Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-07

ana found tho dog. The first expressed
gratitude, the other didn't. I extricat-
ed him with enormous difficulty from
the wreck of the luggage van, and this
was how he marked his appreciation"
He held out his hand and nodded TO-
ward the scar
Chilcote glanced up. 80 that's the
explanation?'
yes. 1 tried to conceal the thing
when | restored the dog, but l was
bleeding abominably and ! failed.
Then the whole business was changed.
1t was who needed seeing to, my new
friend insisted; | who should be looked
after and not she. She forgot the dog
in the newer interest of my wounded
finger. The maid, who was practically
unburS, was sent on to engage rooms at
the little inn, and she and | followed
slowly.
THAT walk impressed me. There was
an attractive mistiness of atmosphere
in the warm night. sensation more
than attractive in being made much of
by 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 few
more flowers and little more sunshine
than Is usual, a man who Is practically
q hermit and Il woman who knows the
world by heart and you have the whole
thing.
"She insisted on staying in Santasa-
l1re for three days in order TO keep my
finger bandaged. She ended by staying
three weeks in the hope of smashing up
my life.
"On coming to the hotel she had Civ
en- 10 name, and in our first explana-
lions To each other she led me to con-
clude her an unmarried girl. 1t was at
the end of the three weeks that learn
cd that she was not free agent, as |
had innocently Imagined but possessed
husband whom she had left i'll with
malaria at Florence or Rome.
"The news disconnected me, and
took no pains to hide it, After that the
end came abruptly. In her eyes l 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 a great confusion of
trunks and hatboXes. and next morning
! strapped on my knapsack and turned
my face to the SOUTH
And women don't count ever after?"
Chilcote smiled, beguied out of him
self.
Loder laughed That's what I've
been trying TO convey. Once bitten,
twice shy He laughed again and
with an air Of fnality.
"Now, shall start? This is the latch
key lie drew key from the pocket
of Chilcote's evening clothes. when
get to Grosvcnor square l 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. l think I've got it by
heart. l feel inspired. l feel that
can't 20 wrong" He handed the two
remaining rings to Chllcote and picked
up the overcoat.
"I'll stick on till | get wire" he
said. Then I'll come back and well
reverse again." lie 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 1t to an end. he
| held out his hand
Chllcote took it, paling little.
"'Twill be all right" he said, with n
| sudden return of nervousness twill
be all right. And I've made it plain
about-about the remuneration? 4
hundred 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 Il strange, distant note in
| Chilcotes voice. but the other did not
hand he was holding. though the cold
dampness of it repealed him.
Good night" he said again.
Good night
They stood for 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 uncarpetcd stairs. Then
with a furtlve, hurried gesture, he
caught up the green shaded lamp and
passed into Loder's bedroom.