The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-01

sisting OF nut seven words.
shAll expect you at IL tonight
LoDnR.
He read it two or three times, then
he looked up. mo answer" be said
mechanically. and to his own ears the
relief in his voice sounded harsh and
unnatural
Exactly as the clocks chlmed IL
Chilcote mounted the stairs to Loder's
rooms. But this time there was more
Of haste than OF uncertainty in his
steps. and, reaching the landing, he
crossed it In couple of strides and
knocked feverishly on the door.
I 1t opened at once. and Loder stood
before him.
The secession was peculiar. For a
moment neither spoke; each involun-
ayes and under changed conditions
Each had assumed a fresh standpoint
IN the others thought The passing
establishment, the half impersonal Gu
rioslty that had previously tinged their
relationship, was cast aside, never to
be reassumed. In each the other saw
himself-and something more.
As usual, Loder was the first to re-
cover himself
Il was expecting you" he said.
| won't you come in?"
The words were almost the same as
his word of the night before, but his
voice had a different ring, just as his
e. Aa ha oh int he
room had a different expression "a
suggestion of decision and energy that
had been lacking before. Chilcote
caught the difference as he crossed
the threshold, and for bare second
a flicker of something like jealousy
touched him. but the sensation was
heeting.
Il have to thank you" he said, hold
ing out his hand He was too well
bred to show by hint that lie under
stood the drop in the others principles,
but Loder broke down the artifce.
Lets be straight with each other,
since everybody else has to be deceiv-
ed" he said taking the others hand.
"You have nothing to thank me for,
and you know II. It's touch of the
old Adam. You tempted me. and |
fell" He laughed. but below the laugh
ran note of something like triumph
the curious triumph of man who has
known the tyranny Of strength and
suddenly appreciates the freedom of
weakness.
You fully realize the thing you have
proposed" he added in a different
tone. It's not too late to retract even
now"
Chilcote opened his lips, paused. then
laughed in Imitation of his companion,
but the laugh sounded forced
my Gear fellow" he said at last, Il
never retract."
"Never?'
mo
''Then the bargains sealed"
Loder walked slowly across the room
and. taking up his position by the man
telpiece. looked at his companion. The
between them as they faced
each other seemed abnormal, defying
even the closest scrutiny. And yet, so
mysterious is nature even in her lapses,
hey were subtly, indefinably different.
Jhilcote was Loder deprived Of one es-
,ential; Loder, Chilcote with that es-
,ential bestowed. The difference lay
neither In feature, in cC'oring nor in
height, but in that battling, Elusive
inner illumination that some call indi-
and others soul.
Something of this idea, misted and
angled by nervous imagination, cross
ID Chilcotes mind in that moment OF
erutiny, but he shrank from 1t appre-
IL came to discuss details" he
aid quickly crossing the space that
ivided him from his host. Shall
ve?- Are you?" He paused un-
asily.
I'm entirely In your hands" Loder
poke with abrupt decision. Moving to
he table, he indicated a chair and.
rev another forward for himself
Both men sat down.
Chiicote leaned forward, resting ell
ows on the table. There will be sew
raj things to consider" he began ner-
ously. looking across at the other.
quite So Loder glanced back ap-
relatively. Il thought about those
lings the better part of last night. To
egln with, must study your hand
'riting. guarantee to get it right, but
will take u month"
"a MONTH
We'll perhaps three weeks. We
ustn't maze i mess Of things"
Chlcote SD ffcd lis position.
Three weellsr he repeated. Couldn't
,ui
mo- | couldn't" Loder spoke au-
oritatiyeiy. Il might never want to
1t pen to paper; but, on the other
Ind, might have to sign check one
"" He laugaed. "Haye you ever
ought of thal that | might have to.
want to, sign Il check"
NO. ] confess that escaped me-"
You risk your fortune that you may
ep the place 1t bought for your
,t.sr laughed again. How do you
low that am not blackguardT he
dpd s.lIow do you know that