The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-26


mental and physical. from which he
surveyed the world. He felt as if fate
in the moment of utter darkness had
given him a sign.
As they crossed the hall Chilcote
had drawn away and was already
mounting the stairs. And as LodeI
followed it came sharply to his mind
that here in the slipshod freedom of a
door that was always open and stairs
that We're innocent of covering. lay his
companions real niche-unrecognized
in outward ayowal, but acknowledged
by the inward. keener sense that mani.
tests the individual
In silence they mounted the stairs
but on the first landing Chilcote
paused and looked back, surveying
Loder from the superior height OF two
steps.
81 did very well at first" he said. 81
did very well. / almost followed your
example for a week or so. | found
myself on sort of pinnacle, and /
chung on. But in the last ten days I've
I've rather lapsed.''
"Why?" Loder avoided looking at
his face. He kept his eyes fixed de-
terminedly on the spot where his own
hand gripped the banister.
WHY" Chilcote repeated. "Oh. the
prehistoric tale-weakness stronger
than strength. 'Tm-I'm sorry to
come down on you like this, but it's
the social side that bowls me over. It's
the social side / can't stick
1.-THE social side? But / thought
Don't think. 1 never think; it en-
tails such a constant upsetting of prin-
ciples and theories We did arrange
for business only, but one can't set up
barriers. Society pushes itself every
where nowadays, into business most
of all. I don't want you for theater
parties or dinners. But big reception
with a political flavor is different. A
man has to be seen at these things. He
needn't say anything or do anything,
but it's bad form if he fails to show
up"
Loder raised his head. "You must
explain" he said abruptly.
Chilcote started slightly at the sud
den demand
I'll suppose I'm rather irrelevant"
he said quickly. Fact is, there's re-
ception at the Bramfells' tonight You
know Blanche Bramfell-Fiscountes
Bramfell. sister TO Lillian Astrupp."
His words conveyed nothing to Loder,
but he did not consider that. All ex-
plantations We're irksome to him and he
invariably chafed to be done with
them.
And you've got to put in an appear
ance-for party reasons?' Loder broke
in.
Chilcote showed relief yes Old
Fraide makes rather a point of it-so
does Eve" He said the last words
carelessly; then, as if their sound re-
called something, his expression chang
ed. y touch of satirical amusement
touched his lips and he laughed.
by the way, Loder," he said, my
nine or ten days after my return.
thought your representation was to be
quite impersonal? I'm not jealous"
he laughed. I'm not jealous, assure
you, but the burned child shouldn't
grow absentminded."
At his tone and his laugh Loder's
blood stirred. With a sudden, unex-
pected impulse his hand frightened on
the banister, aud, looking up, he caught
sight of the face above him-his own
face it seemed, alghted with malicious
interest. At the sight a strange sensa-
ton seized him, his grip on the banis-
ter loosened, and, pushing past Chill
cote. he hurriedly mounted the stairs.
Outside his own door the other over
took him.
''Loder.' he said. "Loder. I meant
40 harm. A man must have laugh
But Loder was facing the door and
lid not turn round.
y sudden fear shook Chilcote. 10
ler." he exclaimed again. you would
lot desert me? I can't go back to-
hight. l can't go back
Still Loder remained immovable.
Alarmed by his silence, Chilcote STEP
BED closer to him.
''Loder. ioder, you won't desert
ne?" He caught hastily at his arm.
With quick repulsion Loder shook
lin off, then almost as quickly he
lrned round.
What fools we all are"' he said
Ibruptly. I'VE only differ in degree.
'ome in and let us change our
lOthes."
CuApTFp yIT,