Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-02
CHATTER XVI.

tH over. LOder breathed more
iii freely. IN Lady Astrupp had
@ recognized Chilc0te by the
rings and had been roused TO curiosity
the incident would demand settlement
sooner or later - settlement iD what
proportion he could hazard 10 guess.
IL, on the other hand. her obvious
change OF manner had arisen from
any other sourcc-he had a hazy idea
that a woman's behavior could never
be gagged by accepted theor,es-tben
he had safeguardcd Chilcote's inter
ests aud his own by his securing OF
Blessington's promise. Blessington he
knew would be reliable and discreet
With o renewal OF confidence pl-ls-
ant feeling that his uneaslncss had
been grouudless-he moved forward 70
greet Eve.
Her face. with its rich. clear color
1ng. seemed 10 his gaze 70 stand out
from the crowd OF other faces as from
frame, and sense OF pride touched
him In every eye but his own her
beauty belonged TO him
His face looked alive and mastcrful
as she reached his side. May 1 mo
nopolize your he said with the quick
ness OF speech borrowed from Chill
cote. We've see so little OF each
other"
Almost as II compelled. her lashes
lifted. and her eyes met his. Her
glance was puzzled. uncertain. slightly
confused. There was deeper color
than usual On her cheeks. Loder felt
something within his own conscious
ness stir in response.
you know you are yielding" he
said
Again she blushcd
He saw the blush and knew that Il
was he-his words. his personality
that had called &c forth. In Chilcote's
actual semblance he had proved his
superiority over Chilcote. For the FIRST
time he had been given a tacit. per
sonal acknowledgment OF his power
Involuntarily he drew nearer 20 her.
Lets get ont OF this crush"
She made no answer except 90 bend
her head. and 70 came TO him that. FOR
all her pride. she uked-and uncon-
sciously yielded Determination. With
n satisfied gesture be turned 20 make
a passage toward the door
But the passage was more easily de
sired than made. In the few rloments
since he had entered the supper room
the press OF people had considerably
thickened until a block had formed
about the doorway. Drawing Eve with
him be moved forward FOR a dozen
PAGES. then paused, unable TO make
further headway.
AS they stood there he looked back
At her. what a study In democracy n
crowd always isr' he said.
She responded with a bright. appre-
clative glance. as n surprised .nto
naturalness. lie wondered sharply
what she would be like II her enthu-
slasms were really aroused. Then a
stir In the corridor outside caused a
movement inside the room. and with a
certain display Of persistence he was
enabled 70 make passage 10 the door
There again they were compelled 10
halt. But though tightly wedged into
his new position and guarding Eve with
one arm, Loder was free 20 survey
the brilliantly thronged corridor over
the head OF a man few inches shorter
than himself, who stood directly In
front OF him.
what are we waiting forf" he asked
good humoredly. addressing the back
OF the strangers head
The man turned. displaying n genial
face. red mustache and an eycglass.
-'Hullo. Chilcoter' he said. Hope
fits not on your feet I'm standing"
Loder laughed. NO" he said "And
don't change the position. II you were
an inch higher l should be blind as
well as crippled"
The other laughed II was n pleasant
surprise 10 end Chllcote amiabie under
discomfort He looked round again In
slight curiosity.
Loder felt the scrutiny To create a
diversion he looked out along the cor
ridor 4 believe we are waiting for
something" he exclaimed. What's
thisT Then quite abruptly he ceased
20 speak.
Anything interestlng2" Eve touched
his arm.
He said nothing Tie made no effort
20 look round. His thought as well as
his speech was suddenly suspended.
The man in front OF him let his eye
glass fall from his eye, then screwed
It ia again.
'Jove." he exclaimed, here comes
our sorceressi It's like the progress OF
a fairy princess. l believe this is the
meaning OF our getting penned in
here" He chuckled delightedly.
Loder said nothing He stared
straight on over the others head.
Along the corridor. agreeably con
scious OF the hum OF admiration she
aroused. came Lillian Astrupp. sur
rounded by little court. Her delicate
face was lit up; her eyes shone under
the faint geam Of her hair; her gown
OF gold embroidery swept round her
gracefully. she was radiant and tri-
umphant. but she was also excited. The
excitement was evident in her laugh. in
her gestures. in her eyes as they turn
ed quickly IN one direction and then
another.
Loacr. gazing in stupefaction over
the other mans head. saw it-felt and
understood IL with a mind that leaped