park bad an air OF added space.
The suggested loneliness affected him.
The tall trees. still bereft OF leaves. and