Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-03
smoldering pipe.

IldQkS. OHllcOle USSdA " @uA1 DAS
for his cigarettes.
But his host forestalled him. Taking
a box from the mantelpiece. he held it
out.
my one extrayagancer' he said iron
icalIy. "My resources bind me to one;
and think l have made wise selec-
ton. 1t is about the only vice we
haven't to pay for six times over" He
glanced sharply at the face SO absurdly
like his own, then, lighting fresh
spill, offered his guest a light.
Chilcote moistened his cigarette and
leaned forward In the fare of the
paper his face looked set and anxious,
but Loder saw that the lips did not
twitch as they had done on the pre-
vious occasion that he had given him
a light, and look of comprehension
crossed his eyes.
"What will you have, or, rather,
will you have whisky? / keep moth
ing else. Hospitality is one of the de-
barred luxuries."
ChiIcote shook his head. II seldom
drink. But don't let that deter you"
Loder smiled. 81 have one drink in
the twenty-four hours generally at 2
o'clock, when my nights work is done.
A solitary man has to look where he
is going"
s'You work till 2?'
s'Two or 81
Chilcote's eyes wandered to the desk.
ssYou writer" he asked.
The other nodded CURLY.
ssBooksY' Chilcote's tone was anx-
ious.
Loder laughed, and the bitter note
showed in his voice.
''No; not books,'' he said.
Chilcote leaned back in his chair and
passed his hand across his face. The
strong wave Of satisfaction that the
words woke in him was difficult to
conceal
ssWhat is your workT
Loder turned aside "You must not
ask that" he said shortly. when a
man has only one capacity, and the
capacity has no outlet, he is apt to run
to seed in a wrong direction. / culti-
vate weeds, at abominable labor and
very small reward" He stood with
his back to the fire, facing his visitor
His attitude was a curious blending of
pride, defiance and dependency.
Chilcote leaned forward again. "Why
speak of yourself like that? You are a
man Of intelligence and education"
He spoke questioningly, anxiously.
Intelligence and educationw Loder
laughed shortly. London is cemented
with intelligence. And educationi
What is education? The court dress
necessary to presentation, the wig and
gown necessary to the barrister. But
do the wig and gown necessarily mean
briefs or the court dress royal favor?
Education is the accessory. It is infu-
ence that is essential. You should
know that"
Chilcote moved restlessly in his seat.
ssYou talk bitterly he said.
The other looked up. Il think bitter
", which is worse. l am one of the I'M
lucky beggars who in the expectation
of money have been denied profess
sion-even a trade, to which to cling in
time of shipwreck-and who when dis
aster comes drift out to sea. ] warned
you the other night to steer clear Of
me. come under the head Of fot-
samr'
Chilcote's face lighted. "You came a
cropper?" he asked.
mo. 1t was some one else who came
the cropper. only dealt in results
"Big results?'
"a drop from a probable 100000 to
certain ES00."
Chilcote glanced up. "How did you
take it?'' he asked.
81? Oh, / was twenty-five then. /
had good many hopes and lot Of
pride; but there is no place for either
in working world"
"But your people2''
sMy last relation died with the for
tune"
s.Your friendsY
Loder laid down his pipe. Il told you
/ was twenty-five" he said, with the
tinge Of humor that sometimes crossed
his manner. Doesn't that explain
things? I had never taken fayors in
prosperity. A change of fortune was
not likely to alter my ways. AS have
said, was twenty-five" He smiled.
'eWhen 1 realized my position sold all
my belongings with the exception of a
table and a few books which 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 to any one"
'For how long?"
ooh, for six years. / wandered half
over Europe and through good part
Of Asia in the time"
"And then?"
"Then? oh, shaved off the beard
and came back to 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
VA. 80 49, f,-%sIsfxx S,f 1zfr ooI;ovo.