The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-27


even new presence, has power to up
with slower and steadier steps crossed
the little court and mounted the IA
miliar stairs Of his own house.
AS he turned the handle of his own
door some one stirred inside the sitting
room. Still under the influence of the
stones and trees that he had just left,
he moved directly toward the sound
and, without waiting for permission,
entered the room. After the darkness
Of the passage 1t seemed well alight,
for, besides the lamp with its green
shade, a large fire burned In the CRATE
and helped to dispel the shadows.
AS he entered the room Chilcote rose
and came forward, his figure thrown
into strong relief by the double light.
he was dressed In a shabby tweed
suit; his face looked pale and set with
a slightly nervous tension But, besides
the look and a certain added restless
ness Of glance, there was no visible
change Reaching Loder, he held out
his hand
''Well?' he said quickly.
The other looked at him question
ingly.
well? Well? How has it gone?'
THE scheme? Oh, excellentlyp Lo-
der's manner was abrupt Turning
from the restless curiosity In Chilcote's
eyes, he moved a little way across the
room and began to draw off his coat
Then, as If struck by the incivility Of
the action, he looked back again. THE
scheme has gone extraordinarily" he
said. 'I could almost say absurdly.
There are some things, Chilcote, that
fairly bewl man over
A great relief tinged Chilcote's face
Good he exclaimed. "Tell me all
about it."
But Loder was reticent. The mo-
ment was not propitious It was as If
a hungry man had dreamed a great
banquet and had awakened to his star
vation. He was chary of imparting his
| visions.
There's nothing to tell" he said
shortly. "All that you'll want to know
is here In black and white. 1 don't
think you'll find l have slipped any
thing. It's q clear business record"
From an inner pocket he drew out
bulky notebook and, recrossing the
room, laid it open on the table. 1t was
a correct even q minute, record Of ev-
cry action that had been accomplished
/ in Chilcote's name. II dent think
you'll find any loose ends" he said as
he turned back the pages. II had you
in n
through" He paused and glanced up
from the book. You have a position
that absolutely insists upon attention."
he added in q different voice.
At the new tone Chilcote looked up
as we'll mo moral lectures!' he said,
with a nervous laugh. II was anxious
to know If you had pulled it off-and
you have treasured me. That's enough.
l was in q funk this afternoon to know
how things were going of those
sudden, unreasonable funks. But now
that I see you''-he cut himself short
and laughed once more-"now that I
see you, I'm hanged if l don't want to
prolong your engagement"
Loder glanced at him, then glanced
away. He felt q quick shame at the
eagerness that rose at the words-a
surprised contempt at his own readi-
ness to anticipate the mans weakness.
But almost as speedily as he had turn
ed away he looked back again.
"Tush, man. he said, with his old
intolerant manner. You're dreaming
You've had your holiday and schools
begun again. You must remember you
are dining with the Charringtons to-
night. Young Charrington's coming of
age-quite a big business. Come along
want my clothes" He laughed and,
moving closer to Chilcote, slapped him
on the shoulder
Chilcote started; then, suddenly be-
coming imbued with the others man
ner, he echoed the laugh.
by Jove," he said, you're right
You're quite right A man must keep
his feet in their own groove" Raising
his hand, he began to tumble with his
tie.
But Loder kept the same position.
You'll find the check book in its usual
drawer" he said "Tve made one
entry of f100, pay for the first week.
The rest can stand over until'- He
paused abruptly
Chilcote shifted his position Don't
talk about that. 1t upsets me to antlc-
ipate l can make out a check to-
morrow payable to John Loder."
"No. That can wait. The name of
Loder is better out of the book We
can't be too careful" Loder spoke
with unusual impetuosity. Already a
slight, unreasonable jealousy was col
oring his thoughts. Already he grudged
the idea of Chilcote with his unstable
glance and restless fingers opening the
drawers and sorting the papers that
for one stupendous fortnight had been
his without question. Turning aside,
he changed the subject brusquely
"Come into the bedroom" he said
ITS half past if it's a minute, and
the Charrington's show IS at g." With
out waiting for reDlv he walked