The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-06

iN tentiOnS We're, whatever she
wished to evade or ward off
she was successful in gaining her end
For more than two hours she kept Lo
der at her side. There may have beer
moments in those two hours when the
| tension was high, when the efforts she
| made to interest and hold him were
| somewhat strained. But if this was sc
/ it escaped the notice of the one person
concerned, for it was long after tea
had been served, long after Eve had
offered to do penance for her monopoly
of him by driving him to Chilcote's
club, that Loder realized with any de
gree of distinctnesS that 1T was she and
not he who had taken the lead in their
| interview; that it was she and not be
who had bridged the difficult silences
and given a fresh direction to danger
Gus channels of talk. 1t was long be
| fore he recognized this, but it was still
| longer before he realized the far more
| potent fact that without any GOODNESS,
| without any lessening Of the subtle
| consideration she always showed him,
| she had given him no further opportu-
| nifty of making love.
Talking continuously, elated with the
| sense of conflict still to come, he drove
with her to the club Considering that
drive in the light Of after events. his
own frame OF nl1no lnwRriapry nnea
him with incredulity. In the eyes of
any sane man his position was not
worth an hours purchase, yet in the
blind self confidence of the moment he
would not have changed places with
Fraide himself. The great song of self
was sounding in his ears as he drove
through the crowded streets, conscious
of the cool, crisp air, of Ewes close
presence, of the numberless infinitesi-
NAL things that went to make up the
value of life. 1t was this acknowledge
ment of personality that upheld him
the personality. the power that had
carried him unswervingly-throug elev
en- colorless years; that had impelled
him toward this new career when the
new career had first been opened to
him; that had hewn way for him in
this fresh existence against colossal
odds; the indomitable force that had
trampled out Chilcotes footmarks in
public life, in private life-in love. 1t
was triumphant paean that c1amored
in his ears, something persistent and
prophetic, with an undernote of men
ace-the cry of the human soul that has
dared to stand alone.
His glance was keen and bright as he
waited for a moment at the carriage
door and took Ewes hand before enter
ing the club
You're dining out tonight?" he said.
His fingers, always tenacious and mas
terful, continued to hold hers. The
conjunction that had driven him tenn
porarily toward sacrifice had passed
His pride, his confidence and with them
his desire, had flowed back in full
measure.
Eve, watching him attentively, paled
a little. Yes she said, I'm dining
with the Bramfells.'
What time will you get home?" He
scarcely realized why he put the ques-
ton. The song of self still sounded
triumphantly, and he responded with
out reflection.
His eyes held hers, his fingers press
ed her hand: the intense mastery of his
will passed through her in sudden
sense of fear. Her lips parted in depre-
cation, but he, closely attentive of her
when can 1 see your he asked very
quietly.
Again she was about to speak. She
leaned forward, as if some thought |
long suppressed trembled on her lips, |
then @her courage or her desire failed |
her She leaned back, letting her lashes !
droop over her eyes. Il shall be home |
at IL" she said below her breath.
Loder dined with Lakeley at Chill |
cote's club, and so absorbing We're the |
political interests of the hour-the res
ignation of Sir Robert Scarborough, the |
kings summoning of Fraide, the prob /
able features of the new ministry-that /
it was after o'clock when at last he
freed himself and drove TO the Area t
dian theater.
The sound Of music came to him as I
he entered the theater-light, measured /
music suggestive of tiny streams, toy
lambs and painted shepherdesses. 1t
singularly inappropriate to his
mood-as inappropriate as the theater
itself with its gay gliding. its pale
tones Of pink and blue. 1t was the set
ting of different world-a world of
laughter, light thoughts and shallow
impulses, in which he had no part
1t was the interval between the first
and second acts. The box was in
shadow. and Loder's first impression
was OF voices and rustling skirts, bro
ken in upon by the murmur of fire.
quent amused laughter, Later. as his
eyes grew accustomed to the light, he
the occupants, two wo-
men and man. The man was speak
ing as he entered. and the story he
was relating was evidently interesting
from the faint EXPLANATIONS Of Ques-
ton and delight that punctuated it in
the listeners higher. softer voices.
All. here comes the legislator ex-
claimed Leonard Kaine, for it was he
Who formed the mala olamout In tho