Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-02
Ill.

Leaving his house, Chflcote walked Tor
ward quickly and aimlessly. With the sting
| Of the outer air the recollection of last
nights adventure came back upon him
| Since the hour of his waking 1t had hung
| about with vague persistence. but now in
the clear light of day 1t seemed to stand
out with fuller popularity.
The thing was preposterous, nevertheless
1t was genuine. He was wearing the over
coat he had worn the night before. and,
| acting on impulse, he trust his hand into
| card.
Mr.. John Loder!' He read the name
| over as he walked along. and 1t mechani-
| cally repeated itself In his brain-falling
| into measure with his steps. Who was
| John Loder? What was he? The Ques-
| lions tantalized him It'll his pace uncon-
| sciously increased. The thought that two
men SO absurdly alike could inhabit the
same city and remain unknown to each
other faced him as a problem; 1t tangled
with his personal worries and aggravated
them. There seemed to be almost a danger
in such an extraordinary likeness. He be-
gan to regret his impetuosity In thrusttng
his card upon the man. Then, again. how
he had let himself go on the subject CT
Lexington! How narrowly he had escaped
compromise! He turned hot and cold at
| the recollection of what he had said and
what he might have said. Then for the
first time he paused in his walk and looked
about him.
On leaving Grosvenor Square he had
turned westward, moving rapidly till the
Marble Arch was reached; there still OBJ
livious to his surroundings, he had crossed
the roadway to the Edgware road. passing
along 1t to the labyrinth of shabby streets
that lie behind Paddington. Now. as he
glanced about him. he saw with some sur
prise how far he had come.
The damp remnants of the fog still hung
q hn In va
were glimpses of green to break the
monotony of tone: all was quiet. dingy.
neglected. But to Chilcote the shabb1ness
was restful, the subdued atmosphere sat
isfaction Among these sad houses these
passers-by, each filled with his own con-
Germs, he experienced a sense of respite
and relief. In the fashionable streets that
bounded his own horizon, If man paused
in his walk to work out an Idea he IN
stantly drew a crowd of inquisitive OF con-
temptuous eyes; here, If a man halted for
half an hour 1t was nobody's business out
his own.
Enjoying this thought, he wandered on
for close upon an hour, moving from one
street to another with steps that were list
less or rapid, as inclination prompted: then
still acting with vagrant aimlessness, he
stopped in his wanderings and entered
small eating house.
The place was low-ceiled and dirty, the
air hot and steaming with the smell OF
food, but Chilcote passed through the door
and moved to one of the tables with no
expression of disgust, and with far less
furtive watchfulness than he used In MS
own house. BY curious mental twist ne
felt greater freedom, larger opportunities
in drab surroundings such as these than
in the broad issues and wesghty response
bilities of his own life. Choosing corner
seat, he called for coffee; and there, pro-
tected by shadow and wrapped in cfga-
rette smoke he set about imagining him
self some vagrant unit who had slipped MS
moorings and was blissfully adrift.
pi
lasted but with him nothing was perma-
nent. OF late the greater part or his suHer-
tngs had been comprised In the irritable
fickleness of all his aims-the uiStaste -or
and tmpossibility of sustained effort in any
direction He had barely lighted second
cigarette when the old restlessness fell
upon him; he stirred nervously in his seat,
and the cigarette was scarcely burned out
when he rose paid his small bill, and left
the shop
Outside on the pavement he halted. pulled
out his watch, and saw that two hours
stretched in front before any appointment
claimed his attention. He wondered vague
ly where he might go to-what he might do
in those two hours? In the last few min
utes a distaste for solitude had risen In
his mind, giving the close street ioneli-
ness that had escaped him before.
AS he stood wagering a cab passed slow
ly down the street. The sight OF we'll
dressed man reused the cabman; Ticking
his whip, he passed Chilcote close feigning
The cab suggested civilization. Chicote's
mind veered suddenly and he raised his
hand. The vehicle stopped and he climbed
Where. sir7' The cabman peered down
through the roof door.
Chilcote raised his head. "Oh, anywhere
horse started forward. he put up his hand
and shook the trap-door. Wait he called.
I've changed my mind. Drive to Cadogan
Gardens-No. 49,
cred quickly. Chilcote had hardly real
lied that his destination was reached when
the cab pulled up. Jumping out, he paid
the fare and walked quickly to the han
door of No. 33.
as Lady Astrupp at homer he asked.
sharply, as the door swung back in answer
to his knock.
The servant drew back deferentially. Her
ladyship has almost finished lunch. sir, he
said.
For answer Chilcote stepped through the
doorway and walked halfway across the
hall
her on my account I'll wait In the white
room till she has finished" And, without
taking further notice of the servant he
began to mount the stairs.
In the room where he had chosen to wait
a pleasant wood fire frightened the dull
January afternoon and softened the thlck,
white curtains, the gilt furniture and the
Venetian vases filled with white roses. NOV
ing straight forward. Chilcote paused by
the CRATE and stretched his hands to the
blaze; then, with his usual instability, ne
turned and passed to couch that stood
a yard or two away
On the couch. tucked away between
novel and a crystal gazing ball, was a
white Persian kitten. fast asleep. Chilcote
picked up the ball and held 1t between his
eyes and the fire: then he laughed super
cillously tossed it back into Its place, and
caught the kittens tail. The little animal
stirred, stretched itself and began to purr.
At the same moment the door of the room
opened.
Z Chilcote turned round. 81 particularly
said you were not to be disturbed he be-
gan. Have l merited displeasure?' He
spoke fast. with the uneasy tone that so
often underran his words
Lady Astrupp took his hand with con-
fding gesture and smiled.
Never displeasure." she said, lingeringly
and again she smiled. The smile might
have struck a close observer as family ar
ttfcial. But what man in Chiicote's frame
of mind has time to be observant where
women are concerned? The manner of the
smile was very sweet and almost caressing
and that sufficed.
what have YOU been doing?" she asked
after a moment. II thought / was quite
forgotten" She moved across to the couch,
picked I'D the kitten and kissed 1t. Isn't
this sweet?" she added.
She looked very graceful as she turned.