The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-17

ed a fresh idea struck him. and he
laughed
You have entirely forgotten one
thing" he said. You can hardly dis
miss your wife"
my wife doesn't count"
Again I.oder laughed. I'm afraid
scarcely agree. The complications
would be slightly - slightly lie
paused.
Chilcote's latent irrltability broke
out suddenly Look here" he said.
this isn't a chatting matter. 1t may
be moonshine to you, but it's reality
to me"
Again Loder took his face between
his hands.
Don't rldicule the idea. I'm in dead
earnest"
Loder said nothing.
''Think-think it over before you re-
fuse"
For a moment Loder remained mo-
tionless, then he rose suddenly, push
ing back his chair.
"Tush, man. You don't know what
you say. The fact of your being mar
ried bars 1t. Can't you see that?'
Again Chilcote caught his arm.
You misunderstood" he said. You
mistake the position. l tell you my
wife and l are nothing to each other.
She goes her way; l go mine. We
have our own friends, our own rooms.
Marriage, actual marriage, doesn't
enter the question. We meet occasion
ally at meals and at other peoples
houses; sometimes we 90 out together
for the sake of appearances; beyond
that, nothing If you take up my life
nobody in it will trouble you less than
Eve-I can promise that" He laugh
ed unsteadily
Loder's face remained unmoved.
Even granting that" he said, "the
thing is still impossible"
"Why?"
There is the house The position
there would be untenable A man is
known there as he is known in his
own club" He drew away from Chill
cotes touch.
Every possibly. Very possibly"
Chilcote laughed quickly and eXcitedly.
''But what club is without its eccentric
member? l am glad you spoke of that.
I am glad you raised that point. 1t
was a long time ago that l hit upon a
reputation for moods as a shield for
/ for other things, and the more useful
/ it has become the more l have let it
| grow. 1 tell you you might go down to
/ the house tomorrow and spend the
whole day without speaking to, even
nodding to, single man, and as long
as you were l to outward appearances
no one would raise an eyebrow. In
the same way you might vote in my
place, ask a question, make speech
if you wanted to-
At the word speech Loder turned in
voluntarily. For a fleeing second the
GOODNESS of his manner dropped and
his face changed.
Chllcote, with his nervous quickness
Of perception, saw the alteration, and a
new look crossed his own face
"Why notY he said quickly. you
once had ambitions in that direction.
Why not renew the ambitions?'
"And drop back from the mountains
into the gutter?" Loder smiled and
slowly shook his head.
Better to live for one day than to
exist for q hundredr' Chilcote's voice
trembled with anxiety. For the third
time he extended his hand and touched
the other.
This time Loder did not shake off the
OBTAINING hand. He scarcely seemed to
feel its pressure.
Look here" Chilcote's fingers tight
ened. "a little while ago you talked of
influence. Here you can step into q
position built by influence. You might
do all you once hoped to do
Loder suddenly lifted his head CAB
surdr' he said. absurd! Such a scheme
was never carried through"
Precisely why it will succeed. PEG
pie never suspect until they have q
precedent. Will you consider it? Al
least consider it. Remember, if there
is risk it is l who am running it. On
your own showing you have no position
to jeopardize"
The other laughed CURLY.
} Before go tonight will you promise
me to consider itf'
| 'eNo"
/ '.Then you will send me your decision
by wire tomorrow. l won't take your
answer now"
Loder freed his arm abruptly. 'Why
not?" he asked.
Chilcote smiled nervously. Because
l know men and mems temptations
We are all very strong till the quick is
( touched. Then we all vince. Iti
: morphla with one man, ambitions witt
: another In each case it's only q mat
t ter of sooner or later" He laughed II
his satirical, unstrung way and helt
, out his hand. You have my address,
he said. Eau revoir."
: Loder pressed the hand and dropped
it. "Goodby," he said meaningly. Thel
: ! he crossed the room n11iatlu and hell