The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-20

Il have none to be Jealous Of"
Chilcote laughed disagreeably. ''Then
you aren't so far gone In philosophy
as thought. You have a niche In
your own good opinion"
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled. you have an oddly correct
perception at times" he said. 81 sup
pose have had a lame sort of pride
In keeping my name clean, but pride
to float with the tide" He laughed
a short laugh that Chilcote had heard
once or twice before, and, crossing
the room, he stood beside his Wis
itor. after ALL" he said, what busi-
ness have l with pride, straight or
lame2 Have my identity, If you want
it, When all defenses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town" Laughing again, he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come"
be said, give your orders l capitu-
late"
An hour later the two men passed
from Loder's bedroom, where the final
arrangements had been completed,
back into the sitting room. Lode1
came first in faultless evening dress,
His hair was carefully brushed, the
clothes he wore fitted him perfectly.
To any glance, critical or casual, he
was the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
in the evening. Chilcote's manner of
walking and poise of the head seemed
to have descended upon him with Chill
cote's clothes. He came into the room
hastily and passed to the desk.
''I have no private papers," he said,
so have nothing to lock up. Every
thing can stand as it is. A woman
named Robins comes IN the mornings
to clean up and light the fire; other
wise you must shift for yourself. No
body will disturb you. Quiet, dead
quiet, is about the one thing you can
count on"
Chilcote. half hating In the door
way, made an attempt to laugh. Of
the two he was noticeably the more
embarrassed. In Loder's well worn,
we'll brushed tweed suit he felt strand
ed on his own personality, bereft for
the moment of the familiar accessories
that helped to cloak deficiencies and
keep the wheel of conventionality COM
fortably rolling. He stood unpleasant
" conscious of himself, unable to
shape his sensations even in thought.
He glanced at the fire, at the table,
finally at the chair on which he had
thrown his overcoat before entering
the bedroom. AT the sight of the coat
his gaze frightened, the aimlessness
forsook him, and he gave an exclama-
ton of relief.
"By Jove! he said ST clean for
got
'WhatY' Loder looked round.
''The rings" He crossed to the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket
''The duplicates arrived only this after
noon-the nick Of time, eh?" He spoke
fast, his fingers searching busily. Oc-
cupation Of any kind came as a boon.
Loder slowly followed him, and as
the box was brought to light he leaned
forward interestedly.
AS told you, one is the copy of an
old signet ring, the other a plain band
"a plain gold band Like a wedding
ring" Chilcote laughed as he placed
the four rings side by side on his
palm. 81 could think Of nothing else
that would be wide and not ostenta-
tiouS. You know how 1 deteSt dis
play"
LOder touched the rings. you have
good taste,' he said. Lets see if
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them to the lamp.
Chlcote followed him. THAT was
an ugly wound" he said, his curiosity
reawakening as Loder extended his
finger. How did you come by it?"
The other smiled. It's a memento, .
he said.
''Of braveryY'
No; quite the reverse" He looked
again at his hand, then glanced. back
at Chilcote. No" he repeated, with
an unusual impulse of confidence. 1T
serves to remind me that l am not ex-
empt-that l have been fooled like
Ul4CI men.
THAT implies womanT"
YES" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger. 81 seldom recall the
thing, it's so absolutely past. But |
rather like to remember it tonight
rather want You TO know that I've been
through the fire. It's sort of guaran-
tee"
Chilcote made a hasty gesture, but
the other interrupted it.
''Oh. know you trust me. But you're
giving me risky post want you to
see that women o~e out OF my line
quite out Of tt
But, my dear chap
Loder went on without needing.
This thing happened eight years ago
at Santasalare," he said, "a little place
between Luna and Pistoria-a mere
handful of houses wedged between two
hills; regular relic OF old Italy crum-
bling away under flowers and sunshine,
with nothing to suggest the present
century except the occasional passing
of q train round the base OF one of the