The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-24

Lodef bore his scrutiny ttitho1tt ftnchtng.
directly above his head, and as she
came toward him he raised his face de-
liberately and waited.
She looked at him without surprise
or interest. Yes, sir:" she said.
rs your mistress in?'' he asked. He
could think of no other question, but it
served his purpose as a test of his
voice.
Still the woman showed no surprise
"She's not in, sir she answered But
she's expected in half an hour"
I'm half an hour? All right. That's
all | wanted With movement of
decision Loder walked back to the stair
head, turned to the right and opened
the door of Chilcote's rooms.
The door opened on short, wide pas
sage. On one side stood the study, on
the other the bed, bath and dressing
rooms. With a blind sense of knowl-
edge and unfamiliarity, bred of much
description on Chilcote's part, he put
his hand on the study door and, still
exalted by the omen of his first sue
cess, turned the handle.
Inside the room there was freight
and lamplight and studious air of
peace. The realization of this and a
slow incredulity at Chilcote's voluntary
remuneration were his first impressions.
: h's attention was needed for more
I-aminent things.
As he entered the new foretary was
returning volume to it's p.. e on the
book shelves. At sight of him l., push
ed it hastily into position and turned
round.
Il was making a few notes on the
political position of Khorasan," he said,
glancing with slight apprehensiveness
at the others face. He was a small,
shy man, with few social attachments,
but an extraordinary amount of learn
ing-the antithesis of the alert Bless
ington, whom he had replaced.
Loder bore his scrutiny without
f1inching. Indeed, it struck him sud-
denly that there was fund of inter-
est, almost of excitement, IN the en-
countering Of each new pair of eyes.
At the thought he moved forward to
the desk.
''Thank you. Greening,'' he said. "A
very useful bit of work.
The secretary glanced up, slightly
puzzled. His endurance had been Sc
verely taxed in the fourteen days that
he had filled his new post.
I'm glad you think so, SIR he said,
the matter this morning, if you remem-
ber."
Loder was taking off his coat, but
stopped in the operation.
This morning." he said. ooh did
I? Did I?' Then struck by the OPP
portunity the words gave him he turn
ed toward the secretary. you've got
to get used to me, Greening," he said
You haven't quite grasped me yet, l
can see. I'm a man of moods, you
know. Up to the present you've seen
my slack side. my Jared side, but I
have quite another when I care to
show it. I'm a sort of Jekyll and Hyde |
affair" Again he laughed, and Green |
ing echoed the sound efficiently. Chill |
cote had evidently discouraged famil- |
iarity.
Loder eyed him with abrupt under |
standing. He recognized the loneli- |
ness in the anxious, conciliatory man.
ner.
You're tired he said kindly. Go |
to bed. I've got some thinking to do. |
Good night" He held out his hand.
Greening took it. still half distrust-
full of this fresh side to so complex a |
man.
Good night, sir" he said. 'sTomor-
my notes. 1 hope you will have
restful night
For a second Loder's eyebrows went
UP, but he recovered himself instantly.
"Ah. thanks, Greening," he said.
-InanKs. 1 think. your hope win be
fulfilled"
He watched the little secretary move
softly and alphabetically to the door,
then he walked to the fire and, rest
ing his elbows on the mantelpiece, he
took his face in his hands.
For space he stood absolutely
quiet, then his hands dropped to his
sides, and he turned slowly round. In
that short space he had balanced
things and found his bearings. The
slight nervousness shown in his
brusque sentences and oyerconfdent
manner faded out, and he faced facts
steadily.
With the return of his caImness he
took long survey of the room. His
glance frightened approximately as it
Travelled from the walls lined with well
bound books to the lamps modulated to
the proper light; from the lamps to the
1esk fitted with every requirement
Nothing was lacking. All he had once
possessed, all he had since dreamed of,
was here, but on a greater scale. To
enjoy the Injuries of life man must
20 long without them. Loder had lived
severely-so severely that until three
weeks ago he had believed himself ex-
ampt from the temptations of hui
nanity. Then the voice of the world
had spoken, and within him another
voice had answered with a tone SO