Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-14


was left behind, then he ran. At the
risk of reputation, at the loss of dig
nifty, he run until he saw a cab. Hall
Ing 1t, he sprang inside, and as the
cabman whipped up and the horse re-
sponded to the call he realized for the
first time the fun significance of what
had occurred.
Realization, Ike the need for action,
came to him slowly, but when it came
1t was with terrible lucidty. He did
not swear as he leaned back in his
seat mechanically watching the stream
of men on their way to business, the
belated cars of green produce blocking
the way between the Strand and Gov
ent Garden, iie hao no use Tor oatns;
his feelings lay deeper than mere
words. But his mouth was sternly set
and his eyes looked cold
outside the law courts he dismissed
his cab and walked forward to Cliff
ford's inn. AS he passed through the
familiar entrance chill fell on him.
In the clear, early light it seemed more
than ever place of dead hopes, dead
enterprises, dead ambitions. In the
onward march Of life it had been for
gotten. The very air had breath OF
unfuldllment.
He crossed the court rapidly, but his
mouth set itself afresh as he passed
through the doorway Of his own house
and crossed the bare hall.
AS he mounted the we'll known stairs
he received his first Indication of life
in the appearance OF a cat from the
second floor rooms. At sight of him the
animal came forward rubbed demon
stratively against his legs and with af-
fectionatc persistence followed him up
stairs.
outside his door he paused. On the
ground stood the usual morning can of
mllk--cvidencc that Chicote was not
yet awake or that, like himself he had
no appetite for breakfast. He smiled
ironically 80 the idea struck him, but
1t was a smile that stiffened rather
than relaxed his lips Then he drew
out the duplicate key he always carried
and, inserting it quietly, opened the
door A close, unpleasant smell greet
cd him as he entered the small passage
that divided the bed and sitting rooms
"a smell of whisky mingling with the
odor of stale smoke. With a quick
gesture he pushed open the bedroom
door. Then on the threshold he paused
look OF contempt and repulsion pass
ing over his face.
In his first glance he scarcely grasp
ed the details of the scene. for the halt
drawn curtains kept the light dim, but
as his eyes grew accustomed to the OBJ
security he gathered their significance.
The room had a sleepless, jaded air
the room that under his own occupation
had shown a rigid, almost monastc Sc
verify. The plain dressing table was
Uttered with cigarette ends and marked
with black and tawnY patches where
the tobacco had been left to burn itself
out. On one corner OF the table 4
carafe Of water and whisky decantel
rested one against the other, as If fol
support. and at the other end an over
turned lumber lay in pool of liquid
The whole effect Was siclily and nau5e
stng. His glance turned Involuntary
to the bed and there halted
On the hard. narrow mattress, from
which the sheets and blankets had fall
on in a disordercd heap. lay Chilcote
lie vas fully dressed in shabby
tweed suit OF Loler's. his collar was
open. his lip and chin uushaven; one
hand was Imply grasping the pillow,
NHh'ln tho nthnp l,l1,.r trD u ID,
of the bed. His face, pale almost
earthly in hue, might have been mast,
save for the SLIGHT convuSive spasus
that crossed ii from time to time and
correspondent with The faint, Shivering
starts that passed ut intervals over his
whole body. To complete his ropellcnt
appearance, a lock of hair had fallen
loose and lag black and damp across
his forehead.
Loder stood for space shocked au,!
spellbound BY the sight Even in the
IhaStly diSarray the likeness the cX-
traordinary, sinister likeness that had
become the pivot upon which he him
self revolvcd-struck him Ike a blow.
The man who lay there was himself,
bound to him by some subtle, inexpic-
able tie OF similarity As the idea
touched him he turned aside and step
ped quickly to the dressing table.
There. with unnecessary energy, he
flung hacl; the curtains and threw tho
window wide Then aCan he turned
toward the bed. He had one dominant
impulse, 10 wakcn Chilcote. to be free
of the repulsive, inert presence that
chilled him with 50 personal a horror
Leaning over the bed, he caught the
shoulder nearest to him and shook it,
1t was not the moment for nlcetlos,
and his gesture was rough.
At his first touch Chilcote made no
response-his brain. dulled by indui-
gence in his vice. had become a lag
gard in conveying scnsations-but at
last, as the pressure on his shoulder
increased, his nervous system seemed
suddenly to jar into consciousness. A
long shudder shook him; he half lifted
himself and then dropped back upon
the pillow
"Oh" he exclaimed in trembling
breath. ooh" The sound seemed
! drawn from him by compulsion.
Its uncanny tone chilled Loder anew.
wake up, man. he said suddenly.
wake up. It's I--Loder,"
Again the other shuddered; then he
turned quickly and neryously. go
der?' he said doubtfully. "Loder?'