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fllFk I l;KR to the fastidious woman of fashion a Corset which is nil th.it
its
V ,,,., .mplirs, "AMERICAN UKUJIY CORSKT," Kalamazoo Corset
Co., si. It- m U s 1'his (I. imiy garment appeals lo the woman of taste because of
asquerader
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By KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON,
Author of "The Circle." Etc.
i CopyrliMit. 1005. 1001. by Harper t Drolherj
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CHAPTER XV.
N entering (lit' pavilion Loder's
first feeling was one of an
noyed awkwardness at finding
himself In almost total dark-
moss. Uut as his eyes grow accus
tomed to the gloom the feeling vanish
ed and the absurdity of the position
ciiiik! o his mind.
The tent was small, heavily draped
with silk and smelling of musk. It
was divided Into two sections by an
Immovable curtain thai hum; rrom tho
roof lo within a few feel of the lloor.
The only furniture on I .oiler's side
was one low chair, and the only Unlit
it I alut radiance thai, coining from
tlie Invisible half of the pavilion,
y-proad across the Hour In a pale baud,
l-'or a short .space he stood uncertain,
then Ids hesitation was brought to an
end.
"Please sit down," said a low, soft
voice.
l-'or a lurther moment he stood un
decided. The voice sounded so unex
pectedly near. In the (pilot and dark
ness of the place It seemed to possess
41 disproportionate weight, almost the
weight of a familiar thing. Then witu
4i sudden, unanalyzed touch of relief,
he located the impression. 11 was the
similarity to Lady liramfell's sweet.
Alow tones that had stirred his mind.
"With a sense of satisfaction lie drew
the chair forward and sat down.
Then for the llrst time he saw that
on the other side of the gauze partition
anil below it by a few Inches was a
Miiall table of polished wood, on which
stood an open book, a crystal ball and
4 gold dish filled with Ink. These were
.arranged on the side of the table Hear
t's I to him, the farther side being out
of his range of vision. An amused In
terest touched hint as he made his posl
1ton more comfortable. Whoever tills
-woman was, she had an eye for stage
management, she knew how to mar
shal her effects, lie found himself
waiting with some curiosity for the
iiovl Injunction from behind the cur
tain. "The art of crystal gazing." began
the sweet, slow voice after a pause, "is
one of the oldest known arts." I .oiler
.sat forward. The thought of Lady
llramfcll mingled disconcertingly with
.some other thought more distant and
less easy to secure.
'To obtitin the best results." went
on the seer, "the subject lays his un
covered hands outspread upon a
smooth surface." It was evident that
the invisible priestess was reading
from the open book, for when Hie
word "surface" was reached there
was a slight stir that indicated the
clumping of position, and when this
voice came again it was in a different
tone.
"Please lay your hands, palms down
ward, upon the table."
Loder smiled to himself in the dark
ness. He pkUV'd Chllcote with hi i
nerves and his impatience going
through this ordeal; -then in good h"-
mured silence he leaned forward and
obeyed the command. His hands
rested on the smooth surface or the
table in the bar of light from the tin- j
j.een lump. I
There was a second in which the
seer was silent; then he fancied that
.she raised lior head. !
"You must take off your rings," she
said smoothly. "Any metal interferes
with Hie sympathetic current."
At any other time Loder would have
laughed', but the rer so casually
and graciously mn soui. ..II possibil
ity of Irony fai Into the, La &g:ov hfi i
The thought of Chllcote and of tho
tiuj Haw In their othorrrlso 'I'twlosa
.scheme rose to his mind. Instinctively
lie half withdrew his bauds.
"Whore Is the sympathetic current?"
Xo asked quietly. Ills thoughtn were
busy with the question of whether he
would or would not 'ho Justified In
tieallng " undignified retreat.
'Between you and me, of course,"
nald the voice softly. It sounded lan
' paid, but very rational. The Idea of
.retreat seemed suddenly theatrical. In
this world of low voices and shaded
lights people never adopted extreme
measures no occasion made a scene
practicable or even allowable. ITe
leaned back slowly, while he summed
up the situation. If by any unlucky
chance this woman knew Chllcoto to
have adopted jewelry and had seen
the designs of his rings the sight of
his own scarred finger would suggest
question and comment, if, on the
other hand, he left the pavlllou with
out excuse or if without apparent rea
son he refused to remove tho rings, he
opened up a new difficulty, a fresh
road to curiosity. It cainju upon hjut
with unusual quickness the obstacles
to and the need for a speedy decision.
lie glanced round the lent; then un
consciously he straightened his slioul-
frfif
1 vAWf '
?H JM 11 I IU
its pronounced Individuality, Mle, Pashionnble Out
lines, Durability ami Kxeellence of Workmanship. It is
with confidence thai we commend it to our patrons and
to all others This corset can be had in every style of
figure fiom the growing maiden to the stately matron
ami the requirements of each are provided for. Prices:
lijitistc Girdle, at 25c
Tape Girdle, with hose supporti rs, at 50c
Tape Corset, at 5uC
Summer Netting, with hose supporters, at 50c
Batiste straight front. 1 orset, at 50c
Batiste short front Corset, at 50c
Nursing Corset, at 50c
Batiste Corset, extended hip, double hose supports. .$1.00
Batiste Corset, tapering waist, double hose supports. 1.00
Sateen Corset, extended hip and front, double hose
supports . . . . 1. 00
Batiste Corset, French shape 1.00
Sterling Corset, tapering waist, high bust, double
hose supports 1.00
Batiste Corset, ruflle top, tapering waist 1.35
American uEf.uiYsi)!n73G Knglish Sateen Corset, medium waM 1.00
Kalamaioo Corset Co., f.Mis
If
Underwear nd E!mlforodlerii&
Hosiery and Laces
'Ton muni tithe off your rings."
ders. After all, ho had stopped Into
a tight corner, but there was no need
to cry out in squeezing his way back.
Then he realized that the soft, Ingra
tiating tones were sounding onco
mote.
"It's the passing of my hands over
yours while 1 look into the crystal that
sets up sympathy" a slender liunu
moved swiftly Into the light and picked
up tlie ball "and makes my eyes see
the pictures in your mind. Now, will
you please take oil" your rings?"
The very naturalness of the request
disarmed him. It was a risk. But, a.i
Chllcote had said, risk was tho salt of
life!
"I'm afraid you think me verj
troublesome." The voice came again,
delicately low anil conciliatory.
I'or a brief second Loder wondered
uncertainly how long or how well Chll
cote knew Lady Astrupp; then he dis
missed the question. Chllcote had
never mentioned her until tonight, and
then casually as Lady BninifoH's sister.
What a coward he was becoming in
throwing the dice with fale! Without
further delay he drew ofT the rings,
slipped them Into his pocket and re
placed his hands on the smooth table
top.
Then, at the moment that he replaced
them, a peculiar thing occurred.
Prom the further side of the dark
partition came the quick, rustling stir
of a skirt and the slight scrape of a
chair pushed either backward or for
ward. Then there was silence.
Now, silence can suggest anything
from profound thought to Imbecility,
but In this case its suggestion was nil.
That something had happened, that
some change had taken place, was as
patent to Loder as the darkness of the
curtain or the baud of light that crossed
the lloor, but what had occasioned 11,
or what It stood for, he made no at
tempt lo decide, lie sat blllugly con
scious of Ids hands spread open on the
table under the scrutiny of eyes thai
were invisible to him, vividly aware
of the awkwardness of his position.
He felt with instinctive certainty that
a new chord had been struck; but a
man seldom nets on instinctive certain
ties. If the exposure of his hands had
struck this fresh note, then any added
action would but heighten tho dilemma
He sat silent and motionless.
Whether his impassivity had any
bearing on the moment he had no way
of knowing; but no further movement
came from behind the partition. What
ever the emotions that bad caused the
sharp swish of skirts and the sharp
scrape of the chair, they had evidently
subsided or been dominated by other
feelings,
The next indication of life that eamo
to him was the laying down of the
crystal ball. It was laid back upon the
table with a slight Jerk that Indicated
a decision come to; and almost simul
taneously tlie seer's voice came to hliu
ngaiu. Her tone was lower now than
It had been before, and Its oxtromo
ease seemed slightly shaken whether
by oxcit anient, surprise or curiosity It
was Impossible to say.
"You will think It strange," 1.I10 be
gan. "You will think" Then she
Btopped.
There was a pause, as though sho
waitod. for some helD, but Loder re-
Threo mouths yet that you will need Heavy Underwear
and Heavy Hosiery. With ovory e'2.00 purehaso of Winter
Underwear wo will give you one pair 'Joe Hose or two pair of
15c Hose.
Ladies' Vellastio Vests or Pants, each ? .50
Ladies' Setsnug Vest, or rants, each 50
Ladies' line ribbed Vest or rants, eauh '25
Ladies' Stratford Union Suits, each HO
Ladies' Common Sense Union Suits, each . . . 1.00
Ladies' Sotsnug Union Suits, each 1.00
Ladies' llibbod Wool Vest or Pants, each 1.25
Ladies' Kit well Wool Vest or Pants, each 1.25
Children's Floeeedown Vest or Pauls 18
(Uising 2Jc per sizo)
Child's heavy ribbed Vest or Pants 12
( Uising i!Js per sizo)
Misses' full-ribbed Union Suit s '25c, .150, 10o
Children's Klondike Union Suits 50
Misses' Modostio Union Suits 50
Children's Silver Wool Vests fiOe, HOu
Children's Sleeping C.armont s 25o, ,10o
2.300 yards Valenciennes Inser
tion and lodging to match, at 2c
for A inch wide and all prices up
to 35c yard.
Embroideries in Swiss or
Cambric
1 inch wide, at i!o and up
. 2 inches wide, at Co and up
,1 inches wide, at 7 anil up
(1 inches w ide, at Ke, and up
S) inches wide, at lSoandup
Insertion in the work,
2!l inches wide 2.o and up
Corset Cover Kmb'y, at...l)5o, 40c, 55o
Linen Laces
Yi inch wide, at i ami up
1 iuoli wide, with insertion
to match, at 7o and up
V inch insertion at 80,
with .1 inch lace at. . . 12jjO and up
I'ii inch insertion at 7o,
with 1". inch laco lit... )o and up
Pillow Case Lace, 2J in., at
5c; in. at fi'tfo and up
, MWHOUSE, Red (
isEm caa iwiti wiiiiw com
1
Loud, Mr.
miilned mute. In difficulty n aXlent
tongue and a cool head aro 'uiimlly
man's best weapons.
Ills slleu:o was disconcerting. He
?iard her stir again.
"You will think It strange," she be
gan once more. Then quite suddenly
she checked and controlled her voice.
"You must forgive me for what I am
going to say." she added in a com
pletely different tone, "but crystal gass
ing Is such an Illusive thing. Directly
you put your hands upon the table I
felt that there would be 110 result, but
I wouldn't admit the defeat. Women
are such keen anglers that they can
never acknowledge that any llsh, how
ever big. has slipped the hook." She
laughed softly.
At the sound of the laugh Loder shift
ed his position for the first time, lie
could not have told why, but It struck
him with a slight sense of confusion.
A precipitate wish to rise and pass
through the doorway Into tho wider
spaces of the conservatory came to
him. though he made no attempt lo act
upon 11. He knew that, for some Inex
plicable reason, this woman behind the
screen had lied to him In the controll
ing of her speech, In her change of
voice. There bad been one moment lu
which an Impulse or an emotion had al
most found voice; then training, In
stinct, or It might have been diplomacy,
had conquered, and the moment had
passed. There was a riddle In tho very
atmosphere of the place and he abom
inated riddles.
But Lady Astrupp was absorbed lu
her own concerns. Agalu she changed
her position, and to Loder, listening
attentively, It seemed that she leaued
forward and examined his hands
afresh. The sensation war acute
that ho withdrew them involuntarily.
Again there was a confused rustle.
The crystal ball rolled from the I.ijIo,
and the seer laughed quickly. Ole; lug
a strenuous impulse, Loder rose.
He had no definite notion of what he
expected or what he must avoid. He
was only conscious that the pavilion,
with Its silk drnpi'i-los, Its scout of
musk and Its intolerable secrecy, was
no longer endurable. He felt cramped
and confused lu mind and muscle. Ho
stood for a second to straighten his
limbs; then he turned and, moving di
rectly forward, passed through tho
portiere., . .
After the dimness of the pavlllou the
conservatory seemed comparatively
bright, but without waiting lo grow
accustomed to the altered light he
moved onward with deliberate haste.
The long green alley was speedily
traversed. In his eyes it no longer
possessed greenness, no longer suggest
ed freshness or repose. It was simply
a means to the end upon which his
mind was set.
As he passed up the filght of slops he
drew his rings from his pocket and
slipped them on again. Then he step
ped Into the glare of the thronged cor
ridor. Some one hailed him as he passed
through the crowd, but with Chlleote's
most absorbed manner he hurried on.
Through the door of the supper room
he caught sight of Blesslngton and
live, and then for the first time his
qxpresslon changed, and he turned di
rectly toward them.
"13 ve," he said, "will you excuse me?
I have a word to say to Blesslnglon."
She glanced at him in momentary
surprise; then she smiled In her quiet,
self possessed way.
"Of course," she said. "I've been
wauling a chat with Mllllcent Cower,
but Bobby has required so much enter
taining" She smiled again, this time
at Blesslngton, and moved away to
ward a pale girl In green who was
standing alone.
Instantly she had turned Loder took
Blessluglou's arm.
"I know you're tremendously busy,"
he began lu an excellent imitation of
Chlleote's hasty manner "I know
you're tremendously busy, but I'm In a
fix." One glance at Blesslngton's
healthy, lngenuoiu face told 'him that
plain speaking was tho method 'to
adopt.
"Indeed, sir?" In a moment Illess
Ington was on tho alert.
"Yes. And I I want your help."
The boy reddened. That Chllcote
should appeal to him stirred him to an
uneasy feeling of pride and uncertain
ty. Loder saw his advantage and pressed
it home. "It's come about through this
crystal gazing business. I'm afraid I
didn't play my part rather mado an
ass of myself. I wouldn't swallow the
thing, and and Lady Astrupp" He
paused, measuring Blesslngton with a
liU2i .."Well, my dear boy, you you
know what women are!"
Blesslngton was only twenty-three.
He reddened again and assumed an
air of profundity. "I know, sir," he
said, with a shake of the head.
Loder's souse of humor was keen,
but he kept a grave face. "I knew
you'd catch my meaning. But I want
you to do something more. If Lady
Astrupp should ask you who was In
her tent this past ten minutes, I want
you" Agalu ho stopped, looking at
his companion's face.
"Yes, sir?"
"I want you to tell an Immaterial He
for me."
Blesslngton returned his glance; then
he laughed a little uncomfortably.
"But surely, sir"
"She recognized me, you mean?"
Loder's eyes were as keen as steel.
"Yes."
"Then you're wrong. She didn't."
Blesslngton's eyebrows went up.
There was silence. Loder glanced
across the room. Eve had parted from
the girl In green and was moving to
ward them, exchanging smiles and
greetings as she came.
"My wife Is coming back," ho said.
"Will you do this for me, Blesslngton?
It-It will smooth things." Ho spoke
quickly, continuing to watch Eve. As
he had hoped, Blesslngton's eyes turn
ed In the same direction. "'Twill
aniooth natters," lm repeated "smooth
them In In a domestic way that I
can't explain."
The Hhot told. Blesslngton 1 aked
round.
"Ulglit, sir," ho said. "You may
leave it to me." And before Loder
could speak again he had turned and
disappeared Into the crowd.
CHAPTER XVI.
"ici 1.... .,.....,. ...1.1. "ninL!lilfvfll
id iiuniiii'.-'n niui uniraiiitiivii
I L-l over, Loder breathed more
I I freely. If Lady Astrupp had
l--- recognized Chllcote by tho
rings and had been roused to curiosity
the Incident would demand settlement
sooner or later settlement lu what
proportion ho could hazard 110 guess.
If, -on the other hand, her obvious
change of manner had arisen from
(Continued on Pk Six.)
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(let one of those cloeku wo are giv
ing away. m
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