The Red Cloud chief., 1907-01-04

NtthS SlnCc tNll'OCN ana l4Othr
had drunk their toast and again
lsasI Loder was seated at his desk.
Ills head was bent ana his hand
moved carefully as lie traced line at,er
line OF meaningless words on Il cot
Of f)oiscap. Having covered the page
with writing, he rose. moved to tie
center table and compared his task
with an open letter that lay there. The
comparison seemed to please him. lie
straightencd his shoulders ana threw
back his head i'm an ajitudc of critical
satisfaction. SO absorbed was he Tat
wien Il step sounded on the stairs out
side lie dill not notice it, and only
raised his head when the door was
thrown open unccrcmOniOusly. Even
thcn his interest was mOmCntary.
Hello" he said, his eyes returning
TO their scrutiny of his task.
Chilcote shut the door and came has
tily across the room. He looked i'll and
harasscd. AS he reached Lodcr he put
out his hand %nervously and touched his
arm.
Loder looked up. What is it," he
asked. amy new developments"
Chilcote tried to smile. Yes he
said huskily. ITS come"
r.oder freed his arm. What? The
end of the world?'
mo. The end Of me-" The words
came jerlily. the strain that had en-
forced them showing in every syllable.
Still Lolcr was uncomprChcndiEg.
He could not or would not understand.
Again Chi!cote caught and jcrScd ut
his sleeve. Don't you see? Can't You
see?"
mo"
Chilcotc dropped the sleeve and pass
ed his handkerchief across his fore
head. "It'S come he repeated. Don't
you understand? | want YOU" lie
drew away, then stepped back again
anxiously. Il know I'm taking you un-
awares," he said. "But it's not my
fault. On my soul, it's not. The thing
seems to spring Mt me and grip me-
He stopped. sinking weakly into a
chair.
For q moment Loder stood erect and
~immovable. Then, almost with reluc-
lance, his glance turned to the figure
beside him.
"You want me to take your place to-
night. without preparations His voice
was distinct and firm, but it was free
from contempt.
"Yes; yes, | do Chilcote spoke with
out looking up.
THAT you may spend the night in
morphia-this and other |nightsi"
Chilcote lifted a flushed, unsettled
face. you have no right TO preach.
You accepted the bargain
Loder raised his head quickly. II
never he began. Then both his face
and voice altered. You are quite
right" he said coldly. You won't have
TO complain again"
Chilcote stirred uncomfortably. "My
dear chap he said, II meant no of,
Tense. It's merely
Your nerves. | know. But come to
business. What am | 10 dot'
Chilcote rose eXcitedly. YES, bust
ness. Let's come to business. Its
rough ON you, taking you short like
this. But you have an erratic person
TO deal with. I've had Il horrible day
a horrible day His face had paled
again, and In the green lampllght ii
possessed a grayish hue. ~Iny0luntari,
ly Loder turned away.
; Chilcote watched him as he passed
to the desk and began mechanically
sorting papers. "a horrible day he
repeated. 80 bad that | daren't face
the night. You have read De Quin'
ceyf' he asked, with Il sudden change
Of tone.
YES
: "Then read him again and you'll un
derstand. | have all the horrors with
= out any art. | have no ladies of sor'
= row. but | have worse monsters thai
his crocodile" He laughed unpleas
7 antly.
q [To BE Continued