Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-07
CHAPTER Xxx.

left his house and walked toward Bond
street. Though the morning was clear
and the air almost warm for the time
Of year, he was buttoned into a long
bvercoat and was wearing a muller
and pair of doeskin gloves. AS he
passed along the street he kept close
to the house fronts to avoid the sun
that was everywhere stirring the win
Ter bound town like suffusion of
young blood through old veins. He
avoided the warmth because in this
instance warmth meant light, but as
lie moved he shlvered slightly from
time to time with the haunting, pcrme-
Gtlng cold that of late had become his
persistent shadow
He was i'll at ensc as he hurried for
ward With each succeeding day of
the old life the new annoyances, the
new Obligations became more hamper
ing. Before his compact with Loder
this old life had been a net about his
feet. Now the mrShcS seemed to have
narrowed, the net itself to have spread
til it smothcrod his whole being. His
own household, his own rooms even,
offered no sanctuary. The presence Of
another personality tinged the atmos-
pherc. 1t WAS prCpoStcruus. bnt 1t was
undcnablc. The lay figure that he had
vet in his place had proved to be tiesll
and blood. had uSurped his life, his
position, his very personality, by sheer
sight of strength AS he walked along
Bond street in the first sunshine of the
year. iostlcd by the we'll dressed crowd.
ne felt pariah.
He revolted ut the new order of
things. but the revolt was a silent one
ihe iron of cNppdenCy had entered into
lis soul. We dared not ieopardize To-
ler's position because he dared not dis
,ense with Loder The door that
guarded his vice drew him more re-
sistlessly with every Indulgence, and
ioderS was the voice that called the
open sesame
He walked on aimlcSsly. lie had
been but five days at home. and al
ready the quiet, grass grown court of
Clfford's inn, the bare staircase, the
comfortlcSs privacy of Iodcr's rooms.
seemed q haven OF refuge The speed
with which this hunger had returned
frightened him
He walked forward rapidly and with
out encountering n 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, he saw Lii
liam Astrupp.
She was stepping from the door of
jewelers. and as he turned she paus
ed, holding out her hand.
THE very person would have wish.
ed to see.' she exclaimed. Where
have you been these hundred years?
I've heard of nobody but You since
you've turned politician and ceased to
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 it. while
his eyes travelled from her delicate
face TO her pale cloth gown. from her
soft furs TO the bunch OF roses fasten-
ed in her muff The sight OF her was
curious relief. Her cool, slim fingers
were so casual, yet so clinging: her
voice and her presence were so redo
ent Of easy artificial things.
How we'll you look!' he said invol
intarly.
Again she laughed. That's my pro
'ogative," she responded lightly. "But
was serious in being glad to see Won,
Sarcastic people are always so ntui-
i've. I'm looking for some one with
intuition"
Chilcote glanced up, "EXtrayagant
lgainY' he said dryly.
She smiled at him sweetly. Jack"
she murmured. with slow reproach.
Chilcote laughed quickly. Il under
stand. You've changed your minister
Of finance I'm wanted in some other
direction"
This time her rcproach was express
ed by glance. "iou are always
wanted she said
The words seemed to rouse him
again to the shadowy self distrust that
the sight of her had lifted.
"Its-it's delightful to meet you like
this he began, "Nnd wish the meet
Ing wasn't momentaly. But Im-I'm
rather pressed for time. You must let
me come round one afternoon-or even,
Ing, when you're alone" He fumblcd
for a moment with the collar of his
eoat and glanced furtively upward to
ward oxford street.
But again Lillian smiled, this time to
herself. II she understood anything
on earth, II was Chilcote and his
moods.
"lf 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. If it's al
appointment you're worrying about, q
motor goes ever so much faster than &
cab" She looked ut him tentatively
her head slightly on one side. her mufl
raised till the roses and some of the
soft fur touched her cheek.
She looked very charming and very
persuasive as Chilcote glanced back
Again she seemed to represent a re
spite something graceful and subtle
in world Of oppressive obligations
His eyes strayed from her figure to the
smart motor ear drawn up beside til,
curb
She saw the glance. Ever so mucl