New-York tribune., 1903-07-18
CHAPTER X (continued)

Bradford and Charges talked but Bradford
talked very badly, and felt cheap and dull He
was like actor at rehearsal where nobody is
present but the disillusioned stage manager.
Bradford could never do his best unless he had
his audience. Clarges however. was wonder
fully polite and tactful. And one matter of the
interview must be chronicled-the conversion of
Shedsy Barnes to Episcopalianism Shedsy
made no secret that he went up to the rector's
rooms possessed of the idea that the
curiosity; at the very least, a foreigner of some
sort; at the worst. a Jesuit. Shedsy had never
beheld Jesuit with his naked eye. but he
we'll aware that they had horns and a tail, and
occupied themselves in whispering dark plots
But he left Clarges's rooms satisfied that this
man. though he chose to dress like Ghe
phraseology is that of Mr.. Barnes), was never
theless American gentleman. For 1t hap
pened that Charges mentioned football. and
spoke of it, not tentatively women do, but
with apparent authority. He could COM
pare certain teams with others. In doing he
and Shedsy found themselves at variance.
81 dislike to contradict, Mr. mean F-Father
C-Clarges." said Shedsy. but I'm p-perfectly
sure that no team has ever beaten that p-par-
ticular university two years in succession"
Certain of it?"
''M-might' nigh"
''Yet we beat them in 'SS and again in 49,"
the rector insisted. Il ought 10 Know MI
Barnes; played in both games"
You p-played in bot1 g-games?"
''Yes"
The sun rose in Shedsy's face. 'L-look here!
You're not C-Clarges. of Yale. sep
Yes"
''WelI by Jove" cried Shedsy. We'll, by
Jove?' He looked the rector carefully up and
down. ''I see now; see now. 1 b-beg your
pardon, s-sir.'' Shedsy dropped out of the con-
versation, but ever and anon his eyes remeas-
ured the rector, and his lips murmured again in
admiration and enjoyment, "C-Clarges, of 'o9!'
There was no doubt of 1t; Shedsy was con-
verted to Episcopalianism. But Bradford could
not rid himself of the idea that the rector was
weighing him. estimating him, Turing him on TO
commit himself to some stupidity; and he was
cautious and fippant by turns tlI Sheosy
looked a little surprised
When the two had gone Charges sat for some
time looking at the above his little shrine.
Then he shook his head slowly.
81 wish 1t might have been the other one,
even" he muttered. boy he is, 1 wish 1t
had been the other one And yet-isn't II pos
sible that I'm mistaken, even now?
Whatever 1t was which had led Charges to ask
Bradford to his rooms continued its influence
throughout the winter. Bradford came again,
always against his will and his judgment, and
yet inevitably. And the minister went 10 the
Residuum. Kate like Shedsy; Charges the
rector might be looked upon with suspicion, but
Charges of so was welcome wherever they had
a voice He appeared not infrequently, though
irregularIy; sometimes, after weeks Of absence
he would turn UP unexpectedly, and smoke for
an hour without saying a word. That appealed
to Slim; Slim set before kings a man who could
do that The boys all liked Charges. But Brad
ford was known to be his especial friend. Often
they sat up late, when the others had slipped
away to bed. Bradford was bound by his curl
Gus fascination; Charges by what spirit? That
last was a question which Bradford asked him
self over and over. What did the man mean by
Offering his friendship in this fashion? What
end was he seeking? Was he searching for evil
dence that should prove Bradford unworthy?
And if he found it, how did he mean to use 1t?
Bradford. with a daring which surprised him
self. though it was only the bravado Of any