Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-02
ward her. then as abruptly he turned away

again.
Il was still thinking of myself" he said.
Il was still utterly seif-centered when
came to this room today and allowed you
to talk to me-when I asked you to see me
tonight as we parted at the club / sha'n't
tell you the thoughts that unconsciously
were In my mind when / asked that favor.
You must understand Without explanation.
went to the theater with Lady Astrupp
ostensibly to find out how the land lay IN
her direction-really to heighten my self
esteem. But there Fate-or the power we
Ike to call by that name-was lying in walt
for me- ready to claim the first interest
in the portion of life / had dared to bor-
row." He said this slowly, as If measur-
Ing each word. He did not glance toward
Eve as ne had done in his previous pause.
HIS whole manner seemed oppressed by the
gravity of what he had stiil to say
doubt IL a man has ever seen more in
half an hour than have tonight he said.
Il m speaking of mental seeing of course
In this play. Other Mems Shoes two men
change fdentities-as Chilcote and l have
done--but In doing so they overlook one
faet-the fact that one of them has a wife,
Thats not my way of putting IT. it's the
way II was put to me by one of Lady
Astrupp's party"
Again Eve looked up The doubt and
question In her eyes had grown unmis-
takapy. AS he ceased to speak her lips
parted quickly.
John" she said, with sudden convic-
ton, you're trying to say something
something that's terribly hard"
Without raising his head. Loder answered
her Yes, he answered, "the hardest
thing man ever said
His tone was short. almost brusaue. but
to ears sharpened by instinct 1t was elo-
ouent. Without word Eve took a step
forward. and, standing quite close to him,
laid both hands ON his shoulders
For space they stood silent she with
her face lifted. he with aveyted eyes Then
very gently he raised his hands and tried
to unclasp her fingers. There was scarcely
any color visible In his face and by GU
rious effect of emotion it seemed that lines.
never before noticeable. had formed about
his mouth
What is ii % Eve asked annrehersive,x
What Is it?"
BY a swift, involuntary movement she
had tfghtened the pressure of her fingers +:
and. without using force, it was impossible
for Loder TO unloose them. With his
hands pressed irresoluteiy over hers. he
looked down into her face.
As / sat in the theater tonight. Eve"
he said slowly. 'all the pictures I had form
ed of life shifted. Without desiring It with
out knowing it. my whole point of view
was changed. I suddenly saw things by
the worlds searchlight instead of by nv
own miserable candle. I suddenly saw
things for you-instead of for myself
Ewes eyes widened and darkened. but
she said nothing
suddenly saw the objectionable wrong
that ! have done you-the imperative duty
of cutting 1t short He spoke very slowly.
In dull. mechanical voice
Eve-her eyes still wide her fare NAMED
and alarmed-withdrew her hands from his
shoulders. You mean" she said, with diff
hculty, that 1T is going to end? That you
are gong away? That you are giving
cantr' she exclaimed. with sudden excite
rnent, her fears suddenly overmastering her
incredulity. You can't! You mustn't, The
only proof that could have interfered-'
i wasn't thinking of the proof
Then of what? OF what?''
Loder was silent for a moment. "of our
love, he said, steadily
She eolored deeply. But why?" she stam-
We need do not wrong. We would be
friends-nothing more; and Lob, I so need
friend!'
For almost the first time in I.oder's
troll deserted her. She stood before him
In all the pathos of her lonely girlhood-her
empty life.
The revelation touched him with sudden
meath his faults. the chivalry buried under
years of calousness. stirred at the birth of
a new emotion The resolution preserved
at such cost. the sacrifice that had seem
a different shape. What before had been
barren duty became suddenly sacred
right Holding out his arms. he drew her
to him as If she had been a child
night how fully a womans life is at the
mercy of the woodland how scanty that
mercy is. If circumstances had been diff
ferent / believe-I am convfnced-I would
have made you a good husband-wouId have
used my right to protect you as well as
man could use it. And now that things are
different WANT should like He
hesitated very little. Nov that I have
no right to protect you-except the right
my love gives-I want to guard you as
closely from all that is sordid as any hus-
band could guard his wife.
In life there are really only two broad
issues-right and wrong. Whatever we may
say, whatever we may profess to believe
we know that our action is always choice
between right and wrong. A month ago-a
week ago-1 would have despised a man
who could talk like this-and have thought
myself strong for despising him. Now 1
know that strength is some thing more than
the trampling of others into the dust that
we ourselves may have a clear road; that
1t il something much harder and much less
triumphant than that--that 1t is standing
aside to let somebody else pass on. Eve"
he exclaimed suddenly. I'm trying to do
this for you. Don't you see? Don't you
understand? The easy course, the happy
course. would be to let things drift. Every
instinct is calling to me to take that
course--to go on as have gone,
trading on Chilcotes weakness and your
it.' With a swift impulse he loosed his
arms and held her away from him. Eve,
it's the first time 1 have put another HUI
man being before myself
Eve kept her head bent. Painful, inau-
dible sobs were shaking her from head to
foot.
Its something In you-something uncon-
scious-something high and fine, that holds
me back-that literally bars the way. Eve,
can't you see that I'm fighting-fghting
hard?"
After he had spoken there was silence
a long, painful silence-during which Eve
waged the battle that so many OF her sex
have waged before; the battle In which
words are useless and tears of no account.
She looked very slight very young, very
forlorn, as she stood there. Then. in the
oppressive sense of waiting that filled the
whole room, she looked up at him.
Her face was stained with tears, her
thick, black lashes were still wet with
them; but her expression. as her eyes met
Loder's. was q strange. example of the
courage. the irmness. the power of sacri-
nee that may be hidden In a fragile yes
sell
She said nothing, for in such moment
words do not come easily but with the
simplest, most submissive, most eloquent
gesture In the world she set his perplexity
to rest
Taking his hand between hers, she lifted
It and for long, silent space held 1t
against her lips.
Go be continued tomorrow
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