The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-24

Masquerader
BY KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON.
of Circle Etc.
1904. Harper Z Brothers
,y KATHERINE CECIL
CHAPTER VII.
Author of 1.-The Circle.

had drunk their toast and gain
- Loder was seated at his desk
His head was bent and his hand
moved carefully as he traced line after
line Of meaningless words on a sheet
Of foolscap. Having covered the page
with writing, he rose, moved to the
center table and compared his task
with an open letter that lay there. The
comparison seemed to please him. He
Strengthened his shoulders and threw
back his head in an attitude of critical
satisfaction. SO absorbed was he that
when step sounded on the stairs out
side he did not notice it, and only
raised his head when the door was
thrown open unceremoniously. Even
then his interest was momentary.
'Hellor' he said, his eyes returning
to their scrutiny of his task.
Chilcote shut the door and came has
tily across the room. He looked i'll and
harassed. As he reached Loder he put
out his hand nervousiy and touched his
arm.
Loder looked up. What is it," he
asked. ANY new Development"
Chilcote tried to smile. YES" he
said huskily. Its come"
Loder freed his arm. What? The
end of the world:'
mo The end of me-" The words
came jerkily, the strain that had en-
forced them showing in every syllable.
Still Loder was uncomprehending.
He could not or would not understand.
Again Chilcote caught and jerked at
his sleeve. Don't you see? Can't you
see?'
NO"
Chilcote dropped the sleeve and pass
ed his handkerchief ,cross his fore
head ITS come,'' he repeated Don't
you understand? | want you" He
drew away, then stepped back again
anxiously Il know I'm taking you I'M
awares," he said. But it's not my
fault On my soul. it's not. The thing
seems to spring at me and grip me-
He stopped, sinking weakly into a
chair
For a moment Loder stood erect and
immovabIe. Then, a,rl0sc with reluc-
lance, his glance turned to the figure
beside him.
You want me to take your place to-
night, without preparation" His voice
was distinct and firm, but it was free
from contempt
Eyes; yes, do" Chilcote spoke with
out looking up.
"That you may spend the night in
morphia-this and other nights?'
Chilcote lifted a flushed, unsettled |
face. You have no right to preach. |
You accepted the bargain
Loder raised his head quickly. Il |
never he began. Then both his face
and voice altered. You are quite
right" he said coldly. You won't have |
to complain again
Chilcote stirred intentionally. ''My
dear chap he said.~"I meant no Of |
Tense. It's merely
Your nerves. 1 know. But come to |
business. What am l to do?'
Chilcote rose excitedly. Yes, bust |
ness. Let's come to business. It's |
rough on you, taking you short like t
this. But you have an cratic person
to deal with. I've had a horrible day /
a horrible day." His face had paled |
again, and in the green lamplight it |
possessed a grayish hue. Involuntari- /
~ Loder turned away.
Chilcote watched him as he passed /
to the desk and began mechanically /
sorting papers. "a horrible day. he
repeated. so bad that / daren't face
the night. You have read De Quin-
cey?" he asked, with a sudden change
of tone.
Yes"
..Then read him again and you'll I'M
derstand / have all the horrors with
out any art. / have no ladies of sor-
row. but 1 have worse monsters than
his crocodile" He laughed unpleas-
antly.
To- he |
name he began; then again he halt
ed. Something in Chilcote's drawn,
excited face checked him. The strange
sense of predestination that we some
times see in the eyes of another struck
cold upon him, chilling his last at
tempt at remonstrance What do you
want me TO do?' he substituted in an
ordinary voice.
The words steadied Chlcote. He
laughed a little. The laugh was still
shaky, but it was pitched in a lower
key.
"You-you're quite right to pull me
up. We have no time to waste. 1t |
must he 1 o'clock" He pulled out his
watch, then walked to the window and
stood looking down into the shadowy
court. How quiet you are heret' he
said. Then abruptly new thought
struck him, and he wheeled back into |
the room. ''Loder," he said quickly
'.Loder. / have an idea, While you
are me, why shouldn't be you? Why |
houldn't / be John Loder -fssstead of
the vagrant we contemplated? 1t COW
ers everything; it explains everything
It's magnificent. I'm amazed we new
er thought of Ii before"
Loder was still beside the desk. Il
thought of it" he said without look
lng back.
"And didn't suggest it,"
"No"
"Why?"
Loder said nothing, and the other
,olored.
jealous of your reputation" he
said satirically.
II have none to be Jealous off,
Chilcote laughed disa greeably "Then
you aren't so far gone in philosophy ,
as / thought. You have a niche in ,