Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-09
CHAPTER VII

moved carefully as he traced line after
line OF meaningless words on a sheet
Of foolscap. Having covered the page
with writing. he rose. moved to the
center table and compared his task
with an open letter that lay there. The
comparison seemed 20 please him. He
strai ghtened his shoulders and threw
back his head I'm an attitude OF critical
satisfaction. So absorbed was he that
when a step sounded on the stairs out
side he did not notice Il. aud only
raised his head when the door was
thrown open unceremoniously. Even
then his interest was momcntary.
Hello he said. his eyes returning
20 their scrutiny OF his task.
Chilcote shut the door and came has
lily across the room He looked ill and
harassed As De reached Loder be put
out his hand nervously and touched bis
arm.
Loder looked up What is itY' be
asked. amy new Development"
ChIlcote tried 90 smile. Yes" he
said huskily. Its come"
Loder freed hls arm. swhat7 The
end Of the worldly
40. The end OF me" The words
came jer1ily. the strain that had en-
forced them showing in every syllable.
Still Loder was MISUNDERSTANDING
He could not or would not understand.
Again Chi.cote caught and jerked at
his sleeve. Don't you see? Can't you
seeG'
enc"
Chilcote dropped the sleeve and pass
cd his handkerchief across his fore
head. It's come" he repeated. Don't
you understand I want YOU" He
drew away. then stepped back again
anxi0usly. Il know I'm taking YOU un-
awares." he said. "But it's not my
fault. On my soul. it's noti The thing
seems 20 spring az me and grip me-
He stopped, sinking weakly Into a
chair.
For a moment Loder stood erect and
immovahle. Then. almost with reluc-
lance. his glance turned 70 the figure
beside him.
'Nou want me 20 take your place to-
night. without preparation2" His voice
was distinct and firm. but Il was free
from contempt
Eyes; yes. do" Chncote spoke with
out looking up.
THAT you may spend the night In
morphia-this and other nlghtsT"
Chilcote lifted flushed. unsettled
face. You have no right 20 preach.
You accepted the bargain"
LOder raised his head quickly. Il
never he began. Then both his face
and voice altered you are quite
right" he said coldly- you won't have
90 complain again"
Chilcote stirred uncomfortably. My
dear chap" he said. Il meant no Of
Tense. It's merely
"Your nerves. know. But come 70
business. What am l 10 DOR
Chilcote rose excitedly. Yes, busl-
ness. Let's come TO business. It's
rough on you. taking you short Ike
this. But you have an erratic person
10 deal with. I've had u horrible day
a horrible day" HIS face had paled
again. and In the green lamplight il
possessed a grayish hue. Involuntari-
ly Loder turned away.
Cbilcote watched him as he passed
90 the desk and began mechanically
sorting papers. "A horrible day" he
repeated. $50 bad that / daren't face
the night. You have read De Quin.
cey7" he asked. with "a sudden change
OF tone
'Yes."
''rhen read him again and you'll IN
derstand. / have all the horrors with
out any art. have no ladies OF sor-
row but l have worse monsters than
his crocodile" He laughed unpleas-
antly
LOder turned. "Why. In the DEVILS
name he began: then again he halt
ed Something In Chilcote's drawn.
excited face checked him. The strange
sense of predestinatiOn that we some
times see in the eyes OF another struck
cold upon him. chilling his last at
tempt at remonstrance. What DO you
want me TO DOR he substituted In an
ordinary voice.
The words steadied Chilcote. he
laughed q little The laugh was still
shaky. but it was pitched in lower
key.
"You-you're quite right to pull me
no. We have no time 10 waste IL
must he ] O'clock" He pulled out his
watch. then walked TO the window and
stood looking down into the shadOwy
court How quiet you are herer' he
said. Then abruptly a new thought
struck him. and ne wheeled back into
the room. "Loder" he said quickly
'Loder. have an ideal While you
are me. why shouldn't be you? Why
shouldn't ! be John Loder instead OF
the vagrant we contemplated? 1t COW
ers everything; II explains everything.
It's magnificent I'm amazed we new
er thought OF Ii before"
Loder was still beside the desk Il
thought OF IT," he said without look
ing back.
And didn't suggest itT'
"No."
"WhyY"
Loder said nothing. and the other
colored
jealous OF your reputationT" he
said satirically.
Il have none TO be jealous or"
Chllcote Laughed disag reeably. "Then
you aren't so far gone In philosophy
-. 4.