Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-24

The sudden movement Jared him
physically. lie drew a handkerchief
from under the pillow and wiped his
forehead. Then he held his hand to the
light and studied it. The hand looked
sallow and unsteady. With q nervous
gesture he thrust the salver back upon
the table and slid out of bed.
Moving hastily across the room. he
stopped before one OF the tall ward
robes and swung the door open; then.
after furtive glance around the room.
he thrust his hand into the recesses
| OF shelf and fumbled there. The
thing he sought was evidently not
hard to find, for almost at once he
withdrew his hand and moved from
the wardrobe to table beside the fire.
place, carrying a small glass tube filed
with tablods.
On the table were a decanter, a
siphon and water jug. Mixing some
whisky, he uncorked the tube. Again
he glanced apprehcnslvely toward the
door, then with n very nervous hand
dropped two taboids into the glass
While they dissolved he stood with
his hand on the table and his eyes fix
ed on the floor, evidently restraining
his Impotence. Instantly they had
disappeared he seized the glass and
drained 1t Mt draft, replaced the
bottle in the wardrobe and, shlverng
slightly in the raw air, slipped back
into bed.
| When Allsopp returned he was sit
ting up, a cigarette between his lips.
the teacup standing empty OH the
salvcr. The nervous irritability had
gone from his manner. He no longer
moved jerkly; his eyes looked bright
er, his pale skin more healthy.
"Ah, Allsopp," he said. there are
some moments in life. after all. 1t
isn't all blank wall"
Il ordered breakfast in the small
morning room, sir" said Allsopp. with
out change of expression.
/ Chilcote hreakfasted at 10. His ap-
/ petite, always tickle, was particularly
uncertain in the early hours He help
ed himself to some fish. but sent away
his plate untouched; then, having
drunk two cups OF tea he pushed back
/ his chair. lighted fresh cigarette and
shook out the mornings newspaper.
I Twice he shook it out and twice turn
ed it, but the reluctance to fix his mind
| upon it made him daily The effect Of
! the morphia tabloids was still appar-
ent in the greater steadlness of his
| hand and eye, the regained quiet Of his
susceptibilites. but the respite was
! temporary aud letharCic The early
days-the days Of six years ago when
! these tablods meant nm even sweep Of
/ thought, luCidity of brain, a balance Of
| judgment in thought and effort-wcre
| days of the past. As he had said Of
Lexington and his vice. the slave had
| become master.
AS he folded the paper in a last at.
tempt at interest the door opened. and
his secretary came n step or two into
the room.
Good morning, sir" he said. For
give me for being so untimely.'
He was a fresh hammered bright
eyed boy of twenty-three. His breezy
alertness, his Difference, as to man
|
amused and depressed Chlcote by
turns.
Good morning, Blessington What
Is 1t now?" He sighed through habit
and, putting up his hand. warded off
n ray Of sun that had forced itself
through the misty atmosphere ms II by
mistake.
AI ~ tkat
Of the Wark timber contract, sir" he
said. you promised you'd look into
for a week already, and Craig Bur
mage are rather clamoring for an an
swer." He moved forward and laid
the papers he was carrying on the tn
BILE beside ChIlcote. I'm sorry TO be
such nuisance" he added. Il hope
your nerves aren't worrying you to-
day."
Chilcote was toying with the papers.
At the word nerves he glanced up sus-
piciously. But Bessington's Ingenious
face satisfied him.
NO" he said. II settled my nerves
last night with-with bromide.
knew that fog would upset me unless
| took precautions
I'm glad Of that, sir though I'd
avoid bromldes Bad habit TO set up,
But this Wark business-Td like to get
it under way If you have no objection. -
Chilcote passed his fingers over the
papers. "Were you out in that fog last
night Plese c-tOn ."
mo, sir. | supped with some people
at the Savoy, and we just missed 1t. 1t
was very partial. believe"
80 believe"
Blessington put his hand 10 his neat
tie and pulled ii. lie was extremely
polite, but he had an inordlnate sense
of duty.
Forgive me, sir" he said, but about
that contract? | know I'm n frightful
bore"
"Oh, the contract" Chlcote looked
about him abscntly. by the way, did
you see anything Of my wife yester
day? What did she do last night
Mrs. Chllcote gave me tea yesterday
afternoon. She told me she was din
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