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

very true to society,"" he said. 81
couldn't dine at the. Sabinets' If it was
to make me premier. They have
| butler who Is M Institutional sort Of
heirloom in the family. lie Is fat and
breathes audibly. Last time lunched
there he haunted me for whole
night"
Blessington laughed gayly. Mrs.
| Chilcote doesn't see ghosts, SIR" lie
said; "but If I may suggest
Chllcote tapped his fingers on the
! table.
mo. Eve doesn't see ghosts. We
rather miss sympathy there"
Blcssngton governed his impotence.
He stood still for some seconds, then
glanced down Mt his pointed boot
"If you will be lencnt to my per
| sistency, sir, l would like to remind
! you
Chilcote lifted his head with fash
of irritabilty.
! "Confound 1t, Blessingtonw he ex-
/ claimed. Am I never to be left in
! peacef Am I never to sit down to a
meal without having work thrust upon
me? Work-vork -perpetually work.
/ have heard no other word In the last
six years. I declare there are times
he rose suddenly from his seat and
turned to the wlndoW--"the ere times
when feel that for sixpence I'd chuck
/ 1t al-thc whole beastly round
Startled by his vehemence. Blessing
/ ton wheeled toward him.
Not your political career, sirY"
There was q moment in which Chill
cate hesitated, n moment in which the
/ desire that had filled his mind for
months rose to his lips and hung there.
| Then the question, the incredulity in
! Blessington's face, chilled 1t and il fell
! back into silence.
IL didn't say that" he murmured
you young men jump to conclusions.
| BlcseinCton."
Forgive me. sir. never meant TO
/ imply retirement Why, Rickshaw.
Vale. Gresham and the whole Warl,
crowd would he about your ears like
| flies If such thing were even breath
ed-now more than ever since these
/ Persian rumors. By the way, is there
anything real in this border business?
| The st. Georges came out rather
strong last night"
Chilcote had moved back to the ia
bic His face WIS pale from his out
burst, ard his fingers toyed restlessly
with the open newspaper.
Il haven't seen the st. Georges" he
said hastily "I.akely is always ready
I 70 q Io \ to t.
concerned. Whether we are to enter
the arena is another matter. But what
about Craig Burnagc? | think you
mentioned something Of contract"
"Oh. don't worry about that, sir"
BlcssinEton had caught the twitchnC
at the corners of Chilcote's mouth the
nervous sharpness of his voice. II can
put Craig BurnaGe Off. If they have
an answer by Thursday it will be time
enough" He began TO collect his pa
pers. but Chilcote stopped him.
wait" he said, veering suddenly.
"Wais III see to it now. I'll feel
more myself when I've done some.
thing. I'll come with you to the
study
He walked hastily across the room
then, with his hand on the door, he
paused.
You go first, Blessington," he said.
"I'll-I'll follow you in ten minutes.
l must glance through the newspapers
first"
Bessneton looked uncertain. you
won't forget. sirf'
Forget? or course not"
Still doubtful. Blessington left the
room and closed the door.
Once alone Chilcote walked slowly
back to the table. drew up his chair
and sat down with his eyes on the
white cloth, the paper lying unheeded
beside him.
Time passed. A servant came into
the room to remove the breakfast.
Chlcote moved slightly when neces-
snry, but otherwise retained his atti-
tude. The servant, having finished his
task. replenished the fire and left the
room. ChilCote still sat on.
At last, feeling numbed. he rose and
crossed to the fireplace The clock on
the mantelpiece stared him in the face,
he looked at it, started slightly then
drew out his watch. watch and clock
correspondent. Each marked Il o'clock.
With IL nervous motion he leaned for
ward and pressed the electric bell long
and hard.
Instantly a servant answered.
is Mr.. Dlessington in the study
Ch!lcote asked.
'IIe was there, sir, five minutes
back"
Chilcote looked relieved.
"All right Tell him have gone out
had TO 20 out. Something important
You understand?"
Il understand. sir"
But before the words had been prop
erly spoken Chiicote had passed the
man and walked into the hall.
CHAPTER III.
1EAVING his house, Chllcote
III walked forward quickly and
III aimlessly. Wm the sting of
the outer air the recollection of
last NIGHTS nd ventura cg mo hack uDOn