The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-02-22
CHAPTER IN.

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~ with It's severe magnIficence,
suggested nothing of the gloom and
solitude that it held in it's owners
eyes. The ponderous furniture, the
high ceiling. the heavy curtains, un-
changed since the days OF Chilcote's
grandfather. all limited ut n far reach
ing ownership that stirred him. The
ownership was mythical in his regard
and the possessions n mirage, but they
filled the day and surely sufficient for
the day.
That was his frame of mind as he
opened his eyes on the following morn
Ing and lay aDpreciative Of his COM
fort. OF the surrounding space. even of
the light that filtered through the cur
tain chlnkS. suggestive of world re-
created. With day all things seemed
possible to II healthy man. He stretch
ell his arms luXuriously. delighting in
the glossy smoothness of the sheets.
What was it Chilcote had said? Bet
ter live for day than exist for life
time. That was true. and life had Ge-
gun. At thirty-siX he was to know 1T
for tho frst time
lie smiled, but without irony. Man
Is ut his best at thirty-siX. he muSed.
He has retained his cnthusasms and
shed his cXuNerances; he has learned
what to pick up and what to pass by;
he no longer imagines that to drain
cup one must taste the drcgs. He
closed his eyes and stretched again
not his arms only, but his whole body.
The pleasure Of his mental state in-
sisted on a physical expression. Then
sitting up in bed. he pressed the elcc-
trio bell.
Chilcote's new valet responded.
Pull those curtains, Renwick," he
said. whats the tlme?" He had
i passed the ordeal Of Renwick's eyes
the night before.
The man was slow. even little stu
pid He drew back the curtains care
fully, then looked ut the small clock on
the dressing table. Eight O'Clock, sir.
| didn't expect the bell so early, sir"
Loder felt reproved. and Il pause fol-
lowed.
May bring your cup Of tea, sir?"
mo. not just yet. III have a bath
first
Renwick showed ponderous uncer-
tainty. Warm, sir?" he hazarded.
mo, cold"
Still perplexed. the man left the
room.
Loder smiled to himself. The chances
Of discovery in that quarter were not
large He was inclined to think that
Chilcote had even Overstcpped neccssi'
ty In the matter Of his Wallets dullness
He breakCasted alone. following Chill
cote's habit, and after breakfast found
his way to the study.
AS he entered Greening rose witt
the same concillatory haste that he haC
shown the night before.
I.oder nodded to him. early a
work." he said pleasantly.
The little man showed instant, nj
most ridiculous. relief. "Good morn
Ing. sir" he said. You. too. are early
I rather feared your nerves troubled
you after left last night. for I found
your letters still unopened this morn
ing. But am glad to see you look 81
we'll"
Loder promptly turned his back tt
the light. "Oh. last nights letters"
he said. '"ro tell you the truth. Green
Ing my wife"-hs hesitation was YER.
| /
you left. and sm;o srosaiperl.. clean for
| got the post" He smiled rn-nn--ce
planatory way as he moved to tht
desk and picked up the letters.
II With Greetings eyes upon him ther,
was no time for scruples. With YER.
creditable GOODNESS he began openin.
the envelopes one by one. The letter.
were unimportant and he passed then
one after another to the secretary. ex
periencing slight thrill Of authorit.
as each left his hand. Again the fac
that power Is visible In little things
came to his mind.
"Give me my engagement book
Greening." he said when the letter.
had been disposed OF.
The book that Greening handed hin
was neat in shape and bound. like Chill
cote's cigarette case, In lizard skin.
\ AS Loder took 1t the gold monogram
~. c." winked mt him In the brigh
y am0fnlng light The incident moved his
t5Bense of humor. He and the book were
"a stco-operators In the fraud, 1t seemed
tHe felt all inclination to wink back
Nevertheless he opened 1t with proper
. gravity and skinned the pages.
The page devoted to the day was al
most full. On every other line were
jottings in Chllcote's irregular hand
and twice among the entries appeared
prominent cross In blue pencillng
Loder's interest Quickened as his eye
caught the mark. 1t had been agreed
; between them that only engagements
essential to Chilcote's public life need
be carried through during his absence