Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-07

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saw his way clearly, and it was Lillian
who Rad opened his eyes.
Still looking at her, he smiled--a
smile OF reliant determination, such as
Chlcote had never worn in his life.
And with calm gesture he released
his hand.
The greatest charm Of woman Is her
imagination" he said quietly. with
out 1t there would be no color in life;
we would come into and drop out Of It
with the same embarrassing tone Of
drab reality" He paused and smiled
again.
At his smile Lillian Involuntary
drew back, the color deepening in her
checks. "Why do you say that?' she
asked.
He lifted his head. With each mo.
ment he felt more certain of himself
Because that is my attitude" he said.
"As a man I admire your imagination.
but MS a man fail to follow your rea-
soning."
The words and the tone both stung
her. do you realize the postion?" she
asked sharply. do you realize that,
whatever your plans are, I can spoil
themW
Loder still met her eyes. IL realize
nothing of the sort" he said
"Then you admit that you are not
Jack Chilcote?"
81 neither deny nor admit. My iden-
tity ia obvious. I can get twenty men
to swear to 1T at any moment that you
like. The fact that l haven't worn
rings till now will scarcely interest
them"
But you do admit--to me, that you
are not jack
Il deny nothing-and admit nothing
I still offer my congratulations
"Cpon what7"
'"The same possession--your magma
ton"
Lillian stamped her foot. Then by a
quick effort she conquered her temper.
prove me TO be wrong" she said,
with fresh touch of excitement.
"Take off your rings and let me see
your hand
With deliberate gesture I.oder put
his hand behind his back. Il never
crafty childish curiosity" he said, with
another smile.
Again n flash Of temper crossed her
eyes. Are you sure she said, that
it's quite wise to talk like that?"
Loder laughed again. rs that n
threat?'
Perhaps"
"Then it's an empty one"
Why"
Before replying he waited moment
looking down al her
Il conclude" he began quietly, that
your iden is to spread this wild. i'm
probable story-to asi; people to believe
that John Chilcotc whom they see be
fore them, is not John ChilcOtc. but
somebody else Now. you'll find that Il
harder task than you imagine. This is
skeptical world. and people are ob
surdly fond cf their own eyesiGht W,
are all Journalists nowadays-we al
want facts The first thing you will h,
asked for is your proof And what does
your proof consist of: The circum
stance that John Chilcote, who has al
ways despisod jewelry. has lately taker
to wearing rings. Your own testimony
unattended by any witnesses, that with
those rings or his finger bears seal
belonging to another man. No; OF
close examination 1 scarcely imagine
that your case would hold" He stop
ped, fred by his own logic. The future
might be Chilcotes. but the presen
was his and this present, with its i'm
measurable possibilities, had been res
cued from catastrophe. mo" he sait
again. when you get your proof per
haps We'll have another talk. but til
them
"Till them" She looked up quickly
but almost at once her question dice
away.
The door had opened, and the servan
: who had admitted Loder stood in thu
) opening.
: Dinner is served" he announced il
his defcrential voice.
, GRO BE CONTINUED)