Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-19
Xxx.

On the fifth day after the momentous first
of April on which he had recalled Loder
and resumed his own life Chilcote left his
house and walked toward Bond street.
Though the morning was clear and the air
almost warm for the time OF year, he was
buttoned into long overcoat and was wear
ing a muffier and a pair Of doeskin. gloves.
| AS he passed along the street he kept close
to the house fronts to avoid the sun that
was everywhere stirring the winter-bound
town, like a suffusion of young blood
through old veins. He avoided the warmth
because in this instance warmth meant
light but as he moved he shivered slightly
from time to time with the haunting, per-
meating cold that of late had become his
persistent shadow.
He was III at ease as he hurried forward
With each succeeding day of the old life
the new annoyances, the new obligations
became more hampering. Before his COM
pact with Loder this old life had been a
net about his feet now the meshes seemed
to have narrowed, the net itself to have
spread till 1t smothered his whole being.
His own househod-his own rooms, even
offered no sanctuary. The presence Of an
other personality tinged the atmosphere
1t was preposterous, but 1t was undeniable
The lay figure that he had set in his place
had proved to be flesh and blood-had
usurped his life. his position, his very per-
sonality. by sheer right of strength. AS he
walked along Bond street in the first sun
shine of the year, jostled by the well-dress-
ed crowd, he felt a pariah
He revolted at the new order of things,
but the revolt was silent one-the iron of
expediency had entered into his soul He
dared not jeopardize Loder's position, be-
cause he dared not dispense with Loder.
~ Az Ia IT.
more resistlessly with every Indulgence, and
Loders was the voice that called the
open Sesame!
He walked on aimlessy. He had been but
five days at home, and already the quiet,
grass-grown court of Clifford's Inn, the
bare staircase, the comfortless privacy of
Loder's rooms seemed haven of refuge.
The speed with which this hunger had re-
turned frightened him.
He walked forward rapidly and without
encountering a check. Then, suddenly, the
spell was broken. From the slowly moving.
brilliantly dressed throng of people some
one called him by his name. and turning he
saw Lillian Astrupp.
She was stepping from the door of a Jew
eller's, and as he turned she paused, hold
ing out her hand.
THE very person l would have wished to
see? she exclaimed. Where have you been
these hundred years? I've heard of nobody
but you since you've turned politician and
ceased to be a mere member of Parlia-
ment. Su6 lduBHeu soitiy. he idukH sutcu
the light spring air. as she herself suited
the pleasant, superficial scene.
He took her hand and held 1t, while
his eyes travelled from her delicate
her soft furs to the bunch of hoses fas-
tened in her mutt The sight of her was a
curious relief Her cool. slim fingers were
SO casual, yet SO clinging, her voice and
her presence were so red9fent of easy, ar
tifcial things.
How well you look,' he said, involun-
tarily.
Again she laughed. That's my preroga-
tive" she responded lightly. But was
serious in being glad to see you. Sarcastic
people are always so intuitive. I'm look
Ing for some one with intuition"
Chiicote glanced up. Extravagant
again?" he said, dryly.
She smiled at him sweetly. Jack" she
murmured with slow reproach.
Chilcote laughed quickly. II under
stand You've changed your minister of
finance. Pm wanted in some other direc-
ton
This time her reproach was expressed by
glance. You are always wanted" she
said.
The words seemed to rouse him again to
the shadowy self distrust that the sight of
her had lifted.
'It's-it's delightful to meet you like
this" he began, ''and l wish the meeting
pressed for time. You must let me come
round one afternoon-or evening. when
you're alone" He fumbled for a moment
with the collar of his coat and glanced
furtively upward towards Oxford street.
But again Lillian smled-this time to
herself. If she understood anything on
earth 1t was Chilcote and his moods.
IF one may be careless of anything.
Jack" she said. lightly, surely it's of
time. l can imagine being pressed for
anything else In the world If It's an ap-
pointment you're worrying about, a motor
goes ever much faster than a cab
She looked at him tentatively, her head
slightly on one side, her muff raised till
the roses and some of the soft fur touched
her cheek.
She looked very charming and very per-
suasive as Chilcote glanced back. Again
she seemed to represent a respite-some-
thing graceful and subtle in a world of op-
pressive obligations. His eyes strayed from
her figure to the smart motor car drawn
up beside the curb.
She saw the Glance. Ever so much
quicker" she insinuated. and smiling again
she stepped forward from the door of the
shop. After a seconds indecision Chilcote
followed her.
The waiting car had three seats-one In
front for the chauffeur. two vis-a-vis at the
tete-a-tete
The park-and drive slowly" Lillian or
dered. as she stepped inside, motioning to
Chilcote TO the seat opposite.
They moved up Bond street smoothly and
rapidly. Lillian was absorbed in the pass
ing traffic until the marble arch was
reached: then, they glided through the
big gates she looked across at her compan-
ion. He had turned up the collar of his
coat. though the wind was scarcely per-
ceptible, and buried himself IN 1t to the
ears.
1T is extraordinary she exclaimed sud
denly her eyes rested on his face. II
was seldom that she felt drawn to excla-
nation. She was usually too ,ndolent to
show surprise But now the feeling was
called forth before she was aware
Chilcoate looked up. What's extraordi-
nary?" he said. sensitively.
She leaned forward for an instant and
touched his hand.
Bear she said, teasingiy did I rub
your fur the wrong way?' Then, seeing
his expression. she tactfully changed her
tone. tn explain. 1t was the same thing
that struck me the night of Banche's
party-when you looked at me over Leon
ard kaine's head. You remember" She
glanced away from him across the park 20
where the grass was already showing
greener.
Chilcote felt Ill at ease. Again he put his
hand to his coat collar.
"ot. yes" he said, hastily-"yes He
wished now that he had questioned Loder
more closely on the proceedings of that
party. II seemed to him. on looking back.
that Loder had mentioned nothing on the
day OF their last exchange but the political