Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-16


bearable.
Eyes. you are-uneNpected.' he an
swered.
Chilcote looked at him. then looked
out into the court I'm done up" he
saiG I'm right at the end of the
tether" He laughed rs he said IL. but
in the dim light OF the hail Loder
thought his face looked an and harassed
despite the flush that the excitement Of
the meeting had brought 90 IL. Taking
his arm. he drew him toward the stairs.
$50 the rope has run out. ehT' he
said. in imitation Of the others tone.
But under the quiet OF his manner his
own nerves were throbbing with the
peculiar alertnesS OF anticipation,
sudden sense Of mastery over life that
lifted him above surroundings and
above pcrsons-a sense OF stature.
mental and physical. from which he
surveyed the world. He felt as II fate
In the moment Of utter darkness had
given him a sign.
As they crossed tie hall Chilcote
had drawn away and was already
mounting the stairs And rs Loder
followed 10 came sharply 20 his mind
that here. i'm the slipShod freedom OF a
door that was always open and stairs
that were innocent OF covering. lay his
companions real niche unrccognized
in outward avowaL but acknowledged
by the inward. kecner sense that mani
tests the individual
In silence they mounted the stairs
but on the first landing Chilcote
paused and looked back. surveying
Lodcr from the superior height OF two
steps.
Il did very well az first" he said. Il
did very well. I almost followed your
example Tor week or so. I found
myself ON a sort Of pinnacle. and I
chung on. But I'm the last ten days I've
I've rather lapsed"
why" LoGcr avoided looking az
his face. lie kept his eyes liked de
terminedly on the spot where his own
hand gripped the banister.
why" Chilcote repeated ooh. the
prehistoric tale-wCakness stronger
than strength. "Tm-Tm sorry 20
come down ON YOU Ike this. but its
the social side that bowls me over. It's
the social side 7 can't stick"
The social side? But ] thought
Don't think I never think: IL en-
tails such constant upsetting Of prin-
ciples and theories. We did arrange
for business only, but one can't set up
barriers. Society pushes itself every
where nowadays. into business most
OF all ] don't want You for theater
parties or dinners. But big reception
with a political flavor is different A
man has 10 be seen at these things. He
needn't say anything or do anything.
but it's bad form IL he fails to show
up"
Loder raised his head. you must
explain" he said abruptly.
Chilcote started slightly az the sud
den demand.
II suppose I'm rather irrelevant"
he said quickly. Fact is. there's a re
ception at the Bramfells' tonight You
know Blanche acknowledgements
Bramfell. sister TO Lillian Astrupp."
His words conveyed nothing 10 LOder,
but he did not consider that. All ex-
plantations were irksOme 10 him and he
invariably chafed 10 be done with
them.
''And you've got to put in an appear
ance-for party reasonsg" Loder broke
in.
Chilcote showed relief. yes Old
Fralde makes rather a point OF it-so
does Eve" He said the last words
carelessly; then. as II their sound re-
called something. his expression chang
ed. A touch % satirical amusement
touched his lips and he laughed.
by the way LOder," he said my
wife was actually tolerant Of me for
nine or ten days after my return.
thought your representation was to be
quite imperSOnal? I'm not jealous, f"
he laughed. I'm not jealous, assure
you. but the burned child shouldn't
grow absentminded."
At his tone and his laugh Loder's
blood stirred. With a sudden, unex.
pected impulse his hand frightened on
the banister. and. looking up, he caugh,
sight OF the face above him-hs owl
face II seemed, alighted with maIiciou:
interest. AT the sight a strange sensa
ton seized him, his grip on the banis
ter loosened, and. pushing past Chill
cote. he hurriedly mounted the stairs.
Outside his own door the other over
took him.
''LoderF' he said "Loder. I meant
no harm. a man must have a laugh
sometimes"
But Loder was facing the door and
did not turn round.
A sudden fear shook Chilcote 40
derw he exclaimed again. you would
not desert me? / can't 90 back to
night. can't go back"
Still Loder remained immovable.
Alarmed by his silence, Chilcote step
ped closer to him.
''Loderi Loder. you won't deser
meT He caught hastily at his arm.
With a quick repulsion Loder shool
him on. then almost as quickly b.
turned round.
What fools we all are" he sal,
abruptly. 1--WE only differ In degres
Come in and let us change on
clothes"
TO BE CONTINUED.