Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-14

wait while his fingers rested on the
handle: then a sensation he could not
explain. a reticeuce, a reluctance to in
trude upon this one precinct, caused
his fingers to relax. With slightly
embarrassed gesture he drew back
slowly and retraced his steps.
Once In Chlcote's bedroom. he walk
ed to the nearest bell and pressed 1t.
Renwick responded, and at sight of
him Loders feelings warmed with the
same sense of fitness and familiarity
that the great bed and somber furnl-
ture of the room had inspired.
But the man did not come forward
as he had expected. He remained close
to the door with hesitation that was
unusual in trained servant. 1t struck
Loder that possibly his stolidity had
exasperated Chilcote and that possibly
Chilcote had been at no pains to con-
ceal the evaporation. The idea caused
him to smile Involuntary.
Come into the room, Renwick," he
said. ITS uncomfortable to see you
standing there. l want to know If Mrs.
Chilcote has sent me any message
about tonight"
Renwick studied him furtively as he
came forward. yes, sir" he said.
Mrs. Chilcote's maid said that the car
rage was ordered for 1915, and she
hoped that would suit you" He spoke
reluctantly, as If expecting rebuke.
At the opening sentence Lodcr had
turned aside, but now, as the man fin
shed, he wheeled round again and
looked at him closely with his keen,
observant eyes.
Look here" he said. II can't have
you speak to me like that / may come
down on you rather sharply when my
my nerves are bad, but when I'm N.Y.
self treat you-well, I treat you de-
Gently at any rate. You'll have to learn
TO discriminate. Look at me now" A
thrill Of risk and of rulership passed
through him as he spoke. Look at me
now! DO l look as looked this morn
ing or yesterday
The man eyed him half stupidity, half
tlmidly.
"Well?" Loder insisted
"Well, sir" Renwick responded, with
some slowness, you look the same and
you look different-a healthier color
perhaps sir, and the eye clearer" He
grew more confident under Loders
half humorous, half insistent gaze
"Now that look closer, sir
Loder laughed. That's It'll" he said
Now that you look closer. You'll have
to grow observant. Observation is an
excellent quality in n servant. When
you come into room in future, look
first of all TO me and take You cue
from that, Remember that serving a
man with nerves is like serving two
masters. Now you can go, and tell
Mrs. Chilcote's maid that | shall be
quite ready at "A quarter past TO-
Yes. sir. And after that!"
Nothing further shan't want
you again tonight" He turned away
rs he spoke and moved toward the
great fire that was always kept alight
in Chilcote's room. But as the man
moved toward the door he wheeled
back again. "Oh. one thing more
Renwick! Bring me some sandwiches
the first time that he had eaten moth
ing since early afternoon.
a few minutes after 10 Loder left
Chilcote's room, resolutely descended
the stairs and took up his position in
the hall Resolution Is strong word
10 apply TO such a proceeding, but
something In his bearing. in the atti-
tude Of his shoulders and head, in
stinctively suggested it.
Five or six minutes passed but he
waited without Impotence. Then n,
last tho sound of a carriage stopping
before the house caused him to lift his
head, and at the same instant Eve ap-
peared at the head of the staircase.
She stood there for a second, looking
down on him, her maid pace or two
behind holding her cloak. The picture
She made struck upon his mind with
something of a revelation.
On his first sight of her she had an.
pcaled to him as n strange blending of
youth and self possession-a girl with
woman's clearer perception of life
Later he had been drawn to study her
In other respects-as possible comrade
and friend. Now for the first time he
saw her as power in her own world
woman TO whom no man could DENY
consideration. She looked taller for
the distance between them. and the
distinction of her carriage added to the
effect. Her black gown was exquisite
ly soft-as soft as her black hair.
Above her forehead was cluster of
splendid diamonds shaped like a coro-
net, and a band of the same stones en-.
circled her neck. LOder realized in n
glance that only the most distinguished
of women could wear such ornaments
and not have her beauty eclipsed. With
touch of the old wardness that
had before assailed him in her pres
ence, he came slowly forward as she
descended the stairs.
Can help you with your cloak?" he
asked. and as he asked 1t something
like surprise at his own tmdlty cross.
ed his mind.
For a second Ewes glance rested on
his face. Her expression was quite i'm
passive, but as she lowered her lashes
Il faint CLEAN fickered across her eyes.
Nevertheless, her answer, when II
came, was studiously courteous.
THANK you" she said "but Marie
will do all I want"