Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-31

ter. Yet CllffoId's inn lies as safely
slowed away in the shadow of the law
courts MS any grave under Il country
church wall. 1t il as green of grass.
as gray Of stone. as irresponsible to the
passing footstep.
Facing tie rallied in grass plot of its
little court stood the house in which
John Loder had his rooms. Taken at
a first glance the house had the desert
ed air OF an Office. Inhabited only in
the early hours, but as night fell lights
would be seen 10 show out. first on one
floor. then on another-faint. human
heacons unconsCiouSly signaling each
other. The rooms Lodcr inhabited
were on the highest floor, and from
their windows one might gaze philo-
sopbically on the treetops, forgetting
the uneven pavement and the worn
railing that hcmmcd them around In
The landing outside the rooms his name
appeared above his door. but the paint
had been soiled by time and the letters
for the most part reduced to shadows,
30 that, taken In conjunction with The
gaunt staircase and bare walls. the
place had a chcerless look
Inside. however. tho effect was some
what mtigated. The room on the right
hand as one entered the small passage
that served as hall was of fair size
though low cciled. The paint OF the
wall paneling, like the name above the
outer door, had long ago been worn TO
n dirty and nondescript hue, and the
ilOcr was innocent of carpet. Yet i'll
the middle OF the room stood Il fine old
Cromwell table, aud on the plain deal
bookshelves and along the mnntel-
piece were some valuable books--polit-
ical and historical. There were no cur
tains on the windows and a common
reading lamp with a green shade stood
on a desk. 1t was the room of Il man
with few hobbies and no pleasures,
who existed because he was alive and
worked because he must.
Three nights after the great fog John
Loder sat by his desk in the light Of
the green shaded lamp. Tho remains
Of very frugal supper stood on the
center table, and in the crate small
and economical looking fire was burn
ing.
Having written for close on two
hours, he pushed back his chair and
stretched his cramped fingers. Then
he yawned, rose and slowly walked
across the room. Reaching the mantel-
piece he took pipe from the pipe rack
aud some tobacco from the jar that
stood behind the books. His face
looked tired and little worn, as Is
common with men who have worked
long a an uncongenial task. Shreddng
the tobacco between his hands he
slowly filled the pipe. then lighted ii
from the fire with a spill of twisted
paper.
Almost at the moment that he ap-
piled the light the sound of steps
mounting the unCarpeted stairs outside
caught his attention and he raised his
head to listen.
Presently the steps halted and he
heard a match struck The stranger
was evidently uncertain Of his where
abouts. Then the steps moved forward
again and paused.
An expression Of surprise crossed
Ioder's face and he laid down his pipe
AS the visitor knocked he walked
quietly across the room and opened the
door.
The passage outside was dark and
the newcomer drew back before the
light from the room.
"Mr. Loder?" he began lnterroga
lively. Then all at once he laughed il
embarrassed apology. "ForGive me-
he said. The light rather daZzled me
didn't realize who it was"
Loder recognized the voice rs belong
ing to his acquaintance Of the fog
"Oh, It's YOU he said Wont yor
come in?' His voice was little cold
This sudden resurrection left him sur
prised, and not quite pleasantly sur
prsed. He walked back to the fire
place, followed 10y his guest.
The guest seemed nervous and ngi
tated. II must apologize for the houl
Of my visit" he said. "My-my time il
not quite my own
Lodcr waved his hand. Whose time
Is his own" he said.
Chicote, encouraged by the remark
drew nearer 70 the fire. Until this mo
ment he had RETAINED from looking dl
rectly at his host. Now, however III
raised his eyes, and, despite his prepa
ration, he recoled unavoidably befor
the extraordinary resemblance. Seer
here. in the casual surroundings of
badly furnished and crudely lighte'
room, It was even more astounding
than 1t had been In the mystery Of tn
fog.
Forgive me- he said again. 1T i
physical, purely physical. ! am bowie
over against my will"
Loder smiled The slight contemp
that Chllcote had fret inspired ros
again, and with it second feeling les
easily defined The man seemed so TN
stable, SO incapable, yet so grotesquel!
suggestive to himself.
The likeness Is rather overwhelm
Ing" he said, but not heavy enough t
sink under. Come nearer the fire. VIVA
brought you here? Curiosity" Their
was wooden armchair by the fire
place. He indicated it with wave o
the hand, then turned and took up hi
smoldering pipe.
Chilcote, watching him furtively
obeyed the gesture and sat down.
at rs extraordinary" he said, as
unable to dismiss the subject ut