The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-04-05


centive lies within may 90 forward
coidly and successfully: but the mai
who grasps a double Inspiration. who
even uneonseiously. IS impelied by an
other force. has a stronger impetus FOR
attack. a sure. rore vital hewine
power. StIH watching her. be answer.
ed instinctively:
yes he sal slowly. "a long step.
And, with q smile OF farewell. be turn
ed. opened the door and passed into the
road.
The thrill Of that one moment was
stin warm as he reached Cadogan gar
dens and, mounted the steps Of No. 81
so vitality warm that he paused for an
instant before pressing the electric
bell Then at last. dominated by antici-
patton. be turned and raised bis hand.
The action was abrupt. and II was
only as his fingers pressed the bell that
a certain unexpectedness. a certain
want OF suitability in the aspect Of the
house, struck him. The door was white;
the handle and knocker were 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
1t stared back at him eonvineingly.
Then the door opened.
So keen was his sense OF unfitness
that. still trying to fuse his impression
Of Lakeley with the idea of silver door
fittings. ne 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:
viii you come into the white room,
sir? And may / take your coat?"
The smooth certainty of the mans
manner surprised him. 1t held another
SAVIOR OF disappointment, seeming as
little in keeping with the keen, bust
nesslike Lakeley 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 up the
shallow staircase.
As the last step was reached 1t came
to him again to mention his hosts
name, but simultaneously with the sug-
gestion the servant stepped forward
Nth quick, silent movement and
threw open door,
"Mr. Chilcotew he announced in a
subdued, discreet voice.
Loder's first impression was of
room that seemed unusually luxurious,
soft and Swallowed. Then all impress
sion Of inanimate things left him sud
denly.
For the fraction OF second he stood
In the doorway, while the room seemed
emptied of everything except figure
that rose slowly from a couch before
the fire at sound Of Chilcote's name.
Then, with calmness that to himself
seemed incredible, he moved forward
INTO the room.
he might, Of course, have beaten
retreat and obviated many things, but
lie Is full OF might have beens, and re-
reat never presents itself agreeably to
! strong man. His impulse was to face
he difficulty. and he acted on the Inn
,ulse
Lillian had risen slowly, and as he
reared her she held out her hand.
Jack" she exclaimed softly, how
weet Of you to remember
The voice and words came to him
Nth great distinctness, and as they
ame one uncertainty passed forever
rom his mind-the question as to
THAT relation she and Chilcote held to
ach other. With the realization came
be thought Of Eve, and in the midst
his own difficulty his face hardened. i
Lillian ignored the coldness Taking | j
Ia hand, she smiled. You're unusual \
/ punctual," she said. But your 4
ands are cold. Come closer to the
re-" 4
Loder was not sensible that his |,
ands were cold. but he suffered him Q
If to be drawn forward.
One end Of the couch was In fire. =
ght, the other in shadow. By for 4
mate arrangement of chance Lillian I,
.lected the brighter end for herself q
i'd offered the other to her guest. q
nth quick sense of respite he ac- Il
pted 1t. AT least he could sit secure a
ON detection while he temporized q
18th fate.
For moment they sat silent, then !,
llian stirred won't you smoker 7.
te asked. "a
in the room seemed soft h,
ID enervating-the subdued glow of y
9 fire, the smell of roses that hung =
out the air and. last of all, Lillian's 4.
w, soothing voice. With sense Of =
preston he stiffened his shoulders r,
d sat straighter in bis place. IN
No" he said, II don't think / shall ~
loke." -
She moved nearer to him. Dear In
ck," she said pleadingly, don't say nh
u're In bad mood. Don't say you va
int to postpone again" She looked kr
at him and laughed a little In mock ha
tn
10der was at loss on
mother silence followed. while Lii M,
q waited; then she frowned sudden ie.
and rose from the couch. Like De
nv an5olonf x,aonIa cha x.ncaaoood a | = 4.