The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-01


out los N up.
"That you may spend the night In
/ moph,a-this and other nights"
Chilc1te lifted flushed. unsettled
face. You have no right 10 preach.
You accepted the bargain"
Lodcr raised his head quickly. Il
never he began. Then both his face
ana voice altered. You are quite
right" he said coldly. You won't have
to complain again"
Chllcote stirred uncomfortably. MY
dear chap" he said, II meant no Of
Tense. It's merely
your nerves. know. But come TO
business. What am to der
ChiIcote rose excitedly. Yes, bust
ness. Let's come TO business It's
rough on you. taking you short like
this. But you have an cratic person
TO deal with. I've had horrible day
q horrible day" His face had paled
again, and in the green lamplight II
possessed O grayish hue. Involuntar-
" Loder turned away.
Chilcote watched him as he passed
to the desk and began mechanically
sorting papers. "A horrible day" he
repeated so bad that l daren't face
the night. You have read De Quin'
ceyf' he asked, with sudden change
of tone.
| YES"
/ .sThen read him again and you'll I'M
derstand. / have all the horrors with
put any art. have no ladies OF sor-
row. but have worse monsters than
his crocodile. He laughed, unpleas-
antly.
Loder turned why, in the devifs
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 do?" he substituted in an
ordinary voice.
The words steadied Chilcote. He
laughed a little The laugh was sui
shaky, but it was pitched in lower
| key.
"You-you're quite right to pull me
ND. We have no time to waste. II
must he 1 o'clock" He pulled out his
watch. then walked to the window ana
stood looking down into the shadowy
court. How quiet you are here!' ne
said. Then abruptly new thought
struck him, and he wheeled back into
the room. "Loder," he said quickly
"I,oder, l have an ideal While you
are me, why shouldn't be you? Why
shouldn't be John Loder instead Of
the vagrant we contemplatedf 1t COW
ers everything; 1t explains everything
It's magnificent! I'm amazed we new
err thought of 1t before"
Loder was still beside the desk. y
thought of It," he said without look
Ing back.
"And didn't suggest itr
| "No."
"WhyY'
Loder said nothing, and the other
colored
jealous OF your reputation" he
said satirically
Il have none to be jealous Of"
Chilcote laughed disagreeably. Then
you aren't so far gone in philosophy
as | thought You have niche in
your own good opinion"
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled You have an oddly correct
perception &t times" he said. Il sup
pose have had a lame sort of pride
In keeping my name clean, but pride
like that Is out of fashion, and I've got
to float with the tide" He laughed
short laugh that Chilcote had heard
once or twice before. and. crossnF
the room. he stood beside his Wis
ltor. after all" he said, what bust
ness have l with pride, straight or
lame? Have my identity, If you want
II. When all defenses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town" Laughing again, he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come,
he said, give your orders. ! capitu-
late
An hour later the two men passed
from Loder's bedroom, where the maj
arrangements had been completed,
back into the sitting room. Loder
came first in faultless evening dress.
His hair was carefully brushed, the
clothes he wore fitted him perfectly,
To any glance. critical or casual, he
was the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
In the evening. Chilcote's manner OF
walking and poise of the head seemed
to have descended upon him with Chill
cote's clothes. He came into the room
hastily and passed to the desk.
II have no private papers" ne said,
$50 have nothing to lock up. Every
thing can stand as it Is. woman
named Robins comes in the mornings
to clean up and light the fire; other
wise you must shift for yourself. No
body will disturb yon. Quiet, dead
quiet is about the one thing You can
count on"
Chrlcote. half halting In the door
way, made an attempt to laugh. or
the two he was noticeably the more
or,ho rrasspd In IOders well worn,