The Red Cloud chief., 1907-04-12
The MaSquerader
Continued from Page hree.J

Eve, either by request or 0y accident,
had found her there. The facts re.
solved themselves into n question:
What use had Lillian made of those
solitary moments? without deviation,
Loder's mind turned toward one
answer. Lillian vas not the woman
to lose an opportunity, whether the
space at her command was long or
short.
SO convinced was he that, reaching
Trafalgar square. he stopped and
hailed Il hanson.
"Cadogan %gardens!" he called. "No.
49,"
The moments seemed very few be.
fore the cab drew MP beside the curb
and he caught his second glimpse of
the cnamcled door with it's silver fit
tlngs. Instantly lie pressed the bell the
door was opened by Lillian's discreet,
deccrcntial manservant.
as Lady Astrupp ut homer" he
asked.
The man looked thoughtful. "IIer
ladyship lunchcd at home, SIR he be-
gan cautiously.
But Loder interrupted him. "Ask her
to see me- he said laconically.
The servant expressed no surprise.
His only comment was to throw the
door wide.
"If you'll wait in the white room.
sir" he said, "Ill inform her ladyship."
Chilcotc was evidently n frequent and
n favored visitor.
In this manner Lodcr for the second
time entered the house so unfamiliar
and yet 50 familiar in all that it sug
gcstcd. Entering the drawing room, he
had leisure to look about him. 1t was
a beautiful room, large and lofty. Lux
ury was evident on every hand, but it
was not the luxury that pals or Of
tends. Each object was graceful and
possessed its own intrinsic value. The
atmosphere was too effeminatc to ap-
peal to him. but he acknowledged the
taste and artistic delicacy 1t conveyed.
Almost at the moment Of acknowledge
ment the door opened to admit Lillian.
81 thought il would be you she said
systematically.
Loder came forward. "You expected
meg' he said guardedly. A sudden
conviction filled him that 1t was not
tAc evidence of her eyes, but something
ut once subtler and more definite that
prompted her recognition of him.
She smiled. why should l expect
you? On the contrary, I'm waiting to
know why you're here?"
He was silent for an instant. Then
he answered in her WI light tone.
AS far MS that goes" he said, Tets
make it my duty call-having dincd
with you. I'm AZ old fashioned per
son.
For a full second she surveyed him
%amusedly. Then ut last she spoke
"My dear Jack"--Shc laid particular
stress on the namc-"I never imagined
) you punctilious. | should have though
bohemian would have been more tn,
" word"
Lodcr felt disconnected and annoyed
Either. like himself. she was fishing fol
information or she was deliberately
playing with him. In his perpleXity h,
j glanced across the room toward tn,
fireplace.
Lillian saw the look. won't you 81
down." she said, indicating the couch
II promise not to make you smoke.
shan't even ask you to take off you
glovcs!'
Loder made no movement. His min,
was unplcasantly upset. 1t was nearl.
e a fortnight since he had seen Lillian
Il and in the interval her attitude ha,
changed, ana the change puzzled h.~l
1t might mean the philosophy of a VIC
man who. knowing herself without ade
= Quate weapons. withdraws from Il CON
g bat that has proved fruitlCsS. or
might imply the merely catlike desir
II to toy with II cert"~'y. He locke
l. quickly at the dellc.S face. the gree
n eyes somewhat obliqucly set, the unrt
NJ liable mouth, and instantly he incline
e, to the latter theory. The convictio
that she possessed the telegram file
e. him suddenly. and with it came the do
he sire to put his belief to the tcst-t
know beyond question whether he
y smiling meant malice
T. mere entertainment.
H. when You first came into the room,
hc Sulu uultllN, YOU Nulu j 'hpuShl
10 would be you Why did you say that
IL Again she smiled-the smile tn;
u might I've malicious or might be mere
III amused. "Oh," she answered ut las
Ut II only meant that though l had bee
told Jack Chllcote wanted me, it WASH
u Jack Chilcote ! expected to see"
IT, After her statement there was
pause. Lodcr's position was Difficult