Evening star., 1921-12-11

life had not been very high. while some
., fhe downs had touched the lowest
situations in which mans predispos'tioh
to exist combats-without ever winning
definite victories or suffering dehhi'e
d defeats-misfortune, poverty anu o's
ease, For a few weeks he had oeeh
pretty we'll up" for him. His ready
made clothes were new. his hair was
newly cut, he had passed the night
IN Turkish bath. and there was
money in one Of his pockets. and an
old watch, newly redeemed, in another.
To remember that he had once been
the model Of fashion, at home in great
houses. welcome at stage doors,
famous for the daring and imagina-
tion and good nature, if not the high
moral tone. Of his exploits. was very
d,f1cuIt. More used now to a young
er and a tasteless civilization. the
great spaces and the somber tapestries
Of Cover House depressed him. The
servants in livery had "we-are bet
ter-than-you" look. The mirrors. re-
ffecting-with reluctance. perhaps-
hts new blue serge suit, an outfit at
once above criticism and beneath.
seemed to say: "Ready-made"
For once the Covers had no guests,
and were gathered in a family circle
Nora and Evelyn. Bob and Clarence,
and. Of course. Cover himself.
Dinner had come on soft feet, and
so gone. 1t had been a short meal
OF exquisite cooking and much cham
payne. Charnock was sorry that he
had not drunk more: for wine is
great leveler. and he intended shortly
not only to rise level with his sur
roundings. level with Cover and the
young cousins. but above them.
e They talked OF his life. his adven-
lures. not theirs. Only Cover.
hu1l-heavy. red-faced man. referred
occasionally. with harsh bursts OF
laughter that ended as suddenly as
they began, to old times in New York.
At such moments a certain glitter
appeared in Charnock's wide-set,
light-gray eyes. 1t. was as If the
liarshness, the d-mouthed visor of
his cousin offened him, even angered
him.
or Covers position in society he
had assured himself by careful in
auiry. 1t was as secure as that of the
sun in the heavens. His insoIence
was bounded only by space. He could
be as insolent as he pleased. He
could be as passionate as he pleased
as corroding. He could be drunk and
outrageous, and look to all eyes for
forgiveness, and to some for admira-
tion. Even his liver and his k,dnevs
seemed to have nothing but forgive.
ness for him. He had a gross and
sonorous health that defied disease
ana decay. Charnock could not saw
Cover has grown older but on,v
He has grown coarser," or He has
grown more brutal"
IL fncensed the man in the ra.a,,
made suit. whose gay and debona,-
pfocllvitles life had so humh,e1
whose kind and generous in,nu,ses
poverty and hard luck had so thu,
eu' 70 observe into what overbearins.
hands SO much money had fallen.
Because his inherited millions were
ss stones in a Connecticut field The
"orio old not require of Cover even
the good qualities that it REQUIRES Of
a dog. A nation that considers itse,f
Intelligent enough to vote even at,r;-
buted to him a certain mental .hi1i+,,
ana grasp OF affairs. And he. like all
men who have inherited vast for.
tunes. attributed these Qualities TO
himself And he believed, in that
callous organ that pumped his hot
and thirsty blood, that If he was
stripped Of all his properties he
would still be a great man. q great
power, q leader among men. de,i-
cious terror to women.
Like to see my guns?" he said
abruptly.
They had been talking grouse and
Scotland, where Cover rented from
year to year a show forest.
Very much"
Charnock rose. and followed his
great cousin out Of the room.
The Cover children smiled at each
etner. Evelyn yawned-
He's the first man father was ever
polite to. Why"
"Oh. he's fathers cousin" said
Bob. 'They were friends in the old
days"
Father told me something special
about him." said Clarence 1T seems
that grandpa was down on father at
one time and threatened to leave all
his money to his nephew-Bin Char
mock, that is. He even told Char
mock 50. And of course when it
came out the other way, Charnock
was awfully disappointed and 1 guess
father feels sorry for him. They say.
YOU know. that he was quite card
very popular and talented.
They always say that" said Nora,
about people who passed out a long
time ago. When the people come
back you find that they are always
dull and ordinary and humble"
Il don't think Cousin Bill is really
humble, said Bob. Just shy. Once
in . while there's a CLINT in his eye.
and then he looks as if he might be
quito a cuss when he's reused
"A regular lion," said Nora.
"a lion in sheep's clothing" said
Evelyn.
I'm a ready-r1ade, hand-me-down,
ithout the vest. eighteen dollars!'
said Clarence.
Wasn't he even mentioned in the
D1f c1y