Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-07

nArss.s. Na~i1
Loder bors hts scruttny Utthout Gtnching.
directly above his head, and as she
came toward him he raised his face de-
libcrately and waited
She looked at him without surprise
or interest. Yes, sir" she said.
as your mistress in?" he asked. lie
could think of no other question. but it
served his purpose as Il test of his
voice.
Still the woman showed no surprise.
She's not in. cir" she answered. But
she's expected In half an hour
"In half an hour? All right That's
all l wanted" With movement of
decision Loder walked back to the stair
head, turned TO the right and opened
the door of Chilcoje's rooms.
The door opened on short, wide pas
sage. On one side stood the study, on
the other the bed. bath and dressing
rooms. With a blind sense of knowl-
edge and untamiiarity. bred of much
description on Chilcotc's part. he put
his hand on the study door and, still
exalted by the omen of his first sue
cess, turned the handle
Inside the room there was freight
and lamplight ana Il studious air OF
peace. The realization Of this and a
slow incredulity NJ t'hlcote's voluntary
remuneration were his first impressions.
Then his attention vas needed for more
imminent things.
AS he entered the new secretary was
returning volume to its place on the
book shelves. At sight of him he push
ed it hastily into position and turned
round. .T Iy, .r 81.
81 was making p few notes on the
political position Of Khnrasan,H he said,
CHANGING with Sigh apprehenslveness
at the others face. He was a small.
shy man, with few social &ttninments,
but au extraordinary amount of learn
lng-the antithcsls Of the alert Bless
ington, whom he had replaced.
Lodcr bore his scrutiny without
finching. Indeed, It struck him sud
denly that there Wa5 fund of Inter
est, almost Of excitement, In the en-
counterlng Of each new pair Of eyes.
At the thought he moved forward to
the desk
Thank you. Grcening," he said. "a
very useful bit of work
The secretary glanced up, slightly
puzzled. His endurance had been Sc
verely taxed in the fourteen days that
he had filled his new post
I'm glad you think SO. SIR he said,
hesitatinGly. You rather poohpoohcd
the matter this morning, if You remem-
ber."
Loder was takne off his coat, but
stopped in the operation.
This morningt' he said. ooh, did
I? Did II" Then struck by the OPP
portunity the words gave him he turn
ed toward the secretary. you've got
to get used TO me, Greening,' he said.
You haven't quite grasped me yet,
can see, I'm man Of moods, you
know Up to the present you've seen
my slack side, my Jared side, but
have quite another when l care to
show II. I'm sort Of Jckyll and Hyde
affair" Again he laughed, and Green.
ing echoed the sound ditidently. Chill
cote had evidently discouraged famil.
larity.
Loder eyed him with abrupt under
standing. He recognized the loneli-
ness in the anxious, concillatory man
ner.
You're tired" he said kindly. eco
to bed. I've got some thinking to do.
Good night" He held out his hand.
Greening took it, still half distrust'
full Of this fresh side to so complex a
man.
Good night, sir" he said. "1omor-
row, II you approve, shall go on with
my notes. | hope you will have
restful night"
For a second Loder's eyebrows Went
up, but he recovered himself instantly.
"Ah, thanks, Grcenng" he SAT-
Thanks think your hope will be
fulfilled"
lie watched the little secretary move
softly and alphabetically to the door,
then be walked to the fire and, rest
Ing his elbows OH the mantelpiece, he
took his face In his hands.
For space he stood absolutely
quiet, then his hands dropped to his
sides. and he turned slowly round. In
that short space he had balanced
things and found his bearings. The
slight nervousness shown In his
brusque sentences and overconfdent
manner faded out, and he faced facts
steadily.
With the return Of his calmness he
took long survey of the room. His
glance frightened appreciatively ms 1t
Travelled from the walls lined with well
bound books to the lamps modulated to
the proper light; from the lamps to the
desk fitted with every requirement.
Nothing was lacking All he had once
possessed, all he had since dreamed OF,
was here, but on n greater scale. To
enjoy the luxuries OF life man must