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

where In the second class carriages.
and have nobody 70 help me end my
fog
'Of course, that first speech ought to
have enlightened me. but II didn't I
only saw the smile and heard the voice.
] knew nothing OF whether they were
deep or shallow. So I found the maid
and found the dog The first expressed
gratitude. the other didn't I extricat-
ed him with enormous difficulty from
the wreck OF the luggage van. and this
was how he marked his appreciation"
He held out his hand and nodded to
ward the scar.
Chilcote glanced up. so that's the
explanation"
Yes. I tried to conceal the thing
when I restored the dog. but / was
bleeding abominably and / failed.
Then the whole business was changed.
1t was / who needed seeing 70. my new
friend insisted: I who should be looked
after and not she. She forgot the dog
in the newer interest Of my wounded
finger The maid. who was practically
unhurt. was sent on TO engage rooms ut
the little inn. aud she and l followed
slowly.
That walk impressed me. There was
an attractive mistness OF atmosphere
in the warm night a sensation more
than attractive ia fAing made much OF
by a woman OF ones own class and
country after five years wandering"
He laughed with touch OF irony.
"But ] won't take up your time with
details. You know the progress OF an
ordinary love affair. Throw In a few
more flowers and a little more sunshine
than Is usual a man who Is practically
hermit aud a woman who knows the
world 10y heart and you have the whole
thing
"She Insisted on staying IA Sautasa-
lare for three days in order 20 keep my
finger bandaged. She ended by staying
three weeks in the hope OF smashing up
my life.
con coming TO the hotel she had Civ
en- no name and in our first explana-
lions 20 each other she led me 10 CON
clude her an unmarried girl. Il was at
the end OF the three weeks that I learn
ed that she was not free agent as I
had innocently Imagined. but possessed
a husband whom she had left iu with
malaria at Florence or Rome.
"Ihe news disconnected me. and
took no pains 90 hide Il. After that the
end came abruptly. In her eyes had
become n fool with middle class prin-
cipies; In my eyes But there Is no
need FOR that. She left Santasalare the
same night IN great confusion OF
trunks and hotboxcs. and next morning
/ strapped on my kuapsack and turned
my face O. the south"
And women don't count ever afte-7"
Chilcote smiled. bcguiled out OF him
self
Loder laughed. That's what I've
been trying 10 convey. Once bitten.
twice shyw He laughed again and
slipped the two rings over his finger
with an air OF fnality.
"Now. shall startg This Is the latch
keyF" lie drew key from the pocket
Of Chllcote's evening clothes. when
] get 20 Grosvenor square am TO find
your house. 20 straight in. mount the
stairs and there on my right hand will
be the door OF your mean my own
private rooms. think I've cot Il by
heart / feel Inspired I feel that
can't 90 wrong" lie handed the two
remaining rings 20 Chllcote and picked
up the ovcrco0t
'I'n stick on TIL | get wire" DC
said. Then I'll come back and well
reverse again" He slipped on the coat
and moved back toward the table.
Now that the decisive moment had
come II embarrassed him. Scarcely
knowing how 10 bring IL TO an end. he
held out his hand.
Chilcote took IL. pallng n little.
Twill be all rightr' he said. with a
sudden return OF nervousness. Twill
be all right, And I've made Il plain
nhout-obOut the remuneratlon2 A
hundred a week. besides all expenses"
I.Oder smiled again. my pay7 oh.
yes. you've made 1t clear as day. Shall
we say good night nOwY'
Yes. Good night"
There was a strange. distant note In
ChllcOte's voice. but the other did not
pretend TO hear II. He pressed the
hand he was holding. though the cold
dampness OF IL repealed him.
Good night" he said again.
Good night"
They stood for n moment awkwardIy
looking at each other then Loder quiet.
~ diSengaged his hand. crossed the
room and passed through the door.
Chilcote. left standing alone in the
middle OF tie room. listened while the
last sound OF the Others footsteps was
audible on tie uncarpeted stairs Then.
with furtive. hurried gesture. he
caught up the green shaded lamp and
passed into Loder's bedroom.
CHAPTER VIII.