Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-09

ried Il across the room and dropped II
In the FIRE. This done. he returned 20
the desk. read the letters that awaited
/ Chilcote. and. scribbling the necessary
notes upon the margins. left them In
, readiness 10 Greening. Then. moving
with the same quiet suppression. he
passed from the room. down the stairs
and out into the street by the way he
had come.
CHAPTER Xxx.
I'm the fifth day after the momen-
tous ist OF April on which he
III had recalled Loder and re
left his house and walked toward Bond
street. Though tho morning was clear
and the air almost warm for the time
OF year. he was buttoned into a long
overcoat and was wearing a muller
and pair OF doeskin gloves As he
passed along the street he kept close
20 the house fronts 10 avoid the sun
that was everywhere stirring the win
ter bound town Ike a sumusion OF
young blood through old veins. he
avoided the warmth because in this
instance warmth meant light. but as
he moved he shiycred slightly from
time TO time with the haunting. perme-
ating cold that OF late had become his
persistent shadow.
lie was ill at ease as be hurried for
ward. With each succeeding day OF
the old life the new onnoyances. the
new obligations. became more hamper
Ing. Before his compact with Loder
| this Old life had been net about his
feet Now the meshcs seemed TO have
narrowed. the net itself 20 have spread
| till it smothcrod his whole being His
| own household. his own rooms even.
! offered no sanctuary. The presence OF
another personality unged the atmos-
/ pherc. IL was prcposterous. but IL was
undoniable The 'ay figure that he had
set iu h.s place had proved to be flesh
ana blood. bad usurpcl his life. his
position, bis very personality. by sheer
right OF strength AS be walked along
Bond street in thc first sunshine OF the
year. jostled by the we'll dressed crowd.
he felt plr'ah
He rcvoltcd at the new order o.
things. but the revolt was "a silent one
the iron Of rNpc1ieucy had entered into
bis soul Tie dared not ieopardize Lo-
dor's position because DC dared not dis
pcuse with Lodcr The door that
guarded his vice drew him more re-
sistlessly with every Indulgence. and
Lodcr's was Che voice that called the
"opcn sesame"
He walked ON aimlessly. He had
been but Eve days at home. and nl-
ready the quiet. grass grown court OF
Clinord's mo. The bare staircase. the
comfortless privacy OF Loder's rooms.
seemed a haven OF refuge. The speed
with which this hunger had returned
frightened him.
He walked forward rapidly and with
ont eucouutering a check Then sud
denly the spell was broken. From the
slowly moving brilliantly dressed
throng OF people some one called him
by his name, and. turning. ne saw Lii
Han Astrupp.
She was stepping from the door OF a
jewelers., and as he turned she paus-
ed. holding out her hand.
"Ibe very person would have wish
cd 10 seer she exclaimed. Where
have you been these hundred yearsf
I've heard OF nobody but YOU since
you've turned politician and ceased 20
be mere member OF parliament" She
laughed softly. The laugh suited the
light spring air. as she herself suited
the pleasant. superficial scene.
He took her hand and held H. while
his eyes travelled from her delicate
face 20 her pale cloth gown. from her
soft furs 20 the bunch OF roses fasten.
cd I'm her mun. The sight OF her was
q curious relief. Her cool slim fingers
were SO casual. yet so clinging. her
voice aud her presence were so redo
lent OF easy. artificial things
How well you loob,' be said invol-
UNFAIRLY.
Again she laughed. That's my pre-
rosative." she responded lightly. "But
I was serious in being glad 10 see you.
Sarcastic people are always so intul-
tive. I'm looking for some one with
Intuition"
Chilcote glanced up. "Extravagant
AGAIN. be said dryly.
She smiled at him sweetly. "Jackr
she murmured. with slow reproach.
N+ttAAN"tN tAlAANN NAlNhlN- uuQeF-
stand. You've changed your minister
OF finance. I'm wanted ia some other
direction"
This time her reproach was express
ed by = glance. You are always
wanted" she said.
The words seemed to rouse him
again 10 the shadowy self dlstrust that
the sight Of her had lifted
"Its-its delightful TO meet you like
this he began. land l wish the meet
Ing wasn't momentary. But Tm-Pm
rather pressed for time. You must let
me come round one afternoon-or even.
Ing. when you're alone" He fumbled
for moment with the collar OF hIs
coat and glanced furtlvely upward to
ward oxford street
But again Lillian smiled. this time to
herself. IL she understood anything
on earth. il was Chilcote and his
moods
If one may be careless OF anything.
Jack" she said lightly. surely it's OF
time. / can imagine being pressed for
anything else In the world. II it's an
aDDOinfment vOll're WORRYING ohout a