Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-01-17

b hungry uldH udu uFeduleQ u great
banquet and had awakened to his star
walton. He was chary Of imparting his
visions.
'There's nothing to TELL" be said
shortly. "All that you'll want to know
is here in black and white. l don't
think you'll find l have slipped any
thing. It's a clear business record"
From an inner pocket he drew out a
bulky notebook and, recrossing the
room, laid it open on the table. 1t.
a correct, even a minute, record of cv-
cry action that had been accomplished
in Chilcote's name. II don't think
you'll find any loose ends" he said as
he turned back the pages. II had you
and your position in my mind all
through" He paused and glanced up
from the book. you have a position
that absolutely insists upon attention"
he added in a different voice.
At tie new tone Chilcote looked up
as we'll. mo moral lectures!" he said,
with Il nervous laugh. II was anxious
to know if you had pulled it of-and
you have treasured me. That's enough.
I was in a funk this afternoon to know
how things were going-one of those
sudden, unreasonable funks. But now
that l see you'-he cut himself short
and laughed once more-"now that I
see you, I'm hanged if 1 don't want to
prolong your engagement"
Loder glanced at him, then glanced
away. He felt a quick shame at the
eagerness that rose at the words-a
surprised contempt at his own readi-
ness to anticipate the mans weakness.
But almost as speedily as he had turn
ed away he looked back again.
flush, mani" he said, with his old
intolerant manner You're dreaming.
You've had your holiday, and schools
begun again. You must remember you
are dining with the Charringtons to-
night. Young Charrington's coming Of
age-quite a big business. Come along.
I want my Clothes" He laughed and.
moving closer to Chilcote, slapped him
on the shoulder.
Chilcote started; then. suddenly be-
coming iEE"ed with the others man
ner, lie echoed the laugh.
by Jove," he said, you're right!
You're quite right. A man must keep
his feet in their Nv groove" Raising
his hand. he began to tumble with his
tie.
But Loder kept the same position.
you'll find the check book in it's usual
drawer" he said. I've made one
entry of l10o, pay for the first week.
The rest can stand over until''- He
paused abruptly.
Chilcote shifted his position. Don't
talk about that. 1t upsets me to antic-
ipate. l q make out a check to
morrow payable to John Loder."
mo. That can wait. The name of
Loder is better out of the book. We
can't be too careful" Loder spoke
with unusual impetuosity. Already a
slight, unreasonable jealousy was col
oring his thoughts. Already he grudged
the idea of Chilcote with his unstable
glance and restless fingers opening the
drawers and sorting the papers that
for n stupendous fortnight had been
his without question. Turning aside.
he changed the subject brusquely.
Come into the bedroom" he said.
cts half past Z II it's a minute, and
the Charrington's show is at g." With,
out waiting for a reply, he walked
across the room and held the door
open.
There was no silence while they ex.
changed clothes. Loder talked contin.
uously. sometimes in short. curt sen
Of humor; he talked until Chilcote
strangely affected by contact with an
other personality after his weeks OF
solitude, fell under his influence. his
excitement rising, his Imagination stir
ring at the novelty of change. At last
ga15ed Il e more in the clothes of his
own world. he passed from the bed
room back into the sitting room anG
there halted. waiting for his com
panion.
Almost directly Loder followed. He
came into the room quietly and. NOV
ing at once to the ia lie. picked M, thl
notebook.
"Im not going to preach he began
80 you needn't shut me up. But IL
say just Il thing-a thing that will
get said. Try to keep your hold
Remember your RESPONSE :..:t:es ant
keep your hold" He spoke rAe:.~ctical
ly. looking earnestly into ri.:lcote':
eyes. He did not realize it, but he wa!
pleading for his own career.
Chilcote paled a little. as he Away:
did in face of Il reality. Then he eN
tended his hand.
my dear fellow" he said. with
touch of hauteur, "a man can general
~ be trusted to look after his own life.
Extricating his hand almost immedi
ately, be turned toward the door ant
without a word Of farewell passed int,
the little hall, leaving Loder alone il
the sitting room.
&
ITO BE Continued
The stockholders OF the RichIan,
County Fair association held their ar
nual meeting at Wahpeton and re
elected nearly all of the old officers