Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-22
shrps epa1lant 5arslaIIu1u,1 g1ua 5..arrl y 1897

by wheels ana hoors. Something OF the
soliture Of night that sits so Ill on the
strenuous city street was making icseii
felt, though the throngs Of people on
the pathway still streamed eastward
| and westward, and the taverns made q
busy trade.
Having crossed the roadway, Lodel
| paused for moment to survey the
scene. But humanity in the abstract
made small appeal to him, and his
glance wandered from the passersby
to the buildings massed like clouds
against the dark sky. As his gaze NOV
ed slowly from one to the other
clock near ut hand struck Z, and an In
slant later the chorus was taken up
by dozen clamorous tongues. Usually
he scarcely heard and never needed
these innumerabIe chimes, but this
evening their effect was strange. Com
ing out of the darkness, they seemed
to possess personal note, human
| declaration. The impression was fan
tastic, but it was strong. With O
species Of revolt against life and his
own personality, he turned slowly and
moved forward In the direction Of Lud-
gate hill
For a space he continued his course,
then, reaching Bouverie street, he turn
ed sharply to the right and made bis
, way down the slight incline that leads
to the elnbankment There he paused
and drew long breath. The sense OF
space and darkness soothed him. Pull
ing his cap over his eyes. he crossed to
the river and walked on In the direc-
ton of Westminster bridge.
As he walked the great mass OF water
by his side looked dense and smooth as
oil with It's sweeping width and network
of reflected light. On its farther bank
rose the tall buildings, the chimneys,
the fiaring lights that suggest another
and an alien London. Close at hand
stretched the solid stone parapet, Civ
ing assurance Of protection.
All these things he saw with his men,
tai eyes, but with his mental eyes only,
for his physical gaze was fixed ahead
where the houses OF parliament doomed
out Of the dusk. From the great build
ings his eyes never wavered until the
embankment was traversed and West
Minister bridge reached. Then he paus-
ed, resting his arms on the coping Of
the bridge.
In the tense quietude OF the darkness
the place looked vast and inspiring.
The shadowy terrace, the silent river,
the rows Of lighted windows, each was
significant. Slowly and comprehensive
~ his glance passed from one to the
other. He was no sentimentalist and
no dreamer His act was simply the
act Of q. man whose interests, robbed
of their natural outlet, turn instructive
~ toward the forms and symbols Of
the work that is denied them. His
scrutiny was steady-even cold. He
was raised to no exaltation by the
vastness Of the building, nor was he
chilled by any dwarhng Of himself. He
looked at 1t long and thoughtfully
then, again moving slowly, he turned
and retraced his steps.
His mind was full as he walked back,
still oblivious of the stone parapet OF
the embankment, the bare trees and
the f1aring lights of the advertisements
across the water. Turning to the left,
he regained Fleet street and made for
his own habitation with the quiet &c
curacy that some men exhibit In mo-
ments Of absorption.
He crossed Clifford's inn with the
same slow, almost listless, step; then,
as his own doorway came into view, he
stopped. Some one was standing in it:
recess.
For a moment he wondered If his
fancy were playing him trick. Then
his reason sprang to certainty with so
fierce leap that for IAN instant his
mind recoiled. For we more often
stand aghast at the strength of our
own feelings than before the enormity
Of our neighbours actions.
els that you, Chllcote?" he said below
his breath.
At the sound Of his voice the other
wheeled round. "HellO!" he said. Il
thought you were the ghost of some old
inhabitant. 1 suppose I am very unex-
pected?"
Loder took the hand that he extended
and pressed the fingers unconsciously
The sight Of this man was like the find
ing Of an oasis at the point where the
desert is sandiest, deadliest, most I'M
bearable.
Eyes, you are unexpected" he an
swered.
Chilcote looked at him, then looked
out into the court. I'm done up" he
said. .I'm right at the end Of the
tether." He laughed as he said it, but
in the dim light Of the hall Loder
thought his face looked illand harassed
despite the flush that the excitement OF
the meeting had brought to It. Taking
his arm, he drew him toward the stairs.