Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-24

he said. "Not so very long ago l saw
two men so much alike that n
He stopped.
Lillian smiled.
He colored quickly. "You doubt met"
he asked.
"My dear Jack!" Her voice was del
icately reproachful.
"Then you think that my-my i'm
ngination has been playing me tricks 2"
My dear boy! Nothing Of the kind.
Come back to your place and tell me
the whole tale?" She smiled again, and
patted the couch invitngly.
But Chilcotes balance had been up-
set. For the first time he saw Lillian
as one Of the watchful, suspecting
crowd before which he was constantly
on guard Acting on the sensation, he
moved suddenly toward the door,
IL have an appointment at the
house." he said quickly. OIL look in
another day whcn-when I'm better
company. I know I'm bear today.
My nerves. you know" He came back
to the couch and took her hand. Then
he touched her cheek for an instant
with his fingers.
"Goodby," he said. "Take care OF
yourself--and the kitten" he added
with forced gayety, as he crossed the
room.
That afternoon Chilcotes nervous
condition reached its height. All day
he had avoided the climax. but no
evasion can be eternal, End this he
realized as he sat in his place on the
opposition benches during the half
hour of wintry twilight that precedes
the turning on of the lights. He real
ICED it in that half hour. but the appli-
cation Of the knowledge followed later
when the time came for him to ques-
ton the government on some point re.
lating to the proposed additional dry
dock at Talklcy, the naval base. Then
for the first time he knew that the suf-
fcrings Of the past months could have
n visible as we'll as hidden side could
disorganizc his daily routine as they
had already demoralized his will and
character
The thing came upon him with ex-
through the twilight with tolcrable
calm, his nervousness showing only in
the occasional lifting of his hand to
his collar and the frequent changing
Of his position. but when the lights
were turned on and lie leaned Tack in
his seat with closed eyes he became
conscious of a curious lmpression-a
Il; lat, a.
lids he could see the faces on the OPP
postc side of the house. see the rows
of eyes, sleepy, interested or vigilant.
Never before had the sensation pre-
sented itself but once set up it ran
through all his susceptibilities. By an
absurd freak Of fancy those varying
eyes seemed to pierce through his lids,
almost through his eyeballs. The cold
perspirution that was his daily horror
broke ont on his forehead. and at the
same moment Fraide. his leader. turn
ed. leaned over the back of his seat
and touched his knee.
Chilcote started and opened his eyes.
confusedly.
T'raide smiled his dry, kindly smile.
"A fatal admission for a member of
the opposition" he said. But ! was
looking for you earlier in the day,
Chilcote. There is something behind
this Persian affair. believe it to be
Il mere first move on Russias part
You big trading people Will find 1t
worth watching"
Chilcote shrugged his shoulders. ooh,
don't know" lie said, Il scarcely
believe in it. Lakcly put a match to
the powder in the st. Georges, but
twill only he a noise and a puff of
smoke
But Fraide did not smile. What Is
the feeling down at Warl?" he asked
Has it awakened any interest"
AT Wark? Oh, II don't quite
know. | have been little out of
touch with Wark in the last few
weeks. \ man has so many private
affairs to look to- He was uneasy
under his chiefs scrutiny.
Fraide's lips parted as if to make re-
ply, but with a certain dignilicd reti
cence lie closed them again and turned
away.
Chilcote leaned back in his place and
furtiyely passed his hand over his fore
head. His mind was possessed by one
consideration - the consideration of
himself, He glanced down the crowd
ed, lighted house to the big glass
doors; he glanced about him at his col
leagues, Indifferent or Interested; then
surrcptitously his fingers strayed TO
his waistcoat pocket.
Usually he carried his morpha tab
loidS with him, but today by lapse
Of memory he had LETT them Mt home.
lie knew this, nevertheless he contiu-
ued to search, while the need Of the
drug rushed through him with sense
of physical sickness. He lost hold on
the business of the house; unconscious
ly he half rose from his seat
The man next him looked up. Hold
your ground, Chlcotc," he said, Ray
forth is drying up
With Il wave OF relief Chilcote DROP
ped back into his place. Whatever the
confusion in his mind 1t was evident
~ not obvious in his face.
Rayforth resumed his seat, there was
the usual slight stir and pause; then
Salett the member for Salchester, rose.
With Saletts first words Chlcotes
hand again sought his pocket, and