Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-06


come by TIP
The other smiled. IT'S memento.- me
said.
sof bravery
at his hand. then glanced back at Chiicete
No" he repeated with an unusual Inn
pulse OF confidence. 1T serves TO remind me
that l am not exempt-that I have been
footed like other men.
That implies a woman?"
Yes. Again Loder looked at the scar
on his finger II seldom recall the thing.
It's so absolutely past. But I rather like 20
remember il tonight | rather want you to
know that I've been through the fire It's a
sort OF guarantee"
Chilcote made hasty gesture. but the
other Interrupted IL.
''0h. know you trust me. But you're Civ
ing me A risky post. ! want you to that
women are out of my ltne-quite out OF II.
But my dear chap
Loder went on without needing This
thing happened eight years go at Santasa-
lare," he said, "a little place between Luna
and Pistoria-a mere handful OF houses
wedged between two hills A regular reltc
OF old Italy crumbiing away under flowers
and sunshine with nothing to suggest the
present century except the occasional pass
ing of train round the base of one OF
the hills. l had literally stumbled upon the
place on a long tramp south from Sw tier
land, and had been tempted into a stay -.
the little inn. The night after my arrival
something unusual occurred. There was an
accident to the train at the point where II
sklrted the village.
There was small excitement; all the IN
hahtants were anxious to help, and | took
my share. AS a matter of fact, the smash
was not disastrous; the passengers ware
hurt and frightened, but nobody was
killed"
He paused and looked at his companion.
but seeing him interested. went on:
Among these passengers was an English
lady. OF all concerned in the business. she
was the least upset. When came upon hei
ia VI sitting q shattered door oil
ono OF the carriages. calmly rearranging
her hat On seeing me she looked UP WITH
the most charming smile imaginable
" L have Just been waiting for somebodS
like you.' she said. MY stupid maid has got
herself smashed up somewhere IN the sec
ond class carriages. and 1 have nobody to
help me find my dog
'Of course. that first speech ought TO nave
enlis htened me- but II didn't / only saw
the smile and heard the voice; knew MOTH
ing of whether they were deep or shallow
So | found the maid and found the dog The
first Expressed gratitude; the other ddnt
I extricated him with enormous difficulty
from the wreck of the luggage van, and this
was how he marked hts appreciation He
held out his hand and nodded toward the
scar.
Chilcote glanced up so that's the expia-
nation?''
Yes I tried to conceal the thing when
restored the dog but l was bleeding abOm-
inably and l failed Then the whole bust
ness was changed. 1t was ] who needed
ness was changed. Ii was l who needed see
Ing to, my new friend insisted: who should
be looked after, and not she. She forgot
the dog in the newer instinct Of my wound
ed finger The maid. who was pra -ticaiiy
unhurt, was sent on to engage rooms at the
little inn. and she and | followed slowly
That walk impressed me. There was an
attractive mistiness of atmosphere in tire
warm night, sensation more than attrac-
tive in being made much of by woman or
ones own class and country after. I've
1Ja,, Iusrq hal
touch of irony. But l won't take up your
time with details. You know the progress
of ordinary love affair. Throw IN a Few
more flowers and little more sunshine
than is usual. a man who Is practically a
hermit and a woman who knows the world
by heart, and you have the who'e thing.
''She insisted on staying in Sa9tasala-e
for three days In order to keep my hrger
bandaged she ended by staying three
weeks in the hope of smashing up my life
"On coming to the hotel she had given no
name; and in our first explanations to each
other she led me TO conclude her an TN
married girl. 1t was at the end of the
three weeks that learned that she was lot
q free agent | had innQcently imagined.
but possessed a husband whom she had left
i'll with malaria at Florence or Rome.
1.-The news disconnected me and | took no
pains to hide il. After that the end came
abruptly. In her eyes | had become fool
with middle-class principles. III my eyes
but there Is no need for thar She LEFT
Santasare the same night in great con-
fusion of trunks and hat boxes; and next
morning / strapped on my knapsack and
turned my face to the south.
And women don't count ever after?''
Chilcote smiled. beguled out of himself
Loder laughed. That's what Eve been
trying to convey Once bitten. twice Shy.
He laughed again and slipped the two rings
over his finger with an air of finaiity.
Now, shall l start? This is the latch
key" He drew a key from the pocket OF
Chilcote's evening clothes. when | get To
Grosvenor square l am to find your house.
go straight in, mount the stairs, and there
on my right hand will be the door CT your
/ mean my own-private rooms | -hiuk We
got it all by heart. l feel inspired; feel
that l can't go wrong He handed the Two
remaining rings to Chicote and picked up
the overcoat.
''Pl stick on till I get a wire he sad.
Then I'll come back and Wei reverse
again" He slipped on the coat and moved
back toward the table Now that the deci
sive moment had come 1t embarrassed him.
Scarcely knowing how to bring It to an
end he held out his hand
Chllcote took it, paling a little. Twill
be all right he said. with sudden
turn of nervousness. 81 Twill be al. right
and I've made ii plain about-about the
remuneration? hundred a weeH-besides
all expenses
Loder smiled again. MY pay? Oh yes.
you've made it clear day. Shall we say
goodnight now?
Yes Goodnight"
There was strange, distant note In Chill
cote's voice, but the other did not pretend
10 hear it. He pressed the hand he was
holding. though the cold dampness OF It re-
PEELED him.
Good Knight he said again.
Good night"
They stood for q moment, awkwardly
looking at each other. then Loder quietly
disengaged his hand. crossed the room, and
passed through the door
Chilcote. left standing alone in the mid lie
of the room. listened while the last sound
of the others footsteps was audible on the
uncarpeted stairs; then, with . furuTe,
hurried gesture. he caught up the gre m
shaded lamp and passed into Loders bed
room.
Go be continued tomorrow