Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-01-03

being. NI-Loder accepts. VII-Loderi is COM
PEELED to wear rings on one OF his fingers i'll or
der to conceal Il scar made IN ltaly by q pet dog
belonging to an Englishwoman whom he had
met there and had become very friendly with.
"Y%ou-you're quite right to pun NE
up. We have no time to waste. 1t
must he 1 O'clock" He pulled out his
watch, then walked to the window and
stood looking down into the shadowy
court. How quiet you are here" he
said. Then abruptly Il new thought
struck him, and he wheeled back into
the room. "Loder,' he said quickly
"Loder, | have an idea. While YOU
are me, why shouldn't l be YOU: Why
shouldn't l he John Lodcr instead of
the vagrant We contemplated: Ii coy
ers everything: it explains everything.
It's magnificent. I'm amazed we nev-
er thought of it before"
Loder was still beside the desk. Il
thought of it," he said without look
ing back.
"And didn't suggest it,"
mo"
Why
Loder said nothing, and the other
colored.
Jealous of your reputation:' he
said satirically.
Il have none to be jealous Of"
Chilcote laughed disagreeably. Then
you aren't S o far gone In philosophy
as I thought. You have a niche in
your W good opinion"
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled. You have an oddly correct
perception at times" he said. II sup
pose l have had q 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 his Wis
stor. after ALL" he said, what bust
ness have | 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. | capitu-
late
An hour later the two men passed
from I.oder'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 c@usual. IL
WAS fbp man who baI p,nr,p+ol ~,
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 l have nothing to ln.k 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 can
count on"
Chilcotc, half hating In the door
way, made an attempt to laugh. OF
the two he was noticeably the more
embarrassed. In Loder's we'll worn.
We'll brushed tweed suit he felt strand
ed on his own personality, bereft for
the moment of the familiar accessories
that helped to cloak deficiencies and
keep the wheel Of conventionality com.
fortably rolling. He stood unpleasant
~ conscious of himself. unable to
shape his sensations even in thought.
he glanced at the fire, at the table.
finally at the chair on which he had
thrown his overcoat 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".' he said. 81 clean for
got"
WHAT" Loder looked round.
"The rings He crossed to the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket.
"The duplicates arrived only this after
noon-the nick of time, eh?' He spoke
fast, his fingers searching busily. Oc-
cupation of any kind came as a boon.
Loder slowly followed him, and as
the box was brought to light he leaned
forward interestedly.
las / told you, one is the COPY of an
old signet ring, the other a plain band
"a plain gold band like a wedding
ring" Chilcote laughed as he placed
the four rings side by side on his
palm. 81 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 Won come Inv itS,