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The Masquerader by Katherine Cecil Thurston
page 20 of 378 (05%)
to some fish, but sent away his plate untouched; then, having
drunk two cups of tea, he pushed back his chair, lighted a
fresh cigarette, and shook out the morning's newspaper.

Twice he shook it out and twice turned it, but the reluctance
to fix his mind upon it made him dally.

The effect of the morphia tabloids was still apparent in the
greater steadiness of his hand and eye, the regained quiet of
his susceptibilities, but the respite was temporary and
lethargic. The early days--the days of six years ago, when
these tabloids meant an even sweep of thought, lucidity of
brain, a balance of judgment in thought and effort--were days
of the past. As he had said of Lexington and his vice, the
slave had become master.

As he folded the paper in a last attempt at interest, the door
opened and his secretary came a step or two into the room.

"Good-morning, sir!" he said. "Forgive me for being so
untimely."

He was a fresh-mannered, bright-eyed boy of twenty-three. His
breezy alertness, his deference, as to a man who had attained
what he aspired to, amused and depressed Chilcote by turns.

"Good-morning, Blessington. What is it now?" He 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.
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