Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27

terest. T am afraid l am not an au- thorlty on nerves" he said.
 But Chilcote was preoccupied. His thoughts had turned Into another chan nel.
 How old are youY he asked sud denly.
 The other did not answer immediate ly. My age?' he said at last slowly. "Oh, I believe shall be thirty-six to- morrow, to be quite accurate"
 Chilcote lifted his head quickly.
 Why do you use that tone?" he asked. T am six months older than you, and only wish 1t was six years. Six year nearer oblivion"-
 Again a slight incredulous contempt crossed the others eyes. "Oblivion7" he said. Where are your ambitionsY
 '"They don't exist"
 Don't exist? Yet you voice your country? concluded that much in the fog"
 Chilcote laughed sarcastically.
 "When one has voiced one's country for six years one gets hoarse. It's q natural consequence.r
 The other smiled. "Ah, discontent!' he said. ''The modern canker. But we must both be getting under way. Good night. Shall we shake hands-to prove that we are genuinely materiaf?'
 Chilcote had been standing unusually still, following the s.<anger's words. caught by his self reliance and inn pressed by his personality. Now. as he ceased to speak, he moved quickly forward, impelled by nervous curl osity.
 "Why should we just hail each other and pass-like the proverbial ships?' he said impulsively. ''If nature was careless enough to let the reproduction meet the original she must abide the consequences"
 The other laughed, but his laugh was short. "Oh. I don't know. Our roads lie differently. You would get nothing out of me, and I''- He stopped and again laughed shortly "No," he said. "rd be content to pass if were you The unsuccessful man is seldom profitable study. Shall we say good night?"
 He took Chilcote's hand for an in- stant, then, crossing the footpath, he passed into the roadway toward the Strand.
 It was done in a moment, but with his going sense of loss feil upon Chil- cofe. He stood for space, newly con scious of unfamiliar faces and unfa- miliar voices in the stream of passers- by. Then, suddenly mastered by an Inn pulse, he wheeled rapidly and darted after the tall, lean figure SO ridiculous ly like his own.
 Halfway across Trafalgar square he overlook the stranger. He had paused on one of the small stone islands that break the current of traffic and was waiting for m opportunity to cross the street. In the glare of light from the lamp above his head Chilcote saw for the first time that under remarkable neatness of appears nee. his clothes were well worn-almost shabby. The discovery struck him with something stronger than surprise. The idea of poverty seemed incongruous in connec- tion with the reliance. the reserve. the personality of the man. With a certain embarrassed haste he stepped forward and touched his arm.
 Look here," he said as the other turned quietly. T have followed you 10 exchange cards. It can't injure either of us, and I-I wish to know my other self" He laughed nervousfy as he drew out his cardcase.
 The stranger watched him in silence. There was the same faint contempt, but also there was a reluctant interest in his glance as 1t passed from the fingers fumbling with the case to the pale face with the square jaw. straight mouth and level eyebrows drawn low over the gray eyes. When at last the card was held out to him he took 1t without remark and slipped 1t Into his pocket.
 ChIlcote looked at him eagerly. "Now the exchanseY he said.
 For a second the stranger did not re- spond. Then, almost unexpectedly, he smiled.
 After all, if 1t amuses you he said: and. searching In his waistcoat pocket, he drew out the required card.
 Tt will leave you quite unenlight- ened," he added. "The name of a fail ure never spells anything" With an- other smile. partly amused, partly iron- icnl. he stepped from the little Island and disappeared into the throng of trafic.
 ChIlcote stood for an instant gazing at the point where he had vanishedt then, turning to the lamp. he lifted the card and read the name 1t bore. "Afr. John Loder. 13 Cliford's Inn"
 CHAPTER II. EN the morning following the nn night of fog Chilcote woke at Q. NU He woke at the moment that D his man Allsopp tiptoed across the room and laid the salver with hIs