Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-16
~ KATHERINE CECIL
Author Of 1.-THE Circle"

ing-the antithesls OF the alert Bless
ington, whom he had replaced.
Loder bore his scrutiny without
finching Indeed, it struck him sud
denly that there was fund Of inter
est, almost Of excitement, in the en-
countering Of each new pair Of eyes.
At the thought he moved forward to
the desk
THANK you, Greening," he said. "a
very useful bit Of work.
The secretary glanced up. slightly
puzzled. His endurance had been se'
verely taxed in the fourteen days that
he had filed his new post.
I'm glad you think SO, sir" he said,
hesitatingly. 'You rather poohpoohed
the matter this morning, II you remem-
ber."
Loder was taking of his coat, but
stopped in the operation.
"This morning?' he said. "Oh. did
II Did II" Then struck by the OPP
portunity the words gave him he turn
ed toward the secretary. You've got
to get used to me, Greening," he said.
.'You haven't quite grasped me yet, !
can see. I'm man Of moods. you
know. UP to the present you've seen
my slack side, my Jared side, but l
have quite another when I care to
show it. I'm sort Of Jekyll and Hyde
affair" Again he laughed, and Green
ing echoed the sound difadently. Chill
cote had evidently discouraged famil-
iarity.
Loder eyed him with abrupt under
standing. He recognized the loneli-
ness in the anxious, conciliatory man.
ner.
you're tired" he said kindly. Go
to bed. I've got some thinking to do.
Good night" He held out his hand.
Greening took 1t, still half distrust-
full Of this fresh side to SO complex q
man.
"Good night, sir" he said. 'Tonor-
row, II you approve. shall go on with
my notes. hope you will have q
restful night"
For second Loder's eyebrows went
up, but he recovered himself instantly.
"Ah, thanks, Greening," he said.
.sThanks. think your hope will be
fulfilled
He watched the little secretary move
softly and alphabetically to the door,
then he walked to the fire and, rest
Ing his elbows on the mantelpiece, he
took his face in his hands.
For space he stood absolutely
quiet, then his hands dropped to his
sides, and he turned slowly round. In
that short space he had balanced
things and found his bearings. The
slight nervousness shown in his
brusque sentences and overconfident
manner faded out, and he faced facts
steadily.
With the return of his calmness he
took a long survey Of the room. His
glance frightened appreciatively as it
Travelled from the walls lined with well
bound books to the lamps modulated to
the proper light; from the lamps to the
desk fitted with every requirement.
Nothing was lacking. All he had once
possessed, all he had since dreamed OF,
was here, but on a greater scale. To
enjoy the luxuries of life man must
90 long without them. Loder had lived
severely-so severely that until three
weeks ago he had believed himself ex-
empt from the temptations of hui
mainly. Then the voice Of the world
had spoken, and within him another
voice had answered with tone SO
clamorous and insistent that it had
outcried his surprised and incredulous
wonder at Its existence and its claims.
That had been the voice Of suppressed
ambition, and now as he stood in the
new atmosphere newer voice lifted
itself The joy Of material things rose
suddenly, overwhelming the last rem
nant of the philosophy he had reared.
He saw all things in fresh light
the soft carpets, the soft lights, the
numberless pleasant, unnecessary
things that color the passing land
scape and oil the wheels Of life This
was horsepower made manifest. The
choice bindings Of ones books. the
quiet harmony of ones surroundings,
the gratifying Difference Of ones de.
pendents-these were the visible, the
outward signs, the thing she had for
gotten.
Crossing the room slowly, he lifted
and looked at the different papers on
the desk. They had substantial feel
ing. an Importance, an air OF value.
They were like the solemn keys to SO
many vexed problems. Beside the pa
pers were heap Of letters neatly ar
ranged and as yet unopened. He turn
ed them over one by one. They were
all thick and interesting to look at
He smiled as he recalled his own
scanty mail-envelopes long and bulky
or narrow and thin, unwelcome manu-
scripts or very welcome checks. Hav'
ing sorted the letters, he hesftated. 1t
was his life task to open them, but ne
had never In his life opened an envel-
ope addressed to another man.
He stood uncertain, weighing them
In his hand. Then all at once look
Of attention and surprise crossed bis
face. and he raised his head. Some
one had Enthusiastically paused outside
the door which Greentng had left ajar.
There was moment Of apparent
doubt, then stir Of skirts, quick.
uncertain knock, and the intruder en-
tered.
For couple of seconds she stood In
the doorway: then al Loder made no