Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-09

In the days that followed Fraide's marked
adoption OF him Loder behaved with a dis
erection that spoke we'll for MS qualities
Many man placed in the same responsible.
and yet strangely irresponsible, position
might have been excused II. for the time at
least. he gave himself loose rein. But
Loder kept free of the temptation.
Like all other experiments, his showed
unlooked-for features when pat to a work
ing test. Its expected difficulties smoothed
themselves away. while others. scarcely an
ticipated. came into prominence. Nest nota-
Bile OF Gil. the physical likeness between
himself and Chilcote. the bedrock OF the
whole scheme. which had been counted upon
to offer most danger. worked without
hitch. He stood literally amazed before the
sweeping credulity that met him on every
hand Men who had known Chiicote from
his youth, servants who had been in his
employment for years. Joined issue in the
unquestioning acceptance. At times the ease
OF the deception 5ewildered hun; there were
moments when he realized that, should cir
cumstauces force him to declaration OF
the truth, he would not be believed Human
nature prefers its own eyesight to the testi-
ulony OF any man.
But in face OF this astonishing
success he steered steady course;
favor, in the flrst egotistical wish to break
down Ewes scepticism he might POSSIBLY
have plunged into the vor.aN Of acton. Iel
1t be In what direction 1t might; pht, TOT
tunately for himself. for Chiicc7e and Tor
their scheme, he was liable to slrenuScs
second thoughts-those wise and necessary
curbs that go further to the steady'ng or
the universe than the universe suesses. SII-
ting in the quiet of the house. on the same
day that he had spoken with rive on me
terrace. he had weighed possibilities slowly
and cautiously. Impressed to the fHH py
eyes could never lack character. however
dull it's momentary business. however prosy
the voice that filled 1t. he had siftei I'M
pulse from experience, as oaiy u man VINO
has lived within himself can sift and dis
tinguish. And at the close Of that first
day his program had been formed. There
must be no rush. no headlong plunge, he
had decided; things must work round 1t
was hts first expedition into the new cotn-
try, and IT lay with fate to say whether 1t
would be his last.
He had been leaning back In his seat. his
eyes on the ministers opposite. his arms
folded in imitation OF ChilcCtcs most nat
ural attitude. when this nnal speculation
had come to him: and as It came his Fps
had frightened for a moment and his face
become hard and cold IT IL IN unpleasant
thing when man first uncOnScl0 uSly reck-
ons on the weakness Of another and the
look that expresses the idea is not good to
see. He had stirred uneas'ly; then his bps
had closed again. He was tenacious by ma
ness. At the first suggestion OF reckoning
upon Chilcote's lapses, mis- mind had drawn
back In disgust; but the thought came
again the disgust had lessened.
In week-two weeks, perhaps-Chilcote
would reclaim his place. Then would be-
gin the routine OF the affair." Chilcote
fresh from indulgence and freedom, would
find his obligations thousand times more
irhsome than before; he would struggle for
a time: then
shadowy smile had touched T.odar's
lips as the idea formed Itself
Then would come the inevitable recall:
then IN earnest ne might venture to put his
hand to the plough. He never INDUCED in
dsy-dreans. but something in the nature
OF a vision had flashed over his mind in
that instant. He had seen himself stand
ing in that same building, seen the rows
OF faces first bored, then hesitatingly trans
formed under his personal domination. IN
der the one great power he knew himself
to possess-the power of elouuence. The
strength Of the suggestion had been almost
painful. Men who have attained self-re-