Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-06
VII

1t was a little less than three weeks since
Chiicote and I.oder had drunk their toast
and again Loder was seated at his desk
His head was bent and his hand moved
carefully as he traced line after line OF
meaningless words sheet OF foolscap-
Having covered the-pa with writing, ne
rose. moved to the center table and COM
pared mis- task with open letter that lay
there. The comparison seemed to please
him. he Strengthened his shoulders and
threw back his head in an attitude OF crit
ical satisfaction. So absorbed was he that,
when step sounded on the stairs outside
he did not notice it, and only raised his
head when the door was thrown open I'M
tremendously. Even then his interest was
momentary.
..Hullor' he said. his eyes returning to
their scrutiny of his task
Chilcote shut the door and came hastily
across the rooal. He looked i'll and mar
assed. AS he reached Loder he put cut his
| hand nervously and touched his ara,
Loder looked up. What is it?' lie asked
Amy new Development
Chilcote tried to smile. y es, he said aus
kily; Its come
Loder freed his arm. What? The end OF
the world?
No The end of me" The words came
jerkiiy the strain that had enforced them
showing in every syllable.
Still Loder was uneomprehending; he
could not, or would not. understand.
ASdiH -1HlltOte Caught Jttntt az siiS
sleeve. Don't you see? Can't you see?'
No
Chilcote dropped the sleeve and passed
his handkerchief across his forehead 1T 5
come" he repeated Don't You under
stand? | want you" He drew away. then
stepped back again anxous.y know l. m
taking you unuawares, he said. But IL >
not my fault. On my soul, It's not, The
thing seems to spring at me and grip
me- He stopped, sinking weakly into
a chair
For a moment Ioder stood erect and i'm
movable; then. almost with reluctance. his
glance turned to the figure beside him.
You want me to take your place tonight
without PREPARATION" His voice was dis
tinct and firm. but it was free from con-
tempt.
Yes: yes, 1 do Chilcote spoke with
| out looking up.
That you may spend the night in NOR
phia?-t and other nights?"
Cbilcote lifted a flushed, unsettled face.
You have no right to preach. You accept
ed the bargain.
Loder raised his head quickly Il
| never" he began; then both his face and
voice altered. You are quite right, he
said, coldly. You won't have to complain
again
Chilcote stirred uncomfortably. MY
dear chap he said. Il meant no offense.
It's merely
Your nerves. I know. But come to
business. What am | to do?
Chilcote rose excftedly. Yes, business.
taking you short like this. But you have
an cratic person to deal with. I've had a
horrible day-a horrible day. His face
had paled again. and in the green lamp
light it possessed grayish hue. lnVoiun-
tarily Loder turned away
Ohilcote watched him as he passed to
the desk and began mechanically sorting
papers "A horrible day. he repeated
so bad that l daren't face the night. You
have read DeQuincey? he asked, with
sudden change of tone.
Yes
.erhen read him again and you'll under
stand T have all the herrors-without any
art / have no Ladies of Sorrow, but L
have worse monsters than his crocodile
He laughed unpleasantly.
I.oder turned. why in the devils
name" he began; then again he halted
Something In Chilcote's drawn, excited face
checked him. The strange sense of pre-
destination that we sometimes see In the
eyes of another struck cold upon MIN,
chilling his last attempt at remonstrance
what do you want me to do?" he substl-
tuted, in ordinary voice.
The words steadied Chilcote He laughed
a little The laugh was still shaky, but it
was pitched in a lower key.
''You-you're quite right 20 pull me up
We have no time to waste. 1t must
be one O'Clock" He pulled out his watch,
then walked to the window and stood
looking down into the shadowy court. How
quiet YOU are here,'' he said Then abruptly
a new thought struck him and he vince ed
ly-"I oder ! have an ideal While you are
me. why shouldn't 1 be you? Why
shouldn't / be John Loder instead of the
vagrant we contemplated? 1t covers every
thing-it explains everything It's mag
nificent, I'm amazed we never thought OF IT
before.
Loder was still beside the desk. 4
thought of it, he said, without looking
back.
And didn't suggest ito
NO"
'Why?"
Loder said nothing and the other colored.
Jealous of your reputation? he said sa-
tircally.
II have none to be jealous Of
Chilcote laughed disagreeably. Then you
aren't so far gone in philosophy as /
thought You have niche in your own
good opinion"
Again I.oder was silent; then lie smiled
'.You have oddly correct perception AT
times he said. Il suppose / have had
lame sort of pride in keeping my name
clean. But pride like that is out of fash
ion--and I've got to float with the tide. He
laughed. the short laugh that Chilcote had
heard once twice before. and, crossing
the room, he stood beside his visitor. AFTER
ALL he said, what business have l with
pride, straight OF lame? Have my Identity.
If you want it. When all defenses nave been
broken down one barrier won't save the
town" Laughing again, he laid his hand
on the others arm. Come" he said. give
your orders l capitulate.
An HOuT iatef the Two HlSL passSl Iipiii
Loder's bed room, where the final arrange
ments had been completed back into the
sitting room. Loder came first in faultiess
evening dress. His hair was carefully
brushed, the clothes. he wore fitted him per-
fectly. To any glance, critical or casual.
he the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms CARRIER in the
evening. Chlcote's manner of walking snd
poise of the head seemed to have descended
upon him with Chilcote's clothes. He same
into the room hastily and passed to the
desk.
II have no private papers,, he said. so
I have nothing to lock up Everything can
stand as it is. A woman named Robins
comes in the mornings to clean up and light
the fire; otherwise you must shift for your
will n,1ia