Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-11-22

moved carefully as he traced line alter tine of meaningless words on Il S!srrt of fool>cap. Having covered the page with writing. he rose. moved to the center table and compared his task with an open letter that lay there. The comparison seemed to please him. He strengthened his shoulders and threw back his head in an attitude of critical satisfaction. So absorbed was he that when step sounded on the stairs out tide he did not notice it, and only raised his head when tie door was thrown open unceremonouSly, Even then his interest was momcntary.
 Hello" he said. his eyes returning 10 thctr scrutiny of his task.
 Chlcote shut the door and came has lily across the room. He looked ill and Iarassed. As he reached Loder he put cut his hand nervousIy and touched his arm.
 Loder looked up. What is it:" he asked. Any new development:
 ChilcOte tried to smile. Yes" lie uaid huskily. Ifs come"
 Lodcr freed his arm. What? The end of the word:''
 "No. The end of nc" The words came jerkly. the strain that had en forced them showing in every syllable.
 Still LoIer was uncomprchendny He could not or would not understand
 Again Chi!co;e caught and .jerked at lis sleeve. "lton't you see? Can't you sec:'
 No
 thilcote dropped th" sleeve and pass eti his handkerchief across his fore bead. T. S come. Ii" repeated. "bont you understand: want ynli. lie urcw away. then stepped buck again anxiosSly. II kuow I'm taking you 1n. aware. he said ''Hllt 5rs net my fault On nlv soul i1's not. Thc thing seems 10 spring at me "nd ="ip me He stopped. sinking weakly into q chair.
 For moment Loder stood erect and immovable. Then. almost with reiuc- tance, his glance turned to the figure beside him.
 You want Inc to take Nour place To- night. without prcparation:' His voice was distinct and finn, but it was free from contempt.
 Yes: yes, l do" Chilcotc spoke with cut looking up.
 That you may spend the night in norph:- and other nights"
 Chilcote lifted a flushed, unsettled face. You have no right to preach You accepted the bargain.
 l,;. lv never'- he began Then both his face and voice altered. You are quite right" he said coldly. You won't have 10 complain again.
 Chicote stirred uncomfortably. My dear chap" he said "I meant no of fense. It's merely
 Your nerves know. But come to business. What am to do:'
 Chilcote rose excitedly. .Nes, buSi- ness. Let's come to business. It's rough on you, taking you short like this. But you have an cratic person 10 deal with. I've had horrible day a horrible day" His face had paled again, and in the green lamplight it possessed grayish hue. lnvoluntarl- ly Loder turned away.
 Chilcote watched him as he passed to the desk and began mechanically sorting papers. "A horrible day, he repeated. 50 bad that l darent face the night You have read De Quin' cey:" he asked. with q sudden change of tone.
 Yes"
 ..rhen read him again and you Il un- derstand have all the horrors With out any art. have no ladies of sor row. but I have worse monsters than his 'crocodile' He laughed nnplcas- antly.
 Loder turned. "Why. in the devils name he began; then again he halt s- ed. Something in Chilcote's drawn Excited face checked him. The strange Eense of predestnation that We some . times see in the eyes of another struck s cold upon him, chilling his last at < tempt at remonstrance. "What do you E want me to do:" he substituted in an ordinary voice. The words steadied Chilcote. He laughed little. The laugh was still shaky, but it was pitched in lower key
 You you're quite right to pull m" up We have no time to waste. It must he 1 o'clock. He pulled out his watch then walked to the window and stood locking down into the shadowy court. "How quiet you are nere. he $said. Then abruptly new thought struck him. and he wheeled back int" the room. "I.oder," he said quickly t.Loder l bave an idea. While you { are me, why shouldn't be you: ny Shouldn't he .Iohn Iodcr instead of the vaglant we contemplated: It GOV CTS everything; il explains everything. It's magnificent. I'm amazed We nev- CT thought of it before.'
 I.oder was still beside the desk. "l thought of it." he said without look ing back
 sa And didn't suggest it:' "No."
 & 'NhY2"