The Lake County times., 1906-12-24

suggested nothing of the gloom and
solitude that it held in its owners
eyes. The ponderous furniture, the
high ceiling, the heavy curtains, IN
changed since the days of Chilcote's
grandfather, all limited at a far reach
ing ownership that stirred him. The
ownership was mythical in his regard
and the possessions a mirage, but they
filed the day and surely sufficient for
the day.
That was his frame of mind as he
opened his eyes on the following morn
ing and lay appreciative of his COM
fort, of the surrounding space, even Of
the light that filtered through the cur
tain chinks, suggestive of a world re
created. With day all things seemed
possible to healthy man. He stretch
ed his arms luxuriously, delighting in
the glossy smoothness of the sheets.
What was it Chilcote had said? Bet
ter live for a day than exist for a life
time. That was true, and life had be
gun. At thirty six he was to know it
for the first time.
A4C oAAAAC0y Odl N4lAOtiI AAOl1g NAH
is at his best at thirty-six, he muSed.
He has retained his enthusiasms and
shed his exuberances; he has learned
what to pick up and what to pass by;
he no longer imagines that to drain a
cup one must taste the dregs. he
closed his eyes and stretched again
not his arms only, but his whole body
- - -
sisted on a physical expression. Then,
sitting up in bed, he pressed the cleo
tric bell
Chilcote's new valet responded.
Pull those curtains, Renwick," he
said whats the timer He had
passed the ordeal of Renwick's eyes
the night before.
The man was slow, even a little stu
pid. He drew back the curtains care
fully, then looked at the small clock on
the dressing table Eight o'clock, sir
1 didn't expect the bell so early, sir"
Loder felt reproved, and a pause fol-
lowed.
May I bring your cup of tea, sirT'
mo. not just yet. I'll have a bath
first"
Renwick showed ponderous uncer-
tainty. Warm, sir?' he hazarded.
NO, cold'
Still perplexed, the man left the
room.
Loder smiled to himself. The chances
Of discovery in that quarter were not
large. He was inclined to think that
Chilcote had even overstepped necessi-
ty in the matter of his valet's dullness.
He breakfasted alone. following Chill
cote's habit, and after breakfast found
his way to the study.
As he entNred Greening rose with
the same concihatory haste that he had
shown the night before
Loder nodded to him. EARLY at
work?' he said pleasantly.
The little man showed instant, al
most ridiculous, relief. "Good morn
ing, sir" he said. You, too. are early.
I rather feared your nerves troubled
you after 1 left last night, for I found
your letters still unopened this morn
ing. But l am glad to see you look so
Well"
Loder promptly turned his back to
the light "Oh. last nights lettersr'
he said. ITO tell you the truth, Green
ing. my wife"-his hesitation was very
sllght-"my wife looked me up after
you left, and we gossiped. I clean for
got the post" He smiled in an ex-
planatory way as he moved to the
desk and picked up the letters.
With Greetings eyes upon him there
was no time for scruples. With very
creditable coolness he began opening
the envelopes one by one. The letters
were unimportant and he passed them
one after another to the secretary, ex-
periencing a slight thrill Of authority
as each left his hand. Again the fact
that power is visible IN little things
came to his mind.
Give me my engagement book,
Greening," he said when the letters
had been disposed Of.
The book that Greening handed him
was neat In shape and bound, like Chill
cotes cigarette case, in lizard skin.
As Loder took it the gold monogram
u. c." winked at him in the bright
morning light. The incident moved his
sense of humor. He and the book were
co-operators In the fraud, it seemed.
He felt an inclination to wink back.
Nevertheless he opened It with proper
gravity and skinned the pages.
The page devoted to the day was al
most full. On every other line were
jottings in Chilcote's irregular hand,
and twice among the entries appeared
a prominent cross in blue penciling.
Loder's interest quickened as his eye
caught the mark. 1t had been agreed
between them that only engagements
essential to Chilcotes public life need
be carried through during his absence.
and these TO save his confusion were
to be crossed in blue pencil. The rest,
for the most part social claims. were
TO be left TO circumstance and Loder's
inclination, Chilcote's erratic memory
always accounting for the breaking Of
trivial promises.