Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-15
e. Ghe 70 |MASQUERADER
 by Katherine Cecil Thurston. Author of "The Circle" Etc. C0put0ht. 1908, i9oI, by Hdsper& & Brothers
CHAPTER xxx.
oOpwsoAs, 1908, 1901, by Ha,psr4 Brother,

ND so, once again, the woman
 conquered. Whatever Eve's in
 TAI tentions were, 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 been
 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 so lt 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 it was she and not he who had taken the lead in their interview; that it was she and not he who had bridged the difficult silences and given fresh direction to danger ous channels of talk. It was long be- fore he recognized this, but 1t was still longer before he realized the far more potent fact that without any coldness, without any lessening of the subtle consideration she always showed him, she had given him no further opportu- nity of making love.
 Talking continuously. elated with the sense of conflict still b come, he drove with her to the club Considering that drive in the light of after events. his Axyv4 Ppovno nf mind ,pvor,o n1v Y4Do0 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 Eyes close presence, of the numberless infnitesi- nal things that went to make up the value of life. It was this acknowledg- ment of personality that upheld him the personality, the power that had carried him unswervingly through elev- on colorless years; that had impelled him toward this new career when the new career had first been opened to him; that had hewn a way for him in this fresh existence against colossal odds; the indomitable force that had trampled out Chilcote's footmarks in public life, in private life-in love- It was a triumphant paean that clamored 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.
 waited for moment at the carriage door and took Eve's 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 compunction that had driven him tenn porarily toward sacrifice had passed. His pride. his confidence and with them bis desire, had flowed back in full measure.
 Eve. watching him attentively, paled . little. "Yes," she said, I'm dining with the Bramfells."
 What time will you get homeY' 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 d her hand; the intense mastery of his will passed through her in a sudden sense of fear. Her lips parted in depre- cation. but he, closely attentive of her expression. spoke again quickly.
 ''When can see you?" 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. T shall be home at H." she said below her breath.
 Loder dined with Lakeley at Chii- cote's club, and so absorbing were the 1 political interests of the hour-the res ignation of Sir Robert Sefborough. the kings summoning of Fraide, the prob able features of the new ministry-that [ it was after o'clock when at fast he | freed himself and drove to the Area dian theater.
 The sound of music came to him as he entered the theater-light. measured music suggestive of tiny streams. toy lambs and painted shepherdesses. It sounded singularly inappropriate to his mood--as inappropriate as the theater itself with Its gay gliding. it's pale tones of pink and blue. It was the set ting of a different world-a world of laughter. light thoughts and shallow Impulses. in which he had no part.
 It was the interval between the first and second acts. The box was in shadow. and Loder's first impression vas of voices and rustling skirts. bro ken in upon by the murmur of ire quent amused laughter. Later. as his eyes grew accustomed to the light. he the occupants. two wo- men and a man. The man was speak ing as he entered. and the story he was relating was evidently interesting from the faint exciamstIons of ques- ton and delight that punctusted it in the listener' higher. softer voices.
 -Ah. here comes the legislator ex- claimed Leonard KaIne. for 1t was he who formed the male element in the party.