davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28

body has been smashed up! You are
going back. Do you understand me?
You are going back-now, today, be-
fore it's too late There was a great
change in Loder; his strong, imper-
turbable face was stirred; he was
moved in both voice and manner.
Time after time he repeated his iniunc-
ton, reasoning, eXpostulating, insist
ing. 1t almost seemed that he fought
some strenuous invisible force rather
than the shattered man before him.
Chilcote moved nervously in his seat.
It was the first real clash of PERSONAL
ties. He felt it-recognized it by in
stinct. The sense of domination had
fallen on him; he knew himself inn
potent in the others hands. What
ever he might attempt in moments of
solitude he possessed no voice in pres
ence of this invincible second self.
For awhile he struggled-he did not
fight, he struggled to resist-then, lift
ing his eyes. he met Loder's. And
what will you do?' he said weakly.
Loder returned his questioning gaze,
but almost Immediately he turned
aside. 'I?' he said. "Oh. shall leave
London"
Loder looked down at him. NO" he
said decisiyely. TITS your turn now.
It's you who've got to do something"
Chilcote's face turned shade grayer.
81 can't" he said below his breath.
Cant? Oh, yes. you can. We can
oil anything. It's not too late;
there's just sufficient time Chilcote."
he added suddenly, don't you see that
the thing has been madness all along
has been like playing with the most in
fernal explosives? You may thank
whatever you have faith in that no
Continued next week
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28

lngiy 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
sBut why?" he said again. Why
Still Loder avoided the frightened
surprise of his eyes. Because | with
draw" he answered doggedly.
Then suddenly Chilcote's tongue was
loosened. "Loder,' he cried excitedly,
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 matter
of greater opportunity" he began, s'of
more money
But Loder turned upon him.
BE quietr' he said SO menacingly
that the other stopped. Then by an eff
fort he conquered himself. "It's not a
matter of money. Chilcote," he said
quietly ITS matter of necessity"
He brought the word out with diff
Guilty,
Chilcote glanced up. Necessity he
repeated. How? Why?"
The reiteration reused Loder. s'Be
cause there was great scene in the
house last night he began hurriedly.
Because when you go back you'll find
that Scarborough has smashed up over
the assassination 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 i'll at ease as
his companion. Then all at once in
SEPARATION came to him, in the sugges-
ton of a wellnigh forgotten argument
by which he might influence Chilcote
and save his own self respect 'It's all
over, Chilcote.' he said more quietly.
at has run itself out And in a dozen
sentences he sketched the story of Lii
liam Astrupp. her past relations with
himself, her present suspicious. 1t was
not what he had meant to say; 1t was
not what he had come to say, but it
served the purpose-it saved him hui
initiation.
Chilcote listened to the last word.
Then, as the other finished, be dropped
nervously back into his chair. Good
heavens, man. he said why didn't
you tell me? Why didn't you warn me,
instead of filing my mind with your
political position? Your political POI
sitionp He laughed unsteadily. The
long spells 90 indulgence that had
weakened his already MANNED faculties
showed in the laugh. in the sudden
breaking Of his voice. 'sYou must do
something, Loderr he added nervously,
checking his amusement. You must
do somethingr,
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28

voices and traffic coming to them In a
continuous rise and fall OF sound. AT
first the position was interesting, but
as the seconds followed each other it
became irksome. Loder, watching the
varying expressions of Ewes face,
grew impatient of the delay. grew sud-
denly eager to be alone again in the
fragrant darkness.
Impelled by the desire. he leaned
forward and opened the window.
Lets find the meaning Of this" he
said. s'Is there nobody to regulate the
trafficY AS he spoke he half rose and
leaned out of the window. There was
a touch Of imperious annoyance in his
manner. Fresh from the realization
Of power, there was something irk-
some in this commonplace check to his
desires.
isn't it possible to get out of this?"
Eve heard him call to the coachman.
Then she heard no more.
He had leaned out Of the carriage
with the intention of looking onward
toward the cause of the delay. In
stead, by that magnetic attraction that
undoubtedly exists, he looked directly
in front of him at the group Of people
waiting on the little island-at one
man who leaned against the lamp post
in an attitude of apathy-a man with
a pallid, unshaven face and lusterless
eyes. who wore cap drawn low over
his forehead.
He looked at this man. and the man
saw and returned his glance. For a
space that seemed interminable they
held each others eyes; then very slow
ly Loder drew back into the carriage.
AS he dropped into his seat Eve
glanced at him anxiously.
.John." she said, 'has anything hap
pened? You look ILL.,"
He turned to her and tried to smile.
ITS nothing" he said. Nothing to
worry about" He spoke quickly, but
his voice had suddenly become fiat.
All the command, all the domination.
had dropped away from it.
Eve bent close to him, her face light
ing up with anxious tenderness. 1T
was the excitement" she said, "the
strain of tonight"
He looked at her, but he made no
attempt to press the fingers that clasp
ed his own.
Eyes" he said slowly. "Yes. 1t was
the excitement Of tonight-and the re-
action
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28

traffic of Piccadilly he bent down again
until her soft hair brushed his face, and
the warm personal contact, the slight
fresh smell Of violets SO suggestive of
her presence, stirred him afresh.
eve" he said vehemently, lido you
understand? Do you know that have
loved you always-from the very
first?" AS he said it he bent still
nearer, kissing her lips, her forehead.
her hair.
AT the same moment the horses
slackened speed and then stopped, ar
rested by one of the temporary blocks
that so often occur in the traffic of Pic
cadilly circus.
Loder. preoccupied by his own feel
ings, scarcely noticed the halt, but Eve
drew away from him, laughing.
'sYou mustn't" she said softly.
"LookP'
The carriage had stopped beside one
of the small islands that intersect the
place. A group of pedestrians were
crowded upon it, under the light of
the electric lamp wayfarers who. like
themselves, were awaiting a passage.
Loder took cursory glance at them,
then turned back to Eve.
eWhat are they, after all, but men
and women?v he said They'd under
stand every one of them" He laugh
ed in his turn. Nevertheless he with
drew his arm. Her feminine thought
for conventionalities appealed to him.
It was an acknowledgment Of depend
ency.
For awhile they sat silent, the light
Of the street lamp pickering through
the glass Of the window. the hum Of
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28


- and, leaning close to the car
riage, he put his hand through the
open window. In silence he took Ewes
fingers and held them in long, affec-
tionate pressure; then he released them
and took Loder's hand.
Good night, Chilcote,' he said. "You
have proved yourself worthy Of her.
Good night" He turned quickly and
rejoined his waiting friends. In an
other second the horses had wheeled
round, and Eve and Loder were car
ried swiftly forward into the darkness.
In the great moments of mans life
woman comes beforehand after. Some
shadow of this truth was in Ewes
mind as she lay back in her seat, with
closed eyes and parted lips. 1t seemed
that life came to her now for the first
time-came in the glad. proud. satisfy
ing tide of things accomplished. This
was her hour, and the recognition of it
brought the blood to her face in sud
den happy rush. There had been no
need to precipitate its coming; it had
been ordained from the first.
Whether she desired it or no, whether
she strove to draw it nearer or strove
to ward it off, its coming had been in
evitable. She opened her eyes sudden
" and looked out into the darkness. the
darkness throbbing with multitudes Of
lives, all waiting. all desiring fulfill
ment. She was no longer lonely, no
longer aloof. She was kin with all this
pitiful, admirable, SHINING, loving hui
mainly. Again tears Of pride and hap
piness filed her eyes. Then suddenly
the thing she had waited for came to
pass.
Loder leaned close to her. She was
conscious of his nearer presence, of his
strong, masterful personality. With a
thrill that caught her breath she felt
his arm about her shoulder and heard
the sound of his voice.
eve" he said, 81 love you. Do you
understand? love you" and, drawing
her close to him, he bent and kissed
her.
With Loder, to do was to do fully.
When he gave. he gave generously;
when he swept aside a barrier, he left
no stone standing. He had been slow
to recognize his capacities, slower still
to recognize his feelings. But now that
the knowledge came he received it
openly. In this matter of newly COM
pretended love he gave no thought to
either past or future. That they loved
and were alone was all ne knew or
questioned. She was as much Eve
the one woman-as though they were
together in the primeval garden, and in
that spirit he claimed her.
He neither spoke nor behaved ex-
trayagantly in that great moment of
comprehension. He acted quietly, with
the completeness of purpose that he
gave to everything. He had found a
new capacity within himself, and he
was strong enough to dread no weak
ness in displaying it.
Holding her close to him, he repeated
his declaration again and again, as
though repetition ratified 1t. He found
no need to question her feeling for him
he had OWNED it III q flash Of inspira-
ton as she stood waiting in the door
way of the gallery but bis own sur
render was a different matter.
AS the carriage passed around the cor
ner Of Whitehall and dipped into the
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28

LOder covered the distance be-
tween Grosvenor square and
Clifford's inn. He left Chilcote's house
hastily haste that only an ur-
gent motive could have driven him to
adopt. His steps were quick and I'M
even as he traversed the intervening
streets; his shoulders lacked their de-
cisive pose, and his pale face was
marked with shadows beneath the
eyes-shadows that bore witness to the
sleepless night spent in pacing Chill
cote's vast and lonely room. By the
curious effect Of circumstances the
likeness between the two men had
never been more significantly marked
than on that morning of April 10.
when Loder walked along the pave
ments crowded with early workers
and brisk with insistent news vendors
already alive to the value of last
nights political crisis.
The irony of this last element in the
days concerns came to him fully when
one newsboy, more energetic than his
fellows, thrust paper in front of him.
Sensation in the 'ouse sir! Speech
by Mr.. Chilcote! Government defeat!'
For moment Loder stopped and his
face redeemed. The tide of emotions
still ran strong. His hand went in
stinctively to his pocket; then his lips
set. He shook his head and walked on.
With the same hard expression about
his mouth, he turned into Clifford's
inn, passed through his own doorway
and mounted the stairs.
This time there was no milk can on
the threshold of his rooms and the door
yielded to his pressure without the
| need of a key. With strange sensa-
ton of reluctance he walked into the
narrow passage and paused, uncertain
which room to enter first. AS he stood
hesitating voice from the sitting
room settled the question.
who's there?" it called irritably.
what do you want?"
Without further ceremony the in
truder pushed the door open and en-
tered the room. AS he did SO he drew
quick breath-whether of disappoint-
ment or relief it was impossible to say.
Whether he had hoped for or dreaded
it, Chilcote was conscious.
AS Loder entered he was sitting by
the cherries CRATE, the ashes of yes
terday's fire showing charred and
dreary where the sun touched them.
His back was to the light, and about
his shoulders was an old plaid rug.
Behind him on the table stood cup,
a teapot and the can of milk; farther
off kettle was set to boil upon
tiny spirit stove.
In all strong situations we are more
or less commonplace. Loder's first re
mark as he glanced round the disor-
dered room seemed strangely inef-
fcient.
where's Robins?' he asked in a
brusque voice. His mind teemed with
big considerations, yet this was his
first involuntary question.
Chilcote had started at the entrance
of his visitor; now he sat staring at
him, his hands holding the arms Of his
chair.
"Where's Robinsy Loder asked
again.
Il don't know. She Il We did
not hit it of. She's gone went yes
terday' He shiyered and drew the
rug about him.
aChilcote'' Loder began sternly.
Then he paused. There was something
in the others look and attitude that
arrested him. A change Of expression
passed over his own face. He turned
about, with an abrupt gesture pulled
Of his coat and threw it on a chair;
then. crossing deliberately to the fire
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28
Champion Jumper OF the Ocean.

The most stupsndous Of all leapers
of the sea is the whale, 5nt the whale
is not 4 fish. have seen monster
weighing hundreGs Of tons. possibly
eighty feet ii iensth. rise slowly and
deliberately out CT the water until it
appeared to be dancing on the sur
face, entirely clear q It, then sink
slowly back. Such a leap is. on record
in the annals Of the British navy. A
large whale cleared a boat, going com
pletely over it, an estimated leap Of
twenty feet in air-how many in a
lateral direction was not Known
Charles T. Holder in Outing Maya
zine
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28
Literally SPEAKING.

Hi Harix-Heow be yore son gittin'
along sense he went tew tn city? ST
Meadowgrass--0h, he's fiourishin'. Eli
Harix--I'm powerful glad few hear it.
What's he dom? ST Meadowgrass-
He's a-teachin' penmanship in one ov
them business colleges. Pittsburg
Press.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28
CHAPTER XVI.

fN1 He next morning at 8 o'clock,
4 and again without breakfast,
Loder covered the distance be-
tween Grosvenor square and
Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-27

i'm, for the countersign, he. wouldn't say
nothin'. That amt no way"
Cant you play it right?" asked the chief
again, with gloomy scorn.
He knew it was me easy enough" said the
sThat amt got nothin' to do with it," cried
the chief, furiously. II you're goin' to play,
you've got to play it right. 1t amt no fun if
you go spoifin the whole thing this way.
II forgot the countersign," lied the culprit,
weakly.
Whereupon the remainder of the band yell
ed out, with one triumphant voice: "War to
the knife War to the knife! remember
it, Willie. Don't /, WilIieG
The leader was puzzled Evidently he was
trying to develop in his mind plan for deal
ing correctly with this unusual incident. He
felt, no doubt, that he must proceed accord
ing to the books, but unfortunately the books
did not cover the point precisely. However,
under arrest" Then with stentorian voice
he shouted, ASeize hirni"
His loyal followers looked startled for q
brief moment. but directly they began to
move upon the Phelps boy. The latter clearly
o ne o evs1 don sseWea
touch me, / tell you; DON'T you dare touch
me-"
They moved slowly watching the desperate
light in his eyes, The chieftain stood with
folded arms. his face growing darker and
darker with impotence. At length he burst
out: "Oh, seize him, I tell you'll Why don't
you seize him! Grab him by the leg, Dannie!
Hurry up, all of you! Seize him, keep
a-sayin'
Thus adjured, the Margate twins and Dan
Earl made another panied effort, while jim
mie Trescott maneuvered to cut off retreat
But. to tell the truth, there was boyish law
which held them back from laying hands Of
violence upon little Phelps under these condi-
tions. Perhaps it was because they were
only playing, whereas he was now undeniabIy
serious. At any rate, they looked very sick
of their occupation.
"Donit you dare!" snarled the Phelps boy,
facing first one and then the other; he was
almost In tears-"don't You dare touch mel"
The chieftain was now hopping with exas-
neration. "Oh, seize him, can't you? You're
no good at AMI" Then he loosed his wrath
upon up aSh the Phelps boy: ISLAND still, Homer,
can't you? You've got to be seized, you
know. That amt the way. It amt any fun
Il Won keep a-dodgin' that way. Stand still,
can't you'll You've got to be seized"
HI don't want to be seized" retorted the
Phelps boy, obstinate and bitter.
maddened & chief. sDon't You see? That's lt's
The Phelps boy answered, promptly, "But
I don't want to play that way"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-27

"But that's the right way to play it. Don't
you see? You've got to play it the right
way. You've got to be seized, an then we Il
hold a. trial on you, an'-an' all sorts OF
things"
But this prospect held no illusions for the
Phelps boy. He continued doggedly to re-
peat, II don't want to play that way!"
Of course, in the end the chief stopped to
beg and beseech this unreasonable lad. On,
come on, Homeri Don't be 50 mean; You're
any Not the tiniest bit. It's. all Just piayln =.
What's the matter with you?'
The different tone of the leader made on
immediate impression upon the. other. he
ness. well he asked, "wRat you goin' to
s'Why, first we're goin' to put you in a
dungeon, or tie you to stake, or something
like that--just pertend, you know" added the
awful a Solemn, but there ere won't be anything
what1l hurt.yo Not a thing;
And SO the game was readjusted The
Phelps boy was marched off between Dan
Earl and q Margate twin; The party pro
hundred % feet back IN the thickets. There
was miserable little hut with a pine-bark
roof, which so frankly and constantly leaked
that existence IN the open air was always
preferable. At present it was noisily drip
ping melted snow mtc t the he black s.,1 ,m1osidy IN.
Pickering through its unhappy career. Under
foot the watery snow was OF the color OF
lead
The party having arrived at the camp, the
chief leaned against tree, and, balancing on
one foot, drew off rubber boot. From this
boot he emptied about quart of snow. He
squeezed his stocking, which had hole from
which protruded 1obster-red toe. He re
sumed his boot. Bring up. the prisoner"
said he They did it. "Guilty or not gull
tyr" he asked.
aHuh?" said the Phelps boy.
equity or not guilty?" demanded the
chief, peremptorily. Guilty or not guilty!
DON'T you understand
Homer Phelps looked profoundly puzzled.
Guilty or not guilty3" he asked, slowly and
The chief made swift gesture, and turned
in despair to the others. "Oh, he don't do it
right! He does it all wrong!" He again
faced the prisoner with an air of making a
last attempt, sNow look-a-here Homer, when
1 say, Guilty or moi. gqilty?' you want to up
an say, Not guilty Don't you see?'
mot guilty" said Homer, at once.
mo, no. no. Wait till | ask you. Now
wait" He called out, pompously, 'Pards, if
this .prisonssar, before is-us guilty, what shall
be his fate"
All those well-trained little infants with
one voice sung out, "Death!"
prisoner" continued the chief, 'are you
guilty or not guilty."
Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-27

"But look-a-here," argued Homer, you
said it wouldn't be nothin' that would hurt.
Thunder an lightnin'!" roared the wretch
What in the mischief"
:, But there was an interruption from Jimmie
1rescott, who shouldered twin aside and
stepped to the front. Here" he said, very
show i'm how to. do it"
,"All right, Jim," cried the chief, delight
ed; You be the prisoner, then. Now all you
feiiers with guns stand there IN row! Get
tSroat 9H e tns and way ,as1 HoIer & He esPrsd his
are you guilty or not guilty?"
Not guilty." answered Jimmie, firmly.
Standing there before his judge-unarmed,
slim, quiet, notes.-the was ideal.
The chief beamed upon him, and looked
glance upon Homer Phelps. He said: There!
That's the way to do it."
The twins and Dan Earl also much adj
mired Jimmie.
satisfied chief. San now we'n-now WE'LL
we'n perceed with the execution"
THAT amt right" said the new prisoner,
suddenly. That amt the next thing.
You've got to have trial first. You've got
to fetch up lot of people who'll say done
.rThat's So" said the chief "I didn't
think. Here, Reeves, you be the first wit
ness. Ind the prisoner do it!"
The twin gufped for moment in his anx-
iety to make the proper reply. He was at the
point where the roads forked. Finally he
hazarded, "Yes"
There" said the chief, chats one of 'em.
Now, Dan, you be a witness. Did he do itY'
Dan Earl, having before him the twins ex.
ample, did not hesitate. eyes," he said.
'WeIl, then, pards, what shall be his fate?"
Again came the ringing answer, ''Death!"
With Jimmie. In the principal role, this
drama, hidden deep in the hemlock thicket,
nsared kind of perfection. ''You must
blindfold me-" cried the condemned lad,
briskly, "an' then I'll go l5ff an stand, am
you must all get in a row an shoot me-
The chief gave this plan his urbane counte-
nance, and the twins and Dan Earl were
greatly pleased They blindfolded Jimmie
under his careful directions. He waded few
PAGES in the snow, and then turned and stood
with quiet dignity, awaiting his fate. The
chief marshaled the twins and Dan Earl in
line with their sticks. He gave the necessary
commands: LOAD! Ready! Aim! Firel'
AT the last command the firing party all to-
gether yellowed, .'Bang!"
Jimmie threw his hands high, tottered in
agony for moment, and then crashed full
length into the snow-into, one would think,
a serious case of pneumonia. 1t was beauti-
full.