The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-12-27

sically. "But, pardon me, you are still
waiting for that light!''
Chilcotte still held the cigarette be-
tween his lips The paper had become
dry, and he moistened it as he leaned
toward his companion
"Don't mind me,' he said. ppm
rather-rather unstrung tonight, and
this thing gave me jar. To be can
did, my imagination took head in the
fog, and got to fancying was talk
ing to myself
"And pulled up to find the fancy in
some way real?"
eyes, something like that
Both were silent for a moment. Chill
cote pulled hard at his cigarette, then,
remembering his obligations, he turned
quickly to the other.
won't you smoker he asked.
The stranger accepted a cigarette
from the case held out to him, and as
he did so the extraordinary likeness to
himself struck Chilcote with added
force. Involuntarily he put out his
hand and touched the others arm.
"1t's my nerves!" he said in explana-
ton. ''They make me want to feel
that you are substantial. Nerves play
such beastly tricksv' He laughed awk-
Wardly.
The other glanced up. His express
sion on the moment was slightly sur
prised, slightly contemptuous, but he
changed it instantly to conventional in
| fQrnCf n T
thority on nerves." he said.
But Chilcote was preoccupied. His
thoughts had turned into another chan
mel.
'How old are you?" he asked sud-
denly.
| The other did not answer Immediate
ly.. my age?" he said at last slowly.
"Oh, I believe l shall be thirty-six to-
morrow, to be quite accurate'
Chilcote lifted his head quickly.
"Why do you use that tone?" he
asked. Il am six months older than
you, and only wish it was six years.
Six year nearer oblivion
Again a slight incredulous contempt
crossed the others eyes. "Oblivion?"
he said. where are your ambitions?"
''They don't exist
"Don't exist? Yet you voice your
country? I concluded that much in
the fog"
Chilcote laughed sarcastically.
when one has voiced ones country
for six years one gets hoarse. It's
natural consequence"
| Tho otho,, e1,,i1o1 GAN <7{eoo14o~kV,
he said. 1.-THE modern canker. But we
must both be getting under way Good
night. Shall we shake hands-to prove
that we are genuinely material?"
Chilcote had been standing unusually
still, following the strangers words,
caught by his self reliance and i'm
pressed by his personality. Now, as
he ceased to speak, he moved quickly
forward, impelled by a nervous curl
osity.
"Why should we just hail each other
and pass-like the proverbial ships?"
he said impulsively. IF nature was
careless enough to let the reproduction
consequences"
The other laughed, but his laugh was
short. ooh, don't know Our roads
lie differently. You would get nothing
out Of me, ara r. He stopped and
again laughed shortly. NO." he said.
IT'D be content to pass if were you.
The unsuccessful man is seldom a
profitable study. Shall we say good
night?"
He took Cmlcote's hand for an in
slant, then, crossing the footpath, he
passed into the roadway toward the
Strand.
It was done in moment, but with
his going sense of loss fell upon Chill
cote. He stood for space, newly con-
scious of unfamiliar faces and unfa-
miliar voices in the stream Of passers-
by. Then, suddenly mastered by an i'm
pulse, he wheeled rapidly and darted
after the tall, lean figure so ridiculous
~ like his own.
Halfway across Trafalgar square he
overlook 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 Chilcote saw for
the first time that, under remarkable
neatness of appearance, his clothes
were well worn-almost shabby. The
discovery struck him with something
stronger than surprise. The idea of
poverty seemed incongruous in cOnnec
ton 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. II have followed you
to exchange cards. It can't injure
either of us, and II wish to know
my other SELF He laughed nervously
as he drew out his cardcase
The stranger watched him in silence
There was the same faint contempt,
but also there was a reluctant interest
| in his p1anco naeSod from tho