The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-08

Inn IN the afternoon had left no time /
for superfuous questions. He skim
med the writing with touch of inter
ested haste, then all at once he paused
and smiled
Big enough for a tombstone!" he
said below his breath as his eyes rest
ed on a large blue cross. Then he
smiled again and held the book to the
light
Dine SO Cadogan gardens, s o'c
Talk with L." he read, still speaking
softly to himself
He stood for a moment bordering on
the entry, then once more his glance
reverted to the cross.
Evidently meant it to be seen," he
unused. But why the deuce isn't he
more explicit? AS he spoke a look of
comprehension suddenly crossed his
face and the puzzled frown between
his eyebrows cleared away.
With feeling of satisfaction he re-
membered Lakeley's frequent and
pressing suggestion that he should dine
with him at CadOgan gardens and dis
cuss the political outlook.
Lakeley must have written during
his absence, and Chilcote, having mark
ed the engagement, felt no further re
sponsibility. The invitation could
scarcely have been verbal, as Chilcote,
he knew. had lain very low in the five
days of his return home.
SO he argued as he stood with the
book still open in his hands, the blue
cross staring imperatively from the
white paper. And from the argument
seethed in his mind long after the lights
had been switched off, long after the
| fire had died down, and he had been
| left wrapped in darkness in the great
! canOpied bed.
And so it came about that he took
| his second false step. Once during the
! press of the next mornings work it
crossed his mind to verify his convic-
tons by a glance at the directory, but
for once the strong wish that evolves
a thought conquered his caution. His
work was absorbing; the need of veri-
fication seemed very small. He let the
suggestion pass.
At Z o'clock he dressed carefully. His
mind was full Of Lakeley and of the
possibilities the night might hold; for
more than once before the weight of
the ST. Georges Gazette, with Lakeley
at its back, had turned the political
scales. To be marked by him as a
coming man was at any time favora-
able portent; to be singled out by him
at the present juncture was momen-
tous. A thrill of expectancy, almost
excitement, passed through him as he
surveyed his appearance preparatory
to leaving the house.
Passing downstairs, he moved at
once to the hall door; but almost as
his hand touched it he halted, attracted
by a movement on the landing above
him. Turning, he saw Eve.
She was standing quite still, looking
down upon him as she had looked once
before AS their eyes met she changed
her position hastily.
You are going out?" she asked. Ant
it struck Loder quickly that there wa!
q suggestion, a shadow of disappoint
ment in the tone of her voice. Moved
by the impression, he responded witt
unusual prompCneSS.
yes" he said. I'm dining out
dining with Lakeley."
She watched him intently while b
spoke; then, as the meaning Of hi
| words reached her her whole fac
) frightened.
: with Mr.. Lakeley?" she said. "Ot
+ I'm glad-very glad. 1t is quite-Quit
CT. IL.
/ i impulsive touch of sympathy.
/ Loder, looking up at her, felt hi
t senses stir. At sound of her words hi
. secret craving for success quickened
' stronger life. The man whose sole II
= centive lies within may go fOrwar
coldly and successfully; but the ma
! who grasps double inspiration, VIII
! even unconsciously, is impelled by 81
!. other force, has stronger impetus fl
9 attack, a surer, more vital hewin
power Still watching her, he answe
ed instinctively:
Eyes" he said slowly, "a long step
,, And, with smile Of farewell, he tur1
q ed, opened the door and passed into tt
u road.
II The thrill of that one moment w;
IL still warm as he reached Cadogan ga
$ dens and mounted the steps Of No. SO
/ so vitality warm that he paused for 6
d instant before pressing the electr
e bell. Then at last, dominated by antiC
% patton, he turned and raised his hand.
1t The action was abrupt, and 1t W!
q only as his fingers pressed the bell tn
5, a certain une1pectedness, a certa
1t want of suitability in the aspect Of L
house, struck him. The door was whit
= the handle and knocker were of mas
: i've silver. The first seemed a disa
! pointing index of Lakeleys priva
= taste, the second a ridiculous tempt
- ton to needy humanity He look
= again at the number of the house, b
:. 1t stared back at him convincing
Then the door opened.
n So keen was his sense OF unfitne
= that, still trying to fuse his impressi'