The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-01-03
easily defined. The man seemed so un-
stable, so incapable, yet so grotesquely
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SssA'AAy OCuuSu.F he Lu1u seemed SO I'M
stable, so incapable, yet so grotesquely
suggestive to himself.
The likeness is rather overwhelm-
ing he said, "but not heavy enough to
sink under. Come nearer the fire. What
brought you here? Curiosity?' There
was a wooden armchair by the fire.
place. He indicated it with wave of
the hand, then turned and took up his
smoldering pipe.
Chilcote, watching him furtively,
obeyed the gesture and sat down.
1T is extraordinary!'' he said, as if
unable to dismiss the subject. Tit
is quite extraordinary!
The other glanced round. Lets drop
it, he said. Its so confoundedly OBJ
vious." Then his tone changed. won't
you smoker" he asked.
Thanks" Chilcote began to tumble
for his cigarettes.
But his host forestalled him. Taking
box from the mantelpiece, he held it
out ~.-..
My one extravagance!' he said iron
and l think 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 a fresh
spill, offered his guest a light.
Chilcote moistened his cigarette and
leaned forward. In the flare 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-
vlous occasion that he had given him
light, and look Of comprehension
crossed his eyes.
what will you have, or, rather,
will you have a whisky? I keep moth
Ing else. Hospitality is one of the de-
barred luxuries.''
Chilcote shook his head. II seldom
drink. But don't let that deter you."
Loder smiled. II 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.'
You work till 2?''
1.-TWO or g."
Chilcote's eyes wandered to the desk.
"You write?' 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" 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.
what is your work?"
Loder turned aside. "You must not
ask that" he said shortly. "When a
man has only one capacity, and the
capacity has no outlet lie is apt to run
to seed in a wrong direction. 1 cult
vate weeds, at abominable labor and
very small reward" He stood with
his back to the fire, facing his visitor.
His attitude was 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 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 infr-
ence that is essential. You should
know that"
Chilcote moved restlessly in his seat.
'You talk bitterly" he said.
The other looked up. II think bitter
~, which is worse. 1 am one of the I'M
lucky beggars who in the expectation
Of money have been denied a profess
sion-even q trade, to which to cling in
time of .shipwreck- who when dis
aster comes drift out to sea. I warned
you the other night to steer clear of
me-. I come under the head Of flot-
samv'
OAAASolC . A0CC 1lSulcu. LOU Cuulc Il
cropper?' he asked.
mo. It was some one else who came
the cropper. 1 only dealt in results"
"Big results?''
"A drop from a probable $4,000 to
a certain $780,"
Chilcote glanced up. "How did you
take it," he asked.
II? Oh, I was twenty-five then.
had good many hopes and lot of
pride; but there is no place for either
in working world
"But your people?"
my last relation died with the for
tune"
Your friends?''
Loder laid down his pipe. II told you
1 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 to alter my ways. AS have
said, was twenty-five" He smiled.
"When realized nv position 7 sold all