Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-31
"My one extravaganza! he said iron

like his own, then, lighting a fresh
SPILL offered his guest light.
Chlcote moistened his cigarette and
leaned forward In the flare of the
paper his face looked set and anxious,
J but Loder saw that the lips did not
twitch rs they had done on the pre-
vious occasion that he had given him
light, and luoi, of comprehension
crossed bis eyes.
what will you have, or. rather
will you have whisky? I keep moth
ing else. Hospitality is one OF the de
barred luxuries."
Chilcote shook his head. 81 seldom
drink. But don't let that deter you"
Loder smiled. 81 have one drink In
the twenty-four hours-generally at .
o'clock, when my nights work is done.
A solitary man has to look where he
Is going"
You work till 90"
"Two or g."
Chilcotc's eyes wandered TO the desk
you writeT" he asked.
The other nodded CURLY.
"Books?" Chilcote's tone was anx-
ious
Loder laughed. and the bitter note
| showed in his voice.
mo; not books" re said
Chicote leaned bGcl; 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.
what is your work.
Lodcr turned aside. You must not
| ask that" he said shortly. when Il
| man has only one capacity, and the
| capacity has no outlet. he is apt to run
to seed in a wrong direction. I cult
vate weeds, at abominable labor and n
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.
Chllcote leaned forward again. "Why
speak of yourself like that? You are q
man Of intelligence and education
He spoke questioningly. anxiously.
Intelligence and education!' Loder
laughed shortly. London is cemented
with intelligence. And education
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 infl-
ence that is essential. You should
know that"
Chicote moved restlessly in his seat
"You talk bitterly he said.
The other looked up. II think bitter.
ly. which is worse. | am one of the I'M
lucky begGars who in the expectation
of money have been denied profes
son-even "A trade, to which to cling il
time Of shipwreck-an 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
SAM
Chilcote's face lighted. you came Z
cropper?" he asked.
NO 1t was some one else who came
the cropper. | only dealt in results"
Big results?"
"a drop from q probable 100000 tC
a certain $500"
Chicote glanced up. "How did yor
take it?' he asked.
Il? Oh, was twenty-five then.
had a good many hopes and a lot OF
pride; but there is no place for either
III working world
"But your people,"
"My last relation died with the for
tune"
Your friends?"
Loder laid down his pipe. 81 told vol
was twenty-five" he said, with the
tinge of humor that sometimes crossed
his manner. Doesn't that explain
things? l had never taken favors il
prosperity. A change of fortune wa:
not likely to alter my ways. AS have
said. | was twenty-five He smiled
when 1 realized my position | sold al
my belongings with the exception of {
table and 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. l wandered hal
over Europe and through good par
of Asia in the time"
And them
"Then? Oh, shaved off the bear(
and came back to London lie look
ed at Chilcote, partly contemptuous
partly amused at his curiosity.
But Chllcote sat staring in silence
Tho domination OF the others person
, atty and the futlity of his achieve
ments baffled him.
, Loder saw his bewilderment. "Yo,
wonder what the devil ] came into tn,
world for" he said. Il sometimes
wonder the same myself"
, At his words a change passed owe
; Chllcote He half rose, then dropped
back into his seat.
You have no iriends?' he said
"Your life is worth nothing to your
Loder raised his head. II thought
had conveyed that impression"
You are an absolutely free man"
mo man is free who works for hi
bread. If things had been different
might have been in such shoes a
J yours, sauntering In legislative by
ways. My hopes turned that wa
once. But hopes, like more substnntil
things belong to the past He stoI
Z ped abruptly and looked at his con
pnnion.