The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-22


same slow. almost listless step; then.
a. his own doorway came into view. he
stopped Some one was standing in it's
recess.
For a moment b. wondered II his
fancy were playing him a trick Then
his reason sprang 70 certainty with 50
nerce a leap that for an instant his
mind reeoiled. For we more often
stand aghast NJ the strength OF our
own feelings than before the enormity
OF our neighbor's actions.
rs that you. Chilcoteg' be said below
his breath.
AT the sound Of his voice the other
wheeled round "HellOF he said. Il
thought you were the ghost of some old
inhahitant I suppose l am very unex-
pectedT'
LOder took the hand that he extended
and pressed the fingers unconsciously.
The sight of this man was like the find
ing Of an oasis ut the point where the
desert is sandiest. deadliest. most I'M
bearable
''Yes. you are-unexpected," he an
swered
Chilcote looked at him, then looked
out into the court Pm done up he
said. I'm right at the end of the
tether." He laughed as he said it, but
In the dim light of the hall Loder
thought his face looked i'll and harassed
despite the flush that the excitement Of
the meeting had brought to it. Taking
his arm. he drew him toward the stairs.
$50 the rope has run out, ehY he
said, in imitation of the others tone.
But under the quiet of his manner his
own nerves were throbbing with the
peculiar alertness of anticipation, a
sudden sense Of mastery over life that
lifted him above surroundings and
above persons-a sense of stature,
mental and physical from which he
surveyed the world. He felt as if fate
In the moment of utter darkness had
given himsa sign.
As they crossed the hall Chilcote
had drawn away and was already
mounting the stairs. And as Loder
followed it came sharply to his mind
that here, in the slipshod freedom of a
door that was always open and stairs
that were innocent Of covering, lay his
companions real niche-unrecognized |
In outward avowal, but acknowledged
by the inward, keener sense that mani !
tests the individual.
In silence they mounted the stairs, |
but on the first landing ChilcOte
paused and looked back, surveying |
Loder from the superior height Of two
steps.
IT did very well at first" he said. II
did very well. almost followed your
example for week or so. l found i
myself on a sort Of pinnacle, and l
chung on. But in the last ten days I've
I've rather lapsed."
"Whyr' Loder avoided looking at
his face. He kept his eyes fixed de-
terminedly on the spot where his own
hand gripped the banister.
"Why?' Chllcote repeated. "Oh, the
prehistoric weakness stronger
than strength. "I'm-Tm sorry to
come down on you like this. but It's
the social side that bowls me over. It's
the social side can't stick"
1.-THE social side? But thought
Don't think. l never think: 1t en-
tails such constant upsetting Of prin-
cipIes and theories. We did arrange
for business only, but one can't set up
barriers Society pushes itself every
where nowadays, into business most
of all. I don't want you for theater
parties or dinners. But a big reception
with a political flavor is different. A
man has to be seen at these things. He
needn't say anything or do anything
but it's bad form IL he fails to show
mp ,
Loder raised his head. You must !.
explain" he said abruptly. ,
Chilcote started slightly at the sud
den demand
Ell suppose I'm rather irrelevant"
he said quickly Fact is, there's re-
ception at the Rl.amfells' tonight You /.
know Blanche Viscountess
Bramfell. sister to Lillian Astrupp."
His words conveyed nothing to Loder.
out he did not consider that All ex-
plantations were irksome to him and he /,
invariably chafed to be done with
hem =
And you've got TO put in an appear !,
ince-for party reasons" Loder broke
n
Chilcote showed relief. Eyes. Old
Traide makes rather point Of it-so .
Ices Eve" He said the last words =
.arelessly; then, as IL their sound re- 1
allied something, his expression chang .
ID. A touch of satirical amusement Il
ouched his lips and he laughed. :,
by the way, -Loder" he said, my
= a