Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-23
CHAPTER XIV


the first time for many years that he
had rubbed shoulders with a well
| dressed crowd ostensibly brought to-
/ gether for amusement AS be follow
ed Eve along the corridor that led to
the reception rooms he questioned the
reality Of the position again aud again:
then abruptly. at the moment when the
| sensation Of familiarity was strongest.
a CHEEKY voice hailed him, and. turn
\ ing. be saw the square shoulders. light
/ eyes and pointed mustache IF 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 again TO the position they
had occupied three weeks ago. In the
short but strenuous period when his
/ dormant activities had been stirred
and be had recognized his true self.
He lifted his head unconsciously, the
shade OF misgiying that had crossed
his confidence passing from him as be
! smiled at Lakeley with a keen. alert
pleasure that altered his whole face
Eve. looking back. saw the express
sion. It attracted and held her. like a
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 Chllcotes
face. The impression came quickly
and with It a strange. warm rush OF
Z 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
I other direction. A slight. fair haired
/ boy forced his way toward her through
| the press Of people that filed the cor
rider
'Afrs. Chilcoter he exclaimed "Can
I believe my luck I'm finding you aioneT'
Eve laughed. 1t seemed that there
was relief In her laugh. How absurd
you are. Bobby" she said kindly. But
/ you are wrong. Ny husband is here.
am waiting for him."
Blessington looked around. "OhF' he
said 'Indeedr' Then be relapsed into
silence. He was the soul OF good ma
ture, but those who knew him best
knew that Chilcote's summary change
OF secretaries had ranked. Eve. con
scious OF the little jar. made haste 90
smooth IL away.
''Tell me about yourself" she said
What have you been doingT"
Blesslngton looked at her. then smil-
cd again. his buoyancy restored. DO
/ ingT" he said. "Oh. calling every other
/ afternoon at Grosven0r square. only 20
find that a certain lady is never at
| home"
At his tone Eve laughed again. The
/ boy. with his frank and ingenious ma
ture. had beguilcd many a dull hour
for her in past days. and she had miss
ed him not a little when his face had
been filled by Greening.
But / mean seriously, Bobby. Has
something good turned upT'
Blesslngton made wry face. Some
! thing is on its way. That's why I'm on
| duty tonight Old Bramfeu and the
! pater are working II between them. so
n Lady Bramfell or Lady Astrupp hap
| pen TO drop q fan or handkerchief
this evening I've got to be here TO pick
| Il up. Seeg"
''As you picked up my fans and hand
kerchiefs last year and the year be-
foreT Eve smiled.
Blcssington's face suddenly looked
1 grave. Il wish you hadn't said that"
he said. Then he paused abruptly.
1 Out OF the hum Of talk behind them a
I mans laugh sounded. IL was not loud.
( but IL was a laugh that one seldom
| hears In London drawing room. IL
expressed interest. amusement and In
an inexpllcable way II seemed also TO
express strength.
I've and Bessington both turned In
! voluntarily.
"By lover said Blessington.
Eve said nothing.
LOdcr was parting with Lakeley and
his was the laugh that had attracted
them both. The interest excited by his
talk was still reflected in his face and
| bearing as he made his way toward
them
by Jover' said Blessington again.
u never realized that ChilcOte was 30
tall"
Again Eve said nothing. But silently
and with more subtle meaning she
found herself echolng the words.
Until be was quite close to her LOder
did not seem 20 see her. Then he
| ohvllcN NA4tAlg
Il was speaking TO Lakeiey." he said.
"He wants me 10 dine with him one
night at CadOgan Gardens"
But Eve was silent, waiting for him
TO address Blessington. She glanced
at him quickly. but though their eyes
met he did not catch the meaning that
lay in hers. It was n difficult moment
She had known him incredibly. almost
unpardonably absentminded. but 70 had
J Invariably been when he was suf
fering from nerves. as she phrased Il
TO herself. But tonight be was OBJ
viously In the possession OF uncloudeC
! faculties. She cOlored slightly and
glanced under her lashes at Blessing
ton. Had the same idea struck him
she wondered? But he was studiously
studying a suit OF Chinese armor that
stood close by In niche OF the wall.
Bobby has been keeping me amused
while you talked TO Mr.. LakeIey." she
said pointedly.
! Directly addressed. Loder turned and
looked at Blessington. How d'yo,