The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-05-31

man would have staked definite opin-
lon, but the other sex takes a different
view. AS she stood gazing at the rings
her thoughts and her conclusions sped
through her mind like arrows-all aim
ed aud all tending toward one point
She remembered the day when she and
Chilcote had talked Of doubles, her
skepticism and his vehement defense
OF the idea, his sudden interest In the
book "Other Mems Shoes" and his
anathema against life and Its lrksome
round Of duties. She remembered her
own first convinced recognition OF the
eyes that had looked at her in the door
way of her sisters house. and, last OF
all, she remembered Chilcote's unac-
countable avoidance of the same sub
Ject or iikenesses when she had men-
toned 1t yesterday driving through the
park, and with 1t his unnecessarily
curt reputation Of his former opin-
ions. She reviewed each item, then
she raised her head slowly and looked
at Loder
He was prepared for the glance and
met 1t steadily. In the long moment
that her eyes searched his face 1t was
she and not he who changed color.
She was the first to speak. You were
the man whose hands saw in the
tent" she said. She made the state
ment in her usual soft tones, but
slight tremor Of excitement underran
her voice. Poodles. Persian kittens,
even crystal gazing balls, seemed very
far away in face of this tangible. fabu-
lous. present interest. "You are not
Jack Chilcote," she said very slowly.
You are wearing his clothes and
speaking In his voice, but you are not
Jack Chilcote." Her tone quickened
with a touch Of excitement. You
needn't keep silent and look at me-"
she said. II know quite we'll what l
am saying, though I don't understand
1t, though I have no real proof She
paused. momentarily disconnected by
her companions silent and steady
gaze, and In the pause q curious and
unexpected thing occurred.
Loder laughed suddenly-a full, con-
fdent, reassured laugh. All the web
that the past half hour had spun about
him. all the intolerable sense of an i'm
pending crash. lifted suddenly. He
saw his way clearly. and 1t was Lillian
WHO udu opened MS eyes.
Still looking at her. he smiled-a
smile Of reliant determination, such rs
Chilcote had never worn in his life.
And with a calm gesture lie released
his hand
The greatest charm Of woman Is her
Imagination" he said quietly. with
out 1t there would be no color in life;
we would come into and drop out Of 1t
with the same uninteresting tone of
drab reality" He paused and smiled
again.
at his smile Lillian involuntarily
drew back. the color deepening In her
cheeks. why do you say that" she
asked.
He lifted his head. With each mo-
ment he felt more certain Of himself.
Because that Is my attitude" he said
"As man 1 admire your Imagination.
but as man I fail to follow your rea-
soning."
The words and the tone both stung
her. do you realize the pos4tion?" she
asked sharply. "Do you realize that,
whatever your plans are, I can spoil
them"
Loder still met her eyes 81 realize
nothing Of the Sort" he said
Then you admit that you are not
Jack Chilcote?"
Il neither deny nor admit. My iden-
tity is obvious. / can get twenty men
to swear to 1t at any moment that you
like. The fact that 1 haven't worn
rings till now will scarcely Interest
them.'
But you do admit-to me, that you
are not Jack?'
II deny nothing-and admit nothing.
still offer my congratulations"
upon what2"
"The same possession-your imagina-
ton"
Lillian stamped her foot. Then by a
quick effort she conquered her temper.
prove me to be wrongv' she said,
with fresh touch Of excitement.
Take of your rings aud let me sec
your hand"
With a deliberate gesture Loder put
his hand behind his back. II never
crafty childish curiosity" he said, with
another smile.
Again fash Of temper crossed her
eyes. Are you sure," she said, that
it's quite wise to talk like that?"
Loder laughed again. "Is that a
threatT
Perhaps"
"Then It's an empty one"
why"
Before replying he waited a moment,
looking down at her.
II conclude" he began quietly. "that
your idea Is to spread this wild, im-
probable story-to ask people to believe
that John Chilcote, whom they see be-
fore them, Is not John ChllcOte, but
l on lndx olc a..