Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-03

.,
and slowly walked across the room. Reach
Ing the mantelpiece he took a pipe from
the pipe rack and some tobacco from the
jar that stood behind the books. His face
locked tired and a little worn, as Is com
mon with men who have worked long at
an uncongenial task. Shredding the to-
bacco between his hands he slowly filed
the pipe. then lighted it from the fire with
a spill of twisted paper.
Almost at the moment that he applied
the light the sound of steps mounting the
uncarpeted stairs outside caught his at
tention and he raised his head to listen.
Presently the steps halted and he heard
a match struck. The stranger was evil
IDENTITY uncertain of his whereabouts. Then
the steps moved forward again and paused.
An expression of surprise crossed Loder's
face. and he laid down his pipe AS the
visitor knocked he walked quietly across
the room and opened the door.
The passage outside was dark and the
newcomer drew back before the light from
the room.
Mr.. Loder-?" he began, interrogatively.
Ihen al at once he iaus he'd in embarrassed
apology. Forgive me-" he said. 'The
light rather dazzled me. didn't realize
who 1t was"
Loder recognized the voice as belonging
to his acquaintance of the fog.
"Oh. it's your he said Wont you
come in?' His voice was a little cold.
This sudden resurrection left him
prised-and not quite pleasantly surprised.
He walked back to the fireplace, followed
ny HIS quest.
The guest seemed nervous and agtated
I must apologize for the hour of my visit, "
he said 'My-my time is not quite my
own"
Loder waved his hand. Whose time is
Chilcote, encouraged by the remark, drew
nearer to the fire. Until this moment he
had refrafned from looking directly at his
host: now, however, he raised his eyes, and,
despite his preparation, he recoiled I'M
avoidably before the extraordinary resem-
blance. Seen here. in the casual surround
ings of badly furnished and crudely
lighted room. 1t was even more astounding
than 1t had been in the mystery of the fog.
Forgive me- he said again 1T Is phys
ical-purely physical. l am BOWED over
against my will
Loder smiled The slight contempt that
Chilcote had first inspired rose again, and
with 1t second feeling less easily defined.
The man seemed so unstable, so incapable,
yet SO grotesquely suggestive to himself.
The likeness is rather overwhelming he
satd but not heavy enough to sink under
Come nearer the fire. What brought you
here? Curiosity9" There was a wooden
armchair by the fireplace. He indicated
1t with a wave of the hand then turned
and took up his smoldering pipe;
Chilcote, watching him furtively, obeyed
the gesture and sat down.
1T is extraordinary he said, as If una
extraordinary
The other glanced round. Lets drop it,
ne said; IT'S SO confoundedly obvious
l Then D. his tone changed. Wont you
Thanks Chilcote began to tumble for
his cigarettes.
But his host forestalled him. Taking q
oox from the mantelpiece. he held 1t out
MY one extravagancei he said 'front.'
cally. My resources bind me to one. and
think have made wise selection 1t is
ABOUT the only vice we haven't to pay for
SIX times over He glanced sharply at the
Glxr II to,
fresh spill, offered his guest light.
Chiicote moistened his cigarette and
leaned forward. In the flare Of the paner
~. HIS race looked set and anxious. but Loder
saw that the lips did not twitch as thew
nag zone on the previous occasion that he
mad given him light and a look of com
prehension crossed his eyes.
,o,, nat nat WIN you drink? Or. rather. will
r:es." w 'oNu
Chilcote shook his head Il seldom drink
But don't let that deter you"
Loder smiled. Il have one drink In the
tWenty-four hours-generally at O'Clock
when my night5s work is done A solitary
man has to look where he is going
You work till 2?'
Ilwo-or 3d.
Chilcotes eyes wandered to the desk.
You writer he asked
The other nodded CURLY.
'Books?' Chilcote's tone was anxious
Loder laughed, and the bitter note showed
in his voice.
'''No-not books" he said.
Chilcote leaned back in his chair and
passed his hand across his face The strong
wave of satisfaction that the words woke
In him was difficult to conceal.
What is your work?''
Ioder turned aside "You must NOT ASK
that" he said, shortly. when a man has
only one capacity and the capacity has no
outlet, he is apt to run to seed In q wrong
direction: l cultivate weeds-at abominable
labor and very small reward" He stood
with his back to the fire, facing his visitor;
his attitude was curious blending of
pride, defiance and dependency
Chiicote leaned forward again. "Why
speak of yourself like that? You are a
man of intelligence and education" He
spoke questioningly. anxiously
Intelligence and educationw Loder
laughed shortly. London is cemented with
intelligence. And educatio What Is ed
ucation? The court dress necessary to
presentation, the wig and gown necessary
to the barrister. But do the wig and gown
necessarily mean briefs? Or the court
dress royal favor? Education Is the acces-
sorry; 1t is influence that is essential You
should know that
Chilcote moved restlessly in his seat.
You talk bitterly" he said
The other looked up. 81 think bitterly,
which Is worse. ! am one of the unlucky
beggars who. in the expectation of money,
has been denied a professon-eyen a trade.
to which to cling in time of shipwreck: and
sea. l warned you the other night to steer
clear of me. L come under the head OF
fotsam!
Chilcote's face lighted "You came
cropper?' he asked.
mo. 1t was some one else who came
the cropper l only dealt In results
big results?" =.
"a drop from. probable eighty thousand
pounds to a certain eight hundred"
Chilcote glanced up. How did you take
it?" he asked.
81? oh. 1 was twenty-five then. I had
a good many hopes and lot of pride: but
there is place for either in a working
world
But your peopleT'
MY last relation died with the fortune"
Your friends?"
Loder laid down his pipe. II told you /
was twenty-five he said, with the tinge
of humor that sometimes crossed his man
ner. Doesn't that explain things?
had never taken favors in prosperity;
change of fortune was not likely to alter
my ways. AS / have said. / was
twenty He smiled. when / real
lied my position I sold all my belongings
with the exception of a table and few
books--which i stored. I put on a walking
suit>and let my beard grow: then, with my
entire capital in my pocket, j left England
without saying goodbye to any one
For how long?'
oh for six wears. / wandered half over
Euroue and through good part of Asia