Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-01-17
(oontInued from sixth PAGE. !

mental and physical; a sense of
changelessness the changelessness OF
inanimate things, that rises in such sol
ensn contrast to the yariableness of
mere human nature, which new en-
vironment new outlook, sometimes
even new presence, has power to up
heave and remold. He paused, then
with slower and steadier steps crossed
the little court and mounted the fa-
miliar stairs of his own house.
AS he turned the handle of his own
door some one stirred inside the sitting
room. Still under the influence of the
stones and trees that he had just left,
he moved directly toward the sound
and. without waiting for permission,
entered the room. After the darkness
Of the passage it seemed well alight,
for. besides the lamp with its green
shade, a large fire burned in the crate
and helped to dispel the shadows.
AS he entered the room Chilcote rose
and came forward, his figure thrown
into strong relief by the double light.
He was dressed in shabby tweed
suit: his face looked pale and set with
slightly nervous tension. But, besides
the look and certain added restless
ness Of glance, there was no visible
change. Reaching Loder. he held out
his hand
sgTeIl?" he said quickly.
The other looked at him question
ingly.
"Well? Well? How has it gomez"
1.-THE scheme? oh, excellentlyf Lo-
der's manner was abrupt Turning
from the restless curiosity in Chilcote's
eyes, he moved a little way across the
room and began to draw off his coat.
Then, as if struck by the incivility of
the action, he looked back again. The
scheme has gone extraordinarily he
said. II could almost say absurdly.
There are some things, Chilcote, that
fairly bowl man over.'
A great relief tinged Chilcote's face.
"Goodr' he exclaimed. sTell me all
about it."
But Loder was reticent. The mo-
ment was not propitious. 1t was as if
a hungry man had dreamed great
banquet and had awakened to his star
vation He was chary of imparting his
visions.
There's nothing to tell" he said
shortly. "All that you'll want to know
is here in black and white. | don't
think you'll find I have slipped any
thing. It's a clear business record" |"
From an inner pocket he drew out a
bulky notebook and, recrossing the
room, laid it open on the table. 1t was
a correct, even a minute, record of ev-
cry action that had been accomplished
in Chilcote's name II don't think
you'll find any loose ends" he said as
he turned back the pages. Il had you
and your position in my mind all
through" He paused and glanced up
from the book. you have a position
that absolutely insists upon attention,
he added in different voice.
At the new tone Chilcote looked up
as wei. s.No moral lecturesl' he said,
with a nervous laugh. I was anxious
to know if you had pulled it oH-and
you have reassured me. That's enough,
l was in a funk this afternoon to know
how things were going one of those
sudden, unreasonable funks. But now
that l see you"-he cut himself short
and laughed once more-snow that
see you, I'm hanged if don't want to
prolong your enga cement
Loder glanced at him, then glanced
away. He felt quick shame at the
eagerness that rose at the words-a
surprised contempt at his own readi-
ness to anticipate the mans weakness.
But almost as speedily as he had turn
ed away he looked back again.
flush, mann' he said, with his old
intolerant manner. You're dreaming
You've had your holiday, and schools
begun again. You must remember you
are dining with the Charringtons to-
night. Young Charringtons coming of
age-quite a big business. Come along.
l want my clothes" He laughed and,
moving closer to Chilcote. slapped him
on the shoulder.
Chilcote started; then, suddenly be-
coming imbued with the others man
ner, he echoed the laugh.
by JoYe,' he said, you're right!
You're quite right. A man must keep
his feet in their own groove" Raising
his hand, he began to tumble with his
tie.
But Loder kept the same position.
you'll find the check book in its usual
drawer" he said. 1--WE made one
entry of f100, pay for the first week.
The rest can stand over until'- He
paused abruptly.
Chilcote shifted his position. Don't
talk about that. 1t upsets me to antic-
ipate. can make out check to
morrow payable to John Loder."
mo That can wait. The name of
Loder is better out of the book. We
can't be too careful" Loder spoke
with unusual impetuosity. Already a