Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

thoughts had turned into another channel
How old are your" he asked suddenly.
MY age?' he said at last. slowly. "Oh, !
believe I shall be thrty-six tomorrow-to
be quite accurate.
Chilcote lifted his head quickly
why do you that tone2" he asked
81 am six months older than you. and /
only wish it was six years Six years
nearer oblivion"
Again a slight incredulous contempt
crossed TIE other $ eyes "Oblivion?" he
said. Where are your ambitiOns?'
''They don't exist"
Don't exist? Yet you voice your coun-
try? I concluded that much in the fog"
Chilcote laughed sarcastically.
when one has voiced ones country for
six years one gets hoarse-it's a natural
consequence
The other smiled. "Ah, discontent! he
said 1.-THE modern canker. But we must
both be getting under way. Good night
Shall we shake hands--to prove that VIC
are genuinely material?"
Chilcote had been standing unusually
still, following the strangers words
caught by his se1f-reliance and impressed
by his personality. Now. as he ceased to
speak, he moved quickly forward, impelled
by nervous curiosity.
Why should we just hail each other
and pass-like the proverbial ships?" he
said, impulsively. III Nature was careless
enough to let the reproduction meet the
original she must abide the consequences. -
The other laughed, but his laugh was
short. 'Oh, | don't know. Our roads lie
differently. You would get nothing out OF
me, and L" He stopped and again
laughed shortly. mo" he said; 'Td be
content to pass If We're you The unsuc-
cessful man IS seldom profitable study.
Shall we say good-night?"
He took Chilcotes hand for an instant
then, crossing the foot path, he passed into
the roadway toward the Strand
1t was done In a moment: but with his
,rAf,, - l., s.TJ ~.
He stood for a space, newly conscious al
unfamiliar faces and unfamiliar voices In
the stream of passers-by: then suddenly
mastered by an impulse, he wheeled rapid
ly and darted after the tall, lean figure SO
ridiculously like BIS own.
Halfway across Trafalgar Square-he over
took the stranger. He had paused on one
of the small stone islands that break the
current of traffic and was waiting for an
opportunity to, cross the street. In the
glare of light from the lamp above his
head Chiicote saw for the first time that
under a remarkable neatness OF appear
ance, his clothes were well worn-aimost
shabby The discovery struck him with
something stronger than surprise The
idea of poverty seemed homogeneous in con-
nection with the reliance. the reserve, the
personality OF the man. With a certain
embarrassed haste he stepped forward and
touched his arm.
Look here he said, as the other turned
quietly. 81 have followed you to exchange
carCS- II can fnJurG eiIner or us, ana L.
/ have wish to know my other self" lie
laughed nervously as he drew out his card
case.
The stranger watched him In silence.
There was the same faint contempt, but
also there was a reluctant interest in his
glance. as It passed from the fingers fum-
bling with the case to the pale face with
the square jaw, straight mouth and level
eyebrows drawn low over the gray eyes.
When at last the card was held out to him
| he took it without remark and slipped 1t
into his pocket
ChiIcote looked at him eagerly. Nov
the exchange?" he said.
For a second the stranger did not re-
spond. Then. almost unexpectedly, he
smiled.
After all. If 1t amuses you" he said;
and searching in his waistcoat pocket. he
drew out the required card.
.'It win leave you quite unenhghtened, "
he added. 1.-THE name OF failure never
spells anything" With another smile. part
~ amused, partly ironicai. he stepped from
the little island and disappeared into the
throng of traffic.
Chilcote stood for an instant gazing at
the point where he had vanished; then.
turning TO the lamp. he lifted the card and
read the name II bore: Mr.. John Loder,
Is CIifYord's Inn"
CTo be continued tomorrow.