davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

ception" He spoke fast. lie was
uneasy under the cool scrutiny OF her
green eyes. And with q sharp attempt
at self control and reinsurance he al
tered his voice. After all. we're being
very stupid he exclaimed. Were
worrying over something that doesn't
exist
Lillian was still lazily interested. To
her own belief she had seen ChiIcote
last on the night of her sisters recep-
ton. Then she had been too preoccu-
/ ID to notice either his manner or his
health, though superfcially il had lin
gered in her mind that he had seemed
unusually reliant. unusually well on
that night. 4 remembrance OF the inn
preston came u her now as she
studied his free. upcn which inpereep-
tibly and yet raientiessly his vice was
setting its mark III the dull restless
ness of eye. the unhealthy sallowness
Of skin.
Some shred OF her thought. some sug-
gestion of Tire comparison running
through her mind, must lave shown in
her face. for Chilcote altered his posi-
ton with a touch of uneasiness. He
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31
"Epe." he said. II ,1ont pour help"

"Eue," he said. II scdnt your help"
Nobody feels it more than / do. No
body is more exorbitantiy keen to have
a share. part, when the real fight
comes He stopped; then he turned
slowly and their eyes met Ell q man
is to succeed in such a DESIRE" he went
on deliberately, he must exclude all
others He must have one purpose.
one interest, one thought. He must for
get that
Eve lifted her head quickly that
he has wife," she finished gently. 81
think I understand"
There was no annoyance in her face
or voice. no suggestion Of selfishness
or of hurt vanity. She had read his
meaning with disconcerting clearness
and responded with disconcerting gem
crosby. A sudden and very human dis
satisfaction with his readjustment
scheme fell upon Loder. Opposition is
the whip to action; a too ready acqui-
escence the slackened rein.
Did say that7" he asked quickly.
The tone was almost ChiIcote's-
She glanced up; then a sudden, In
comprehensive smile lighted up her
face.
You didn't say, but you thought"
she answered gravely. Thoughts are
the same as words to woman That's
why we are so unreasonable" Again
she smiled. Some idea, battling and in
comprehensive to Loder, was stirring
in her mind
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

mis- myers touching the sheaf Of notes
that lay in front Of him. To the wait
Ing house the silence was effective. 1t
might mean overassurance or 1t might
mean failure of nerve at critical
moment. Either possibility had a tinge
Of piquancy. Moved by the same I'M
pulse. fifty pairs of eyes turned upon
him with new interest, but up in the
ladies' gallery Eve clasped her hands
in sudden apprehension, and Fraide,
sitting stiffiy in his seat, turned and
shot one swift glance at the man on
whom. against prudence and precedent.
he had pinned his faith. The glance
was swift, but very searching. and with
a characteristic movement of his why
shoulders he resumed his position and
his usual grave, attentive attitude. At
the same moment Loder lifted his head
and began to speak.
Here at the outset his inexperience
met him. His voice. pitched too low,
only reached those directly near him.
1t was a moment Of great strain. Eve,
listening intently, drew long breath
of suspense and let her fingers drop
apart The skeptical watchfui eyes
that faced him. line upon line, seemed
to flash and brighten with critical in
terest Only Fraide made no change Of
expression. He sat placid, serious, at
tentive, with the shadow of a smile be-
hind his eyes.
Again Loder paused, but this time the
pause was shorter. The ordeal he had
dreaded and waited for was passed,
and he saw his way clearly. With the
old movement of the shoulders he
Strengthened himself and once more be-
gan to speak. This time his voice rang
quietly true and commanding across
the floor Of the house.
No first step can be really great. 1t
must of necessity possess more of
prophecy than of achievement. Never
theless it is by the first step that man
marks the value not only Of his cause,
but of himself. Following broadly on
the lines that tradition has laid down
for the Conservative orator, Loder dis
guised rather than displayed the vein
of strong, persuasive eloquence that
was his natural gift. The occasion that
might possibly justify such display
OF individuality might lie with the fu-
ture, but 1T had no application to the
present. For the moment his duty
was to voice his party sentiments with
as much lucidity, as much logic and as
much calm conviction as lay within
his capacity.
Standing quietly in Chilcote's place, |!
he was conscious with a deep sense of |
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

by her black hair. For one moment
he forgot that his presence demanded
explanation; the next she had made
explanation needless She had been
looking at him intently: now she came
forward slowly.
john" she said. half In appeal. half
in question.
He took step toward her. Look
at me-" he said quietly and involun-
tarily. In the sharp desire to estab-
lish himself in her regard he forgot
that her eyes had never left his face.
But the incongruity OF the words did
not strike her. .'0h,. she exclaimed.
IL believe l knew directly l saw
you here" The quick ring of life vi
hrating in her tone surprised him. But
lie had other thoughts more urgent
than surprise.
In the five days of Punishment just
lived through the need for readjust-
ment of his position with regard to
her had come to him forcibly. The
memory of the night when weakness
and be had been at periiously close
quarters had returned to him persist
emily and uncomfortably. spelling the
I'll Ills H1u
been well enough to smother the
thought of that night in days OF work.
But had the ignoring of it blotted out
the weakness? Had 1t not rather
thrown il into holder relief? A man
strong in his own strength does not
turn his back upon temptation. Ho
faces and quells it, In the solitary days
in Clifford's inn. in the solitary night
hours spent in tramping the city
streets. this had been the conviction
that had required again and again. this
the problem to which. after much con-
sideration. he had found a solution. sat
isfactory at least to himself. When
next Chilcote called him 1t was nota-
BILE that he had used the word when"
and not IF" When next Chilcote called
him he would make q new departure. He
would no longer avoid Eve. He would
successfully prove to himself that one
interest and one alone flled his mind
the pursuance of Chilcote's political
career So does man satisfactorily con-
vince himself against himself He had
this intention fully in mind as he came
forward now.
"Well." he said slowly. has Ii been
very hard to have faith these last five
days. 1t was not precisely the tone
he had meant to adopt, but one must
begin.
Eve turned at his words. Her eyes
were trimming with life. her cheeks
still touched to a deep, soft color by
the keenness OF the wintry air.
NO" she answered, with a shy, re-
sponsive touch OF confidence. ~ seem
ed to keep on believing. You know
converts make the best devotees." She
laughed with slight embarrassment
and glanced up at him. Something In
the blue Of her eyes reminded him un-
Of spring skies-full OF youth
and promise.
He moved abruptly and crossed the
room toward the window. Eve" he
said. without looking around. II want
your help"
He heard the faint rustling OF her
dress as she turned toward him, and
he knew that he had struck the right
chord. All true women respond to an
appeal for aid as steel answers to the
magnet. He could feel her expectancy
in the silence.
You know-we all know-that the
present moment is very vital. That It's
impossible to deny the crisis In the air.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

but the underlying motive was the
stronger Chilcote had been n satellite
for years. and 1t was unpleasant that
any satellite should drop away into
space.
jack she said again in a lower
and still more effective tone. and. lift
Ing her muff. she buried her face in
her flowers. Il suppose / shall have
to dine and go to music hall with
Leonard-or stay at home by myself"
she murInured. looking out across the
trees.
Again Chilcote glanced over the long.
tan strewn ride. They hal made the
full Circuit OF tie park.
Its tiresame being by oneself she
murnured.
For awhile he was irresponsive: then
slowly his eyes returned 10 her face.
He watched her for q second. and. lean
ing quickly toward her. he took his
book and scrubbed something in the
vacant space.
She watched him interestedly. Her
face lighted up. and she laid aside her
muff
Dear jack" she said How very
sweet OF you.' Then, as he held the
book toward her. her face fell. Dine
33 Cadogan gardens, o'c.; talk with
L." she read. why. you've forgotten
the essential thing.''
He looked up. The essential thing?"
She smiled. 1.-The blue Cross she
said Isn't it worth even a little one?'
The tone was very soft. Chilcote
yielded.
You have the blue pencil" he said
in sudden response to her mood
She glanced up in quiet pleasure at
her success, and, with a charming af-
fectation of seriousness, marked the
engagement with a big cross. At the
same moment the car slackened speed,
as the chauffeur waited for further or
ders.
Lillian shut the engagement book
and handed it back. where can
drop you:" she asked. AT the club?"
The question recalled him to a sense
of present things. He thrust the book
into his pocket and glanced about him.
They had paused by Hyde park cor
ner. The crowd Of horses and car
riages had thinned as the hour OF lunch
drew near and the wide roadway of
the park had an air of added space.
The suggested loneliness affected him.
The tall trees. still bereft OF leaves. and
the colossal gateway incomprehensively
stirred the sense Of mental panic that
sometimes seized him In face of vast
ness OF space or Of architecture. In one
moment Lillian. the appointment he
had just made. the manner Of its max
ing. all left him. The world was filled
with his own personality, his own Inn
mediate inclinations.
Don't bother about mer' he said
quickly. Il can get out here. You've
been very good. It's been a delightful
With a hurried pressure Of
her fingers he rose and stepped from
the car
Reaching the ground, he paused for
a moment and raised his hat; then,
without a second glance. he turned
and walked rapidly away.
Lillian sat watching him meditative-
ly. She saw him pass through the
gateway, saw him hail n hanson; then
she remembered the waiting chauffeur.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

handing.
gravity Of the popularity of his posi-
ton, and perhaps it was this uncon-
lent him the tone of weight and judg-
ment SO essential to the cause he had
in hand. 1t has always been difficult
to arouse the interest of the house on
matters of British policy in Persia.
Once aroused it may, it is true, reach
fever heat with remarkable rapidity.
but the Introductory stages offer that
worst danger to the earnest speaker
the dread of an apathetic audience.
But from this consideration Loder, by
his sharp consciousness of personal
difficulties. was given immunity.
Pitching his voice in that quietly
masterful tone that beyond all others
compels attention, he took up his sub
ject and dealt with it with dispassion-
ate force With great skill he touched
on the steady southwark advance OF
Russia into Persian territory from the
distant days when, by a curious irony
of fate. Russian and British enterprise
combined to make entry into the coun-
try under the sanction of the grand
duke OF Moscovy to the present hour,
when this great power OF Russia-long
since alienated by interests and desires
from her former co-operator-had tax
en- step which in the eyes of every
thinking man must possess deep sig
nificance.
With his usual quiet persistence he
pointed out the peculiar position of
MeSled in the distant DrOyince of
khorassan. its vast distance from the
Persian gulf. round which British in
terests and influence center. and the
consequently alarming position of hun
dreds of traders who. in the security
of British sovereignty. are fighting
their way upward from India. from
Afghanistan, even from England her
self
Following up his point. he dilated on
these subjects of the British crown
who. cut Off from adequate assistance.
can only turn in pers enal or CONNER
cial peril to the protective power OF
the nearest consulate Then. quietly
demanding the attention OF his hear
ers. he marshaled fact after fact to
demonstrate the isolation and made
Quacy Of a consulate so situated; the
all but arbitrary power OF Russia. who
in her new occupation of Meshed had
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

Tin the same day that Chilcote
Ill had parted with Lillian-but
NyI at o'clock in the afternoon
~ Loder. dressed in Chilcote's
clothes and with Chilcote's heavy
overcoat slung over his arm, walked
from Fleet street to Grosvenor square.
He walked steadily, neither slowly nor
yet fast. The elation Of his last jour-
ney over the same ground was temper
ed by feelings he could not satisfac-
torily bracket even to himself. There
was less of vehement citation and more
of matured determination in his gait
and bearing than there had been on
that night, though the incidents of
which they were the outcome were
very complex
On reaching Chilcote's house he
passed upstairs, but, still following the
routine of his previous return, he did
not halt at Chilcote's door. but moved
onward toward Ewes sitting room and
there paused.
In that pause his numberless irreg-
ular thoughts fused into one.
He had the same underlined sense OF
standing upon sacred ground that had
touched him on the previous occasion,
but the outcome of the sensation was
different. This time he raised his
hand almost Immediately and tapped
on the door.
He waited, but no voice responded
to his knock. With a sense of disap-
pointment he knocked again; then.
pressing his determination still fur
Their, he turned the handle and entered
the room.
No private room Is without mean
ing, whether trivial or the reverse. In
a room perhaps more even than in
speech, in look or in work does the
impress OF the individual make itself
felt There on the wax OF outer things
the inner self imprints it's seal, en-
forces it's feeting claim to separate in
dividuaiity. This thought, with its
arresting interest. made Loder walk
slowly. almost seriously, halfway
across the room and then pause to
study his surroundings.
The room was of medium size-not
too large for comfort and not too small
for ample space. At a first impression
it struck him as unlike any anticipa-
ton Of woraan's sanctum. The walls
IA WOCAs lhS TI1Eis
bound books, the beautifully designed
bronze ornaments. even the flowers,
deep crimson and violet blue in tone, had
an air Of somber harmony that was
scarcely feminine. With a strangely
pleasant impression he realized this.
and. following his habitual impulse,
moved slowly forward toward the fire.
place and there paused, bis elbow rest
ing on the mantelpiece
He had scarcely settled comfortably
into his position, scarcely entered on
his second and more comprehensive
study OF the place. than the arrange
ment Of his mind was altered by the
turning of the handle and the opening
of the door.
The newcomer was Eve herself. She
was dressed in outdoor clothes and
walked into the room quickly: then. as
Loder had done. she, too. paused
The gesture. so natural and sponta-
neous, had a peculiar attraction As
she glanced up at him. her face aiight
with inquiry. she seemed extraordi-
narily much the owner and designer
OF her surroundings. She was framed
by them as naturally and effectively
m her eyes and her face ware framed
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

ITO Be Continued.)
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31

street. Though the morning was clear
and the air almost warm for the time
of year, he was buttoned into a long
overcoat and was wearing a muftier
and a pair of doeskin gloves. As he
passed along the street he kept close
to the house fronts to avoid the sun
that was everywhere stirring the win
ter bound town like a suffusion of
young blood through old veins. He
avoided the warmth because in this
instance warmth meant light, but as
he moved he shiyered slightly from
time to time with the haunting, perme-
ating cold that of late had become his
persistent shadow
Ee was i'll at ease as he hurried for
ward. With each succeeding day of
the old life the new annoyances. the
new obligations, became more hamper
ing Before his compact with Loder
this old life had been a net about his
feet. Now the meshes seemed to have
narrowed. the net itself to have spread
till it smothered his whole being. His
own household, his own rooms even.
offered no sanctuary. The presence of
another personality tinged the atmos
phere- 1t WAS preposterous. but it was
undeniable. The lay figure that he had
set in his place had proved TO be flesh
and blood, had usurped his life. his
position. his very personality, by sheer
right of strength. AS he walked along
Bond street in the first sunshine of the
year, jostled by the well dressed crowd.
he felt pariah
He revolted at the new order Of
= L. IL
the iron Of expediency had entered into
his soul. He dared not jeopardize Lo-
der's position because he dared not dis
pense with Loder. The door that
guarded his vice drew him more re-
sistlessly with every indulgence, and
Loder's was the voice that called the /
''open sesame"
He walked on aimlessly. He had
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31
CHAPTER XXI.

lin the same day that Chilcote
had parted with Lillian-but
at o'clock in the afternoon
Loder. dressed in Chilcote's
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-31
CHAPTER Xxx.

F@NN the fifth day after the momen-
4 tous 1st OF April on which he
had recalled Loder and re-
sumed his own life Chilcote
loft hi l.,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-12
THE CASE OF Mr.. TAeeART.

Minneapolis Journal: 1.-THE public
will, no doubt, be surprised to hear
from Thomas Taggart a denial Of the
fact that gambling f1ourishes at his
hotel at French Lick Springs, and not
surprised to hear that it does make
Roadway in nearby building" I'm
der the circumstances. people will
wonder why the authorities should
have raided the hotel and taken out a
great amount Of gambling parapher-
MALTA Perhaps the nearby people had
gotten wind of the impending raid and
removed their tools to the hotel for
safe keeping.
French Lick has been advertised all
over the country as the Monte Carlo
Of America. 1t has been a standing
disgrace to the law abiding people
Of the state of Indiana. 1t has been
strong enough to corrupt the local
keepers of the law. 1t is now a ques-
ton whether 1t can COW the admins
tration of the state.
The fact that the proprietor of this
highly interesting joint is chairman Of
the democratic national committee and
that the administration Of Indiana is
republican has no bearing on the case.
If there has been a political motive
back Of the activity of the attorney
general of the state he would probably
hove found 1t convenient to move on
Mr.. Taggart's works during the cam
pafgn. That he has done so between
campaigns Is suggestive of pure mo-
tive to clean up the state and to assert
the sovereignty Of the law in Indiana.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-12

while his wife had been directing an
inquiry which eventually resulted in
convincing everybody who followed the
case that the bordereau upon the
strength Of which Dreyfus was con.
victed had been forged for the very
purpose Of serving that end. That this
WAS true was brought out in second
trial.. which also disclosed that Major
Esterhazy probably was the man who
wrote the forged bordereau. There still
was reluctance to adlntA that the first
trial was a mockery. ana the outcome
Of the second trial was a verdict again
declaring Dreyfus guilty, but holding
that there were extenuating circum
stances. It was manifest that if Drey-
fus were guilty OF treason as charged
there could be no such things az ex.
tenuating circumstances. However.
the verdict went on record, and Drey.
fus was pardoned in the hope that he
would accept the compromise At the
same time the man who was responsi.
bic for the plot was virtually white.
washed. though before his death he
confessed his guilt. Dreyfus accepted
his liberty, but publicly announced that
he would devote his whole life, if ne.
cessary, to securing the complete win.
dication that was his due. He is final
ly about to secure it.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-12
WELL EARNED REST.

Louisville Courier Journal: The
President Is giving the country a good
example in his resolution to spend the
summer resting" He has hied him
self to his home at OYSTER Bay. and
there he will keep aloof from politi-
above all, will he eschew ponderous
thinking and long hours Of study He
will just rest" that's all.
And no doubt the President needs
such a rest. Ever since his western
trip he has had his hands and mind
full Of tasks The efforts attendant
upon the settlement of the Russian
Japanese war were arduous and deli
cate. But 1t was the congress which
gave him most to do He not only
looked after the affairs that fell within
his natural duties as President, but he
took upon himself the labors of the
legislative branch of the government
1t is no easy job for one man to form
himself into such body as the Ameri-
can congress, and even SO active per-
son as Theodore Roosevelt had to sit
up late at night and arise early in the
morning to perform the feat He had
to initiate, plan, confer, ponder, defy,
argue, persuade, demand, concede and
resort to divers and sundry tricks of
strategy. He had to issue Statements
from the White House. prepare and
deliver set speeches and answer his
critics. Foreign affairs, domestic affairs,
the canal, appointments to office, rail-
road regulation, packing house in
spection, immigration problems, the
| tax on alcohol, the pure food bill and
scores of other matters received his
personal attention. In truth, to be
President is exacting cough; to be both
the President and the congress is a
burden heavy beyond description. As
suredly the President is wise in resolv-
ling to take a long and complete rest
| This does not mean that he intends
to sit around the house or loll In q
hammock all summer. On the other
hands, he expects to take a great deal
of exercise. He will ride horseback,
go sailing, play tennis, take long walks
and chop trees. Long devotee Of out
door pursuits, he will enjoy them fully
this summer. From politics and state
craft he will turn to fresh air and
physical exertion, and so he hopes to
be benefited by pronounced change
Of occupation. In the fall he will I'M
dertake the big responsibilities of his
office with renewed energy.
Every day we see illustrations of the
evil Of overwoork. Ambition, concen-
tration and achievement are admir-
able, but In making Somebody out
of himself everyone should take care
Of his health. He should not drive ma
| ture too far. He should not shatter
his nerves by overtaxing them. Sound
body and sound mind are necessary
above all else in meeting the great
problems Of life and realizing high am
billions. The President presents an OBJ
jest lesson that is worthy of imitation
by men In more obscure positions.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-12
BEYOND THE HUMAN VOICE.

Lincoln Journal: How many listen
to a Fourth Of July grafton? Watch
the great crowds at a present day cele-
bration, then approximate the speakers
stand and note how many are trying
to hear what he says. And then cal
culate how many who try can do it.
The uninterrupted rattle of fire crack
ers at the edge of the audience, pune
tuated every few seconds by the roar
of a cannon cracker, the animated
horse trades in progress around the
outskirts, the visiting Of old friends
in the very midst of the seats, the cries
of children, the barking Of dogs. the
spoon talk of lovers who use the gen
eral hum Of screen behind which they
may safely utter sweet sentiments, tho
ceaseless come and go, why should any
human voice compete with such babel?