Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-21

back Of the chair for support: his I'M
shaven face looked absurd and rcprl-
sivc in its sudden expression Of scared
inquiry I.oder involuntarily turned
away.
81 mean it." he said slowly. ITS
over: we've come to the end"
"But why" Chilcotc articulnted
blankly. "Why? WHY" In his confu-
sion he could think Of no better word.
because l throw it up. My side o..
the bargains Off"
Again Chilcotc's lips parted stammer-
ingly. The apathy caused by physical
exhaustion and his recently administer
ed drug was passing from him; the
hopelcssly shattered condition of mind
and body was showing through ii Ike
a skeleton through 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 Chilcotes tongue was
loosened. "Loder," he cried excitedly,
you can't do IT,. Great heavens, man,
] l i
he laughed-a painfully thin echo Of his
| old sarcastic laugh. IF it's matter
of greater opportunity" he began. "of
/ more money
But Loder turned upon him.
BE quiet he said SO menaclngly
! that the other stopped Then by an ef-
fort he conquered himself. ITS not a
matter of money. Chilcote," he said
/ quietly. IT'S matter of necessity"
! He brought the word out with diff
! Guilty.
Chilcote glanced up. "Necessity?' he
repeated. How? Why"
The reiteration reused Loder. BE
cause there was great scene in the
house last night" he began hurredly.
because when you 90 back you'll find
that Scarborough has smashed up over
the assassination Of Sir William Brice-
Field at Meshcd and that you have
made your mark in a big speech, and
BECAUSE Abruptly he stopped. The
thing he had come TO say-the thing be
had meant to say-would not be said.
Either his tongue or his resolution fail
ed him, and for the instant he stood
as silent and almost as i'll at ease as
his companion. Then all at once in
spiration came to him. in the sugges-
ton of a wellnigh forgotten argument
by which he might influence Chilcote
and save his own self respect. ITS all
over, Chilcote." he said more quietly.
at has run itself out" And in a dozen
sentences he sketched the story Of Lii
liam Astrupp, her past relations with
himself. her present suspicious. 1t was
not what lie had meant to say; it was
not what he had come TO say. but it
served the purpose--it saved him hui
initiation.
Chlcote listened TO the last word.
Then. as the other finished. he dropped
nervously back into his chair. Good
heavens, man." he said. why didn't
you tell me? Why didn't you warn me,
instead of filling my mind with your
political position: Your political po-
sitionw He laughed unsteadily. The
long spells of indulgence that had
weakened his already manned faculties
showed in tn" laugh. in the sudden
breaking of his voice. You must do
something, Lo,lpr" lie added neryously,
checking his amusement You must
do something"
Loder looked down at him. NO" he
said declsive!y. ITS your turn now.
It's you whO've got to do something
Chlcote'S face turned a shade grayer
y can't" he said below his breath
Cant? Oh yes, you can. We can
all do-anything. It's not too late;
there's Just sufficient time. Chic0te,
he added suddenly, don't you see that
the thing has been madness all along
has been like playing with the most in
fernal explosives? You may thank
whatever you have faith in that no
body has been smashed up. You are
going back. DO you understand me?
You are going back-now, today, be-
fore it's too late" There was a great
change in Lodcr; his strong, imper-
turbable face was stirred he was
moved in both voice and manner.
Time after time he repeated his injuuc-
; ton, reasoning, eXpostulatinG, insist
ing. 1t almost seemed that he fought
some strenuous invisible force rather
than the shattered man before him.
Chilcote moved nervously in his seat.
, 1t was the first real clash Of PERSONAL
, ties, lie felt it-recognlzed it by in
btinct. The sense Of domination had
fallen on him; he knew himself i'm
potent in the others hands. What
, ever he might attempt in moments OF
solitude he possessed no voice in pres
ence of this invincible second self
, For awhile he struggled-he did not
fight, he struggled to resist-then, lift
ing his eyes, he met Loder's. And
what will you do?" he said weakly.
, Loder returned his questioning gaze
, but almost Immediately he turned
inside. "I"' he said. "Oh, | shall leave
= London"
y CHAPTER XVII.