The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-13

But his host forestaHed him. Taking
box from the mantelpiece, he held it
out
my one Extravaganza he said iron
ically. My resources bind me to one
and'I think ! have made wise selec-
ton. It Is about the only vice we
haven't to pay for six times over" He
glanced sharply at the face SO absurdly
like his own, then, lighting a fresh
SPILL offered his guest a light
Chllcote moistened his cigarette and
leaned forward In the flare of the
paper his face looked set and anxious,
but Loder saw that the lips did not
twitch as they had done on the pre-
vious occasion that he had given him
q light, and a look of comprehension
crossed his eyes.
What will you have, or, rather,
will you have whisky? I keep moth
ing else. Hospitality is one of the de
barred luxuries"
Chilcote shook his head. 'T seldom
drink But don't let that deter you"
Loder smiled. 81 have one drink In
the twenty-four generally at 2
o'clock. when my nights work Is done
a solitary man has to look where he
is going"
You work till q"
1.-TWO or g."
Chileotes eyes wandered to the desk.
You writer" he asked
The other nodded CURLY.
'BooksT Chilcotes tone was anx-
ious.
Loder laughed, and the bitter note
showed In his voice.
mo; not books" he said.
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? y
Loder turned aside You must not
ask that" he said shortly. when a
man has only one capacity, and the
capacity has no outlet. he IS apt to run
to seed in a wrong direction. l cult
vate weeds, at abominable labor and q
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. "Vhy
speak of yourself like that? You are q
man of Intelligence and education"
He spoke questioningly. anxiously.
Intelligence and educatlonr 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 barrster. But
do the wig and gown necessarily mean
briefs or the court dress royal favor?
Education is the accessory. It is influ-
ence that is essential. You should
know that"
Chilcote moved restlessly In his seat.
you talk bitterly" be said.
The other looked up. Il think bitter
ly, which is worse. am one Of the IN
lucky beggars who in the expectation
Of money have been denied a profess
sion-even trade, to which to cling IN
time of shipwreck-an who when dis
aster comes drift out to sea warned
you the other night to steer clear of
me. | come under the head of flot-
samr'
Chilcote's face lighted. "You came a
cropperT' he asked
NO. 1t was some one else who came
the cropper. 1 only dealt in results"
big results?'
a drop from a probable $4,000 to
n certain $500"
Chilcote glanced up. How did you
take it," he asked
y? Oh, was twenty-five then. l
had q 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
was twenty-five" he said, with the
tinge of humor that sometimes crossed
his manner Doesn't that explain
things? l had never taken favors in
/ prosperity. 4 change of fortune was
not likely to alter my ways. AS I have
said. l was twenty-five" He smiled.
When | realized my position | sold all
my belongings with the exception Of a
table and a few boo1s-which stored.
I put on a walking suit and let my
beard grow. Then, with my entire cap
/ ital in my pocket. left England with
out saying goodby to any one"
+ For how long?"
ooh. for six years. wandered half
over Europe and through good part
\ of Asia in the time"
And then?"
Then? Oh. I shaved of the beard
and came back to London He look
ed at Chilcote, partly contemptuous,
partly amused at his curiosity
But Chiicote sat staring in silence.
The domination Of the others nerson-