Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-02

ically. my resources bind me 10 one.
and think have made wise selec-
ton. 1t Is about the only vice we
haven't 20 pay for six times over" he
glanced sharply at the face so absurdly
Ike his own. then. lighting a fresh
spill, offered his guest a light.
Chilcote mOiSteDed his cigarette and
leaned forward. In the care OF the
paper his face looked set and anxious.
but Loder saw that the lips did not
twltch as they had done on the DIT -
vious occasion that he had given him
a light, and a look OF comprehension
crossed his eyes.
What viii you have. or. rather.
will you have a whisky? I keep moth
Ing else. Hospitality Is one Of the de-
4 barred luxuries."
Chllcote shook his head. Il seldom
I drink. Bot don't let that deter YOU"
Loder smiled. Il have one drink In
the twenty -four hours-rcne-ally at .
O'Clock. when my nights work Is done.
A solitary man has TO look where he
Is going"
You work tim 2T''
Two or s.
Chilcote's eyes wandered TO the desk.
you writer" he asked.
The other nodded CURLY.
Books Chilcote's tone was anx-
ious.
Loder laughed. and the bitter note
showed in his voice
'No; not books" De- said.
Chilcote leaned back in his chair and
passed his hand across his face. The
strong wave % satisfaction that The
words woke in him was difficult 10
conceal
what is your work 2"
Lodcr turned aside. You must not
ask that" he said shortly when
man has only ONE capacity. and the
capacity has ro outlet. he IS ant To- run
70 seed in wrong direction. cult
vate woods. at aiomiuahle labor and n
very small reward" lie stood with
his back to tie Gre. facing his visitor
IT'S attitude was curious blending OF
pride. defiance and dependency.
Chilcote leaned forward again. "yVhv
speak % yourself Ike that2 You are n
man OF Intelligence and education"
He spoke qucstionlngly. anxiously.
Intelligence and educatlonr Ioder
laughed shortly. London IS cemented
with diligence. And education,
What Is education? The court dress
necessary to presentation. the wig and
gown necessary 20 the barrister. But
do the wig and gown necessarily mean
briefs or the court dress royal favor?
Education is the accessory. II Is inGu-
ence that IS essential You should
know that"
Chllcote moved restlessly In his seat.
You talk bitterly" De said.
The other looked up Il think bitter
~. which is worse am one OF the I'M
lucky beggars who IN the expectation
OF money have been denied a profess
sion-cven "a trade. 90 which % cling I'm
time ~ shipwrcck-aud who when dis
aster comes drift out TO sea. 7 warned
you the other night 20 steer clear OF
me. 7 come under the head OF dot
SAM
Chucote's face lighted. you came
cropper;' Dee asked.
NO. Il was some one else who came
the cropper / only dealt ia results"
big resultsr"
"a drop from a probable $4,000 to
a certain $500"
Chilcote glanced up. How did you
take itf' he asked.
II? Oh. I was twenty-five then. I
had good many hopes and a lot OF
pride; but there is no place for either
In working world"
"But your peopleG"
"NIy last relation died with the for
tune"
your friendsf"
Loder laid down his pipe. Il told you
I was twenty-five" he said. with the
tinge Of humor that sometimes crossed
his manner. Doesn't that explain
things; I had never taken favors in
prosperity. A change OF fortune was
not likely 70 alter NY ways. As 7 have
said. I was twenty-five" lie smiled.
When / realized my position I sold all
my belongings with the exception OF a
table and few bOOl1s-which 7 stored.
put on a walking suit and let my
beard grow. Then. with my entire cap
ital in my pocket. / left England with
out saying goodby 10 any one"
For how longF"
"Oh. FOR six years ! wandered half
over Europe and through a good part
Of Asia In the time"
And thenT"
Then: Oh. / shaved of the beard
and came back 10 London He look
ed at Chilcote. partly contemptuous,
partly amused at his curiosity.
But Chilcote sat staring IN silence.
The domination OF the others person
ality and the futility Of his achieve
ments bafiled him.
Loder saw hs bewllderment. You
wonder what the devil came into the
world for" ne said. Il sometimes
wonder the same myself"
At his words a change passed over
Chllcote. He half rose. then dropped
back into his seat.
You have no friendsY he said.
Your life is worth nothing 20 your"
Loder raised his head. u thought /
had conveyed that impression"
You are an absolutely free man"
mo man is free who works for his
bread. III things had been different I
might have been In such shoes as
Unuro @o.,nfors,.