Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-03

have our own TRENDS, our own F0OlnS.
Marriage, actual marriage, doesn't
enter the question. We meet OCCASION
ally at meals and at other peoples
houses: sometimes we go out together
for the sake of appearances; beyond
that, nothing. If you take up my life
nobody in it will trouble you less than
Eye--I can promise that" He laugh
ed unsteadily.
Loder's face remained unmoved.
Even granting that" he said, "the
thing is still impossible"
..Why?"
ssThere is the house. The position
there would be untenable A man is
known there as he is known in his
own club" He drew away from Chill
cotes touch.
every possibly. Very possibly"
Chilcote laughed quickly and excitedly.
"But what club is without its eccentric
member? / am glad you spoke of that.
/ am glad you raised that point. It
was long time ago that I hit upon a
reputation for moods as shield for
for other things, and the more useful
it has become the more | have let it
grow tell you you might go down to
the house tomorrow and spend the
whole day without speaking to, even
nodding to, single man, and as long
as you We're / to outward appearances
no one would raise an eyebrow. In
the same WAY you might vote in my
place, ask a question, make a speech
ii you wanted to-
At the word speech Loder turned in
voluntarily For fleeing second the
GOODNESS of his manner dropped and
his face changed.
Chilcote, with his nervous quickness
Of perception, saw the alteration, and a
new look crossed his own face.
"Why not?, he said quickly. sYou
once had ambitions in that direction.
Why not renew the ambitions?"
..And drop back from the mountains
into the gutter?" Loder smiled and
slowly shook his head.
Better to live for one day than to
exist for a hundredw Chilcote's voice
trembled with anxiety. For the third
time he extended his hand and touched
| the other.
This time Loder did not shake off the
defining hand. He scarcely seemed to
feel its pressure.
sLook here" Chilcote's fingers tight
ened. "a little while ago you talked of
influence Here you can step into a
position built by influence. You might
do all you once hoped to do
Loder suddenly lifted his head. cab
surd!' he said. absurd! Such scheme
was never carried through
sPrecisely why it will succeed. PEG
| pie never suspect until they have a
precedent. Will you consider it? AT
least consider it. Remember, if there
| is a risk it is / who am running it. On
your own showing you have no position
to jeopardize."
The other laughed CURLY.
Before / go tonight will you promise
me to consider it?''
mo-
.sThen you will send me your decision
by wire tomorrow. won't take your
answer now"
Loder freed his arm abruptly. "Why
not?'' he asked.
Chilcote smiled nervously. Because
| I know men and mems temptations.
We are all very strong till the quick is
| touched Then we all vince. It's
morphia with one man, ambitions with
another. In each case it's only a mat
ter of sooner or later" He laughed in
his satirical, unstrung way and held
out his hand "You have my address,
he said. "Au revoir."
Loder pressed the hand and dropped
it. "Goodby,' he said meaningly. Then
he crossed the room quietly and held
the door open. "Goodby," he said again
as the other passed him.
AS he crossed the threshold Chilcote
| paused. EAU revoir," he corrected,
with emphasis
Until the last echo Of his visitors
/ steps had died away Loder stood with
his hand on the door. Then closing it
| quietly he turned and looked around
the room. For considerable space he
stood there as if weighing the merits of
each object. Then very slowly he NOV
ed to one of the bookshelyes. drew out
| Mays parliamentary Practice" and,
carrying it to the desk, readjusted the
lamp.