The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-03-08

across which she had passed. but si-
multaneOusly with his turning she
gained the door,
The knowledge that she was gone
struck him with sense of double loss
"Wait! he. called, suddenly moving
forward. But almost Mt once he pnus-
cd, chilled by the solitude OF the room.
Eve" he said, using her name un-
consciously for the first time
But the corridor, as well as the room.
was empty; he was too late. He stood
irresolute: then he laughed shortly,
fireplace.
The blow had fallen, the inevitable
come to pass. and nothing remained
but to take the fact with as good a
grace rs possible. Chilcote's telegram
had summoned him to Clifford's inn
at O'Clock, and it was now we'll on
toward 6. He pulled out his watch
Chllcote's watch he realized with a
touch of grim humor rs he stoopcd to
examine the dial by the light OF the
flre-thcn. as if the humor had vcrged
10 another feeling, he stood straight
again and felt for the electric button
In the wall. His fingers touched II.
and simultaneously the room was
lighted.
The abrupt alteration from shadow
to light came almost as shock The
feminine arrangement of the tea table
seemed inconSruous beside the soberx
books and the desk laden with papers
-incongruous as his own presence ind
the place. The thought was unpieaS-
ant, and he turned aside as If to avoid
it, but at the movement his eyes fell
on Chilcotc's cigarette box with it's
cleaning monogram, and the whim-
sical suggestion of his first morning
rose again. Tie idea that the mani
mate objects In the room knew him
for what he was, recognized the inter-
loper where human eyes saw the right
ful posscssor. returned to his mind.
Through all his disgust and chagrin n
smile forced itself to his lips, and,
crossing the room for the second time,
he passed into Chilcote's bedroom.
There the massive furniture and
sombCr atmosphere fitted better with
his mood than the energy and action
which the study always suggested
Walking directly to the great bed, he :
sat on It's side and for several minute.
stared straight in front of him. appaT
entity seeing nothing; then at last tEY
apathy passed from him, as his ypItl |
vious anger against Chilcote hadpasS
cd. lie stood MP slowly, drawing his
long limbs together, and rccrosjd the
nj ND
through the door communicating with !
the rest of tho house. Five minutes
later he was in the open air and walk.
ing steadily eastward. his hat drawn
forward ana his ovcrcoat huttoned up.
AS he travcrsed the stree Is he allow
ed himself no thought. Once, as he |
waited in Trafalgar square to find q
passage between the vehicles, the re-
membrance of Chilcote's voice coming
quickly, guarding himself rom esolt
an Involuntary glance Mt the place of
their meeting. The Strand, with It's uht
caosinc life, came to him rs something,
almost unfamiliar. Since his identihca7
ton with the new life no business had
drawn him east of Charing Cross ana
his first sight oc the narrower Streaih
of traffic struck him rs sarish ana uh-
pleasant. As the impression came NC
accelerated his steps, moved py the
wish to make regret and r2troS?ectioh
! alike impossible by Il contact with ac-
/ tual forces.
! Still walking hastily. he entered Chg
ford's inn. but there almost u'icoh
sc;ouslv his feet halted. There was
something in the quiet immutaDllity OF
the place that sobcrcd energy. potn
mental and physical; sense OF
, changclcssncss-the cHanGclcSsness OF
inanimate things. that rises in such sol
emn contrast TO the varlaDleheSs OK
mere human nature, which new en-
yironment, new outlook, sometimes
even q new presence, has power 10 up
heaye and remold. He paused, then
with slower and steadier steps crossed
, the little court and mounted the Ia
miliar stairs of his own house.
AS he turned the handle Of his OWL
door some one stirred inside the sitt!n;
room Still under the influence OF IN
, stones end trees that he had just lef'
:. he moved directly toward the souh'
;, and. without waiting for permisslol
Il entered tie room. After the darkheS
of the passage it seemed we'll aESh
for besides the lamp with its gree
q shade. a large fire burned in the graf
and helped to dispel the shadows.
# AS lie entered the room Chlicote ros
d and came forward. his figure throVy
~ into strong relief by the double hsl
,r He was dressed in shabby twes
H. suit; his face looked pale and set WI
Of a slightly nervous tension. But, besid
H. the look and a certain added resties
O. ness of glance, there was no VisiU