Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-09

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 The acton was abrupt, and it was only as his fingers pressed the bell that a certain unexpectedness, certain want of suitability in the aspect of the house, struck nm. The uoor was white the handle and knocker were of mass i've silver. The first seemed disap pointing index of Lakeley's priyate I taste. the second a ridiculous tempta tion to needy humanity He looked again at the number of the house, but it stared back at him convincingly Then the door opened.
 So keen was his sense of uniitncss that, still trying to fuse his impression of Lakeley with the idea of silver door fittings, he stepped into the hall with out the usual preliminary question 1 Suddenly realizing the necessity, he turned to the servant. but the man fore stalled him:
 Will you come into the white room sir? And may take your coat?" The smooth certainty of the mans manner surprised him. It held another savor of disappointment, seeming as little in keeping with the keen, busi. 1 nesslike Lakeley as did the house. Still struggling with his impression, he al. lowed himself to be relieved of his hat and coat and in silence ushered up the shallow staircase.
 As the last step was reached it came | to him again to mention his hosts name. but simultaneously with the sug- Destion the servant stepped forward with a quick. silent movement and threw open door. .t .g....
 MT. Chilcote" he announced in a | subdued, discreet voice. as
 Loder's first impression was of a room that seemed unusually luxurious, soft and shadowed. Then all impress sion of inanimate things left him sud denly.
 For the fraction of a second he stood : fn the doorway, while the room seemed emptied of everything except figure that rose slowly from couch before the fire at sound of Chilcote's name. Then. with a calmness that to himself seemed incredible. he moved forward into the roon,~ ~- i He might. tf course, have beaten a retreat and obviated many things, but life is full of might have beens. and re- treat never presents itself agreeably to a strong man. His impulse was to face the difficulty. and he acted on the i'm pulse.
 Lillian had risen slowly. and as he neared her she held out her hand
 Jack" she exclaimed softly, how sweet of you to remember"
 The voice and words came to him with great distinctness. and as they came one uncertainty passed forever from his mind-the question as to what relation she and Chilcote held to each other. With the realization came the thought of Eve, and In the midst of his own difficulty his face hardened.
 Lillian ignored the coldness. Taking his hand, she smiled. You're unusual ly punctual." she said. But your hands are cold. Come closer to the ] fire"
 Loder was not sensible that his 1 hands were cold, but he suffered him self to be drawn forward ! One end of the couch was in fire light. the other in shadow. By for | tunate arrangement of chance Lillian selected the brighter end for herself and offered the other to her guest. i With quick sense of respite he ac- cepted it. At least he could sit secure from detection while he temporized with fate.
 For a moment they sat silent. then Lillian stirred. Wont you smokeT i she asked.
 ] Everything in the room seemed soft and enervating-the subdued glow of the fire. the smell of roses that hung about the air and. last of all. Lillian's slow. soothing voice With sense of oppression he stifTened his shoulders and sat straighter in his place. ! No" he said. T don: think shall smoke"
 She moved nearer 10 him. Dear Jack" she said pleadingly, don't say you're in a bad mood. Don't say you want to postpone again" She looked LID at him and laughed little in mock consternation.
 Loder was at loss
 Another silence followed. while Lil- Han waited: then she frowned sudden ly and rose from the couch. Like many indolent people. she possessed touch of obstinacy. and now that her triumph over Chilcote was obtained. now that she had vindicated her right to command him. her original purpose came uppermost again. Cold or inter estcd. indifferent or attentive. she in tended to make use of him.
 She moved to the fire and stood look- ing down into it.
 Jack she hegan gently. "a really amazing thing has happened to me. I do 90 want you to throw some light
 Loder said nothing
 There was a fresh pause while she softly smootbed the silk embroidery that edged her gown. Then once more she looked up at him
 Did I ever tel you-- she began that was once in railway ancident on a funny little Italian railway cen turies tefore I met ysuT- She laughed softly and with c pretty air os conf dence turned from the fire and re sHule.i her seat