Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-10

| As he turned the handle OF his own door
some one stirred inside the sitting room
stu under the influence of the stones and
| trees that he had just left. he moved direct
y towards the sound, and. without waiting
Tor permission, entered the room. Altar
the darkness OF the passage II seemed
wei alight. for, besides the lamp with
its green shade. a large ase
As he entered the room Chiicote rose and
came forward his figure thrown into strong
relief by the double light He was dressed
In shabby tweed suit; hts face looked
pale and set with a slightly nervous ten
sion, but besides the look and a certain
added restiessness of glance there was ~
visible change. Reaching Loder. he hetd
out his hand
"Well?' he said quickly
The other looked at him questioningly.
Weilg WellG How has Il gomez"
The scheme7 Oh. excellentlyf' Loderss
manner was abrupt Turning from the resi-
less curiosity in Chilcote's eyes, he moved
a little way across the room and began 70
draw OF his coat. Then. as IL struck Ia
the inclviiity OF the action. he looked back
again. The scheme has gone extraordi-
nartiy he said. II could almost say as-
surdly. There are some things Chilcote
that fairly bowl a man over"
A great relief tinged Chilcote's face
Good!' he exclaimed. Tell me all about
But Loder was reticent The moment
was not propitious. II was as IL hungry
man had dreamed a great banquet and had
awakened to his starvation. He was charg
OF tmparting his visions. -
There's nothing to tell" he said shortly
All that you'll want to know is here IN
black and white I don't think you'll find
have slipped anything; IT'S a clear Dust-
ness record" From an inner pocket he
drew out a bulky notebook. and. crossing
the room. laid 1t open on the table. II was
correct. even minute. record OF every
action that had been accomplished in Chi
cote's name. II don't think you'll find anS
loose ends. he said. as he turned back the
pages, Il had you and your position in
my mind all through" He paused ami
glanced up from the book. You have a
position that absolutely insists upon atteTl-
tion," he added in a different voice. ,
At the new tone Chilcote looked up as
well NO moral lectures!" he said. with a
nervous laugh. 81 was anxious to know II
you had pulled II of and you have reaS-
sured me. That's enough. l was in funk
this afternoon to Know how things were
going-one of those sudden. unreasonable
funks. But now that | see you"-he cIit
himself short and laughed once more-'now
that see you. I'm hanged II don't want
toto prolong your engagement
Loder glanced at him. then glanced away
He felt quick shame at the eagerness
that rose at the words-a surprised com
tempt at his own readiness to anticipate
the mans weakness But almost as speed
lily as he had turned away he looked back
again. ,
:'Tush man. he said. with his old. in
tolerant manner You're dreaming. You va
had your holiday and schools begun agaIa
You must remember you are dining with
the Charringtons tonight. Young Chaf-
rington's coming of age-quite a big bust
ness. Come along! / want my clothes,E
He laughed. and. moving closer to Chilcote.
slapped him on the shoulder.
ChIlcote started; then, suddenly becoming
imbued with the others manner. he echoed
the laugh.
by Jover' he said, you're right You're
quite right! man must keep his feet In
their own groove" Raising his hand he
began to tumble with his tie.
But Loder kept the same position. You'll
find the check book In its usual drawer"
he said. I've made one entry of a hundred
pounds-pay for the first week. The rest
can stand over until He paused
Chilcote shifted his position Don't talk
about that. 1t upsets me to anticipate,
can make out a check tomorrow payable 20
John Loder."
mo That can walt. The name of Loder
is better out OF the book. We can't be too
careful Loder spoke with unusual i'm
petuosity. Already a slight. unreasonable
jealousy was coloring his thoughts. Al
ready he grudged the idea OF Chilcots with
his unstable glance and restless fingers
opening the drawers and sorting the papers
that for one stupendous fortnight had been
his without question. Turning aside, he
Come into the bed ROOM" he said. ITS
half-past II It's a minute, and the Char
ringtons' show is at g. Without waiting
for reply he walked across the room and
held the door open.
There was silence while they exchang
ed clothes. Loder talked continuously.
sometimes in short curt sentences soma
times with ironic touches OF humOr: he
talked until Chilcote. strangely affected by
contact with another personality after his
weeks of solitude. fell under his influence
his excitement rising. his Imagination stir
ring at the novelty of change. At last.
CARRIED once more In the clothes OF his own
world, he passed from the bed room back
into the sitting room and there halted.
waiting for his companion.
Almost directly Loder followed. He came
into the room quietly. and. moving at once
to the table. picked up the notebook
I'm not going to preach" he began 80
you needn't shut me up But III say just
one thing-a thing that will get said Try
and keep your hold, Remember your re-
sponsibilities-and keep your holdl" He
spoke theoretically. looking earnestly into
Chilcote's eyes He did not realize It, but
he was pleading for his own career
Chilcote paled q little. as he always did
in face Of reality. Then he extended his
hand.
My dear fellow" he said. with touch
OF hauteur. "a man can generally DE trusted
to look after his own life."
Extricating his hand almost immediate
ly he turned toward the door. and without
a word of farewell passed into the little
hall. leaving Loder alone In the sitting
room,