Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-12-20

Chilcote leaned back In his chair and
passed his hand across his face. The
strong wave Of satisfaction that the
words woke in him was difficult to
conceal.
"What is your work."
Loder turned aside. You must not
ask that" he said shortly. when q
man has only one capacity. and the
capacity has no outlet. he is apt to run
to seed in a wrong direction. I cult
vate weeds. at abominable labor and a
very small reward" He stood with
his back to the fire, facing his visitor.
His attitude was a curious blending OF
pride. defiance and dependency.
Chilcote leaned forward again. "Why
speak of yourself like that? You are a
man of intelligence and education"
he spoke q~uestioningly, a%nxiously.
Intelligence and education!" Loder
laughed shortly. London is cemented
with intelligence. And education!
What Is education? The court dress
necessary to presentation, the wig and
gown necessary to the barrister. But
do the wig and gown necessarily mean
briefs or the court dress royal favor?
Education is the accessory. 1t is intlu-
ence that is essential. You should
know that"
Chilcote moved restlessly in his seat.
You talk bitterly" he said.
The other looked up. 81 think bitter
IN u-hinh &c ,0rc 7 ~ ~, cf Tho I'M
lucky beggars who in the expectation
Of money have been denied a profess
Sion-even a trade, to which to cling in
time of shipwreck-and who when dis
aster comes drift out to sea. l warned
you the other night to steer clear of
me. l come under the head of fot-
sam!'
Chilcote's face lighted. "You came a
cropper?" he asked.
"No. 1t was some one else who came
the cropper. l only dealt in results"
"Big results?"
"a drop from a probable 100000 to
a certain $780,"
Chilcote glanced up. "How did you
take it?' he asked.
II? Oh, l was twenty-five then.
had a good many hopes and q lot of
pride; but there is no place for either
in a working world"
But your people%
"My last relation died with the for
tune"
"Your friends?"
Loder laid down his pipe. 81 told you
I was twenty-five" he said, with the
unge Of humor that sometimes crossed
his manner Doesn't that explain
things? I had never taken favors in
prosperity. A change of fortune was
not likely to alter my ways. AS l have
said, l was twenty-five" He smiled.
when I realized my position l sold all
my belongings with the exception of a
table and a few books-which l stored.
I put on a walking suit and let my
beard grow. Then, with my entire cap
ital in my pocket, 1 left England with
out saying goodby to any one."
"For how long?"
"Oh, for six years. l wandered half
over Europe and through a good part
OF Asia in the time"
And then?"
Then? Oh, l shaved off the beard
and came back to Londonv' He look
ed at Chilcote, partly contemptuous,
partly amused at his curiosity.
But Chilcote sat staring in silence.
The domination of the others perso!
atty and the futility of his achieve
ments baf1ed him.
Loder saw his bewilderment. You
wonder what the devil 1 came into the
world for" he said. II sometimes
wonder the same myself"
At his words a change passed over
Chilcote. He half rose, then dropped
back into his seat.
"You have no friends?' he said
your life is worth nothing to you?"
Loder raised his head. II thought
had conveyed that impression"
"You are an absolutely free man.
mo man is free who works for his
bread. If things had been different !
might have been in such shoes as
yours, sauntering in legislative by.
ways. My hopes turned that way
once. But hopes, like more substantial
things, belong to the past He stop.
ped abruptly and looked at his con-
panion.
The change in Chilcote had become
more acute. He sat lingering his Gig.
arctic, his brows drawn down, his lips
set nervously in a conflict of emotions
For a space he stayed very still, avoid
ing Loder's eyes; then, as if decision
had suddenly come to him, he turned
and met his gaze.
"HoW if there was 4 future" he said,
"as well as 4 past!'
CHAPTER V.