Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-07
d passed through the door.

lie lunCneu With frul0e Mt his CluO
nd afterward walked with him to
Westminster. The walk and lunch
we're both memorable. In that hour he
Earned many things that had been
called 10 him before. He tasted his
rst draft of real citation, his first drop
Z real discontinue. He saw for the
rst time how great man may con-
escend-how unostentatiously how
lilly. how delightfully."-. lie felt what
bet and kindness perfectly combined
bay accomplish and he burned in
Tardly with n sense Of duplicity that
pushed and elated him alternately.
G was John Loder, friendless, pennl-
So. with no present and no future, yet
walked down Whitehall in the full
ght Of day with one of the greatest
atesmen England has known.
Some strangers were being shown
yer the terrace when he and Fraide
pached the house and, noticing tho
pen door, the old man paused.
II never refuse fresh air." he said.
Shall we take another breath Of 1t
nfore settling DOWN. He took Lo-
PRS arm and drew him forward. AS
hey passed through the doorway the
rossure of his fingers tighlened. Il
lall reckon today among my pleasant
t memories. Chilcotc." he said grave
Il cant explain the feeling, but
rcm to have touched Ewes husband,
q real you more closely this morning
I did hafnrn hoe l,na,, n
tnuinc happiness" He looked up with
e eyes that through all his years of
(tion and responsibility had remained
bright.
Eut Loder paled suddenly. and his
ance turned to the river wide, mys-
rious. secret. Unconsciously Fraide
d stripped the illusion. 1t was not
In Lodcr who walked here; 1t was
llcote Chilcote with his position, his
nSttuency-his wife. He half extri
ted his arm, but Fraide held it.
NO." he said. Don't draw away
pm me- You have always been too
hdy to do that. 1t Is not often have
pleasant truth to tell. won't be de-
we'd of the enjoyment"
Can the truth ever he pleasant, slr?"
voluntarily Loder echoed Chilcote.
raide looked up. lie was half 4
nd shorter than hi' companion,
ough his dignity concealed the fact.
hilcote,' liz eaiu seriously. give up
licism, 1t is the trademark of fail
p, and l do not like It in my
ends
oder said nothing The quiet in
ut of the reproof. its mitigating
idness, touched him sharply. In
ii moment lie saw the rails down
ich he had sent his little car of cx.
Pnce spinning and the sight daunted
Il. The track was sleeper. the gauge
rover, than he had guessed; there
re curves and sidings upon which
had not reckoned. He turned his
ID and met Fraide's glance.
Don't count too much on me, sir"
said slowly. Il might disappoint
again" His voice broke off on
last word for the sound of other
res and Of laughter came to them
oss the terrace as group Of two
(nen and three men passed through
open door. At glance he realized
pit the slighter of the two woiur..
S Eve.
eelng them. she disencaged herse'
ln her party and came quickly foi
I'd. He saw her cheeks flush and
eyes brighten pleasantly az they
ted on his companion, but he noticed
that after her first cursory glance
avoided his own direction.
IS she came toward them Fraide
wv away his hand in readiness to
Jet her.
Here comes my godchild." he said.
often wish, Chilcote. that l could
away with the prefix" He added
last words in an undertone as he
ched them, then he responded
rmly to her smile.
What" he said. Turning the ter
e into the garden of Eden in Jan
Fy. We cannot allow this"
We laughed. Blame Lady Sarah"
said. I'VE met at lunch, and she
ried me off. Needless to say |
IN 10 ask where"
hey both laughed, and Loder joined.
title uncertainty. He had vet to
I'm that the devotion OF Fralde and
wife was n long standing jest In
ir particular set.
t the sound Of his tardy laugh Eve
he'd to him. Il hope didn't rob you
all sleep last night" she said. Il
ght him in his den." she explained
hing to Fraidc, land invaded it mos,
rageously. / believe we talked
g"
gain Loder noticed how quickly she
ked from him to Fraidc. The knowl
reused his self assertion.
had an excellent night" he said
look as if hadn't slept
bmewhat slowly and reluctantly
looked back. No" she said truth
Y and with a faint surprise that to
er seemed the first genuine emotion
had shown regarding him. NO.
Z think | ever saw you look sc
l." She was quite unconscious and
charming MS she made the admis
1t struck Loder that her colorine
hair and eyes gained by daylight
e frightened and vivfed by their
ing of somber river and somber
G.
Fade smiled at her affectionately
looked Mt Loder. "Chilcote has
new lease of nerves. Eve" he
quietly. And I-believe-I have