Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-21
sureesr,ou,pass.

mind was full Of Lakeley and Of the
possibilities the night might hold; for
more than once before the weight of
the st. Georges Gazette, with Lakeley
at its back, had turned the political
scales. To be marked by him as a
coming man was at any time a fayora-
able portent; to be singled out by him
at the present juncture was momen-
tous. A thrill of expectancy, almost
excitement. passed through him as he
surveyed his appearance preparatory
to leaving the house.
Passing downstairs, he moved at
once to the hall door; but almost as
his hand touched it he halted, attracted
by a movement on the landing above
him. Turning, he saw Eve.
She was standing quite Still, looking
down upon him as she had looked once
before. AS their eyes met she changed
her position hastily.
You are going out?" she asked. And
it struck Loder quickly that there was
a suggestion, a shadow of disappoint-
ment in the tone of her voice. Moved
by the impression, he responded with
unusual promptness.
"Yes," he said. "I'm dining out
dining with Lakeley.'
She watched him intently while he
words reached her her whole face
frightened.
with MI. Lakeley!' she said "Oh,
I'm glad-very glad. 1t is q%uite-quite
another STEP" She smiled with a warm.
impulsive touch of sympathy.
Loder, looking up at her, felt his
senses stir. At sound of her words his
secret craving for success quickened to
stronger life. The man whose sole in
centive lies within may go forward
coldly and successfully: but the man
who grasps a double inspiration. who,
even unconsciously, is impelled by an
other force. has a stronger impetus for
attack. a surer. more vital hewing
power. Still watching her. he answer
ed ins!:mctively:
Yes" he said slowly. "a long step"
And. With q smile OF farewell, he turn
ed. opened the door and passed into the
road.
The thrill of that one moment was
still warm as he reached Cadogan gar
dens and mounted the steps of No. SO
so vitality war; that he paused for an
instant before pressing the electric
bell. Then at last. dominated by antici-
patton. he turned and raised his hand.
The action was abrupt, and it was
only as his fingers pressed the hell that
q certain unexpectedness. a certain
want Of suitability In the aspect of the
house, struck him. The door was white;
the handle and knocker We're of mass
i've silver. The first seemed a disap-
pointing index of Lakeley's private
taste, the second a ridiculous tempta-
ton to needy humanity. He looked
again at the number of the house, but
it stared back at him convincingly.
Then the door opened.
So keen vas his sense of untitness
that, still trying to fuse his impression
Of Lakeley with the idea of silver door
fittings, he stepped into the hall with
out the usual preliminary question.
Suddenly realizing the necessity, he
turned to the servant, but the man fore
stalled him:
"Will you come into the white room,
Sir? And may 1 take your coat?'
The smooth certainty of the mans
manner surprised him. 1t held another
SAVIOR of disappointment, seeming as
nesslike I.akelcy as did the house. Still
struggling with his impression, he al
lowed himself to be relieved of his hat
and coat and in silence ushered ND the
shallow staircase.
AS the last step was reached it came
to him again to mention his hosts
name, but simultaneously With the sug-
gestion the servant stepped forward
with a quick. silent movement and
threw open a door.
"Mr. Chilcote!." lie announced in a
subdued, discreet voice.
Loder's first impression was of Il
room that seemed unusually luxurious,
soft and Swallowed. Then all impress.
sion Of inanimate things left him sud.
denly.
For the fraction of a second he stood
in the doorway, while the room seemed
emptied of everything except a figure
that rose slowly from Il couch before
the fire at sound of Chilcote's name.
Then, with Il calmness that to himself
seemed incredible. he moved forward
into the room.
He might, of course. have beaten a
retreat and obviated many things, but
life is full of might have beens. and re-
treat never presents itself %agreeably to
a strong man. His impulse was to face
the difficulty. and he acted on the i'm
pulse.
Lillian had risen slowly. and as he
neared her she held out her hand.
"Jack," she exclaimed softly. how
sweet of you to remember"
The voice and words came to him
with great distinctness, and as they
cam one uncertainty passed forever
from his mind-the question as to
what relation She and Chilcoto hold tn