Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-26

Tor the first time he knew that the sur
ferings OF the past months could hav,
visible as well as a hidden side-coulS
disorganize his daily routine as the,
had already demoralized his will and
character.
The thing came upon him with ex.
traordinary lack Of preparation. He sat
through the twilight with toIerable
calm. his nervousness showing only In
the occasional lifting of his hand 10
his collar and the frequent changing
Of his position. but when the lights
were turned on and he leaned back IN
his seat with closed eyes he became
conscious Of a curious impression-a
| disturbing idea that through his closed
lids he could see the faces on the Cd
/ poSite side OF the house see the rows
! OF eyes. sleepy. Interested or vigilant
| Never before had the sensation pre-
scented itself. but once set UP II ran
through all his susceptiblltles. BY an
absurd freak OF fancy those varying
eyes seemed 10 pierce through his lids.
almost through his eyeballs. The cold
perspiration that was his daily horror
broke out on his forehead and az the
same moment Fraide. his leader. turn
ed. leaned over the back OF his seat
and touched bis knee
Chilcote started and opened his eyes
II believe I was doing" he said
confusediy
Fraide smiled his dry. kindly smile.
"A fatal admission Tor q member of
the opposition" he said But I was
looking for YOU earlier ln the day.
thilcote. There Is something behind
This Persian affair. / believe 1t to be
a mere first move on Bussas part.
You big trading people viii find IL
worth watching"
Chiicote shrugged his shoulders. ooh.
I don't know" he said Il scarcely
believe i'm It, Lakely put a match TO
the powder ia the St Georges. but
twill only be noise and a pun Of
smoke"
But Fraide did not smile What IS
the feeling down at Warkgr ne asked
HAS &c awakened any interestT'
AT Warkf oh. II don't quite
know have been a little out OF
touch with Wark in the last eeyv
weeks. a man has SO many private
affairs 10 looa to- lie was uneasy
under his chiefs scrutiny
Fraide's lips parted as ir TO make re
ply. but with a certain divniaed reti
cence he closed them again and turned
away.
ChIcote leaned back in his place and
fururcly passed his hand over his fore
head. His mind was possessed by one
consideration - tho consideration OF
himself lie glanced down the crowd /
ed, lighted house 90 the big glass
doors; he glanced about him at his col |
leagues. Indifferent or Interested: then
srreptitIously bis fingers strayed 10
his waistcoat pocket
Usually De carried his morphia tab
ioids with him. but today by lapse
of memory be- had left them at home
lie knew This. nevertheless he contin-
ued to search. while Che need OF the
drug rushed through him with sense !
Of physical sickness lie cost hold on
The business 90 tle house: unconscious !
ly he half rose from his scat
The man next him looked zap. Hold
your ground. Chlcotc." he said. Ray
forth Is drying up"
With wave OF relief Chilcote drop-
ped back into his place Whatever the !
confusion .u his mind IL was evident
IS not obvious in h.s face
Eayforth resumed his seat. there was
the usual slight stir and pause. thei
Solett. the member for Salchester. rose. !
with Saieits FIRST words Ch.lcote's
hand again sought his pocket and
again hls eyes strayed toward the
doors, hut Fraide's erect head and stin
back just in front OF him held him
quiet. With an effort he pulled ont I
his notes and smoothed them nervous I
lyi lut. though his gaze was fixed on
The pages. not q line OF Blessington's
clear writing reached his mind. lie
glanced at che face of the speaker.
then at Che faces on the treasury
bench. then o.ce more be leaned back
IN his seat.
4 be mon beside him saw the move I
ment. "i mixing The dry dockf" ne /
whispered i-sun-,y
NO h-cote turned % him sud !
denly feel .eastly-have felt /,
beastiy Tor weeks
The other .1sSci 80 him more close
". "Any.hug ,vrclgs" he asked IL
was q novel experience TO be conaded
ia 10y Chucote
"Oh. us the grind-the Internal
gr!nt" As DE said 10 IL seemed TO /
him suddenly that his strength gave
way. lie forgot his companion. his
'osltion. everything except The urgent
Instinct that filed mind and body.
Scarcely knowing what he did he rose /
and leaned forward 10 whisper In
Freide's ear.
Fraide was seen 10 turn. his thin
face Interested and concerned. then he
was seen TO nod once or twice Ia &C
quiescence. and a moment later Chill
cote stepped quietly out Of his place.
One or two men spoke 10 him as he
hurried from the house. but he shook
them or almost uncivllly, and. making
Tor the nearest exit. hailed a cab
The drive TO Grosvenor square was
misery. Time after time ne changed
from one corner OF the cab to the other.
his acute internal pains prolonged by
very delay and increased by every
4 To-. ~ |