The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-02-07
CHAPTER XIII.

i
f~)HE best moments of mans life
are the moments when, strong
in himself, he feels that the
world lies before him. Gratified
ambition may be the summer, but an
ticipation is the ardent springtime of
mans career.
AS Loder drove that night from Fleet
street to Grosvenor square he realized
this, though scarcely with any degree
of consciousness, for he was no accom-
plished self analyst. But in a wave of
feeling too vigorous to be denied he
recognized his regained foothold-the
step that lifted him at once from the
pit to the pinnacle
In that moment Of realization he look
ed neither backward nor forward. The
present was all suficing. Difficulties
might loom ahead, but difficulties had
but one object-the testing and sharp
ening Of a mans strength. In the first
deep surge of egotistical feeling he al
most rejoiced in Chilcote's weakness.
The more Chilcote tangled the threads
Of his life the stronger must be the
fingers that unraveled them. He was
possessed by great Impotence. The
JOY OF action was stirring in his blood.
Leaving the cab, he walked confident
~ to the door Of Chilcote's house and
inserted the latchkey Even in this
small act there was a grain of indi-
vidual satisfaction. Then very quietly
he opened the door and crossed the hall.
| AS he entered, footman was ar
ranging the fire that burned in the big
CRATE. Seeing the man, he halted.
"Where is your mistress?' he asked
in unconscious repetition of his first
question in the same house.
The man looked up "She has Just
finished dinner, sir. She dined alone in
her own room.' He glanced at Loder
in the quick, uncertain way that was
noticeable in all the servants of, the
household when they addressed their
master. Loder saw the look and Won
dered what depth of curiosity it be-
trayed, how much of insight into the
domestic life that he must always be
content to skim. For an instant the old
resentment against Chilcote tinged his
exaltation, but he swept it angrily
aside. Without further remark he be-
gan to mount the stairs
Gaining the landing, he did not turn,
as usual, to the door that shut off Chill
cote's rooms, but moved onward down
the corridor toward Ewes private sit
ting room. He moved slowly till the
door was reached. Then he paused and
lifted his hand. There was a moments
wait while his fingers rested on the
handle; then sensation he could not
explain, reticence, a reluctance to in
trude upon this one precinct, caused
his fingers to relax. With slightly
embarrassed gesture he drew back
slowly and retraced his steps.
Once in Chilcotes bedroom, he walk
ed to the nearest bell and pressed it.
Renwick responded and at sight of
him Loder's feelings warmed with the
same sense Of fitness and familiarity
that the great bed and somber furni-
ture Of the room had inspired.
But the man did not come forward
as he had expected. He remained close
to the door with hesitation that was
unusual in trained servant It struck
Loder that possibly his stolidity had
eXasperated Chilcote and that possibly
Chilcote had been at no pains to con-
ceal the evaporation. The idea caused
him to smile involuntarily.
''Come into the room, Renwick," he
said. 'Its uncomfortable to see you
standing there. want to know if Mrs.
Chilcote has sent me any message
about tonight
Renwick studied him furtively as he
came forward. Yes, SIR" he said
"Mrs. Chilcote's maid said that the car
rage was ordered for 1915, and she
hoped that would suit you" He spoke
reluctantly, as if expecting rebuke.
At the opening sentence Loder had
turned aside, but now, as the man fin
ished, he wheeled round again and
looked at him closely with his keen,
observant eyes.
| "Look here,' he said. Il can't have
you speak to me like that I may come
down on you rather sharply when my
my nerves are bad, but when I'm my
self treat you-well, I treat you de-
Gently at any rate. You'll have to learn
to discriminate. Look at me now!" A
thrill of risk and of rulership passed
through him as he spoke. Look at me
now! Do look as looked this morn
ing-or yesterday"
The man eyed him half stupidity, half
timidly.
! "Well?" Loder insisted.
| swell, sir" Renwick responded, with
some slowness, ''you look the same and
| you look different-a healthier color,
perhaps, sir, and the eye clearer" He
grew more confident under Loder's
half humorous, half insistent gaze.
"Now that look closer, SIR
Loder laughed. "Thats itw he said.
"Now that you look closer You'll have
to grow observant. Observation is an
excellent quality in a servant. When
you come into a room in future, look