Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-10
"Jealous Of your reputation? Y

as l thought. You have a meme Ia
your own good opinion"
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled. "You have an oddly correct
perception at tinies,n he said. 'I sup
pose have had 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
itor. "After ALL" he said, what bust
ness have l 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 Loder'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 casual, he
was the man who had mounted the
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.
81 have no private papers," he said,
$50 have nothing to lock 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
Chilcote. half hating in the door
way, made an attempt to laugh OF
the two he was noticeably the more
embarrassed. In Loder's well worn.
well brushed tweed suit he felt strand
ed on his own personality, bereft fol-
the moment of the familiar accessories
that helped to cloak deficiencies and
keen the wheel of conventionality com.
fortably rolling. He stood unpleasant
" conscious of himself, unable tc
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 exelama-
ton of relief.
by Jover' he said. Il clean for
GOT
'What?9 Loder looked round.
mThe rings" He crossed to the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket.
1.-THE duplicates arrived only this after
noon-the nick of time, eh?" He spoke
fast, his fingers searching busily. DC
cupation of any kind came as a boon.
Loder slowly followed him, and as
the box was brought to light he leaned
forward interestedly.
.As told you, one is the copy of an
old signet ring, the other plain band
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 bis
finger. How did you come by it,"
The other smiled. tits memento,s
he said.
"Of bravery"
'sNo; quite the reverse" He looked
again at his hand, then glanced bach
at Chilcote. NO" he repeated, witt
an unusual impulse of confidence. I'll
serves to remind me that am not ex
empt-that / have been fooled like
other men,"
THAT implies Woman?'
eyes" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger. Il seldom recall the
thing, it's SO absolutely past. But
rather like to remember it tonight.
rather want you to know that I've been
through the fire. It's sort of guaran-
tee"
ChiIcote made hasty gesture, bui
the other interrupted it.
ooh, / know you trust me- But you're
giving me risky post. want you to
| see that women are out of my line
quite out of It."
But, my dear chap
Loder went on without needing
''This thing happened eight years age
at Santasalare,1 he said, "a little place
between Luna and Pistoria-a mere
handful of houses wedged between two
hills; a regular relic of old Italy crum
! bling away under flowers and sunshine
with nothing to suggest the present
century except the occasional passing
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