Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-16

ing steadily eastward. his hat drawn
forward and his overcoat buttoned up.
AS he travcrsed the streets he allow
ed himself no thought. Once, as he
waited In Trafalgar square 10 find a
passage between the vehicles. the re-
membrance OF Chilcote's voice coming
out or the fog on their first night made
itself prominent. but ne rejected il
quickly. guarding himself from even
an involuntary glance at the place OF
their meeting The Strand. with its I'M
eeasing life. came 20 him as something
almost unfamiliar. Since his identified
ton with the new life no business had
drawn him east OF Charing Cross. and
his first sight Of the narrower stream
Of traffic struck him as garish and I'M
pleasant AS the impression came he
accelerated his steps. moved by the
wish TO make regret and retrospection
alike impossible by contact with ac-
tual forces.
Still walking hastily. he entered Cliff
ford's inn. but there almost uncon-
sciously his feet halted. There was
something in the quiet immutability OF
the place that sObcred energy. both
mental and physical: sense OF
haugelessness-the changeiessness OF
inanlmate things. that rises IN such sol
emD contrast TO the variablenesS OF
mere human nature, which a new en-
vironment. a new outlook. sometimes
even a new presence. has power TO up
heave and remold He paused. then
the little court and mounted the IA
miliar stairs OF his own house.
As he turned the handle OF his own
door some one stirred inside the sitting
room. Still under the influence OF the
stones and trees that he had just left,
he moved directly toward the sound
aud. without waiting for permission.
entered the room. After the darkness
Of the passage it seemed well alight.
for. besides the lamp with its green
shade. n large fire burned in the CRATE
and helped 60 dispel the shadows.
As he entered the room Chilcote rose
and came forward his figure thrown
into strong relief by the double light.
He was dressed In a shabby tweed
suit; his face looked pale and set with
n slightly nervous tension. But. besides
the look and a certain added restless
ness OF glance there was no visible
change Reaching Loder. he held out
his hand
"Wellf" he said quickly.
The other looked az him question
ingly.
'Wenf Well? How has e gomez"
The schcme2 oh. excellentlyr' 10
der's manner was abrupt Turning
from the restless curiosity I'm Chilcote's
eyes he moved a little way across the
room and began 10 draw OF his coat.
Then, as II struck by the incivillty OF
the action. he looked back again. "The
scheme has gone extraordinarily" he
said. Il could almost say absurdly.
There are some things. Chilcote. that
fairly bowl man over"
A great relief tinged Chilcote's face.
"Goodr' he exclaimed. Tell me all
about It."
But LOdcr was reticent The mo-
ment was not propitlous. 10 was as n
a hungry man had dreamed n great
banquet and had awakened TO his star
walton. He was chary of lmparting his
visions
There's nothing TO tell" he said
shortly "Al that you'll want TO know
is here in black and white. / don't
think you'll End I have slipped any
thing. It's "a clear business record"
From an inner pocket he drew out .
bulky notebook and. recrossing the
room. laid IL open on the table. IL was
a correct, even minute. record OF ev-
cry action that had been accomplished
IN Chicote's name. Il don't think
you'u lind any loose ends" he said as
he turned back the pages. Il had you
and your position IN my mind all
through" He paused and glanced up
from the book. You have a position
that absolutely insists upon attention"
he added In a different voice.
At the new tone Chilcote looked up
as we'll "NO moral lecturesr' he said.
with a nervous laugh. Il was anxious
10 know If you had pulled IL ofr-and
/ you have treasured me. That's enough.
/ was In funk this afternoon 20 know
how things were going one Of those
sudden, unreasonable funks. But now
that I see you"-he cut himself short
and laughed once mOre-"nOw that /
see you. I'm hanged. = don't want 10
| prolOng your engagement"
LOder glanced at him. then glanced
/ away. He felt a quick shame at the
/ eagerness that rose at the words-a
surprised contempt at his own readi-
ness 20 anticipate the mans weakness.
/ But almost as speedily as he had turn
/ ed away he looked back again.
flush. manr' he said, with his old
intolerant manner. You're dreaming.
/ You've had your holiday. and schools
/ begun again. You must remember you
/ are dining with the CharringtOns to
night. Young Charrington's coming OF
I age-quite big business. Come along.
I l want nay clothes" lie laughed and.
m0ring closer 10 Chilcote, slapped him
on the shoulder
Chilcote started; then. suddenly be.
coming imbued with the others man
ner, he echoed the laugh.
| by Jove." he said, you're right!
I You're quite right. 4 man must keep
/ his feet In their own groove" Roissng