Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-31
xxx.

And so. once again. the woman conquered.
Whatever Ewes intentions were, whatever
she wished to evade ward off. she was
successful in gaining her end For more than
two hours she kept Loder at her side
There may have been moments in those
two hours when the tension was 1iga,
when the efforts she made to interest and
hold him were somewhat strained. But II
this was So il escaped the notice of the
one person concerned; for II 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 degree of distinct
ness that Il was she and not he who had Ia
ken the lead In their interview; that it was
she and not he who had bridged the diff
ficult silences and given fresh direction
to dangerous channels of talk. 1t was
long before he recognized this: but IL was
still longer before he realized the far more
potent fact that. without any GOODNESS with
out any lessenng OF the subtle considera-
ton she always showed him. she had given
him no further opportunity 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 mind invariably filed him with
incredulity.
In the ewes 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 infinitesimal things that went to
make up the value of life. 1t was this
acknowledgment of personality that upheld
him; the personality, the power that had
carried him unswervingly through eleven
colorless years; that had impelled him
toward this new career when the new
career had first been opened to him; that
had TO- Ia, IN fct
ence against colossal odds. The indomitable
force that had trampled out Chilcote's foot
marks in public life, In private life-in love.
1t was a triumphant paean that clamored in
his ears, something persistent and prophetic
with an undernote of menace-the cry
OF the human soul that has dared to stand
alone.
His glance was keen and bright as he
waited for moment at the carriage door
and took Ewes hand before entering the
club.
You're dining out tonight?" he said. His
fingers, always tenacious and masterful,
continued TO hold hers. The compunction
that had driven him temporarily toward
sacrifice had passed. His pride, his con-
f1dence 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 homer" He
scarcely realized why he put the question.
The song OF Self still sounded triumphantly,
and he responded without reflection.
His eyes held hers. his fingers pressed her
hand; the intense mastery of his will passed
through her In a sudden sense of fear.
Her lips parted in depreciation, but he
closely attentive of her expression-spoke
again quickly.
When can 1 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; thqn her
courage OF her desire failed her She
leaned back, letting her lashes droop over
her eyes. Il shall be home at eleven she
said below her breath.
Loder dined with Lakely at Chilcotes
club; and so absorbing were the political in
terests of the hour-the resignation of Sir
Robert Scarborough the kings summoning
of Fraide, the probable features of the
new ministTy-that il was after 8 o'clock
when at last he freed himself and drove to
the 'Arcadian" Theater.
The sound of music came to him he
entered the theater-light, measured music
suggestive OF tiny streams toy lambs and
painted shepherdesses. 1t sounded singularly