Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27

ance.
 'Confound itv' he said. "I'm sick of that routine! I can see you laying out my winding sheet the day of my burial. Leave those things. Come back In half an hour"
 Allsopp allowed himself one glance at hls masters figure huddled in the great bed; then, laying aside the cont he was holding, he moved to the door. With his fingers on the handle, he paused.
 ''Will you breakfast in your own room, sir, or downstalrs?"
 Chilcote drew the clothes more tight ly round his shoulders. "Oh, anywhere -nowhercv' he said. II don't care"
 Allsopp softly withdrew.
 Left to himself, Chilcote sat up in bed and lifted the salver to his knees. The sudden movement jarred him physically. He drew handkerchief from under the pillow and wiped his forehead. Then he held his hand to the light and studied it The hand looked sallow and unsteady. With nervous gesture he thrust the salver back upon the table and slid out of bed. Moving hastily across the room, he stopped before one of the tall wartl- robes and swung the door open; then. after furtive glance around the room, he thrust his hand into the recesses l of shelf ard fumbled there. The | thing he sought was evidently not hard to find, for almost at once he | withdrew his hand and moved from the wardrobe to a table beside the fire place, carrying small glass tube filled with tabloids.
 l On the table were a decanter, siphon and water jug. Mixing some whisky, be uncorked the tube. Again he glanced apprchensively toward the door,. then with very nervous hand dropped two tabloids into the glass. While they dissolved he stood with his hand on the table and his eyes fix ed on the floor, evidently restraining his impatience. Instantly they had disappeared he seized the glass and drained 1t at draft, replaced the bottle in the wardrobe and, shivering slightly in the raw air, slipped back into bed.
 When Allsopp returned he was sit ting up, cigarette between his lips, the teacup standing empty on the salver. The nervous irritability had gone from his manner. He no longer moved jerkily: his eyes looked bright CT, his pale skin more healthy.
 "Ah, Allsopp," he said, there are some moments in life, after all. It isn't all blank wall"
 T ordered breakfast in the small morning room, sir," said Allsopp, with out change of expression. Chilcote breakfasted at 10. His ap- petite, always fickle, was particularly uncertain In the early hours. He help ed himself to some fish, but sent away his plate untouched; then. having drunk two cups of tea, he pushed back his chair, lighted fresh cigarette and shook out the mornings newspaper.
 Twice he shook it out and twice turn ed it, but the reluctance to fx his mind upon 1t made him daily. The effect of the morphia tabloids was still yappar- ent in the greater steadlness 0f hls hand and eye. the regained quiet of his susceptibilities, but the respite was temporary and lethargic. The early days-the days of six years ago, when these tabloids meant an even sweep of thought. lucldity of brain. balance of judgment in thought and effort-were days of the past. As he had said of Lexington and his vice, the slave had become masteS
 As he folded the paper in a last at tempt at interest the door opened, and his secretary came step or two into the room.
 Good morning, sir" he said. "For. give me for being so tntimely." He was Q fresh hammered. bright eyed boy of twenty-three. His breezy alertness, his deference, as to man who had attained what he aspired to. amused and depressed Chilcote by turns.
 Good morning, Blessington. What Is it nowT Ne sighed through habit and. putting up his hand. warded off a ray of sun that had forced itself through the misty atmosphere as if by mistake.
 The boy smiled. 'It's that business ee the wark timber contract. sir" he said. You promised you'd look into 1t today. You know you've shelved 1t for a week already, and Craig. Bur mage are rather clamoring for ah an- swer." He moved forward and laid the papers he was carrying on the ta- ble beside Chilcote. "rm sorry to be such a nuisance" he added. T hope your nerves aren't worrying you to- dayT'
 Chilcote was toying with the papers. At the word nerves he glanced up sus. piciously. But Blessington's ingenious face satisfied him.
 "No." he said. T settled my nerves last night with-with a bromide. I knew that fog would upset me unless I took precautions"
 I'm glad of that. sir, though I'd avoid bromjdes. Bad habit to set up. But this wark busIness-Td like to get it under way if you have no objection"
 Chilcote passed his fingers over the papers. Were you out in that fog last night. BiessingtonT'
 "No. sir. I supped with some people at the Savoy. and we just missed it. It was very partial. I believe"
 "So believe