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..
.
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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
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