Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-24

l VI HIS 0uASAsu8b udU Ue0u COIupEl6eC
 in the irritable hckleness of all his aims-the distaste for and impossibili. 1 ty of sustained effort in any direction. He had barely lighted second cigar cite when the old restlessness fell upon him. He stirred nervously in his seat, and the cigarette was scarcely burned out when he rose, paid his small bill and left the shop. 1 Outside on the pavement he halted. pulled out his watch and saw that two ] hours stretched in front before any appointment claimed his attention. He wondered vaguely where he might go to. what he might do. in those two hours. In the last few minutes dis. taste for solitude had risen in his mind, giving the close street loneli- ness that had escaped him before. 1 As he stood wavering 2 cab passed l slowly do.G the street. The sight of a well dressed man reused the cab man. Flicking his whip, he passed Chilcote close, feigning to pull up. l The cab suggested civilization. Chill. cote's mind veered suddenly, and he raised his hand. The vehicle stopped, and he climbed in.
 Where, sir?" The cabman peered down through the roof door. Chilcote raised his head. "Oh, any. where near Pail Mall," he said. Then, as the horse started forward, he put up his hand and shook the trapdoor. ''Waitv' he called. i've changed my mind. Drive to Cadogan gardens, No. s."
 The distance to Cadogan Gardens was covered quickly. Chilcote had hardly realized that his destination was reached when the cab pulled up. Jumping out, he paid the fare and walked quickly to the hall door of No. 83.
 "Is Lady Astrupp at home?' he ask ed sharply as the door swung back in answer to his knock.
 The servant drew back deferentially. "Her ladyship has almost finished lunch, sir" he said.
 For answer Chilcote stepped through che doorway and walked halfway across the hall.
 All right,'' he said. But don't dis turb her on my account. I'll wait in the white room till she has finished" And, without taking further notice of the servant, he began to mount the stairs.
 In the room where he had chosen to wait pleasant wood fire frightened the dull January afternoon and sof- tened the thick white curtains, the gilt furniture and the venetian vases filled with white roses. Moving straight forward, Chilcote paused by the grate and stretched his hands to the blaze; then, with his usual instability, he turned and passed to couch that stood yard or two away.
 On the coach, tucked away between a novel and crystal gazing ball, was a white Persian kitten, fast asleep. Chilcote picked up the ball and held 1t between his eyes and the fire, then he laughed superciliously, tossed 1t back into It's placNand caught the kittens tail. The little animal stirred, stretch ed itself and began to pur. At the same moment the door of the room opened.
 Chllcote turned around. T particu- larly said you were not to be disturb ed," he began. Have l merited dlS pleasure?" He spoke fast. with tho uneasy tone that so often underran his words.
 Lady Astrupp took his hand with a confding gesture and smiled.
 "Never displeasure." she said finger ingly, and again she smilet. The smile might have struck close observer as faintly artificial. But what man in Chilcote's frame of mind has time to be observant where women are con cerned? The manner of the smile was very sweet and almost caressing, and that sufficed
 What have you been doing" she asked after moment. T thought was quite forgotten" She moved across to the couch. picked up the kit. ten and kissed it. "Isn't this sweet?" she added.
 She looked very graceful as she turn ed. holding the. little animal up. She was a woman of twenty-seven, but she looked girl. The outline of her face was pure, the pale gold of her hair almost ethereal. and her tall, slight figure still suggested the suppleness, the possibility of future development. that belong to youth. She wore lace colored gown that harmonized with the room and with the delicacy of her skin.
 "Now sit down and rest or walk about the room. I shan't mind which," She nestled into the couch and picked up the crystal ball.
 What Is the toy forT Chilcote looked at her from the mantelpiece. against which he was resting. He had never defined the precise attraction that Lillian Astrupp held for him. Her shalIowness soothed him: her in- consequent egotism helped him to for get himself. Shesnever asked him how he was. she never expected i'm possibilities. She let him come and go and act as he pleased. never demand ing reasons. Like the kitten. she was charming and graceful and easily amused It was possible that, also like the kitten. she could scratch and be spiteful on occasion. but that did not