Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-11

'@aving crossed the roadway, Loder paus-
Ell for moment to survey the scene. But
humanity In the abstract made sma appeal
to him. and his glance wandered from the
passers-by to the buildings massed like
clouds against the dark sky. AS his gaze
moved slowly from one to the other a clock
near at hand struck Z, and an instant later
the chorus was taken up by q dozen clam
orous tongues. Usually he scarcely heard.
and never needed, these innumerable
chimes; but this evening their effect was
strange. Coming out OF the darkness,
they seemed to possess a personal note,
fantastic, but II was strong; with a species
OF revolt against life and his own personal
lily, he turned slowly and moved forward
In the direction of Ludgate Hill.
For a space he continued his course, then,
reaching Bouverie street, he turned sharply
to the right and made his way down the
slight incline that leads to the embank
ment There he paused and drew long
breath. The sense of space and darkness
soothed him. Pulling his cap over his eyes,
he crossed to the river and walked on in
the direction of Westminster bridge.
As he walked the great mass of water by
his side looked dense and smooth as oil
with It's sweeping width and network of
reflected light On it's farther bank rose the
tall buildings, the cAmneys, the flaring
lights that suggest another and an alien
London; close at hand stretched the solid
stone parapet, giving assurance of protec-
ton
All lHeSe Things he saw WIN MS mental
eyes, but with his mental eyes only, for
his physical gaze was fixed ahead where
the houses of parliament doomed out of the
dusk. From the great building his eyes
never wavered until the Embankment was
traversed and Westminster bridge reached
Then he paused, resting his arms the
coping of the bridge.
In the tense quietude of the darkness the
place looked vast and inspiring. The
shadowy terrace. the silent river. the rows
of lighted windows, each was significant
Slowly and comprehensively his glance
passed from one to the other He was no
sentimentalist and no dreamer; his act
simply the act of man whose interests,
robbed of their natural outlet, turn instinc-
lively toward the forms and symbols of
the work that is denied them. His scrutiny
was steady-even cold. He was raised to
no exaltation by the vastness of the build
ing, nor was he chilled by any dwarfing Of
himself. He looked at it long and thought
fully; then, again moving slowly, he turned
and retraced his steps.
His mind was full as he walked back
still oblivious of the stone parapet of the
En- bankment. the bare trees and the naring
lights of the advertisements across the
water. Turning to the left he reganed
Fleet street and made for his own abita-
ton with the quiet accuracy that some men
exhibit In moments of absorption.
He crossed Cliffords Inn with the same
slow. almost listless step; then as his own
doorway came into view, he stopped. Some
one was standing in Its recess.
For a moment he wondered If his fancy
were playing him a trick; then his reason
sprang to certainty with so fierce leap
that for IN instant his mind recoiled. For
we more often stand aghast at the strength
of own feelings than before the enor-
nifty of our neighbours actions.
rs that you, Chilcote?' he said below
his breath.
At the sound of his voice the other
wheeled around. ''Hallor' he said. Il
thought you were the ghost of some old
inhabitant l suppose 1 am very uneX-
pected?"
Loder took the hand that he extended
and pressed the fingers unconsciously. The
sight of this man was like the finding of
oasis at the point where the desert is
sandest, deadlest most unbearable.
Yes, you are-unexpected," he answered.
Chilcote looked at him. then looked out
into the court. I'm done up he said.
TN right at the end of the tether" He
laughed as he said it. but In the dim light
of the hall Loder thought his face looked
i'll and harassed despite the flush that the
excitement of the meeting had brought to
It. Taking his arm, he drew him toward
the stairs
so the rope has run out, eh?" he said
in imitation OF the others tone But under
the quiet of his manner his own nerves
were throbbing with the peculiar aIertness
of anticipation; a sudden sense of mastery
over life that lifted him above surroundings
and above persons-a sense of stature, men
tai and physical. from which he surveyed
ment of utter darkness, had given him a
sign.
As they crossed the hall Chilcote had
drawn away and already mounting
the stairs. And as Loder followed it came
sharply 20 his mind that here In the Slip
shod freedom of a door that was always
open and stairs that were innocent of COW
ering, lay his companions real niche-un-
recognized In outward avowal, but &C
knOwledged by the inward. keener sense
that manifests the individual.
In silence they mounted the stairs, but on
the first landing Chilcote paused and looked
back, surveying Loder from the superior
height of two steps.
Il did very well at first" he said. II
did very WE'LL almost followed your ex-
ample for week or so. I found myself on
a sort of pinnacle and 1 chung on; but in
the last ten days Twelve rather lapsed"
"Why?' Loder avoided looking at his
face: he kept his eyes fixed determinedly
on the spot where his own hand gripped
the banister.
Why" Chilcote repeated. oh the pre-
historic tale - weakness stronger than
strength. Tm-I m sorry TO come down on
you like this. but it's the social side that
bowls me over It's the social side can't
stick"
Go be continued tomorrow