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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1907)
WMjawiiwiKrmriCTViiTWiiMmniiwtMfPna8wiTim KrnrrmtiHiwwjBimtmriotTiKwiiUBSBariMiiMiiu)Mim i $$ OQRS&BBfflffiB &S&ES3 itsiyonayCgttyjwigawMufCiBecaagttitMrargiHgjwrAaK mubwupumO (fflSSSJS1 G5t3BmW tttt(?:tMW5K3S MBBW HSuJkM THE ; Hk E3T S'tU masaueraaei n By KATHER1NE CECIL THURSTON, Author of "The Circle," Etc. Ul SS .'i Copyright, 1003, 100. by Harper - II rot hers fW)Hi.mi.JHjii;jnTrimjurjtLHCTcagt.ijnxijmjuuu'jimjmi jnwiuui'jumiwniwf iimuhihw I M H tt u, l r d M I u I 9 B II & .M I I till . r tig W fy. S. rf Jl& ji J. A A a m l t fWl is, i 'JL' ! 9. K n- Goods I I 'l ' ' vm ., i (.ii.i.l , ( .... XOc UM pi-i.irrirm.,miimiimii.inKtim jaiUMiMi.lMMIIllnll rtrmrmMlMMlllWrUmagwjl 'i h n ! Si III a wi Hi, &&C m GOc Mj - ! fc Again 1,01101' took his face between liia hands. "Don't ridicule the Ulca. I'm In dead earnest." Lodor said n thin;?. "Tliink tld.il; It ovor before you re fUSO." For a moment Lodor remained mo tionless, thou lie rose suddenly, pu-ih-lug back his clmlr. 'Tush, man! You don't know what you say. The fuel of your being mar ried liars it. Can't you see 'hat?" Af,'aiu Chllooto caught Ids arm. "You mlsuudorMnnd," he said. "You mistake the position. I tell you my wife and 1 are nothing h ''ioh other. She oes her way; I go mine. We have our own friends, our own rooms. Marriage, aetual marriage, doesn't enter the question. Yo meet occasion ally at meals and at other people's houses; sometimes we go out together for the sake of appearances; beyond that, nothing. If you take up my life nobody In it will trouble you less than Eve I enn promise that." lie laugh' ed unsteadily. Loder's face remained unmoved. "Even granting that." he said, "the thing is still impossible." "Why?" "There Is the house. The position there would be untenable. A man Is known there as he Is known In his own club." lie drew away from Chll eote's touch. "Very possibly. Very possibly." Chllcote laughed quickly and excitedly. "Hut what club Is without its eccentric member? I am glad you spoke of that. 1 am glad you raised that point. It was a long time ago that I lilt upon a reputation for moods as u shield for for other things, and the more useful it has become the more I have let it grow. I tell you you might go down to the house tomorrow and spend the whole day without speaking to, even nodding to. a single man. and as long as you were I to outward appearances no one would raise an eyebrow. In the same way you might vote In my place, ask a question, make n speech If you wanted to" ' At the word speech Loder turned In voluntarily. For a licet ing second the coldness of his manner dropped and Ids face changed. Chllooto, with his nervous quickness of perception, saw the alteration, and a new look crossed his own lace. "Why not?" he said quickly. "You once had ambitions In that direction. "Why not renew the ambitions?" "And drop hack from the mountains Into the gutter?" Loder smiled and slowly shook his head. "Hotter to live for one day than to exist for a hundred!" Chilcoto's voice Irotuhled with anxiety. For the third Mine he extended his hand and touched the other. This time Loder did not iihuko off the detaining hand. He scarcely seemed to feel its pressure. "Look here." Chilcoto's fingers tight ened. "A little while ago you talked of influence. Here you can stop Into a position built by Influence. You might do all you once hoped to do" Loder suddenly lifted his head. "Ab surd!" he said. "Absurd! Kucha scheme was never carried through." "Precisely why It wid succeed. Peo ple never suspect until they have a precedent. Will 'you consider It? At least consider It. Komembor, If there is a risk It Is I who am running It. On your own showing you have no position to jeopardize." The other laughed curtly. "Beforo 1 go tonight will you promise mo to consider It?" "No." "Then you will send me your decision by wire tomorrow. I won't take your answer now." Loder freed his arm abruptly. "Why not?" he asked, Chllcote smiled nervously. "Because. I know men and men's temptations. "Wo are all very strong till the quick Is touched. Then we all wince. It's morphia with ono man, ambitions with another. In each case It's only a mat ter of sooner or later." lie laughed In his satirical, unstrung way and held out his hand. "You have my address," ho said. "An revolr." Loder pressed the hand and dropped it. "Good by," he said meaningly. Then lie crossed the room quietly and hold tho door open. "Goodby," ho said again ns the other passed him. As he crossed the threshold Chllooto paused. "An revolr," ho corrected, with emphasis. Until the last echo of his visitor's Rtons had died away Loder stood with Ids hand on Uio door. Then closing it ,itttv lu. turned and looked around tho room. For a conslderauio Bpaco no Htood thoro as If weighing the merits of each object. Then very slowly ho mov ed to ono of the brr.iksholvos. drew out May's "Parliamentary Practice." and, .arrylng It to the desk, readjusted the lamp. CHAPTER VI. LL the next day Chllcote moved In a fever of excitement. Hot with h ipe one ui.tmeut, cold with fever tho next, he nulled restless energy Into every t.:k with that presented Itself, only to drop 11 as speedily. Twice during the morning he dri'e tj the entrance of Clifford's Inn, but each lime bis courage failed him and he returned to Grosvonor square to learn that tho c.cpectcd message Troiii Loder had not conic It was a wearing condition of mind, hut at worst It was scarcely more than an exaggeration of what his stite had lien for months and made but little obvious dlfi'eronctt In his bearing or manner. In the afternoon he took his place In the house, but, though It was his llrst appearance since his failure of two days ago, ho drew hut small personal notice. When lie chose, ids manner could repel advances with extreme effect, and of late men had been prone to draw away from him. Iu one of the lobbies ho encountered Fralde surrounded by a group of friends. With his usual furtive haste he would have passed on, but moving away from his party the old man ac costed him. IIo was always courteously particular in his treatment of Chllcote, as the husband of his ward and god child. "Bettor, Chllcote," he said, holding out his hand. At the sound of the low, rather formal tones, so characteristic of the old statesman, a hundred memo ries rose to Chilcoto's mind, a hundred hours distasteful in the living and un bearable In the recollect Ton, and with them tho new Hash of hope, the new possibility of freedom. In a sudden rush of conlidence he turned to his leader. j "I believe I've found a remedy for my nerves," he said. "I I believe I'm going to bo a now man." He laughed with a touch of excitement. . Fralde pressed his lingers kindly. "That Is right." he said. "That Is right. I called at (Srosveuor square this morn ing, but Eve told me your Illness of the other day was not serious. She was very busy this morning. She could only spare me a quarter of an hour She Is indefatigable over the social side of your prospects, Chllcote. You owe her a largo debt. A popular wife moans a great deal to a politician." Tho steady eyes of his companion dis turbed Chllcote. lie drew away his hand. "Eve Is unique." ho said vaguely. Fralde smiled. "That Is right," he said again. "Admiration Is too largely excluded from modern marrlnges." And with a courteous excuse ho re joined his friends. It was dinner time before Chllcote could desert tho house, but tno moment departure was possible he hurried to Grosvennr square. As he entered the house tho hall was empty. . lie swore Irritably under his breath and pressed the nearest boll. Since his momentary exaltation In Fraldo's presence his spirits had steadily fallen until now they hung at tho lowest ebb. As be waited In unconcealed Impa tience for an answer to his summons he caught sight of his man Allsopp at the head of the stairs. "Come here!" ho called, pleased to find some one upon whom to vent his Irritation. "Has that wire come for mo?" "No, sir. I Inquired live minutes back." "Iuqulro again." "Yes, sir." Allsopp disappeared. A second later after his disappear ance the bell of tho hall door whizzed loudly. Chllcote started. All sudden sounds, like all strong lights, affected him. Ho half moved to tho door, then stopped himself with a short exclamation. At the same Instant Allsopp reappeared. Chllcote turned on him excitedly. "What the devil's the meaning of this?" he said. "A battery of servants In the house and nobody to open tho hall door!" Allsopp looked embarrassed. "Crap ham Is coming directly, sir. lie only left the hall to ask Jeffrles"- Chllcoto turned. "Confound Crap ham!" he exclaimed. "Go and open the door yourself." Allsopp hesitated, his dignity strug Kllng with his obedlenco. As ho wait- od the boll sounded ntrnln. "Did you hear mo?" Chllcote said. "Yes, sir," Allsopp crossed tho hall. t . m mV " is . . v H fr'V ' fit i i h '' 1 Ikj.:, .. 4i...l,r.. hi Hm?" .-. -.'"A a In 'o'l'A.il!'-' S oilars , Turnover Colhirk, ombroi li-H'd in while, at lOe. Turnover CoHais. eml roidered Colored Silks, at, 2.ic. Lace Collars, white or black, 'JA tu W). Hcaiitiful Lace and Ribbon Collars at fiUo. Combs InSido and Hack Combs wo have nice assortment. Side Combs at lfl and 20c. Side and Back Combs to match at IMc, lOe and fuo, plain colors ami gray llnMi. Sterling Silver Mounted ide and Back Combs at i'A.VO. Baek ombs in Sterling SilvM and Gold Filled Mountings, il to fc.V) 36-in. hlack Tafftira Silk, $1 Hi avy all-silk Velvet, $1.15 :. MWHOUSE i&B m3ti3&SM5M2ZJM& As the door was opened Chllcote passed his handkerchief from one hand to the other in the tension of hope and fear, then as tho sound of his own name In the shrill tones of a telegraph boy reached his ears he lot the handkerchief drop to the ground. Allsopp took the yellow envelope and carried It to his master. "A telegram, sir," he said. "And tho boy wishes to know If there Is an an swer." Picking up Chilcoto's handker chief, ho turned aside with elaborate dignity. Chilcoto's hands were so unsteady that ho could scarcely Insert his lin ger under the Hap of tho envelope. Tearing off a corner, he wrenched tho covering apart and smoothed out the flimsy pink paper. The message was very simple, con sisting of but seven words: Slmlt expect you nt 11 tonight. LODISH. lie read It two or three times, then ho looked up. "No answer," ho said mechanically, and to his own ears tho relief in his voice sounded harsh and unnatural. Exactly as the clocks chimed 11 Chllcote mounted the stairs to Loder'.s rooms. But this time there was more of haste than of uncertainty In his steps, and, reaching the lauding, ho crossed It In a couple of strides and knocked feverishly on the door. It opened at once, and Loder stood beforo him. Tho occasion was peculiar. For a moment neither spoko; each involun tarily looked at the other with now eyes and under changed conditions. Kaeh had assumed a fresh standpoint In tho other's thought. The passing astonishment, the half Impersonal cu riosity that bad previously tinged their relationship, was cast aside, never to be roassunied. In each the other saw hlmself-and something more. As usual, Loder was tho first to re cover lib self. "I was expecting you," ho said. "Won't you come In?" Tho words wore almost tho same as his word of tho nltrht beforo. but his voice had a different ring, just as nis face when ho drew back into tho room had a different expression n suggestion of decision and energy that I had been lacking beiore Chllooto caught tho difference ua ho "oased 41... 4l.H..1.nf .1 nn.l fnii n l.nt-A UAOAnil luu imusuum, uuu iui u ;'' ov.. rlbiii it-xs (Ji - Oivtfts, n ti "' i. JlllV,V f!n-tmioto at This to 10c aadbgs V. .i h - i i-l s t H and k e rchief s liildtiii's le in il i- . nilkoicliiets at i i e i Linen HnmlluT- ul llniidkereliiefs, .1 .at. I do. d lliindkcioliiol'', - ti-r. nt '1 c. i i itched, at l"c. Ic i-.fi died nL Ifie. hi Ladies' Hi ' ebiil-. . ' Ladies' 1 ' wiili i.H-i Jjlldios' lle.i" imbrii''i Ladies' Inn in (ifllts' Illlt.llll a Gloves all (Joir Clltivc-. I ' nii'li Ladies and Genis, n-sorto I r dm--, ' and fide Ladi s ,b-isi. Wool (Jlove.s. llei'ce lined, nt ulie MMLttl 9 iur or 'Ihreo bands ine DOLLS given away on December iM. with every fiid' purchase. will bo CouptUi Rett ) a Hlcker of something like Jealousy touched him, but the sensation was Hooting. "I have to thank you," he said, hold ing out his hand, lie was too well bred to show by a hint that he under stood the drop in the other's principles, but Loder broke down the artltlce. "Let's bo straight with each other, since everybody else has to be decelv- ed," ho said, taking the other's hnifd. . "You have nothing to thank me for, and you know It. It's a touch of the old Adam. You tempted me, and I fell." He laughed, but below the laugh ran a note or something like trlumpli tho curious triumph of a man who has known the tyranny of strength and suddenly appreciates tho freedom of il weakness. "You fully realize the thing you have proposed?" ho added In a different tone. "It's not too Into to retract even now." Chllcote opened his lips, paused, then laughed in imitation of his companion, but tho laugh sounded forced. "My dear fellow," ho said at last, "1 never retract." "Xovor?" "No." "Then the bargain's sealed." Loder walked slowly across the room and, taking up bis position by tho man telpiece, looked at his companion. The similarity between thorn as they faced each other seemed abnormal, defying oven the closest scrutiny. And yet, so mysterious Is nature even In her lapses, they were subtly, indefinably dllleront. Chllcote was Loder deprived of ono es sential; Lodor, Chllooto with that es sential bestowed. Tho difference lay neither hi feature, In coloring nor In height, but In that ballllng, Illusive Inner Illumination that some call Indi viduality and others soul. Something of this Idea, misted and tangled by nervous imagination, cross ed Chilcoto's mind In that moment of ' scrutiny, but ho shrank from It appre hensively. I "I I camo to discuss details," he 1 said quickly, crossing tho space that divided him from Ids host. "Shall wo? Aro you?" IIo paused un 1 easily. I "I'm entirely In your hands." Loder I spoko with abrupt decision. Moving to tho tublo, ho Indicated a chair and drow unother forward for hlmBOlf. I - - ' . Ht &OC twig hi Hi .... GOc H soc m GOc U? MttHllMMmHMu miii .wi'g rat month's Butterick Pallcrnf i and- 15c none higher, j mntm ttmv rMmtft 1 '2." conts pi, inside poeltel, at 2" In1. put'-i', r0e 111 d ?ir. is, com ui i -e ami J.iKlniid W.'O. ; Your Wife or Hady Friend Nothing is more appropriate ban Fancy Silk Stockings. Tih'V like them. Wo carry id I Muds. gusjsna ggm- Both men sat down. Chllcote leaned forward, resting el bows 011 the table. "There will be sev eral things to consider," he began ner vously, looking across at tho other. "Quito so." Lodor glanced back ap preciatively. "I thought about those tldmrs the bettor part of last night. To begin with, I must study your hand- writing. I guarantee to get it right, but it will take a month." "A mouth!" "Well, perhaps throe weeks. Wo mustn't make a moss of things." Chllcote shifted his position. "Three weeks!" ho repeated. "Couldn't you?" "No, I couldn't." Loder spoko au thoritatively. "I might never want to put pen to paper; but, on the other hand, I might have to sign a check ono day." IIo laughed. "Have you over thought of that that I might have to, or want to, sign a check?" "No. I confess that escaped me." "You risk your fortune that you may keep the place It bought for you?" Lodor laughed again. "How do you know that 1 am not a blackguard?" ho added. "How do you know that I won't clear out ono day and leave you high and dry? What Is to prevent John Chllcote from realizing 10,000 or 50, 000 and then making himself scarce?" "You won't do that," Chllcote said, with unusual decision. "I told you your weakness last night, and It wasn't money. Money Isn't tho rock you'll spilt over." "Then you think I'll split upon somo rock? But that's beyond tho question. To got to business again. You'll risk my studying your signature?" Chllcote nodded. "Bight! Now Item two." Loder counted on his lingers, "I must know the names and faces of your men friends as far as I can. Your woman friends don't count. Whllo I'm you, you will bo adamant." IIo laughed again pleasantly. "But tho men are essential tho backbone of the whole business." "I have no men friends. I don't trust tho Idea of friendship." "Acquaintances, then." Chllooto looked up sharply. "I think wo score there," ho said. "I have a reputation for nbsoutmlndedness that will carry you anywhere. They tell mo (Continued on Puc Six.) U W Cloud, Nete. ! QumB t I I U i t v ",t 1 , 1