Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-07
THE CHAPTERS
 By 4t.s FRANCIS LYNDE

tN
 T haven't; any more than the gen. eral one that they won't let grass grow under their feet"
 "No. God blast the whole-I wish I could swear in Sanscrit. The mother tongue doesn't begin to do justice to it. Now I know what Bucks meant when he told me to take my railroad, if could get it. He had the whole thing coopered up in barrel at that minute"
 to this," said the editor, tapping the pile of afidavits.
 Mot cursed shred of an idea! And, Hildreth-" he broke off short because once again the subject sud- denly grew too large for coherent speech.
 Hildreth disentangled himself from the legs of his chair and stood up to put his hands on Rents shoulders.
 You are up against it hard, Da- vid,' he said. and he repeated: "Pd give all my old shoes to be able to help you out" / "I know it," said Kent; and then he turned abruptly and went away.
 Between nine and ten o'clock the same evening Kent was walking the floor of his room, trying vainly. to persuade himself that virtue was it's own reward, and wondering If small dose of chloral hydrate would be de- fensible under the cruel necessity for sleep. He had about decided in favor of the drug when tap at the door announced the coming of bell-boy with a note. It was a message from Portia.
 ''If you have thrown away your chance definitely, and are willing to take still more desperate one, come to see me-" she wrote; and he went mechanically, as drowning man catches at a straw, knowing it will not save him.
 The house in Alameda Square was dark when he went up the walk; and while he was feeling for the bell-push his summoner called to him out of the electric stencilings of leaf shadows under the broad veranda. ''It is too fine a night to stay in- doors," she said. Come and sit in the hammock while I scold you as you de- serve" And when he had taken the hammock: Now give an account oi yourself. Where have you been for the past age or two?"
 "Wallowing around in the lower depths of the place that Dante visited" he admitted. Don't you think you deserve man. handling" "I suppose so; and if you have it in mind, shall probably get it. But may say I'm not especially anxious for a tongue-lashing tonight"
 Poor boy!" she murmured, in mock sympathy. Does it hurt to be truly good?"
 "Try it some time when you have a little leisure, and see for yourself" he retorted.
 She laughed.
 No; I'll leave that for the Miss Brentwoods. By the way, did you go to tell the household goodby? Penelope was wondering audibly what had be- come of you.'
 "I didn't know they were gone. have been nowhere since the night you drove me out with contumely and op- , probrium."
 She laughed again.
 You must have dived deep. They went week ago Tuesday, and you lost your ghostly adviser and your political stage manager at one fell swoop. But it isn't wonderful that you haven't missed Mir. Ormsby. Having elected Miss Brentwood your conscience-keep- er-in-chief. you have no further use for the P. S. M"
 And you have no further use for me. apparently" he complained. Did you send for me so that you might abuse me in the second edition?"
 ''No; wanted to give you a bit of news. and to repeat an old question Of mine. Do you know what they are going to do next with your railroad?"
 "Yes; Hildreth told me this after noon"
 Well, what are you going to do?"
 Nothing. There is nothing to be done. They have held to the form of legal procedure thus far. but they won't do it any more. They will take MacFarlane of in a corner somewhere, have him make Guilford permanent receiver. and the lease to the Over land will be oonsummsted on the spot I sha'n't be in It.
 Probably not; certainly not If you don't try to get in fl. And that brings me back to the old question. Are you big enough. David?"
 If you think I haven't been big enough to live up to my opportunities thus far. I'm afraid may disappoint you again" he said dOubtfully.
 You have disappointed me" she admitted. That Is why I am asking: I'd like 10 be reasonably sure your Jonathan Edvardsy notions are not go- Ing 10 trip us again"
 "Portis, if I thought you really meant that. A eOnscienceless man Is bad enough. God knows: but a con- scisnceless woman
 Her laugh was a decorous little shrisk- [
 David you are not big: you are aarroE. narrow. narrow. Is there no other code of morals in the rOlnd Sorld save that which the accident of birth has fnterleayed with your NeS England Bible. What is oonscisncsz is it an absolute standard of right and