Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-01

the early hours. He helped himself to some
fish, but sent away his plate untouched;
then, having drunk two cups of tea. he
pushed back his chair lighted fresh ciga-
rette, and shook put the mornings news
paper.
Twice he shook 1t out and twice turned it.
but the reluctance to fix his mind upon 1t
made him daily.
The effect of the morphia tablods was
still apparent in the greater steadsness of
his hand and eye, the regained quiet of his
susceptibilities, but the respite was tempo
rary and lethargic. The early days-the
days of six years ago. when these tabloids
meant an even sweep Of thought, lucidity of
brain, a balance Of Judgment in thought
and effort-were days of the past. As he
had said Of Lexington and his vice, the
slave had become master.
AS he folded the paper in a last attempt
at interest, the door opened and his secre-
tary came step or two into the room.
'Good-morning, sir!'' he said Forgive
me for being so untimely."
He was a fresh-mannered, bright-eyed
boy of twenty-three. His breezy alertness,
his Difference. to man who had at
tafned what he aspired to, amused and de-
pressed Chilcote by turns.
"Good-morning, Blessington. What Is 1t
now?" He sighed through habit, and, put
ting up hts hand, warded off ray Of sun
that had forced itself through the misty
attmosphere as II by mistake.
Wark timber contract, SIR" he said. 'fYou
promised you'd look into 1t today: you
know you've shelyed 1t for a week already,
and Craig, Burnage are rather clamoring
for answer" He moved forward and
laid the papers he was carrying on the table
beside Chiicote. I'm sorry to be such
nuisance" he added. 81 hope your nerves
aren't worrying you today?'
Chilcote was toying with the papers. At
the word nerves he glanced up suspiciously
but Blessington's ingenious face satisfied
him.
NO he said: 81 settled my nerves last
night with-with a bromide. l knew that
fog would upset me unless I took precau-
TONS"
II am glad of that. sir-though Ia avoid
bromides Bad habit to set up, But this
Wark business-rd like to see 1t under way,
IL you have no objection
Chilcote passed his fingers over the pa
pers. Were you out In that fog last
night Biessington?'
No. sir. supped with some people at
the Savoy and we just missed it. It was
very partial. I believe
80 believe"
and pulled it. He was extremely polite.
but he had inordinate sense OF duty.
Forgive me sir" he said, ..but about that
contract know I'm frightful bore
about him absently. 'By-the-way. did you
see anything of my wife yesterday?
What did she do last nght?"
Mrs. Chilcote gave me tea yesterday
at Lady Sabinets. and looking In at one.
or two other places later" He eyed his
papers in Chilcote's listless hand
Chiicote smiled satrically Eve Is
very true to society," he said. .T couldn't
dine at the Sabinets' II 1t was to make
me premier. They have a butler who Is
an institution sort of heirloom in the
family. He Is fat. and breathes audfbly
Last time l lunched there he haunted me
for whole night
Blessington laughed gayly. Mrs. Chill
cote doesn't see ghosts, sir, he said. but
Chilcote tapped his fingers on the table
No. Eve doesn't see ghosts We rather
miss sympathy there"
Blessingtou governed his Impotence. He
stood stil for some seconds, then glanced
down at his pointed boot.
III you will be lenienf to my persistency,
sir. would like to remind you
ChIicote lifted his head with a fash of ir-
ritabiltty.
"Confound It. BIessingsonl" he exclaimed
Am never to be left IN peace? Am I
never to sit down to meal without having
work thrust upon met Work-work-
petualiy work. have heard no other word
Ia the last six years. declare there are
times"-he rose suddonly from his seat and
turned TO the window there are times
when feo1 that FOR sixpence I'd chuck It
all-the whole boastly round--