Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-01
:. "Ysy. you are-unexpected." hs

"Yes. you are-unexpecreo' no swerod.
 Chilcote looked at him, then looked out into the court. I'm done up." he said. I'm right at tho end of the tether." He laughed as he said 1t, but in the dim light of the hall Loder thought his face looked i'll and harassed despite tho flush that the excitement or the meeting had brought to 1t. Taking bis arm, he drew him toward the stairs.
 "So the rope has run out. chr he said, in imitation of the others tone. But under the quiet of his manner his own nerves were throbbing with the peculiar alertness of anticipation. sudden sense of mastery over life that lifted him above surroundings and above persons-a sense of stature, mental and physical. Arom which he surveyed the world. He felt as If fate in the moment of utter darkness had given him sign.
 As they crossed the hall Chilcote had drawn away and was already mounting the stairs. And as Loder followed 1t came sharply to his mind that here, in the slipshod freedom of door that was always open and stairs that were innocent of covering, lay his companion's real niche-unrecognized in outward avowal. but acknowledged by the inward. keener sense that mani- fests 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.
 T did very well at first" he said. T did very we'll. almost followed your example for a week or so. l found myself on sort of pinnacle, and clung on. But in the last ten days I've I've rather lapsed.'
 "Whyy Loder avoided looking at his face. He kept his eyes fixed de | terminedly on the spot where his own hand gripped the banister.
 "Why?" Chilcote repeated. "Oh, the prehistoric tale-weakness stronger than strength. "I'm-rm sorry to come down on you like this, but it's the social side that bowls me over. It's l the social side I can't stick"
 'The social side? But I thought
 Don't think. l never think; It en- tails such constant upsetting of prin- ciples and theories. We did arrange for business only, but one can't set up barriers. Society pushes itself every where nowadays. into business most l of all. don't want you for theater parties or dinners. But big reception with a political flavor is different. A man has to be seen at these things. He needn't say anything or do anything. but it's bad form if he fails to show up"
 | I,oder raised his head. You must explain" he said abruptly. | Chilcote started slightly at the sud den demand.
 Fl suppose I'm rather irrelevant" he said quickly. "Fact is. there's re- ception at the Bramfells' tonight. You know Blanche Bramfell-viscountess Bramfell, sister to Lillian Astrupp." His words conveyed nothing to Loder, but he did not consider that. All ex- plantations were irksome to him and he invariably chafed to be done with them.
 And you've got to put in an appear ance-for party reasonsT Loder broke in.
 | ChIlcote showed relief. "Yes. Old Fraide makes rather Q point of it-so does Eve" He said the last words carelessly; then. as if their sound re- lcalled something. his expression chang led. A touch of satirical amusement touched his lips and he laughed.
 By the way, Loder," he said, "my 'wife was actually tolerant of me for nine or ten days after my return. thought your representation was to be quite impersonal7 I'm not jealous,' he laughed. "Tm not jealous, I assure you, but the burned child shouldn't grow absentminded."
 At his tone and his laugh Loder'a blood stirred. With a sudden, unex' pected impulse his hand frightened on the banister. and, looking up. he caught sight of the face above him-his owr face 1t seemed, alishted with malicious interest. At the sight strange sensa
 ton seized him. his grip on the banis
 ter loosened, and, pushing past Chil
 cote, he hurriedly mounted the stairs.
 Outside his own door the other over