The Red Cloud chief., 1907-01-04

.tu rough the most suDstan-
tiil ulu IA The house as if he were g,s-
slmcr, though | may have lunched with
liza the saA,c uay.'
Lolcr smiled. by Jove!" he cX-
claimed. "Fate must have been con
structlug this before either of us was
born. 1t dovetails ridiculously. But |
must know your colleagues, even If il :
only TO cut them. You'll have to Ia
me TO the house"
"Imposslble!''
mot at all" Again the tone of Az,
thority fell to Lodef. II can pull my
bat over my eyes and turn up my
coat collar. Nobody will notice mo
We can choose the fall of the aftc'-
noon. ] promise you twill be an
right"
Suppose the likeness should leak
out? It's Il risk"
Loder laughed confidently. "Tli.h.
IN. Risk is the salt of life. ! n" g
see YOU ut your post, and | must see
the men You work with He rose.
walked nCroSs the room and took his
uipe from the rack. when | So IL
= t.ing like to 20 in over hr,i
and cars ne added as hc opened DO
tobacco Jar.
His pipe filled, he resumed his So
resting his elbows on thc table In 49,.
conscious Imitation IF Chiiro,e.
Got a match:' he said lacJnicllly
holding out his hama.
In response thilcotc drew his L.. n
box from his pociet and struCN Il
AS their hands touched an cXciunS-
ton escaped him.
by Jove!" he said, with Il lrctful
mixture of disappointment and sur
prise. Il hadn't noticed that His
eyes were fixed in annoyed interest OH
Loder's extended hand.
Loder, following his glance, smiled.
odd that we should both have over
looked it! 1t clean escaped my mind.
It's rather an ugly scar" He lifted
his hand till the light fell more fully
on it. Above the second joint of the
third finger ran Il jagged furrow, the
reminder of Il wound that had nee
laid bare the bone.
NiillNOlN ~ " Ntiu' AAp" AZ
you come by it," he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders
"Oh, that's ancient history"
The results are present day enough
It's very awkward, very annoying!'
Lodcr, still looking at his hand. didn't
seem TO hear. There's only one thing
to be DONE" he said. Each wear two
rings on the third finger of the left
hand. Two rings ought to cover it
He made n speculative measurement
with the stem of his pipe.
Chilcotc looked irritable and disturb
ed. Il detest rings. l never veal
rings"
Loder raised his eyes calmly. "Nei
tller do l." he said, but there's no rea
, son for bigotry."
But Chilcote's irritability was start
cd. lie pushed back his chair. Il don
like the idea" he said.
The other eyed him amusedly. VIVA
q queer beggar you arc!' he said. "iol
waive the danger of Il man signing
, your checks and shy mt wearing Il piec'
of jewelry. I'll have Il fair share of in
. dividuality to study"
ChilcUte moved restlcssly. Every
: body knows | detest jewelry."
Everybody knows you are capri
> cious. It's got to be the rings or moth
ing. so far as | make out"
Chilcote again altered his position
, avoiding the others eyes. At last aft
: or Il struggle with himself, he looke'
=, up.
> Il suppo you're right" he salt
"Have It your WI way" 1t was til
. first small. tangible concession to tn
stronger will.
Lodcr took his victory quietly
, "Good!' he said. Then it's all straigl
sailing?"
Except for the matter of thc-the r.
: munerdtion.' Chilcote haZarded I'll
word uncertainty.
l. There was n faint pause: then Lode
laughed brusquely. MY pay?"
The other was embarrassed. II didn
!, want to put it quite like that"
But that was what you though
:. Why are you never honest-even wit
a, yOuTsclfI'
Il Chilcote drew his chair closer to ii
4 table. He did not attend TO the other
remark, but his fingers strayed to h
walstcoat pocket and fumbled there,
LGder saw the gesture. Look here
Il he said, you are O~vertaXing yourself
n The affair of the pay isn't pressln
n Wen shelve 1t to another night. Io
n look tired out"
+. Chilcote lifted his eyes with n +