The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-14

terday's fire showing charred and
dreary where the sun touched them
His back was to the light, and ahout
his shoulders was an old plaid rug.
Behind him on the table stood a cun.
a teapot and the can of milk: farther
of a kettle was set TO boil unon a
tiny spirit stove.
In all strong situations we are more
or less commonplace. Loder's first re-
mark as he glanced round the disor-
dered room seemed strangely Inef-
ficient.
where's Robins?" he asked in a
brusque voice. His mind teemed with
big considerations, yet this was his
first involuntary question.
Chilcote had started at the entrance
Of his visitor; now he sat staring at
him, his hands holding the arms of his
chair.
where's Roblns?" Loder asked
again.
81 don't know. She / We did
not hit it off. She's gone-went yes
terday-" He shivered and drew the
- S~O00N A-44A.
"Chllcote'- Loder began sternly.
Then he paused. There was something
In the others look and attitude that
arrested him. A change of expression
passed over his own face. He turned
about, with an abrupt gesture, pulled
off his coat and threw IT on q chair.
then. crossing deliberately to the fire.
place, he began to rake the ashes from
the CRATE.
Wlthln a few minutes he had a fire
cracking where the bed of dead Gin
ders had been, and. having finished the
task, he rose slowly from his knees,
wiped his hands and crossed to the ia
bic. On the small spirit stove the ket-
tie had boiled, and the cover was lift
ing and falling with a tinkling sound.
Blowing out the fame, Loder picked
up the teapot and, with hands that
were evidently accustomed to the task,
set about making the tea.
During the whole operation he never
spoke, though all the while he was
fully conscious of Chilcote's puzzled
gaze. The tea ready, he poured it into
the cup and carried 1t across the room.
Drink thisr' he said laconically.
1.-THE fire will be up presently
Chilcote extended a cold and shaky
hand. "You see he began.
But Loder checked him almost saw
agely. Il do-as we'll as though l had
followed you from Piccadilly last night.
You've been hanging about, God knows
where, till the small hours of the morn
Ing; then you've come back-slunk
back, starving for your internal poison
and shivering with cold You've set
tied the first part Of the business, but
the cold has still to be reckoned with.
Drink the tea. I've something to say
to you" He mastered his vehemence
and, walking to the window, stood
looking down into the court His eyes
were blank, his face hard; his ears
heard nothing but the faint sound of
Chilcote's swallowing, the click of the
cup against his teeth
For time that seemed interminable
he stood motionless; then, when he
judged the tea finished, he turned
S1ON SAIlCOlC uiQ dIdN II ClOSGE III
the fire. He was obviously braced by
the warmth, and the apathy that rung
about him was to some extent dispel-
led. Still moving slowly, Loder went
toward him and, relieving him of the
empty cup, stood looking down at him.
"Chilcote," he said very quietly, 'T've
come to tell you that the thing must
end
After he spoke there was a prolonged
pause; then, as If shaken with sudden
consciousness, Chilcote rose. The rug
dropped from one shoulder and hung
down ludicrously; his hand caught the
back of the chair for support; his I'M
shaven face looked absurd and repul-
sive in it's sudden expression Of scared
inquiry Loder involuntarily turned
away.
81 mean it." he said slowly. ITS
over: we've come to the end"
'But why?" Chilcote articulated
blankly why? Why?" In his confu-
sion he could think of no better word.
Because 1 throw it up. My side of
the bargains off,
Again Chilcote's lips parted stammer-
ingly. The apathy caused by physical
exhaustion and his recently administer
ed drug was passing from him; the
hopelessly shattered condition of mind
and body was showing through it like
skeleton through a thin covering of
flesh.
But why?' he said again. ''Why?"
Still Loder avoided the frightened
surprise of his eyes. Because l with
draw" he answered doggedly.
Then suddenly Chilcote's tongue was
loosened. 'Loder," he cried excitedly,
you can't do it, Great heavens, man,
you can't do itw To reassure himself
he laughed-a painfully thin echo Of his
old sarcastic laugh IF it's a matter
Of greater opportunity" he began, "of
more money
But Loder turned upon him.
Be quietw he said so menacingly
that the other stopped. Then by an eff.