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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1906)
mty THE ristmas Suggestions Masquerader By KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON, Author of "The Circle," Etc. te; Dress Goods fiy ua- Copyright. 1003. 1004. by Harper Lf Drollicrs ,r r i Oar Ch 1 . IX.. . h CHAPTER II. N tho morning following the night of fog Cliilcote woke nt I). Ho woUo ut tho iiioniL'iit that bin man AIlsopp tiptoed across t " M tho room ami ,M thu salvor with his early otip of tea on tho tattle buckle the For several seconds ho lay with his eyes Kluit. Tho effort of opening them oil a fresh day tho Intimate certainty of what ho would see on opening them seemed to weight his lids. Tho heavy, hnlf closed curtain, the blinds severely dra . the great room with Its splen did vulture, Its sober coloring. Its scent of damp London winter above nil, AIlsopp, silent, respectful and re spectablewore the things to dread. A full inlnuto passed while he still feigned sleep, lie heard AIlsopp stir discreetly, then tho Inevitable Informa tion broke the silence: "Nine o'clock, slrl" lie opened his eyes, murmured some thing and cloned them again. The man moved to the window, quietly pulled back tho curtains and half drew (he blind. "Better night, sir, I hope?" ho ven tured softly. Ghllcoto had drawn tho bedclothes oyer bis face to screen himself from the daylight, murky though It was. "Yes," he responded. "Those beast ly nightmares didn't trouble me for once." lie shivered a little as at some recollection. "Rut don't talk don't re mind me of them. I hate a man who has no originality." lie spoke sharply. At times he showed nn almost childish Irritation over trivial tilings. AIlsopp took the remark in silence. Crossing tho wide room, he began to lay out his master's clothes. Tho ac tion affected Cliilcote to fresh annoy ance1. "Confound it!" ho .said. "I'm sick of that routine! I can sec you laying out my winding sheet the day of my burial. Leave those things. Come hack in half an hour." AIlsopp allowed himself one glance at his master's llgure huddled in the great bed; then, laying aside the coat he was holding, he moved to the door. "With his fingers on tho handle, he paused. "Will you breakfast in your own room, sir, or downstnlrs?" Cliilcote drew tho clothes more tight ly round his shoulders. "Oh, nnywhero iiowhero!" he said. "I don't care." AIlsopp softly withdrew. Left to himself, Cliilcote sat up In hed and lifted tho salver to his knees. "The sudden movement Jarred him physically. lie drew a handkerchief from under the pillow and wiped his forehead. Then he held his hand to tho light nnd studied It. Tho hand looked sallow nnd unsteady. With u nervous gesture he thrust the salver back upon tho table nnd slid out of bed. Moving hastily across the room, he stopped before one of the tall ward robes nnd swung the door open; then, sifter a furtive glnnce around the room, ho thrust his haud Into tho recesses of a shelf and fumbled there. The thing lie sought wns evidently not hard to find, for almost at once ho withdrew his hand and moved from tho wnrdrobo to a table beside the flrc jtlnce, carrying a Binnll glass tube filled with tabloids. Ou tho table were a decauter, a siphon and a water Jug. Mixing some whisky, he uncorked tho tube. Again Imj glanced apprehensively toward the door, then with a very nervous hand hopped two tabloids Into the glass. While they dissolved ho stood with Ids hand ou tho table and his eyes fix ed on the iloor, evidently restraining his impatience. Instantly they had disappeared he seized the glass and drained it at a draft, replaced the lwttle in the wardrobe and, shivering slightly In the raw air, slipped back into lied. When AIlsopp returned lie was sit ting up, a cigarette between his lips, the teacup standing empty on tho salver. Tho nervous Irritability had gone from his manner. lie no longer moved Jerkily; his eyes looked bright er, his pule skin more healthy. "Ah, AIlsopp," he said, "there nro some momenta hi life, after all. It Isn't all blank wall." "I ordered breakfast In the small morning room, sir," Bald AIlsopp, with out a change of expression. Cliilcote breakfasted at 10. Ills ap petite, always fickle, wus particularly uncertain In tho early hours. Ho help ed himself to some fish, but sent away his plate untouched; then, having drunk two cups of ten, ho pushed hack his chair, lighted a fresh cigarette nnd shook out the morning's newspaper. Twlco ho shook It out and twice turn ed It, hut the rcluctauco to fix bla mind upon It made him dnlly. The effect of tho morphia tabloids was still appar ent in the greater steadiness of his hand and eye. the regained quiet of his susceptibilities, hut the respite was temporary and lethargic. The early days the days of six years ago. when those tabloids meant an even sweep of thought, lucidity of brain, u balance of judgment in thought and effort were days of the past. As lie had said of Lexington and his vice, the slave had become master. As he folded tho paper in a last at tempt at Interest the door opened, and his secretary came a step or two Into the room. "Good morning, sir," he said. "For give mo for being so untimely." Ho was a fresh mannered, bright eyed boy of twenty-three, ills breezy alertness, his deference, as to a man who had attained what he aspired to, amused and depressed Cliilcote by turns. "Hood morning, Blcsslngton. What Is it now?" lie sighed through habit and, putting up his hand, warded off a ray of sun that had forced Itself through the misty atmosphere as If by mistake. The boy smiled. "It's that business of the Wnrk timber contract, sir," ho paid. "You promised you'd look Into It today. You know you've shelved It for a week already, and Cralg-Bur-nage are rather clamoring for an an swer." Ho moved forward and Inld the papers he was carrying on the tn ble beside Cliilcote. "I'm sorry to be such a nuisance," ho added. "I hope your nerves aren't worrying you to day?" Cliilcote wns toying with the pnpers. At the word nerves he glanced up sus piciously. But Blesslngton's Ingenuous face satisfied him. "No," he said. "I settled my nerves last night with with a bromide. I know that fog would upset nic unless I took precautious." "I'm glad of that, sir, though I'd nvoid bromides. Had habit to set up. But this Wark business I'd like to got It under way If you have no objection." Cliilcote passed his fingers over tho papers. "Were you out In that fog last night, IMesslngton?" "No, sir. I supped with some peoplo nt the Savoy, and wo Just missed it. It was very partial, I believe." "So I believe." Blcsslngton put his hand to his nent tie and pulled It. He was extremely polite, hut ho had nn inordinate sense of duty. "Forgive mo, sir," he said, "but about that contract? I know I'm a frightful bore." "Oh, the contract!" Cliilcote looked about him absently. "By the way, did you see anything of my wife yester day? What did she do last night?" "Mrs. Chilcote gave mo ten yesterday afternoon. She told me she was din- "i feci that fur sixpence I'd clinch U all" Ing at Lady Sablnet's nnd looking In nt ono or two places later." He eyed his pnpers In Chllcote's listless hand. Cliilcote smiled satirically. "Evo is very truo to society," ho said. "I couldn't dlno at the Sablnots' If it wns to mnko mo premier. They have a butler who Is nn Institution a sort of heirloom in tho family. Ho Is fnt and breathes audibly. Last time I lunched thcro ho haunted me for a whole night" Blcsslngton laughed gnyly. "Mrs. ChJJcotp doesn't seo ghosts, sir," ho TV ny-mj'.. 'in: . .'J,' h n ' a JlPIfi W i Wf rMmliwKi.'ui.sk. iiTi i?43??Ti .-.?' 5 Collars m Turnover Collar, embroidered in till while, ut 10.-. Turnover Cndais, embroidered in Colored Silks, ut 2:o. Luce Collars, white or black, 'Jfi to (). Ucnutitul Laco nnd KibLoii Collars at fiOc. Combs In Sido and Back Combs wo have a nice assort men t. Side Combs nt 15 nnd 20o. Sido and Back Combs to mulch ut.'lOc, 10c and 50c, plain colors and gray finish. Sterling Silver Mounted Sido and Back Combs at $.'1.00. Backcombs in Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Mountings, M to 82.:0. 36-in. black Taffeta Silk, $i Heavy all-silk Velvet, $1.15 F.JEWHOUSUeil Gb said; "but If I may suggest" Cliilcote tapped his fingers on tho tahle. "No. Eve doesn't see ghosts. Wo rather miss sympnthy there." Blcsslngton governed his Impatience. He stood still for some seconds, then glanced down at his pointed hoot. "If you will ho lenient to my per sistency, sir, I would like to remind you" Cliilcote lifted his head with n flash of Irritability. "Confound It, Blcsslngton l" he ex claimed. "Am I never to ho left In peace? Am I never to sit down to a menl without having work thrust upon mo? Work work perpetually workl I have hoard no other word In tho last six years. I declare there nro times" ho rose suddenly from his sent nnd turned to the window "there are times when I feel that for sixpence I'd chuck It all the whole benstly round" Startled by his vehemence, Blcsslng ton wheeled toward him. "Not your political career, sir?' There was a moment In which Chll cate hesitated, n moment In which the desire that had filled his mind for months roso to his lips nnd hung there. Then tho question, the Incredulity In Blesslngton's face, chilled It and It fell back Into silence. "I I didn't say that," ho murmured. "You young men Jump to conclusions, Blcsslngton." "Forgive me, sir. I never mennt to Imply retirement. Why, Kickshaw, Vnle, Cressliam and the whole Wark crowd would bo about your ears like files If such a thing woro even breath ednow more thnn ever since these Persian tumors. By the way, Is there nnything real In this border business? The St. George's came out rather strong last night." Cliilcote had moved back to the ta hle. Ills face was pale from his out hurst, and his fingers toyed restlessly with the open newspaper. "I haven't seen the St. George's," ho Bald hastily. "Lakely Is always ready ( to shako tho red rng whero Russln Is concerned. Whether wo nro to enter tho nrcnu Is another matter. But what about Cralg-Burnage? I think you mcniioneu sonietumg or a contract." "Oh, don't worry about that, sir." Blcsslngton had caught tho twitching (Continued on Pafeo Six.) .'W-inch Half Wool Dress Goods, at .'1(5 incn All Wool Drss Goods, ut .'Id-inch All Wool Serges, ut .'iti-lneli All Wool Venetian Dress Goods, at . fil-iuoh All Wool Dress Goods, u bargain at. ftl-inch All Wool Dress Goods, heavy ll-iiichCiouui White Caslimoie, ut And a host of others we will he pleased to show you if you call. HourvdfoeLgs Children's I ladling in assort oil colors at 2. cents. Ladies' black Handling, 2 outside nnd I inside pocket, at tin!. Hotter grade than the above, with coin purse, fiOc mid 7fio. Genuine Lout her Handbag with card case, coin pui.sn and minor, at 1 j?i.2.", 81.00. Alligator Leather Handlings ut SI M .f'J.OO nnd ?2.f0. Liv.urd Skin HuudhiigH ut $2.00. Handkerchiefs Children's l'ictuio lluiidkurchiel's 4c and 00. Ladies' Hemstitched Linen Huudhor chiefs, Ho to 2,o. Ladies' Hemstitched Handkerchiefs, with lace border, at Oo. Ladies' Hemstitched Handkerchiefs, embroidered center, ut 2.raj. Ladies' Initial Hemstitched, at Klu. Gouts' Initial Hemstitched ut lf.c. Gloves Golf Glovos for both Ladies and Gouts, ubsortod colors, 2oo and HOo. Ladies Jorsov Wool Gloves. flnmn linod, at 50c Throo lmti(omo DOLLS will bo given away on December 24. Coupon with ovory fiOc purchase A Splendid Premium 100 Bight-Day Clocks . .To Be Given Away. . Wo want to add 1,000 now subscribers to The Chief's list before the first of February, 1907, and to that end wo make tho offor below. There will bo no disappointed contestants. This is a plain businoss proposition and ovory school district, every church sooioty, every lodgo and ovory individual can soouro ono of tlioso splendid Regulators by sending in ton now yearly subscriptions. Tho retail price of this Clock is $7.00. ilflHSHIl Address all communications to THE CHIEF PUBLISHING CO., Red Cloud Nebraska. 20c 35c GOc aoo GOc GOc GOc This month's Buttcrick Patterns 10c and 15c none higher. For Your Wife or lady Friend Nothing is more appropriate than Fanny Silk Stocklnis. at They like them. We carry all kinds. Description of the Clock Height :I7 inches. Width lGjif inches. Dial, diameter 12 iuuhos. Cnso Goldon Oak. Hot ail price 87.00. Tin: Cuii;r lias made arrangements for pioouring 100 of tho abovo hand some eight-day Kogulators, and thoy will bo given away absolutely free, upon tho following plan: Each porson Bonding in 10 new yoar ly subscriptions to The Chief will bo entitled to one of tho clocks. Eacli porson sending in 15 ronowals to January 1, 1003, will bo entitled to ono of tho clocks. Nobody barred! School districts, churches, secret societies and individ uals are entitled to enter the raco. El q H a Vl Loud, Mr. J A 1 1