The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-10-07


would be safer than her own house.
1t would be better to fulfill her en-
gagement and go to the reception with
Clara and Harry. That was house
Kerr did not know.
1t was awkward to have to an
nounce this sudden change of plan aft.
er her pretenses of the morning, but
Of late she had lived too constantly
with danger for Claras uplifted eye
brows to daunt her. The mere trivial
act of being dressed each day was
fraught with danger. To get the sap
phire off her person before Marrika
should appear; to put it back some
how after Marrika had done; to shift
it from one place to another as she
wore gowns cut high or low-and
every moment in fear lest she be dis
covered in the act! This was her
daily maneuver. Tonight she clasped
the chain around her waist beneath
her petticoats.
She was ready early, in the hope
that Harry might come, as he had
been wont to do, little before the
appointed hour. But he turned up
without moment to spare. Clara was
downstairs in her cloak when he ap-
peared. There was no chance for a
word at dinner. But if she could not
manage it later in the wider field of
the reception, why, then she deserved
to fail In everything.
But she found, upon their arrival,
that even this was going to be hard
to bring about. For she was imme-
diately pounced upon-frst, by Ella
Butler.
why, Flora" at the top of her
voice, where have you been all these
days." Then in hot whisper: did
bit of good"
Il think you are mistaken" Flora
murmured. But be careful, and let
me know" She had only time for
that broken sentence before she was
surrounded; and other voices took up
the chorus.
She realized with some alarm that
though she had forgotten her public,
it had kept it's eye on her She an
swered, laughing, that she was keep
ing Lent early and allowed herself to
be drifted about through the crowd
by more or less entertaining people,
now and then getting glimpses of Har-
ry, tracking him by his FURNISHED
brown head, waiting her opportunity
to get him cornered. At last she saw
him making for the smoking-room. Con-
Meeting this with the drawing-room
where she stood was small red
lounging-room, walls, floor and furni-
ture all covered with crimson velvet.
1t had a third door which commune
Gated Indirectly with the reception
rooms, by means of little hall. She
was near that hall, and 1t would be
the work of moment to slip by way
of it into the red room and stop Harry
on his way through. She had not
played at such game since, as
child, she had jumped out on people
from dark closets, and Harry was as
much astonished as she could remem-
Der they had been.
what in the world are you doing
Eere alone?" He spoke peevishly. Il
Coat see how a crowd OF men can
leave ~rch a bundle OF icse.nation at
large"
She made him low courtesy and
said she was preventing him from do
ing so.
It's very good of you, and you are
very pretty, Flora" he admitted with
a grudging smile, but I've got to see
a man in here" His eyes went to the
door of the smoking-room whence
was audible discussion of voices,
and among them Judge Buffers basso.
She was between Harry and the door.
Laughingly, he made as if to put her
aside, when the door through which
she had entered opened again sharp
ly; and Kerr came in.
Forgive me. 1 followed you" he
began. Then he saw Harry. "I-ha-
ha-Tve been hunting for you, Cres-
sy, all the evening""
Harry accepted the statement with
a cynical smile. 1t was too evidently
not for him Kerr had been hunting,
and after the first stammer of embar-
rassment, the Englishman made no al
tempt to conceal his real Intentions.
His words merely served him as an
excuse not to retreat.
This is a good place to sit" he
said. pushing forward a chair for
Flora. She sank into it, wondering
weakly what daring or what danger
had brought him into house where
he was not known, to seek her. He
sat down in the compartment of a
double settee near her. Harry still
stood with a dubious smile on his
face. The look the two men exchanged
appeared to her a prolongment OF
their earnest interrogation in the pic
ture gallery; but this time 1t struck
her that both carried it of less well.
Harry, especially, bore 1t badly.
did you say you were looking for
me?" he remarked. We'll, Buffers
been looking for you. He wants to
know about some .Englishman that