The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-03-29
toward them. with an unjust touch
Of irritation he recognized Lord Bran

toWuEu tuetu. Win III uuguSl tOuCu
Of irritation he recognized Lord Bram-
fell.
Again the sense Of Ewes aloofness
stung him as their host approached.
In another moment she would he lost
to him among this throng Of strangers
Claimed by them as by right.
Eve" he said involuntarily and un-
der his breath.
She half paused and turnedi toward
him. "Yesr' sha said, and he PONDER.
ed II 1t was his imagination thu t made
the word sound slightly eager.
"About that matter Of BlessmSgton,"
he began; then he stopped. Rramfell
had reached them. j..
Tho little man came up smiling and
with an outstretched hand. Where's
no penalty for separating husband and
wife, Is there, Mrs. Chilcote? How are
you. Chllcote?" He turned from one
to the other with the quick. noiseless
manner that always characterized him.
Loder turned aside to hide his vexa-
tion, but Eve greeted their host with
her usual self possessed smile,.I
You are exempt from all penalties
tonight" she said. Then she turned to
greet the members of his party who
had strolled across from the window
in his wake.
AS she moved aside Bramfe4 looked
at Lodcr. well, Chilcote, have you
dipped into the future YETI" he asked
with Il laugh. -
Loder echoed the laugh, said
nothing. In his uncertaintytat the
question he reverted to his Hold re-
source Of silence.
Rranfell raised his eyebrows,
"What" he snid,. Don't tell me that
my sister-in-law hasn't engaged You
as victim" Then he t4ed In
Ewes direction. you've hes<ev vof our
new departure, Mrs. ChilceteY
Eve looked round trout lively
group by which she p-.s sun rounded.
"Lillian's crystal gazing! Why, Of
coursew she said. "She should make
very beautiful seer. We are kall quite
curious"
Bramfell pursed up his ptss "She
has very beautiful tent AT the end
of the conservatory. 1t teSetive men
as many days to rig it up. .fEe could
not hear ourselves talk fH hammer
ing. My wife said 1t maSlu her feel
quite philanthropic, 1t remifdsd her so
much of n charity baZaar.,5
Everybody laughed, and a>t t'r sn~Ie
moment Blcssington s.aaickly
across tie -aom nnd Joined the group.
"IIcllo!' he said. Anybody seen
Witcheston? He's next on my list for
the crystal business"
Again the whole party laughed. and
Bramfell, stepping forward! touched
Blessington's arm in mock seriousness
."Witcheston Is playing bridge, like
sensible man." he said. "Leave him
in peace. Bobby"
Blessington made a comical grimace.
But I'm working this on commercial
principles" he said. IT keep the list,
names and hours complete, and Lady
Astrupp gazes In blissfui Ignorance as
to who her yictahs >are. The whole
thing ls greet. simple and statistical"
'"For. goodness sak Bobby shut
up"' Bramfell's r0,ind eyes We're
twinkllng with amusepent.
"But my system"...
Systems! All. we I'LL had them when
we were as young as you arer'
"And they all had flaws. Bobby"
Eve broke In. 1--WE were always find
Ing gaps that had to be filed up. Never
mind about Lord Witcheston. Get n
substitute. 1t won't count If Lillian
doesn't know"
Blessington wavered as she spoke
His eyes wandered round 3he party
and again rested on Bramfell.
"Not me, Bobby! Remeyhber, I've
breathed crystals-practicallS lived on
them-for the last week. M gyw, there's
Chilcote"- Again his eyes Swinkled.
All eyes were turned on Loder.
though one or two strayed surrepti-
tlously to Eve. She. seeming sensitive
to the position, laughed quickly.
"a very good ideaw she SAID. "Who
wants to see the future if nsot poll
tician?'
Lodcr glanced from her tdf blessing
ton. Then, with very feIt;inine i'm
pulse she settled the matttr beyond
dispute. n
"Please use your authority Bobby"
she said. "And when YOU'VE got him
safely under canvas come back to me.
It's years since we've had Ink" She
nodded and smiled, then. instantly turn
ed to Bramfell with some trivial re-
mark.
For a second Loder watfdi then.
with movement of resI9ktiHon, he
laid his hand on BlessinEtSn's' arm:
Very WELL" he said. But, II my fate
Is black, witness it was my wife who
ara e ,fe to M IT.. His faint P2as word S the ne
self in ss~<1fesence of these people,
nau saVor of recklessness. The small
discontinue Of his earlier slip vanish.
eel before 1t. He experienced a strong
,1 reaction or confidence ins his luck.
win cool head, a steady step and a