The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-28
CHAPTER XIII.

Il
world lies before him. Gratlfed
ambition may be the summer, but an
ticipation Is the ardent springtime OF
a mans career.
AS Loder drove that night from Fleet
street to Grosvenor square he realized
this. though scarcely with any degree
of consciousness, for he was no accom-
plished self analyst But in a wave of
feeling too vigorous to be denied he
recognized his regained foothold-the
step that lifted him at once from the
pit to the pinnacle
In that moment of realization he look
ed neither backward nor forward. The
present was all sufficing. Difficulties
might loom ahead, but difficulties had
but one object-the testing and sharp
ening of a mans strength. In the first
deep surge of egotistical feeling he al
most rejoiced in Chilcote's weakness.
The more Chilcote tangled the threads
of his life the stronger must be the
fingers that unraveled them. He was
possessed by a great Impotence. The
joy of action was stirring in his blood
Leaving the cab, he walked confident
~ to the door of Chilcote's house and
inserted the latchkey Even in this
small act there was a grain of indi-
vidual satisfaction. Then very quietly
he opened the door and crossed the hall.
AS he entered, a footman was ar
ranging the fire that burned in the big
CRATE. Seeing the man, he halted.
where is your mistress?" he asked
in unconscious repetition of his first
| question in the same house.
The man looked up. "She has just
finished dinner sir. She dined alone in
her own room" He glanced at Loder
in the quick, uncertain way that was
noticeable in all the servants of the
household when they addressed their
master. Loder saw the look and won
dered what depth of curiosity it be-
trayed how much of insight into the
domestic life that he must always be
content to skim. For an instant the old
resentment against Chilcote tinged his
eXaltation but he swept it angrily
aside. Without further remark he be
gan to mount the stairs.
Gaining the landing, be did not turn,
as usual, to the door that shut off Chill
cote's rooms, but moved onward down
the corridor toward Ewes private sit
ting room. He moved slowly till the
door was reached. Then he paused and
lifted his hand. There was a moments
wait while his fingers rested on the
handle; then a sensation he could not
explain, reticence, reluctance to in
trude upon this one precinct, caused
his fingers to relax. With q slightly
embarrassed gesture he drew back
slowly and retraced his steps.
Once in Chilcote's bedroom, he walk
ed to the nearest bell and pressed it
Renwick responded, and at sight OF
him LOder's feelings warmed with tine
same sense of fitness and familiarity
that the great bed and somber furni
ture of the room had inspired
But the man did not come forward
as he had expected. He remained close
to the door with a hesitation that was
unusual in q trained servant. 1t struck
Loder that possibly his stolidity had
exasperated Chilcote and that possibly
Chilcote had been at no pains to con
ceal the evaporation. The idea caused
him to smile involuntarily.
Come into the room, Renwick," he
said. ITS uncomfortable to see yoJ
standing there. want to know if Mrs
Chilcote has sent me any message
about tonight"
Renwick studied him furtively as ht
came forward. Yes. sir" he said
"Mrs. Chilcote's maid said that the car
riage was ordered for 1915, and SHE
hoped that would suit you" He spok,
reluctantly, as if expecting a rebuke.
At the opening sentence Loder haC
turned aside, but now, as the man fin
ished, he wheeled round again an(
looked at him closely with his keen
observant eyes.
Look here" he said. 81 can't hav'
you speak to me like that l may CONF
down on you rather sharply when my
my nerves are bad, but when I'm my
self I treat you-well, I treat you de
Gently at any rate. You'll have to learI
to discriminate. Look at ne now"
thrill of risk and of rulership passed
through him as he spoke. Look at M
now! Do look as looked this morn
ing-or yesterday"
The man eyed him half stupidity, hal
timidly
''Well?' Loder insisted.
well, sir" Renwick responded. wit
some slowness. you look the same am
/ you look different-a healthier color
perhaps, sir, and the eye clearer" II
] grew more confident under Loder'
half humorous, half insistent gaze
: Now that look closer. sir
! Loder laughed. That's IT." he saiC
: Now that you look closer. You'll hav
to grow observant Observation is a
excellent quality in 4 servant. Whe
= you come into a room in future, loo
first of all to me and take YOU ca
t from that. Remember that serving
man with nerves is like serving Nv
( masters. Now you can go, and te
e Mrs. Chilcote's maid that l shall
quite ready at a quarter past TO-"