The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-04-04
place. he began to rake the ashes from

DAOWlAS Out Tue name, LOQer picked
up the teapot and, with hands that
we're evidently accustomed to the task.
set about making the tea.
During the whole operation he never
spoke, though all the while he was
fully conscious of Chilcote's puzzled
gaze. The tea ready, he poured it into
the cup and carried it across the room.
"Drink thisv' he said laconically.
''The fire will be up presently
Chilcote extended cold and shaky
hand. "You see''- he began.
But Loder checked him almost saw
agely. II do-as we'll as though had
followed you from Piccadilly last night.
You've been hanging about, God knows
where, till the smafl hours Of the morn
ing; then you've come back skunk
back, starving for your inf rnal poison
and shivering with cold. You've set
tied the first part Of the business, but
the cold has still to be reckoned with.
Drink the tea. I've something to say
to you" He mastered his vehemence
and, walking to the. window, stood
looking down into the court. His eyes
were blank, his face hard; his ears
heard nothing but the faint sound of
Chilcote's swallowing, the click of the
cup against his teeth. ~
For time that seemed interminable
he stood motionless; then, when he
Judged the tea finished, he turned
slowly. Chilcote had drawn closer to
the fire. He was obviously braced by
the warmth, and the apathy that rung
about him was to some extent dispel-
led. Still moving slowly, Loder went
toward him and, relieving him of the
empty cup, stood looking down at him.
"Chilcote," he said very quietly, 'I've
come to tell you that the thing must
end"
After he spoke there was prolonged
pause; then, as if shaken with sudden
consciousness, Chilcote rose. The rug
dropped from one shoulder and hung
down ludicrously; his hand caught the
back of the chair for support; his I'M
shaver face looked absurd and repul-
sive in it's sudden expression Of scared
inquiry. Loder involuntarily turned
away.
II 1hean it," he said slowly. cts
over; we've come to the end.''
"But why?' Chilcote articulated
blankly. "Why? Why?" In his confu-
sion he could think of no better word.
because I throw it up. Ny side of
the bargains OFF,
Again Chilcote's lips parted stammer-
ingly. The apathy caused by physical
exhaustion and his recently administer
ed drug was passing from him; the
hopelessly shattered condition of mind
and body was showing through it like
a skeleton through a thin covering of
flesh. e..
"But why?" he said again. 'Why?" s
Still Loder avoided the frightened
surprise Of his eyes: Because I with
draw" he answered doggedly.
Then suddenly Chilcote's tongue was
loosened. "Loder," he cried excitedly,
you can't do it! Great heavens, man,
you can't do it!' To reassure himself
he laughed-a painfully thin echo of his
old sarcastic laugh. IF it's a matter
of greater opportunity he began, "of
more money
But Loder turned upon him.
'Be quietv he said so menacingly
that the other stopped. Then by an eff
fort he conquered himself. cts not a
matter Of money, Chilcote," he said
quietly. ''It's a matter of necessity"
He brought the word out with diff
Guilty.
Chilcote glanced up. ''Necessity?" he
repeated. 'How? Why?"
The reiteration reused Loder.: BE
cause there was a great scene in the
house last night" he began hurriedly.
Because when you go back you'll find
that Scarborough has smashed up over
the assassination Of Sir William Brice-
Field at Meshed and that you have
made your mark in a big speech, and
because"- Abruptly he stopped. The
thing he had come to say-the thing he
had meant to say-would not be said.
Either his tongue or his resolution fail
ed him, and for the instant he stood
as silent and almost as ill at ease as
his companion. Then all at once in
SEPARATION came to him, in the sugges-
ton Of wellnigh forgotten argument
by which he might influence Chilcote
and save his own self respect. cts all
over, Chilcote." he said more quietly.
1T has run itself out" And in dozen
sentences he sketched the story Of Lii
liam Astrupp, her past relations with
himself, her present suspicious. It was
not what he had meant to say; it was
not what he had come to say, but it
served the purpose saved him hui
initiation.
Chilcote listened to the last word.
Then, as the other finished, he dropped
nervously back into his chair. "Good
heavens, man." he said, "why didn't
you tell me? Why didn't you warn me,
instead Of filling my mind with your
political position? Your political po-
sition! He laughed unsteadily: The
long spells of indulgence that had
weakened his. already manned faculties
showed in the laugh. in the sudden