Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-26

OuLSlue III luc StlIl AlSht tuhCC clocks simultaneously chimed Il, and their announcement was taken up and echoed by half dozen others, loud and faint, hoarse and resonant, for all through the hours of darkness the neighborhood of Fleet street is alive with chimes.
 Chilcote, startled by the jangle. rose from his seat. Then, as if driven by an uncomfortable impulse, he spoke again.
 You probably think am mad"- he began.
 Loder took his pipe out of his mouth. q am not so presumptuous," he said quietly.
 For a space the other eyed him si- lently, as if trying to gauge his thoughts. Then once more he broke into speech.
 Look here," he said "I came to- . night to make proposition. When have made it you'll first of all jeer at me, as jeered when made 1t to my self. Then you'll see it's possibilities, as l did. Then" he paused and glanc- ed around the room nervously, then you'll accept it, as did" In the un- easy haste of his speech his words broke off almost unintelligibly.
 Involuntarily Loder lifted his head to retort, but Chilcote put up his hand. His face was set with the obstinate determination that weak men some times exhibit.
 Before I begin want to say that I am not drunk-that am neither mad nor drunk" He looked fully at his companion with his restless glance. q am quite sane-quite reasonable"
 Again Loder essayed to speak, but again he put up his hand.
 NO. Hear me out. You told me something of your story. I'll tell you something of mine. You'll be the first person. man or woman, that have confided In for ten years. You say you have been treated shabbily. I have treated myself shabbily. which Is harder to reconcile. had every chance. and I chucked every chance away"
 There was a strained pause. then again Loder lifted his head.
 "Morphia?" he said very quietly. Chilcote wheeled around with a scared gesture. How dld you know thatT he asked sharply.
 The other smiled. Tt wasn't guess. Ing. It wasn't even deduction. You told me or as good as told me in the fog when we talked of Lexington. You were unstrung that night. and T. well. perhaps one gets overobservan' from living alone" He smiled again
 Chilcote collapsed into his former seat and passed his handkerchief across his forehead.
 Loder watched him for a space. TA1 be spoke. "why don't you pull upT he said. "You are a young man still Why don't you drop the thing before 1t gets too lateT His face was un sympathetic. and below the question ir his voice lay a note of tsrdness. -
 Chilcote returned his glance. The suggestion of reproof had accentuated his palior. Under his excitement he looked III and worn.
 "You might talk till doomsday. but every word would be wasted" he said irritabsy. "Tm past praying for by something Ike sir years"
 Then why come hereT' Loder was pulling hard on his pipe. I'm not q dealer In sympathy
 T son't require sympathy Chilc0ss rose again. He was still agitated. but the sgitstion vns quleter. T want q much more expensive thing than sym pethy. and am willing to pay for It.
 The ofhe- turned and looked at him T have 10 possession In the world that would be worth fve- to you-- he said sohiIy. ~Yos1re either under . delusiO1 sr you're wasting ny tine"
 Chilcote laughed ne-v0usly. walt be said Wait I Oaly ssk you to wait FIrst Iet ne sketch you ny posi- uon- It uoz't take many vorls-
 My grandfAfher was a Chilcots of wezfmOrelanl He was O1e of the cr<t of bis day ani his class to recos- nlze tbst there vss future I1 tradz. - brsnklzg kEs 0vn Etfle tvig trcz