New-York tribune., 1903-07-18
TIE Chameleon.
ccypyrisht; 1908: By Mcclure. Phillips Coz

man who fancies himself discovered in some
thing he is ashamed of. used to talk to Charges
sometimes about sentiment. and diplomacy.
and various kindred subjects which relate more
or less directly to the great topic of sincerity.
There is such thing he said one night. "as
the prostitution of tact; but after all fancy
most people would prefer lie 20 rudeness
am certain that women do"
Some women" corrected Charges Bradford
thought of Amy. and wondered II Charges were
not thinking of her, too He laughed defantly.
Most women. What sort of a monstrosity
would straightforward courtship be-in which
man told the woman of his choice just what
he was thinking Of her? You are not the most
beautiful woman in the world: you are not even
the most beautiful in this block. Amanda
Brown, round the corner. has larger, more dove
ike eyes; Susanna Jones. across the street has
a more charming complexion. II is true that
love you more than do any other. but I know
several who are cleverer than you. I want you
for my wife, because am tired OF living alone:
clubs are inadequate. and man cannot man
age housekeeper' How great success would
such wooer achieve?"
What do you argue from that?'
That man must conceal his sentiments. and
suit his emotions to the occasion. Nowadays
one who exhibits his real self is considered by
men uncouth, and by women brutal
Il saw man last week." said Charges. irrele-
vanity, who is supporting the only surviving
member of his family-a brother. who is help
less and almost insane from his own excesses.
He retains two feelings; one, a hatred of in
stitutions; the other, hatred of this man I
speaking of. who supports him. He will not
speak to him; he not infrequently spits at him.
Yet my man. who is a clerk in small way.
works his fingers to the bone to keep his
hroT taI1o
we'll; and happen to know that he gave up all
thought of marriage, though the girl would
have taken him even with his encumbrance. He
told her bluntly that he would neither leave
his brother nor subject any woman to constant
association with such a beast. He never com
plains; but he knows me, 1 say, and when
asked him last week how matters were going he
only said, The doctor says that with fair luck
ought to see the last Of Jim in about ten months
or So What do you think?' 1 asked him, and
he shook his head. God knows; I amt as san
guine as the doctor; I know Jirn's cussedness'
what would you have advised him. Bradford
to back up the heroism of his acts by a suitable
phraseology?''
what became of the girl he was to marry?''
Charges smiled his dark little smile why
for some reason. she made UP her mind he was
worth having; and she's waiting for him." he
answered.
And when she gets hm-when the encum-
brance is dropped said Bradford ironically
will she be any the happier for owning a hus-
band who eats the burned chops and damns her
bad cooking at the same time? 1 don't believe
she will. L think she will regret that her lot is
not cast with a man who would praise them
and automatically give them to the dog when
her back turned"
But suppose that afterward she discovered
hey,
ford shrugged his shoulders Talking in par
ables is dull work. he said 'but the man would
be duller who let himself be discovered" He
looked Charges momentarily in the eye then
turned TO poke up the soft coal fire which was
the glory Of the Residuum
I'm off, said the rector
Lord love you, listen TO the storm! Surely
you'll stay the night, old manr' One of the
January billiards. had shut down on Carfax
The sleet was bowling like wolves across the
river in unending lines; the icy cottonwoods
were swaying to the ground and il was very
cold. But the rector shook his head Bradford
insisted. but his will no match for that OF
Charges Of 80. He was used to walking on bad
nights, he said; and he ploughed out into the
drifted city. When he reached his room he was
exhausted, powerful man though he was He
undressed at once. The cloth upon his breast
was stuck to his body with dried blood He
tore at it fiercely but it would not loosen so he
let it remain. He dropped on his knees before
his little shrine and prayed-prayed as iercely
as he had striven with the wind or as he had
tortured himself that day. Keep this tragedy
from coming into her life o Godr' he cried. II
ask nothing for myself swear it before your
throne! Do to me as you will but keep her from
this sorrow!" His voice died away. while the
screams Of the wind continued up and down the
street and round the gargoyled cornices of St
Hildas. The morning found the rector still be-
fore his shrine.
CTo be continued)