Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-15
"Jealous of your reputation

y
as 1 thought. You have niche in
your own good opinion
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled. you have an oddly correct
perception at tines" he said. ~ sup
pose have had lame sort Of pride
In keeping my name clean, but pride
like that>is out of fashion, and I've got
to float with the tide" He laughed
a short laugh that Chilcote had heard
once or twice before, and. crossing
the room, he stood beside bis Wis
itor. After ALL" he said, what bust
ness have l with pride, straight or
lame? Have my identity, If you want
it. When all defenses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town." Laughing again, he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come
he said, give your orders. 1 capitu-
late"
An hour later the two men passed
from Loder's bedroom. where the final
arrangements had been completed
back into the sitting room. Loder
came first in faultless evening dress
His hair was carefully brushed, the
clothes he wore fitted him perfectly
To any glance, critical or casual, he
was the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
in the evening. Chilcote's manner OF
walking and poise of the head seemed
to have descended upon him with Chill
cote's clothes. He came into the room
hastily and passed to the desk.
II have no private papers, he said
$50 / have nothing to lock up. Every
thing can stand as it is. A woman
named Robins comes in the mornings
to clean up and light the fire; other
wise you must shift for yourself. No
body will disturb you. Quiet, dead
quiet. is about the one thing you car
, count on"
Chilcote, half hating In the door
way, made all attempt to laugh. o.
the two he was noticeably the more
embarrassed In Loder's well worn
well brushed tweed suit he felt strand
ed on his own personality, bereft fol
the moment of the familiar accessories
that helped to cloak deficiencies and
keep the wheel of conventionality com
fortably rolling. He stood unpleasant
ly conscious of himself, unable tt
shape his sensations even in thought
He glanced at the fire, at the table
finally at the chair on which he hat
thrown his ovcrcoat before entering
the bedroom. At the sight of the coat
his gaze frightened. the aimlessness
forsook him, and he gave an exclama.
ton of relief.
by Jove!r' he said. 81 clean for.
GOT
sWhat?" Loder looked round.
''The rings He crossed to the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket
"The duplicates arrived only this after
noon-thc nick Of time, eh?' He spoke
fast, his fingers searching busily. DC.
cupation of any kind came as boon.
Loder slowly followed him, and as
the box was brought to light he leaned
forward interestedly.
'.As | told you. one is the copy Of m
old signet ring, the other plain band
"a plain gold hand like a wedding
ring" Chilcote laughed as he placed
the four rings side by side Oh his
palm. IL could think of nothing else
that would be wide and not ostenta
tious. You know how detest dis
play"
Loder touched the rings. "You have
good taste,' he said Lets see if
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them to the lamp
Chilcote followed him. THAT was
an ugly wound" he said, his curiosity
reawakening as Loder extended his
finger. How did you come by it?''
The other smiled Its a memento,'
he said.
"Of bravery?'
mo; quite the reverse" He looked
again at his hand, then glanced back
at Chilcote. NO" he repeated, with
an unusual impulse of confidence. 'I1
serves to remind me that am not ex
empt-that l have been fooled like
other men"
THAT implies woman!"
eyes" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger. II seldom recall the
thing, it's so absolutely past. But
rather like to remember it tonight
rather want you to know that I've beer
through the fire. It's sort of guaran
tee.''
Chilcote made hasty gesture, but
the other interrupted it.
ooh, know you trust me. But you're
giving me risky post. l want you t.
see that women are out Of my line
quite out of it,"
But. my dear chap
Loder went ON without needing
"This thing happened eight years ago
at Santasalare," he said, "a little place
between Luna and Pistoria-a mere
handful of houses wedged between two
hills; regular relic of old Italy crum
bling away under flowers and sunshine
with nothing to suggest the present
century except the occasional passing
of train round the base of one of the
hills. l had literally stumbled upon the
place on a long tramp south from
Switzerland and had been tempted into
q stay at the little inn. The night after
my arrival something unusual occur
red. There was an accident to the
train at the point where it skirted the
village.
'rhere was small excitement. AL
the inhabitants were anxious to help