The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-04-26
lEMg N
(ContInued.)

slowly ChilcOte had drawn closer TO
the fire Hc was obviously hrlced by
the warmth. and the apathy that rVmg
about him was to some extent dispel-
led still moving slowly. I.Oder went
toward him and relieving him or IN"
emptv cup. stood looking down at him.
"ChilcOte," he said very quietly, 1--WE
come to tell you that the thing must
end"
After he spoke there was prolonged
pause: then as if shaken with sudden
consciousness. Chilcote rose. The rug
dropped from one shoulder and hung
down ludicrously: his hand caught the
back of the chair for support; bis I'M
shaven face looked absurd and repul-
sive in its sudden expression Of scared
inquiry. Loder involuntarily turned
away.
81 mean it," he said slowly. IT'S
over: we've come to the end"
"But why?' Chilcote articulated
blankly why? Why?" In his confu-
sion he could think of no better word.
Because l throw it up My side of
the bargains off,
Again Chilcote's lips parted stammer-
lngly The apathy caused by physical
exhaustion and his recently administer
ed drug was passing from him; the
hopelessly shattered condition of mind
and body was showing through it like
a skeleton through a thin covering of
flesh.
But why" he said again. why"
Still Loder avoided the frightened
surprise of his eyes. Because | with
draw" he answered doggedly.
Then suddenly Chilcotes tongue was
loosened. "Loder," he cried excitedIy,
you can't do it, Great heavens, man,
you can't do itr' To reassure himself |
he laughed-a painfully thin echo of his ,
old sarcastic laugh. IF it's a matte |
Of greater opportunity" he began, "of !
more money"
But Loder turned upon him.
BE quiet" he said so menacingly
that the other stopped. Then by an eff
fort he conquered himself. Its not a
matter of money. Chilcote," he said
quietly. Its a matter of necessity"
He brought the word out with diff
Guilty.
Chilcote glanced up. Necessity" he
repeated. How? Why?"
The reiteration reused Loder. BE
cause, there was a great scene in the
house last night" he began hurrfedly.
Because when you go back you'll find
that Scarborough has smashed up over
the assassination of Sir William Brice-
Field at Meshed and that you have
made your mark in a big speech, and
because Abruptly he stopped. The
thing he had come to say-the thing he
had meant to say-would not be said
Either his tongue or his resolution fail
ed him, and for the instant he stood
as silent and almost as Ill at ease as
his companion Then all at once In
spiration came to him, in the sugges-
ton of wellnigh forgotten argument
BY which he might influence Chilcote
and save his own self respect. IT'S all
over, Chilcote." he said more quietly
1T has run itself out" And in dozen
sentences he sketched the story Of Lii
ian Astrupp, her past relations with
himself. her present suspicious. 1t was !,
lot what he had meant to say; 1t was =
lot what he had come to say, but it \
erved the purpose-it saved him hu- :
f.,
Chilcote listened to the last word =
Then, as the other finished, he dropped
ervously back into his chair Good ;.
eavens, man." he said why didn't Y
on tell me? Why didn't you warn me,
instead of filling my mind with your =
Official position? Your political po- =,
Itionw He laughed unsteadily The -
ong spells of indulgence that had y
his already MANNED faculties =.
bowed in the laugh. in the sudden :,
reaklng of his voice "YOu must do ".
Loderr' he added nervously -'
lecking his amusement. You must :.
o somethngr
Loder looked down at him. No" he -,
lid decislvely. IT'S your turn now
IS you who'ye got to do something"
Chilcote's face turned a shade grayer.
can't" he said below his breath. -.
"Can'tH oh, yes. you can. We can -
do-anything. It's not too late; ~
lere's just sufficient time. Chilcote," 49,
! added suddenly, don't you see that -.
e thing has been madness all along
is been like playing with the most in -,
rnal explosives? You may thank -,
hatever you have faith in that mo-
,dy has been smashed upl You are ia
ling back. DO you understand me2 W.
Oh are going back-now, today, be- &c,
re It's too late" There was Il great
Ianr,e in Loder; his strong, imper- coz
rbable face was stirred; he was -"
owed In both voice and manner. 'u
me after time he repeated his injunc
IN, reasoning, expostulating, insist i'e
z. II almost seemed that he fought
me strenuous invisible force rather lo'
an the shattered man before him. We
Jhilcote moved nervously In his seat. .oo
was the first real clash of PERSONAL "a i
8. He felt it--recognlZed II by In
net. Tho sense OF domination had ''o'
lien OH him; he knew himself Inn
tent In the others hands. What aoo
or he might attempt In moments Of ne