Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-14

the room.
 The blinds were partly drawn, there
 was scent of violets in the alr, and a
 fire glowed warmly in the grate He
 noted these things carefully. telling
 himself that man should always be
 alertly sensible of his surroundings.
 Then all at once the nice balancing of detail suddenly gave way. He forgot everything but the one circumstance that
 Eve was standing in the window, her back to the light, her face toward him. With his pulses beating faster and an unsteady sensation in his brain, he nov ed forward, holding out his hand.
 Eve he said below his breath.
 But Eve remained motionless. As he came into the room she had glanced at him-a glance of quick, searching ques- ton, then with equal suddenness she had averted her eyes. As he drew close to her now she remained immovable.
 Eve he said again. T wanted to see you--I wanted to explain about yes terday and about this morning" He paused, suddenly disturbed. The full remembrance of the scene in the brougham had surged up at sight of her-had risen fierce. unquenchable recollection. Eve he began again in a new, abrupt tone.
 And then it was that Eve showed herself in fresh light. From his en- trance into the room she had stayed motionless, save for her first glance of acute inquiry. but now her demeanor changed. For almost the first time in Loder's knowledge of her the vitality and force that he had vaguely appre- hended below her quiet, serene exte- rior sprang up like a flame within whose radius things are illuminated. With quick gesture, she turned to- ward him, her warm color deepening, her eyes suddenly alight.
 ''I understand" she said-'I under. stand. Don't try to explain. Can't you see that its enough toto see you as you are'-
 Loder was surprised. Remembering their last passionate scene and the damper Chilcote's subsequent presence must inevitably have cast upon 1t, he had expected to be doubtfully received, but the reality of the reception left him bewildered. Eve's manner was not that of the i'll used wife. Its vehe- mence, its note of desire and deprecia- tion. were more suggestive of his own ardent seizing of the present as dlstin. guished from past or future. With an odd sense of confusion he turned to her afresh.
 "Then 1 am forgiven?' he said. And unconsciously as he moved nearer he touched her arm.
 At his touch she started. All the yielding sweetness, all the submission, that had marked her two nights ago was gone. In its place she was pos sessed by . curious excitement that stirred while it perplexed.
 Loder. moved by the sensation, took l another step forward. "'Then am he repeated more softly.
 Her face was averted as he spoke, but he felt her arm quiver, and when 1t last she lifted her head their eyes net. Neither spoke, but in an instant } Loder's arms were around her.
 For long silent space they stood holding each other closely. Then, with sharp movement. Eve freed herself. Her color was still high, her eyes still bright, but the bunch of vio- cts she had worn in her belt had fallen 0 the ground.
 "John," she said quickly, but on the word her breath caught. With touch # nervousness she stopped to pick up he flowers.
 Loder noticed both voice and gesture. What Is itY' he said. "What were 'ou going to say"
 But she made no answer For a sec- nd longer she searched for the violets, hen as he bent to assist her she stood l ID quickly and laughed-a short, en- 'arrassed laugh.
 How absurd and nervous amw she acclaimed. Hike a schoolgirl instead