The Delta independent., 1915-10-29
CHAPTER Xl.
The Thousandth Man.

Blanches balcony.
Il make it at least three hundred"
said Cazalet, and knocked out a pipe
that might have been a gag. You
see, we were very seldom under fiftyi"
Speak for yourself. please! My
longevity's a tender point said
Blanche, who looked as though she
had no business to have her hair up,
as she sat in pale cross-fire between
lamppost and her lighted room.
Cazalet protested that he had only
meant their mileage in the car; he
made himself extremely ineligible
now, as he often would when she raj
lied him in serious voice.
We'll. it's been heavenly time
she assured him just once more. And
tomorrow it's pretty sure TO ccme all
right about Scruton. isn't it,
Yes! Tomorrow we shall probably
have Toye back he answered with
grim inconsequence.
What has that to do with it. Wal.
ter?"
"Ch, nothing. of course"
But still his tone was grim and
heavy. with schooltcy irony that he
would not explain but could not keep
to himself. So Mr.. Toye must lie
| turned cut of the conversation. though
it was not Blanche who had dragged
him in. She wished people would
stick to their point
There's one thing I've rather want
ed to ask you she began.
"Yes?" said Cazalet.
You said the other day that IT
would mean worry for you in any case
after tomorrow-whether the charge
is dismissed or not."
His wicker chair creaked under
him.
Il don't see why It should" she per
sisted, IF the case falls through"
well, that's where | come in,' he
had to say.
Surely you mean Just the other
way about? II they commit the man
for trial, then you do come in, l know.
It's like your goodness
Il wish you wouldn't say that! II
hurts mel"
Then will you explain yourself?
It's not fair to tell me so much. and
then to leave out just the bit that's
making you miserablel"
The trusty, sisterly. sensible voice.
half bantering but altogether kind.
| genuinely Interested II the least bit
inquisitive too. would have gone to n
| harder or more hardened heart than
beat on Blanche's balcony that night
! Yet as Cazalet lighted his pipe he
looked old enough TO be her father
'I'll tell you some time" he puffed.
ITS only a case of two heads" said
Blanche. Il know you're bothered,
and I should like to. help. that's all"
You couldn't
How do you know? believe you're
| going to devote yourself to this poor
man-if you can get him OFF, mean.
when you do"
"Well?" he said
Surely could help you there!
Especially II he's ILL., cried Blanche,
encouraged by his silence. I'm not
half n bad nurse, really"
I'm certain you're not
Does he look very ill?"
She had been trying to avoid the
direct question as far as possible. but
this one seemed SO harmless Yet II
was received in a stony silence unlike
any that had gone before. It was as
though Cazalet neither moved nor
breathed. whereas he had been all
sighs and fidgets just before. His pipe
was out already-that was the one
merit of bush tobacco. 1t required
constant attention-and he did not
look like lighting 1t again.
Until tonight they had not men.
toned Scruton since the motoring be.
gan. That had been n tacit rule of the
road of wayside talk and indoor orgy.
But Blanche had always assumed that
Cazalet had been to see him in the
prison; and now he told her that he
| never had.
Il cant face him." he cried under
his breath. "and that's the truth! Let
me get him out OF this hole, and I'm
his man forever; but until do, while
there's n chance OF failing. simply
can't face the fellow. 1t isn't as II
he'd asked to see me- Why should
force myself upon him?"
He hasn't asked to see you because
he doesn't know what you're doing for
him" Blanche leaned forward as ca
gerly as she was speaking, all her re-
pressed feelings coming to their own
In her for just moment. HE doesn't
know because do believe you
wouldn't have him told that you'd ar
rived, lest he should suspect! You
are brick. Sweep. you really are"