Show irr wo f 40 r evelyn a campbell service copyright by evelyn campbell g foffi CHAPTER X continued 16 she her orl fun fall 1 her little satin party bag giving a last look at her face in the mirror what aus fi behind those eyes fear unrest appeal but with her first question it was gone she saw herself as she w was a a beautiful lection of 0 maturity in the body of youth Witha with sweep of passion she threw out her arms to her own image happiness was her right she would take it now in whatever form it came nothing could hold it back from her then she made a little prayer 0 let me be happy I 1 she was standing there when rhen the knock camo came upon her door I 1 how strange to seb see her OWA own face whiten and whiten to see her own eyes widen and grow dark with fear fear that had been at her elbow through this hour lurking beyond her in the corners of the room unnamed fear that her inner self had known of and tried to warn her of but which ghe e would not heed it was strange to watch her own face alk like this marking the change of its emotions as one would watch a strangers face come in she said ald the door was not locked through the mirror that she still faced she saw it slowly open and saw aw a man standing on the threshold of her room lie ile was it a short stocky man with without au t age and without memorable features you pass twenty like him any afternoon without seeing one of them yet there was a look of strength of resistance si about him that made itself felt through his unremarkable per sodality eon sona allty lity As he advanced closing the door behind him she retreated her arm touched the mass of gardenias and the contact released rele asid a burden of heavy perfume she ellie heard her name spoken end and murmured yes I 1 am unda linda roth brian was waiting for her at t the he entrance of the ballroom as she knew he would be lie ile looked edat at her an anxiously ix as it if aware of some vague alteration te in her features this was not external for her checks were dell delicately colored colore dand and her eyes softer and more brilliant th than an ever site she smiled but there was vas a coldness in ili her smile that repelled the warm ca eagerness gerness of his greeting 11 he had waited a long iong time and neither men nor lowers lovers like to wait you are late linda her white shoulder moved with an imperceptible shrug 1 I found that I 1 was tired of dancing I 1 was in halt a mind not to come comb down the puzzlement of his eyen deepened that afternoon she had promised to meet him here it was arranged as if they had passed hours in the planning and now this with that faint incomprehensible smile she walked with him through the length of the room to the group where the presumable hostess was to be found foun d it was one of those odd gatherings where anyone who asks properly for an invitation may find and a welcome welcom e the lady whose name appeared on the card was a shy bewildered person in a frock that tha thad had seemed very fine at home but was quite lost and effaced among the frocks of guests yaho whose names and faces were equally strange to her people kept ept coming and going ing while she smiled mechanically she did not know who mrs roth both was or how she camo came to be there but she welcomed her with the rest linda taw saw a dozen faces that she knew and smiled at each of them in turn a smile as ley icy and impersonal as the hospitality they shared then from the blur of moving figures she paw faw converse ills his face distinct in its purple outline over the enormous enormous white expanse of linen spread upon his breast like a shield As their eyes met his own sent a shaft haft of malice to meet her impenetrable calm she smiled disdainfully he not know even n now 0 w that she was afraid then the music caught the them I 1 and I 1 she was mo y pg away awat in brians arms for the last time she alle thou thought 9 ht dreamily threading through taid the crowd of unhappy bored unexcited couples who made their way jolou joyously sly about the perfect floor to the ille rhythm of a perfect orchestra brians arm held her like steel she had remembered it so weh longed for lit t again what chave hive h ive t denev 10 1 nol he be holed but slie site withdrew herself ever so slightly lie ile abruptly they were near a palm lined ante ro room omand and he drew her inside with an unexpected determination that controlled her studied defiance this ihla was a now new brian bilan she waited in silence wondering how she would do what she lud bad to fo do la Is it sary to be rude slie murmured the room was ft as a small cozy place with low chairs find and a deep divan shielded enre carefully fully with screens and ho he inevitable tubs of indoor shrubs which so delight the furnishers of hotels hote s and the givers of balls almost I 1 as they pente red a man passed the floor door glancing in ili at them in a casual sort of way ile he was a plain unimportant person whose expression re unmoved even een when ills tu in burlous beg met lindas there was another door just behind the divan where she and brian sit sat and she biffi imagined A J fied that she heard it open through a surge of drowning music but she was playing with the pearls colling coiling them through lier her long slender fingers and she did not turn her head bead brians strong profile etched against the thick green background the boyishness so much a part of him had vanished suddenly and in its ita place I 1 the door was not locked was something new and disturbing beneath the dull ache in her breast fear began to stir if lie he would not take her for what she played and go memory leaped from some still place to remind her of that time when she had lain in his arms and he would not release her in spite of all her silly fright if she could give lier herself to those warm arms now if she could shield herself against the strength of him I 1 of what was she thinking she ellie thrust these imaginings from her in terror that way lay a danger of which she dared not think for she had no doubt of what he would do if he be knew the truth she was to be tempted he took her hands and would have drawn her closer to him but that she re resisted slated what has come between us since this afternoon theres always somebody a crowd 1 I cant get a word with you alone he bent his eyes deeply into hers and she lowered hers quickly to hide bide what he might read there she managed a laugh an unreal sound that Is what one roust must expect in Wash washington lugton she said lightly it Is the life you ion lave have chosen dont tell me that you are tired already she was overacting over acting but hla his bewilderment I 1 saved her from failure ill ills eyes were a little morg more allah than she bhe could stand that Is what washington la I 1 for crowds she sald sad efty why else wo would uld one khejl cocq hot Y you ou he said carp earnestly estly you did not chii come twiliah tWili for that at reaid reason that ga th the e opening sije she was looking for why else her tone was so insolent ip solent chati lie 41 flushed darkly but he be was brave enough to go on you came because you loved me 11 ills his words poured rr dvor her jn flood she bent her that it was impossible pos gible to see her ii face linda doublet w take refuge in evasions pretenses bowl I 1 have been so happy my G d I 1 I 1 have been happy knowing that tha t yo you u cared car e d Z have seen it in your eyes at first that 1 night light wp cereto t 0 gether geffie r in the sn snow yeti you seemed it as s far away as s the stars and as cold but since than then you have been in my arms I 1 I 1 know that you are a woman that I 1 jou live 11 she managed to so soy 7 you afe ace try ry 13 pg tot to tell fell me that I 1 followed you hore here TO BE CONT CONTINUED |