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

NAC acdL Va lIt Suits.
Come here.' be called. pleased to
find some one upon whom to vent his
irritation. HAS that wire come for
meY'
mo. sir. inquired i've minutes
back"
Inquire again"
Eyes. sir" Allsopp disappeared.
A second later after his disappear
ance the bell of the hall door whizzed
loudly.
Chilcote started. All sudden sounds.
like all strong lights. affected him. He
half moved to the door, then stopped
himself with short exclamation. AZ
the same instant Allsopp reappeared.
Chilcote turned on him excitedJy.
What the devils the meaning OF
this?' he said. "a battery of servants
IN the house and nobody to open the
hall door,
Allsopp looked embarrassed. Crap
ham Is coming directly. sir. BE only
left the hall to ask Jeffries'--
Chilcote turned. "Confound Gran
hamT' he exclaimed. GO and omen
the door yourself"
AllsOpp hcsltated, his dignity strug-
Cling with his obedience. AS he wait
ed the bell sounded again.
did you hear me?'' Chiiccte said.
Yes. sir" AllsOpp crossed the hall.
AS the door was opened Chilcote
passed his handkerchief from one
hand to the other in the tension OF
hope and fear. then as the sound OF
his own name In the shrin tones OF n
telegraph boy reached his ears he let
the handkerchief drop TO the ground.
Allsopp took the yellow envelope and
carried il to his master.
"a telegram. sir" he said. "And tbe
boy wishes TO know IL there is an an
swer." Picking up Chilcote's bandlxer-
chief. he turned aside with elaborate
dignity.
Chilcote's hands were so unsteady
that he could scarcely insert his fin
ger under the flap OF the enveloDe
Tearing OF n corner. he wrenched the
covering apart and smoothed out the
himsy pink paper.
The message was very simple. con
sisting OF but seven words:
Shall expect you at II tonight.
LODER.
He read It two or three times then
he looked mp. mo answer" he said
mechanically. and TO his own ears the
relief i'm his voice sounded harsh and
unnatural
Exactly as the clocks chimed IL
Chilcote mounted the stairs to Ioders
rooms. But this time there was moro
OF haste than OF uncertainty In his
steps, and, reaching the landing. he
crossed It In a couple OF strides and
Knocked feverishly on the door.
1t opened at once. and Loder stood
before him.
The occasion was peculiar. For n
moment neither spoke: each involun.
tarlly looked 81 the other with new
eyes and under changed conditions.
Each had assumed n fresh standpoint
IN the others thought The passing
astonishment. the half impersonal Gu
riosity that haG previously tiugcd their
relationship, was cast aside. never TO
be reassumed. In each the other saw
himself-and something more.
As usual Loder was the hrst TO re
cover himself.
Il was expecting you" he said.
Won't you come Ing"
The words were almost the same as
his word Of the night before. but his
voice had a different ring. Just as his
face when he drew back into tho
room had n different expression "a
suggestion OF decision and energy that
had been lacking before Chilcote
caught the difference as he crossed
tho Hfnna- mol
D flicker Of something like jealousy
touched him, but the sensation was
1eetmg
Il have TO thank you" he said. hold
Ing out his hand. He was too well
bred TO show by hint that he under
stood the drop IN the others principles.
but Loder broke down the artince.
Lets be straight with each other.
since everybody else has 10 be deceiv-
ed. he said, taking the others hand.
You have nothing TO thank me for.
and you know f. It's a touch OF the
Did Adam. You tempted NE. and l
fell" He laughed. but below the laugh
ran a note Of something like triumph
Tie curious triumph OF Il man who has
known the tyranny OF strength and
suddenly appreciates the freedom OF a
weakness.
You fully realize the thing you have
proposed?" he added in n different
tone. IT'S not too late 10 retract even
now"
Chilcote opened his lips. paused. then
laughed in imitation of his companion.
but the laugh sounded forced.
My dear fellow" he said at last. 1T
never retract"
Never"
"No."
Then the bargains sealed"
Loder walked slowly across the room
and. taking up his position by the man
-elpiece. looked at his companion. The
between them as they faced
each other seemed abnormal. defvinp
even the closest scrutiny. And vet so
mysterious is nature even i'm her lapses-
they were subtly. indednably different.
chilcote was Loder deprived OF one es-
sential; Loder, Chilcote with that es-
Sential bestowed. The difference Law
neither in feature. In coloring nor In