Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-10

4<u1nnHD A4ONSl was GIcltSN a. LIS bSN'AAs
His head was bent and his hand
moved carefully as he traced line after
line of meaningless words on a sheet
of foolscap 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 a step sounded on the stairs out
side he did not notice it, and only
raised his head when the door was
thrown open unceremoniously. Even
then his interest was momentary.
"Hellov' he said, his eyes returning
to their scrutiny of his task.
Chilcote shut the door and came has
thy across the room. He looked i'll and
harassed. As he reached Loder he put
out his hand nervously and touched his
arm
Loder looked up. What is it?' he
asked. "Any new development"
Chilcote tried to emile. EYES," he
said huskily. ITS come"
Loder freed his arm. What? The
end OF the world?"
"No. The end of me' The words
came jerkily, the strain that had en-
forced them showing in every syllable.
Still Loder was uncomprehending.
He could not or would not understand.
Again ChiIcote caught and jerked at
his sleeve. Don't you see? Can't you
see?''
mo"
Chilcote dropped the sleeve and pass
ed his handkerchief across his fore
head. sIt's come" he repeated. Don't
you understand? 1 want you" He
drew away, then stepped back again
anxiously 81 know I'm taking you I'M
awares." he said. "But it's not my
fault. On my soul, it's not! The thing
seems to spring at me and grip me-
He stopped, sinking weakly into
chair.
For a moment Loder stood erect and
immovable. Then, almost with reluc-
lance, his glance turned to the figure
beside him.
'.You want me to take your place to-
night, without preparation" His voice
was distinct and firm, but it was free
from contempt
..Yes; yes, do" Chilcote spoke with
out looking up.
sThat you may spend the night in
morphfa-this and other nights?"
Chilcote lifted a flushed, unsettled
face. 'sYou have no right to preach.
You accepted the bargain"
Ioder raised his head quickly. 81
never he began Then both his face
and voice altered. s'You are quite
right he said coldly. "You won't have
to complain again.
Chilcote stirred uncomfortably. MY
dear chap" he said, Il meant no Of
tense. It's merely
"Your nerves. know. But come to
business. What am to do?"
Chilcote rose excitedly. Eyes, bust
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 a horrible day
4 horrible day. His face had paled
again. and in the green lamplight it
possessed grayish hue. Inyoluntari-
" 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 daren't face
the. night. You have read De Quin.
ceyY' he asked, with sudden change
Of tone.
Eyes,
Then read him again and you'll un-
derstand. | have all the horrors with
ont any art. | have no ladies of sor-
row, but | have worse monsters than
his crocodile" He laughed unpleas-
antly.
Ioder turned. "Why, in the devils
nsmev- he began; then again he halt
ed. Something in Chilcote's drawn,
excited face checked him. The strange
sense of predestination that we some
times. see in the eyes of another struck
cold rpon him, chilling his last at
tamrt at remonstrance. "What do you
want me to do?v he substituted in an
ordinary voice.
The words steadied Chilcote. He
laughed a little. The laugh was still
shakv. but it was pitched in lower
key.
aYou-you're quite right to pull me
M. We have no time to waste i
must he / o'clock He pulled out his
watch. then walked TO the window and
stood looking down into the shadoWy
conrt. "How quiet you are here! he
said. Then abruptly new thought
struck him, and he wheeled back into
,,, ssT ader' he said 0uiekly--
sIoder, / have an ideal While you
are ME. why shouldn't be you? Why
shouldn't / be John Loder instead Of
the vagrant we contemplated? It coy
orc everything; it explains everything
IT'S magnificent I'm amazed we ney'
or thought Of it before
Loder was still beside the desk =
- = 4, l,a said without look.