Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-30
CHAPTER TX.


 T lODER slept soundly and dream lH iessly in Chilcote's canopied HI bed. To him the big room, with its severe magnifcence, suggested nothing of the gloom and solitude that 1t held In its owners eyes. The ponderous furniture, the high ceiling, the heavy curtains. un- changed since the days of Chilcote's grandfather, all hlnted at far reach ing ownership that stirred him. The ownership was mythical in his regard and the possessions mirage, but they filled the day and surely sufficient for the day.
 That was his frame of mind as he opened his eyes on the following morn- ing and lay appreclative of his com fort, of the surrounding space. even of the light that filtered through the cur tain chinks, suggestive of world re- created. With day all things seemed possible to q healthy man. He stretch ed his arms luxuriously. delighting in the glossy smoothness of the sheets.
 What was it Chilcote had said? Bet ter live for a day than exist for life time. That was true, and life had be- gun. At thirty-six he was to know it for the first time.
 He smiled, but without irony. Man is at his best at thirty-six, he unused. He has retained his enthusiasms and shed his exuberances; he has learned what to pick up and what to pass by; he no longer imagines that to drain a cup one must taste the dregs. He closed his eyes and stretched again not his arms only, but his whole body. The pleasure of his mental state in- sisted on a physical expression. Then. sitting up in bed, he pressed the cleo tric bell
 Chilcote's new valet responded.
 Pull those curtains. Renwick," he said. "what's the timer He had passed the ordeal of Renwick's eyes the night before.
 The man was slow, even little stu pid. He drew back the curtains care fully, then looked at the small clock on the dressing table. Flight o'clock, sir. I didn't expect the bell so early, sir"
 Loder felt reproved. and pause fol- lowed.
 May bring your cup of tea, sirT'
 ''No. not just yet. I'll have a bath first"
 Renwick showed ponderous uncer- tainty. "warm. sirT he hazarded.
 "No. cold"
 sun peple1ed. the man left the room.
 Loder smiled to himself The chances of discovery in that quarter were not large. He was inclined to think that Chilcote had even oyerstepped necessi- ty in the matter of his valets dullness.
 He breakfasted alone. following Chil- cotc's habit, and after breakfast found his way to the study.
 As he entered Greering rose with the same concillatory haste that he had shown the night before.
 Ioder nodded to him. Early at worky' he said pleasantly.
 The little man showed instant. al- most ridiculous. relief. Good morn Ing. sir he said. You. too. are early I rather feared your nerves troubled you after I left last night. for found your letters stIIl unopened this morn ing. But am glad to see you look so well"
 Ioier promptly turned his back to the IIsht. -oh. last nights letters- be said. TO tell yo1 the truth. Green ing. my vife--hss besltation was very sIight-"ry wife locked me up after you left. sn.i we zo<siped clean for -1t the rost- He snIled in an cx- pIanato-y way as he moved to the desk ard rsckcd ID the letters
 With Greca,re's sTes upon him there u,s 10 time f0- scTrpies With very c-eiIfzs,e ecoi7ess he began ope1inz the envelopes c1e hy cue. The letters were unIrportant- snl ke passed the-a one after anc<her fo the sccrrtarJ- ex- p~rsrsr- . s:s--- s11H Qf autho-ftx