The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-10-25
CHAPTER XVII. (continued.)

You try TO persuade yourself that you
don't, as almost everybody does. That
is why we allow ourselves to be be-
trayed into false condolences. We
pretend to ourselves that we trust this
man or that, and when he betrays US
we feel aggrieved. But to give sway
to the real impulse OF the soul would
be death TO ~treachery. No man Will
! ever betray me, for | shall never trust
anybody but the trustworthy. / stand
for instince, and, as | said Just now,
at the bottom of your mind you know
that I'm right. You don't deny that
I've hit your impression OF myself, do
you?"
No" said Truscott, lingering on the
word; Il don't"
Exactly" said Alexis, as II he had
achieved a triumph.
But / don't know" said Truscott, in
his downright way; Il don't know
how you found me out. l eve gave
you any token, as far as l know. either
of n sentiment Oh the other"
No." Alexis assented eagerly.
They radiate, my friend; they a d
ate! And If you preserve our native
receptivity you know the truth at a
glance. There are two men amongst
all others | have met whom, If we
trust were only mutual-as it never
could be, mind you, for they have
their own instincts as well as two
memo more-whom would grapple
to my soul with hooks of steel" He
dropped back against the cushioned
back OF the car, and suddenly to Trus-
colts a%mazement, leaning forward
again, laid a hand upon his knee and
said, You're one of EN-"
Truscott was too dumbfounded by
immediate answer He was not a man
who carried his emotions in his pocket
to scatter like small change as his
companion seemed to do, and yet there
was something in the manner Of Alexis
which seemed to bespeak sincerity-a
something which moved him strongly.
my cousin Aloysius is the other"
Alexis said. "A steadfast man, an i'm
movable man. A man Of iron purpose
iron patience. It's given 10 some OF
us irresponsible Johnnies," he went
on, with a startling change from deep
seriousness to frivolity, ito worship
| the qualities which are so absolute
iy denied to us. / shall always be
liked by those who are content to take
me at a surface valuation, but | shall
never inspire a real trust in anybody.
Now, there's that poor dear old calf OF
a Billery. For a clever fellow he's the
most awful fool know. He's got no
than a jelly-fish-and yet everybody
with a pennyweight of discernment in
him knows him to be as stanch a
friend as a bulldog to his master.
You'd trust him with your fortune or
your sweetheart, or with the secret
that would hang you. But then Billery
drinks, and Billery drunk is the indis-
creetest old donkey in the world. Pity
that one fault should undo virtue, isn't
it,"
Yes" said Truscott, 1T Is a pity,
but Billery's mending, don't you no
tice?'
Il see It," Alexis answered. 'Tm
very glad of it for his own sake. l
hope the reform will last"
Then he fell into a moody silence
after his w fashion. The motor-car
hummed smoothly along for the
greater part of an hour, and they were
nearing the end of their journey before
he spoke again, and then only in an
swer to a question.
You don't see much Of your cousin,
Brangwyn, do you?"
No." he answered then; very lit
tie"
"He is a man whom | should like to
know" said Truscott.
Il can well believe you," answered
Alexis. You'd find a hundred points
in common. III you don't mind asking
your chauffeur to pull up, you can drop
mo here. Thanks for a very pleasant
drive. Good-by."
They parted at the junction of New
Bridge street and the Embankment,
and Truscott saw him hail a hanson.
He plunged back into thoughts OF
business. That day he al to help in
the making or the marring of a minis
try. A baronetcy was being dangled
at him, but that was sur to come
sooner or later and the temptation did
not move him-much. He had become
a power In the land, and the chief pri-
vate secretary of the prime minister
was lying in wait for him when he
reached the sumptuous room in which
he worked.
Alexis, as forgotten as II he had new
er existed, jolted springily In his han
som along the broken and
road of the Embankment, on his home
ward way. Arrived at his destination
he paid the driver with a capricious
l~iberality, and as he did SO he was
family conscious of q shabby figure
lettering at the curb. He gave the
man no second glance or thought, but
a. he walked leisureiy up the broad
stone steps which led 20 his suite
he was very vaguely aware OF q slip