The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-01-10
/ obvious difference in his bearing or

obvious difference in his bearing or
manner.
! In the afternoon he took his place In
the house, but, though it was his first
appearance since his failure of two
days ago, he drew but small personal
notice. When he chose, his manner
could repel advances with extreme
effect, and Of late men had been prone
to draw away from him.
| In one Of the Hobbies he encountered
Fraide surrounded by a group Of
friends. With his usual furtive haste
he would have passed on, but moving
away from his party the old man ac-
costed him. He was always courteously
! particular in his treatment of Chilcote,
| as the husband of his ward and god
child.
Better, Chilcote," he said, holding
out his hand. At the sound Of the low,
rather formal tones, so characteristic
| of the old statesman, hundred memo
ries rose to Chilcote's mind, hundred
hours distasteful in the living and un-
| bearable in the recollection, and with
them the new flash of hope, the new
possibility of freedom. In a sudden
rush of confidence he turned to his
| leader.
Il believe I've found a remedy for
my nerves." he said. IL believe I'm
| going to be new man." He laughed
| with touch of excitement.
Fraide pressed his fingers kindly.
"That is right" he said. "That is right.
I called at Grosvenor square this morn
ing, but Eve told me your illness Of the
other day was not serious. She was
very busy this morning. She could
only spare me a quarter Of an hour.
She is indefatigable over the social side
Of your prospects, Chilcote. You owe
her large debt. A popular wife
means great deal to politician"
| The steady eyes of his companion dis
turbed Chilcote.
He drew away his hand.
give is unique,' he said vaguely.
Fraide smiled. "That is right" he
said again. Admiration is too largely
| excluded from modern marriages."
And with a courteous excuse he re-
| Joined his friends
It was dinner time before Chilcote
could desert the house, but the moment
departure was possible he hurried to
Grosvenor square.
| AS he entered the house the hall
was empty. He swore irritably under
his breath and pressed the nearest
| bell. Since his momentary exaltation
in Fraide's presence his spirits had
| steadily fallen until now they hung at
the lowest ebb.
AS he waited in unconcealed impa-
thence for an answer to his summons
he caught sight of his man Allsopp at
the head Of the stairs.
"Come here!' he called, pleased to
| find some one upon whom to vent his
irritation. HAS that wire come for
me?'
mo, sir. I inquired five minutes
back"
Inquire again.
Eyes, sir" Allsopp disappeared.
A second later after his disappear
ance the bell Of the hall door whizzed
loudly.
Chilcote started. All sudden sounds,
like all strong lights, affected him. He
half moved to the door, then stopped
himself with a short exclamation. At
the same instant Allsopp reappeared
Chilcote turned on him excitedly.
"What the DEVILS the meaning of
this?' he said. "a battery of servants
in the house and nobody to open the
hall door,
Allsopp looked embarrassed "Crap-
ham is coming directly, sir. He only
left the hall to ask Jeffries"-
Chilcote turned. "Confound Crap.
ham!' he exclaimed. "Go and open
the door YOURSELF
Allsopp hesitated, his dignity strug-
Cling with his obedience. AS he wait
ed the bell sounded again.
"Did you hear me?" Chilcote said.
Eyes, sir" Allsopp crossed the hall.
AS the door was opened Chilcote
passed his handkerchief from one
hand to the other in the tension of
hope and fear, then as the sound of
his own name in the shrill tones of
telegraph boy reached his ears he let
the handkerchief drop to the ground.
| AllsOpp look the yellow envelope and
carried it to his master
| "a telegram, SIR" he said "And the
boy wishes to know if there is an an
swer.' Picking up Chilcote's handker-
chief, he turned aside with elaborate
dignity.
Chilcote's hands were so unsteady
that he could scarcely insert his fin
ger under the flap of the envelope.
Tearing off corner, he wrenched the
covering apart and smoothed out the
ntmsy pink paper.
The message was very simple, con-
sisting of but seven words:
Shall expect you at II tonight
| LODER
He read it two or three times, then
he looked up. "No answer" he said
mechanically, and to his own ears the