Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-16
CHAPTER xxi.

missed Greening and passed into Chill
cote's bedroom. The Interview with
Eve, though widely different from the
one he had anticipated. had left him
stimulated and alert. In the hours that
followed 70 there had been an added
anxiety 20 put his mind into harness.
an added qualification I'm finding It
answer 10 the rein.
A pleasant sense OF retrospection
settled upon him as he slowly IN
dressed. and a pleasant sense Of inter
est touched him as. crossing TO the
dressing table. he caught sight OF Chill
cote's enEa cement book. taken with
other things from the suit he had
changed at dinner time and carefully
laid aside 10y Renwick.
He picked NJ up and slowly turned
the pages To always held the sugges-
ton Of lottery, this dipping into an
other mans engagements and drawing
prize or a blank. 1t was o sensa-
ton that even custom had not duIled
At irst he turned the pages slowly.
then by degrees his fingers Quickened.
Beyond the fact that this present
evening was free he knew nothing OF
his promised movements. The abrupt-
ness OF Chilcotc's arrival az Clifford s
inn 10 the afternoon had left no time
for superhuous questions. He skim
med the writing with n touch Of Inter
csted haste. then on at once he paused
and smiled.
big enough for a tombstoner' he
said below his breath as his eyes rest
Ell on a large blue cross. Then he
smiled again and held the book to the
light.
Dine SO Cadogau gardens. 8 o'c.
Talk with l." he read still speaking
softly 70 himself
He stood FOR a moment bordering on
the entry, then once more his glance
reverted 20 the cross
Evidently meant 70 10 he seen" he
mused but why the deuce Isn't he
more explicitT" AS he spoke a look OF
comprehension suddenly crossed his
face and the puzzled frown between
his eyebrows cleared away.
With feeling OF satisfaction he re-
membered Lakelcys frequent and
pressing suggestion that he should dine
with him at Cadogan gardens and dis
Lakeley must have written during
his absence. and Chilcote having mark
al the engagement. felt no further re
sponSibHity. The Invitation could
scarcely have been verbal, as Chncote.
he knew. had lain very low In the Eve
days OF his return home.
So he argued as be stood with the
book stiu open ia his hands. the blue
cross staring imperatvely from the
white paper. And from the argument
rose thoughts and suggestions that
seethed ia his mind long after the lights
had been switched or. long after the
fire had died down. and he had been
left wrapped In darkness in the great
canopied bed.
And so it came about that he took
his second false step. Once during the
press Of the next mornings work 70
crossed his mind 90 verify his convic-
lions by a glance at the directory. but
for once the strong wish that evolves
a thought conquered his caution. His
work was absorbing. the need OF yeri
hcatiOn seemed very small lie let the
suggestion pass.
=
mind was full 81 Lakelev and OF the
possibiliues the night might hold. FOR
more than once before the weight of
the ST. George Gazette, with Lakeley
at It's back. had turned the political
scales. To be marked by him as a
coming man was at any time a favora-
able pOrtent; 10 be singled out by him
at the present juncture was momen-
tous. A thrill OF expectancy. almost
excitement, passed through him as he
surveyed his appearance preparatory
90 leaving the house.
Passing downstairs. he moved at
once TO the han door; but almost as
his hand touched IL he halted, attracted
by movement on the landing above
him. Turning. he saw Eve
She was standing quite still, looking
down upon him as she had looked once
before AS their eyes met she changed
her position hastily.
You are going out?" she asked. And
1t struck LOder quickly that there was
suggestion, a shadow Of disappolnt-
ment in the tone Of her voice. Moved
by the impression. he responded with
unusual prOmpness
yes" he said. I'm dining out
dining with Lakeley."
She watched him intently while he
spoke; then. as the meaning OF his
words reached her her whole face
Frightened.
"With Mr.. Lakeley2" she said. "Oh.
I'm glad-very glad. 1t is quite-quite
another step" She smiled with warm,
impulsive touch o. sympathy
LOder. looking up at her. felt his
senses stir. At sound Of her words his
secret craving for success Quickened TO
stronger life. The man whose sole in
centive lies within may go forward
coldly and successfully: bur the man
who grasps a double Inspiration, who,
even unconSciOusly. is impelled by an
other force. has stronger impetus for
attack. surer. more vital hewing
power. Still watching her. he answer.
ed instinctively:
YES" he said slowly. "a long step
And. with smile OF farewell. he turn
ed, opened the door and passed into tie
road
The thrill OF that one moment was