Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27

| euect, ana or late men naQ been prone to draw away from him. l In one of the Hobbies he encountered Fraide surrounded by a group of friends. With his usual furtive haste he would have passed on, but moving away from his party the old man ac. costed him. He was always courteously particular in his treatment of Chilcote as the husband of his ward and god child.
 Better Chilcote,' he said, holding out his haad. At the sound of the low rather formal tones, so characteristic of the old statesman, a hundred memo ries rose to Chilcote's mind, hundred hours distasteful in the living and un. bearable in the recollection. and with them the new flash of hope, the new possibility of freedom. In sudden rush of confidence he turned to his leader.
 T believe I've found a remedy for my nerves" ke said. IT believe I'm going to be a new man" He laughed l W llu Ol tASllcuutht
 Fraide pressed his fingers kindly, That is right he said "Thax4s right I called at Grosvenor square this morn ing, but Eve told me your illness of the other day was not serious. She was very busy this morning. She could only spare me a quarter of an hour. She is indefatigable over the social side of your prospects, Chilcote. You owe her a large debt. A popular wife means great deal to politician" The steady eyes of his companion dis turbed ChScote.
 He drew away his hand.
 "Eve is unique" he said vaguely.
 Fraide smiled That is right" he said again. Admiration is too largely excluded from modern marriages" :" And with courteous excuse he re- joined his friends.
 It was dinner time before Chilcote could desert the house. but the moment departure was possible he hurried to Grosvenor square.
 As he entered the house the hall was empty. He swore irritably under his breath and pressed the nearest | bell. Since his momentary exaltation I in Fraide's presence his spirits had steadily fallen until now they hung at the lowest ebb
 AS he waited in unconcealed impa- tience for an answer to his summons he caught sight of his man Allsopp at the head of the stairs. Come herew he called, pleased to find some one upon whom to vent his irritation. Has that wire come for meT'
 No. sir. I inquired five minutes back"
 Inquire again."
 "Yes. sir" Allsopp disappeared. A second later after his disappear ance the bell of the hall door whizzed loudly.
 Chilcote started. All sudden sounds, like all strong lights, affected him. He half moved to the door, then stopped himself with short exclamation. At the same instant Allsopp reappeared. Chilcote turned on him excltedly.
 What the devils the meaning of this?" he said. "A battery of servants in the house and nobody to open the hall door,
 Allsopp looked embarrassed. Crap ham Is coming directly, sir. He only | taft tho hall rn aSI Chilcote turned "Confound Crap ham," he exclaimed. Go and open the door yourself" Allsopp hesitated. his dignity strug- gling with his obedience. As he wait ed the bell sounded again.
 Did you hear mel" Chilcote said.
 .'Yes, sir" Allsopp crossed the hall. As the door was opened Chilcote passed his handkerchief from one hand to the other in the tension of hope and fear. then as the sound of his own nafne in the shrill tones of a telegraph boy reached his ears he let the handkerchief drop to the ground.
 Allsopp took the yellow envelope and carried ii to his master.
 "A telegram. sir" he said. And the boy wishes to know if there is an an- swer." Picking up Chilcote's handker. chief. he turned aside with elaborate dignity.
 ChiIcote's hands were so unsteady that he could scarcely insert his fin ger under the flap of the envelope. Tearing of a corner. he wrenched the covering apart and smoOthed out the flimsy pink paper.
 The message was very simple, con- sisting of but seven words:
 Shall expect you al il tonight
 LoDER
 He read it two or three times, then he looked up. "No answer" he said mechanically. and to his own ears the relief in his voice sounded harsh and unnatural.
 Exactly as the clocks chimed II Chilcote mounted the stairs to Loder's rooms. But this time there was more of haste than of uncertainty in his steps. and. reaching the landing. be crossed it In a couple of strides and knocked feverlshly on the door.
 IL opened al once. and Loier stood before him.
 The occasion was peculiar. For e moment neither spoke: each involun- tariIy locked at the other with new eyes and under changed coalitions. Each had assumed a fresh standpoint tn the others thought The passing