The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-22

ter Yet Clifford's inn lies as safely
slowed away in the shadow of the law
courts as any grave under country
church wall. 1t is as green of grass,
as gray of stone, as irresponsible to the
passing footstep.
Facing the rallied in grass plot of its
little court stood the house in which
John Loder had his rooms: Taken at
a first glance the house had the desert
ed air of an office, inhabited only in
the early hours, but as night fell lights
would be seen to show out, first on one
floor then on anOther-faint, human
beacons unconsciously signaling each
other. The rooms Loder inhabited
We're on the highest floor, and from
their windows one might gaze philo-
sophfcally on the treetops. forgetting
the uneven pavement and the worn
railing that hemmed them around. In
the landing outside the rooms his name
appeared above his door, but the paint
had been soiled by time and the letters
for the most part reduced to shadows,
SO that, taken in conjunction with the
gaunt staircase and bare walls, the
place had q cherries look.
what mitigated. The room on the right
hand as one entered the small passage
that served as hall was of fair size.
though low ceiled. The paint of the
wall paneling, like the name above the
outer door, had long ago been worn to
a dirty and nondescript hue, and the
floor was innocent of carpet. Yet in
the middle of the room stood fine old
Cromwell table, and on the plain deal
bookshelves and along the mantel-
piece were some valuable books-polit-
ical and historical. There We're no cur
tains on the windows and a common
reading lamp with green shade stood
on a desk. 1t was the room of a man
with few. hobbies and no pleasures,
who existed because he was alive and
worked because he must.
Three nights after the great fog John
Loder sat by his desk in the light of
the green shaded lamp. The remains
of very frugal supper stood on the
center table, and in the CRATE a small
and economical looking fire was burn
ing.
Having written for close on two
hours he pushed back his chair and
stretched his cramped fingers. Then
he yawned, rose and slowly walked
across the room. Reaching the mantel-
piece he took pipe from the pipe rack
and some tobacco from the jar that
stood behind the books. His face
looked tired and q little worn, as Is
common with men who have worked
long at an uncongenial task Shredding
the tobacco between his hands he
slowly filled the pipe, then lighted it
from the fire with a spill OF twisted
paper.
Almost at the moment that he ap-
piled the light the sound of steps
mounting the uncarpeted stairs outside
caught his attention and he raised his
head to listen.
Presently the steps halted and he
heard a match struck. The stranger
was evidently uncertain of his where
abouts. Then the steps moved forward
again and paused.
An expression of surprise crossed
Loder's face and he laid down his pipe
AS the visitor Knocked he walked
quietly across the room and opened the
door,
The passage outside was dark and
the newcomer drew back before the
light from the room.
Mr. Loder?" he began fnterroga-
apology. Forgive me-"
he said. THE light rather dazzled me.
I didn't realize who it was"
Loder recognized the voice as belong
ing to his acquaintance of the fog.
"Oh, it's you!" he said. won't you
come in?" His voice was a little cold.
This sudden resurrection left him sur
prised. and not quite pleasantly sur
prised. He walked back to the fire.
place, followed by his guest.
The guest seemed nervous and agi-
lated. Il must apologize for the hour
Of my visit" he said. "My-my time is
not quite my own"
Loder waved his hand. Whose time
Is his own ?" he said.
Chilcote. encouraged by the remark. /
1rew nearer to the fire. Until this mo-
nent he had refrained from looking di- |
-ectly at his host. Now, however. he |
raised his eyes, and, despite his prepa- /
-ation. he recoiled unavoidably before |
he extraordinary mblance- Seen |
here. in the casual surroundings of a /
badly furnished and crudely lighted |
-oom, it was even more astounding I
han it had been in the mystery OF the /
Jog.
Forgive me-" he said again. @It is /
purely physical. I am bowled /
,ver against my will"
Loder smiled. The slight contempt /
hat Chilcote had first inspired rose /
again and with it second feeling less /
easily defined. The man seemed 30 I'M
stable, SO incapable, yet so grotesquely |
suggestive to himself.
'-The likeness is rather overwhelm-
n.y." he said, "but not heavy enough to
sink under. Come nearer the fire. What /
you here? Curiosity" There
was a wooden armchair by the fire.
place. He indicated it with a wave Of
he hand. then turned and took up his
pipe.
Chilcote. watching him furtvely,
,beyed the gesture and sat down.
1T Is extraordinary" he said. as il
lnabIe to dismiss the subject. Tit
s quite extraordinary"
T>3.N - ~ Mon.