The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-01-17

"That walk impressed me. There was
in the warm night, a sensation more
than attractive in being made much Of
by a woman of ones own class and
country after five years wandering."
He laughed with touch of irony.
"But won't take up your time with
details. You know the progress Of an
ordinary love affair. Throw in a few
more flowers and little more sunshine
than is usual, man who is practically
a hermit and woman who knows the
world by heart and you have the whole
thing.
''She insisted on staying in Santasa-
lare for three days in order to keep my
finger bandaged. She ended by staying
three weeks in the hope Of smashing up
my life.
ION coming to the hotel she had Civ
en- no name, and in our first explana-
tons to each other she led me to con-
clude her an unmarried girl. 1t was at
the end of the three weeks that I learn
ed that she was not free agent, as I
had innocently imagined, but possessed
a husband whom she had left i'll with
malaria at Florence or Rome
''The news disconnected me, and l
took no pains to hide it. After that the
end came abruptly. In her eyes 1 had
become fool with middle class prin-
clples; in my eyes But there is no
need for that. She left Santasalare the
same night in great confusion Of
trunks and hatboxes, and next morning
I strapped on my knapsack and turned
my face to the SOUTH"
"And women don't count ever after?'
Chilcote smiled, beguiled out of him
self.
Loder laughed. THAT'S what I've
been trying to convey. Once bitten,
twice shy!" He laughed again and
slipped the two rings over his finger
with an air Of tinality.
"Now, shall I start? This is the latch
key?" He drew key from the pocket
Of Chilcote's evening clothes. "When
I get to Grosvenor square am to find
your house, go straight in, mount the
stairs and there on my right hand will
be the door Of you'll mean my own
private rooms. I think I've got it by
heart. feel inspired. I feel that I
can't go wrong" He handed the two
remaining rings to Chilcote and picked
up the overcoat.
It'll stick on till I get a wire," he
said. 'Then I'll come back and We'll
reverse again" He slipped on the coat
and moved back toward the table.
Now that the decisive moment had
come it embarrassed him. Scarcely
knowing how to bring it to an end, he
held out his hand.
Chilcote took it, paling a little.
"'Twill be all rightv' he said, with a
sudden return Of nervousness. "'Twill
be all right! And I've made it plain
about-about the remuneration? A
hundred a week, besides all expenses. -
Loder smiled again. my pay? Oh,
yes, you've made it clear as day. Shall
we say good night now?'
Eyes. Good night"
There was a strange, distant note in
Chilcote's voice, but the other did not
pretend to hear it. He pressed the
hand he was holding, though the cold
dampness Of it repel lied him.
Good night" he said again.
Good night
They stood for a moment awkwardly
looking at each other, then Loder quiet
ly disengaged his hand, crossed the
room and passed through the door.
Chilcote, left standing alone in the
middle of the room, listened while the
last sound of the others footsteps was
audible on the uncarpeted stairs. Then,
with furtive. hurried gesture, he
caught up the green shaded lamp and
passed into Loder's bedroom.