Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-14

the idea Of friendship"
Appropriateness, then"
Chilcote looked up sharply. Il think
we score there" he said. Il have a
reputation for observation-disclosures that
will carry you anywhere. They tell me
can look through the most substan-
tial man in the house as II he were COS.
samer, though may have lunched with
him the same day"
Loder smiled. "By Jovew he ex
claimed. Fate must have been con
structing this before either Of us was
born. It dovetails ridiculously. But
must know your colleagues, even II its
only to cut them. You'll have to take
me to the house."
Impossible"
mot at ALP Again the tone of au'
thority fell to Loder. II can pull my
hat over my eyes and turn up my
coat collar. Nobody will notice me
We can choose the fall of the after
noon. 1 promise you twill be all
right"
Suppose the likeness should leak
out? It's risk"
Loder laughed confidently. '.Tush.
man! Risk is the salt Of life must
see you at your post, and must see
the men you work with" He rose,
walked across the room and took his
pipe from the rack. when l go In
for tking / like to 60 In over head
and ears he added as he opened his
tobacco jar.
His pipe filed, he resumed his seat,
resting his elbows on the table in I'M
conscious imitation Of Chilcote.
"Got a match" he said laconically.
holding out his hand.
In response Chilcote drew his match
box from his pocket and struck a light.
As their hands touched an exclama-
ton escaped him.
"By Jovey he said, with fretful
mixture Of disappointment and sur
prise. II hadn't noticed thaty His
eyes were fixed In annoyed interest on
Loder's extended hand.
Loder, following his glance, smiled.
"Odd that we should both have over
looked it! 1t clean escaped my mind.
It's rather an ugly scar" He lifted
his hand till the light fell more fully
Ion it. Above the second joint of the
third finger ran Jagged furrow. the
reminder of a wound that had once
laid bare the bone.
Chilcote leaned forward. How did
you come by it," he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders
ooh, that's ancient history"
@The results are present day enough
It's very awkward, very annoying"
Loder, still looking at his hand, didn't
seem to hear. There's only one thing
to be DONE" he said. Each wear two
rings on the third finger Of the left
hand. Two rings ought to cover it"
He made a speculative measurement
with the stem Of his pipe.
Chilcote looked irritable and disturb
ed. II detest rings. I never wear
rings"
Loder raised his eyes calmly. mel
ther do l." he said, "but there's no rea-
son for bigotry."
But Chilcote's irritability was start
ed. He pushed back his chair. II don't
like the iaea," he said.
The other eyed him amusedly. What
queer beggar you areT he said. "You
waive the danger of man signing
your checks and shy at wearing piece
Of jewelry. I'll have fair share OF IN
dividuality to study"
Chilcote moved restlessly. Every
body knows detest jewelry.'
Everybody knows you are capri
cious. It's got to be the rings or moth
ing, SO far as make out. !"
Chilcote again altered his position
avoiding the others eyes. At last, aft
er a struggle with himself. he looked
up.
II suppose you're rightv' he said
.Have it your own way" 1t was the
first small, tangible concession to thu
stronger will.
Loder took his victory quietly
"Good!' he said. 'erhen It's all straigh
sailing?"
except for the matter Of the the re
muneration." Chilcote hazarded thu
word uncertainty.
There was faint pause; then Lode
laughed brusquely. my pay?"
The other was embarrassed. Il didn'
want to put it quite like that"
"But that was what you thought
Why are you never honest-even will
yourself?"
Chilcote drew his chair closer to thu
table. He did not attend to the other
remark, but his fingers strayed to bill
waistcoat pocket and fumbled there.
| Loder saw the gesture. "Look here
he said, "you are overtaxing yourself
The affair Of the pay isn't pressing
Wen shelye 1t to another night. Yo'
look tired out"
Chilcote lifted his eyes with a re
lieved glance. Thanks. l do feel
bit tagged. II I may, I'll have tina
| whisky that / refused last night"
| "Why, certainly" Loder rose at ono
and crossed to cupboard in the wall
In silence he brought out whisky
! glasses, and siphon Of soda water
"Say when!" he said, lifting the whisky
..Now. And I'll have plain water IN
stead Of soda, IL It's all the same"
| "Oh, quite" Loder recrossed tn
room. instantly his back was turned
Chilcote drew couple of tabloids from
his ,,ocLot and drained them into hi: