Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-31
CHAPTER X.

GN the days that followed Fraide's .II marked adoption of him Loder behaved with a discretion that spoke well for his qualities. Many a man placed in the same re- sponsible and yet strangely irresponsi- ble position might have been excused If, for the time at least. he gave himself loose rein. But Loder kept free of the temptation.
 Like all other experiments, his show cd unlocked for features when put to a working test. Its expected difficulties Bmoothed themselves away, while others, scarcely anticipated, came into promi- hence. Most notable of all, the physical likeness between himself and Chilcote, the bedrock of the whole scheme. which had been counted on to offer most dan- ger, worked without hitch. He stood | literally amazed before the sweeping credulity that met him on every hand. | Men who had known Chilcote from his youth, servants who had been In his employment for years, joined issue in the unquestioning acceptance. At times the ease of deception bewildered him. There were moments when he realized that, should circumstances force him 10 a declaration of the truth. he would not be believed. Human nature pre- fers its own eyesight to the testimony of any man.
 But in face of this astonishing sue cess he steered steady course. In the first exhllaratiol of Fraide's favor, in the first egotistical wish to break down Eyes skeptcls.l. he might possibly have plunged into vortex of action, let it be in what direction it might; But. fortunately for himself, for Chil- cote and for their scheme. he was liable to strenuous second thoughts-those wise and necessary curbs that go fur ther to the steadying of the universe than the universe guesses. Sitting in the quiet of the house on the same day that he had spoken with Eve on the terrace he had weighed possibilities slowly and cautiously. Impressed to the full by the atmosphere of the place that in his eyes could never lack char ncter. however dull it's momentary bust ness. however prosy the voice that fill- ed it he had sifted impulse from ex- pedience as only a man who has lived within himself can sift and distinguish. and at the close of that first day his programme had been formed. There
 T. hs.a n he had decided. Things must work around. IL was his first expedition into the new country. and 1t lay with fate to say whether 1t would be his last.
 He had been leaning hack in his seat his eyes on the ministers opposite. his arms folded in imitation of Chilcotes most natural attitude. when this final speculation had come to him. and as Il came his lips had frightened for a mo ment and his face become hard and cold. It Is an unpleasant thing when a man first unconsciously reckons on inc weakness of another. and the loos that expresses the idea is not good to see. He had stirred uneasily. then sis lips had closed again He wss tena' eious by nature. and by nature infoi erant of weakness Al the first suz ecs-fon of recxonfnS upon Chilcotes lapses his mind hsd drawn back h sixzust. but as the thought came again the disCIst had Iesse1ed
 In a veek-tvO weeks. perhape-CniE cote would reclaim his place Ihsn would begin the routine of the sfair. ChiIco-e. fresh from indulzencs and freedom. voc,d a1d his o5iiestSo1s tbousznd tines more irksooe thz1 be- fore. he vo1ld struggle fer . tine