Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27

sTh0 M1aSquerader' was begun Tn the
 Democrat Tuesday. The opening
 chapters are published again to-
 day to give those who did not begin
 the story on date of publication all
 opportunity to read it if they so de-
 sire.
 You misunderstood" he said. "You mistake the position. I tell you my wife and I are nothing to each other. She goes her way; I go mine. We have our own friends, our own rooms. Marriage, actual marriage, doesn't enter the question. We meet occasion lilly at meals and at other peoples houses; sometimes we go out together for the sake of appearances: beyond that, nothing. If you take up my life nobody in 1t will trouble you less than Eve--I can promise that" He laugh M unsteadily.
 Loder's face remained unmoved.
 Even granting that" he said, "the thing is still impossible"
 ''Why ?''
 There 1s the house. The position there would be untenable. A man is known there as he is known in his own club" He drew away from Chil- cote's touch ..
 ''very possibly. Very possibly" Chileote laughed quickly and excitedly. "But what club is without its eccentric member? I am glad you spoke of that. am glad you raised that point It was long time ago that hit upon reputation for moods as shield for for other things, and the more useful 1t has become the more I have let it grow. tell you you might go down to the house tomorrow and spend the whole day without speaking to, even nodding to, single man. and as long as you were I to outward appearances no one would raise an eyebrow. In the same way you might vote in my place, ask a question, make speech if you wanted to-
 At the word speech Loder turned in voluntarily. For fieeting second the coldness of his manner dropped and his face changed.
 Chilcote, with his nervous quickness of perception, saw the alteration, and new look crossed his own face.
 why not?" he said quickly. You once had ambitions in that direction. Why not renew the ambitions?'
 And drop back from the mountains into the gutter?" Loder smiled and slowly shook his head.
 Better to live for one day than to exist for a hundred" Chilcote's voice trembled with anxiety. For the third time he extended his hand and touched the other.
 This time Loder did not shake off the detaining hand. He scarcely seemed to feel its pressure.
 Look here" Chilcote's fingers tight ened. "A little while ago you talked of influence. Here you can step into position built by influence. You might do all you once hoped to do''-
 Loder suddenly lifted his head. "Ab- surd!" he said. Absurd. Such scheme was never carried through"
 Precisely why 1t will succeed. Peo pie never suspect until they have a precedent. Will you consider it? At least consider it. Remember. if there is risk it is who am running it. On your own showing you have no position to jeopardize."
 The other laughed curtly.
 Before go tonight will you promise me to consider itT'
 "No."
 "Then you will send me your decision by wire tomorrow. I won't take your answer now"
 Loder freed his arm abruptly. "Why nOtT' he asked.
 Chllcote smiled nervously. Because I know men and mems temptations. We are all very strong till the quick is touched. Then we all vince. It's morphia with one man, ambitions with another. In each case it's only a mat ter of sooner or later" He laughed in his satirical. unstrung way and held out his hand. You have my address" he said. "Au revoir."
 Loder pressed the hand and dropped 1t. "Goodby." he said meaningly. Then he crossed the room quietly and held the door open. ''Goodby.' he said again as the other passed him.
 As he crossed the threshold Chilcote  paused. "Au revoir," he c0oectei. with emphasis.
 Until the last echo of his visitors steps had died away Loder stood with his hand on the door. Then closing it quietly he turned and looked around the room. For a considerable space he stood there as if weighing the merits of each object. Then very slowly he nov ed to one of the bcokshelves. drew out Mays Parliamentary Practice" and. carrying it to the desk. readjusted the lamp.
 CHAPTER VI.