Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-24


the Marble arch was reached There
still oblivious 20 his surroundings, nd
had crossed the roadway to the Edg
ware road, passing along IL to tn
labyrinth of shabby streets that lie be
hind Paddington. Now, as he glanced
about him, be saw with some surprisl
how far he had come.
The damp remnants of the fog sti
hung about the housetops in flm
veil. There We're no Glimpses Of gree
to break the monotony OF tone. 4
was quiet, dlngy. neglected. But
Chlcotc the shabbiness was restfu
the subdued atmosphere n satisfaction
Among these sad houses, these pa ssers
by, each filed with his own concerns
he experienced a sense of respite an
relief In the fashionable streets tina
bounded his own horizon If MAJ
paused in his walk to work out an idei
he instantly drew a crowd Of inquisi
tive or contemptuous eyes. Here IL
man halted for half an hour It was no
bodys business but his own.
Enjoying this thought, he WANDERED
on for close upon an hour, movin;
from one street to another with step
that were listless or rapid, as lnclina
ton prompted, Then still acting witt
vagrnnt nimlessness. he stopped in h
wnndcrlngs and entered Il small eatn,
house
The place was low ceiled and dirty
the air hot and Steaming with tb .
smell Of food. but Chilcote passe,
! through the door and moved to one o
the tables with no expression Of dis
gust and with far less furtlve watch
| fulness than he used in his own house
By n curious mental twist he fel
greater freedom, larger opportunities
! in drab surroundings such as thes
than in the broad issues and weightt
responsibilities Of his own life. ChoosI
| ing n corner seat, he called for Coffee|
and there, protected by shadow and
wrapped In cigarette smoke, be St
/ about imagining himself some vagran
unit who had slipped his moorings an
was blissfully adrlft
The Imagination was pleasant Will
It lasted. but with him nothing wa
permanent. OF late the greater parI
OF his sufferings had been comprise
In the irritable fckleness Of all hi
aims-the distaste for and impossible
ty Of sustained effort in any directiou|
He had barely lighted second cigar 4
cite when the old restlessness fell
upon him. He stirred ncrvoVsly In b /
seat, and the cigarette was scarcelI
burned out when he rose, paid bill
small bill ana left the shop.
Outside on the pavement he halted
pulled out his watch and saw that tv
hours stretched in front before anI
appointment claimed his attention. ri
wondered vaguely where he might n
to, what he might do, in those tH
hours. In the last few minutes a dis
taste for solitude had risen in bill
mind, giving the close street a lionel
ness that had escaped him before.
AS he stood wavering a cab passed
slowly down the street. The sight o|
a well dressed man reused the cal|
man. Flicking his whip, he passed
Chilcote close, feigning to pull up.
The cab suggested civilization. Chill
cote's mind veered suddenly, and h|
raised bis hand. The vehicle stopped
and he climbed In.
where, sr7' The cabman peereI
down through the roof door,
Chilcote raised his head ooh, anyI
where near Pail Mall" he said Theu|
up his hand and shook the trapdood
Wait" he called. ave changed n1
mind. Drive to Cadogan gardens, Nd
SO"
The distance to Cadogan Garden
was covered quickly. Chilcote ha
hardly realized that his destination
was reached when the cab pulled urI
Jumping out he paid the fare and
walked quickly to the hall door of Nq
33.
rs Lady Astrupp at home?' he ask
ed sharply as the door swung back ID
answer to his knock.
The servant drew back deferentally
Her ladyshIp has almost finished
lunch, sir" he said.
For answer Chilcote stepped throueL
the doorway and walked halfway
across the hall.
"All right" he said. But don't d d
turb her on my account. III wait ID
the white room till she has finished
And, without taking further notice 81
the servant he began to mount thI
stairs
In the room where he had chosen a
wait pleasant wood fire Frightened
the dull January afternoon and soft
tened the thick white curtains. the gil
furniture and the venetian vases filled
with white roses Moving straight
forward, Chilcote paused by the gratC
and stretched his hands to the blaze
then, with his usual instability. h(
turned and passed to couch tina
stood yard or two away.
On the coach, tucked away betweeI
novel and a crystal gazing ball, was
a white Persian kitten, fast asleep
Chlcote picked up the ball and held /
between his eyes and the fire. then ii
laughed superciliously, tossed it baci
into Its place and caught the kittens
tail The little animal stirred, stretch
ed itself and began to pur. At Tho
same moment the door of the room
opened.
Chilcote turned around. Il particu
lnrly said you were not to be disturb