Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-30

. enjoy the luxuries of life man must so long without them. Loder had lived severely-so severely that until three weeks ago he had believed himself ex- empt from the temptations of hu- manity. Then the voice of the world had spoken, and within him another voice had answered with tone so clamorous and insistent that 1t had outcried his surprised and incredulous' wonder at its existence and its claims. That had been the voice of suppressed ambition, and now as he stood in the new atmosphere newer voice lifted itself. The joy of material things rose suddenly, overbalancing the last rem nant of the philosophy he had reared. He saw all things in fresh light the soft carpets, the soft lights, the numberless pleasant, unnecessary things that color the passing land scape and oil the wheels of life. This was power-power made manifest. The choice bindings of ones books. the quiet harmony of ones surroundings, the gratifying deference of ones de- pendents-these were the visible. the outward signs, the thing she had for gotten.
 Crossing the room slowly, he lifted and looked at the different papers on the desk. They had substantial feel ing, an importance, an air of value. They were like the solemn keys to so many veyed problems. Beside the pa- pers were heap of letters neatly ar- ranged and as yet unopened. He turn ed them over one by one. They were all thick and interesting to look at. He smiled as he recalled his own scanty mail-envelopes long and bulky or narrow and thin, unwelcome manu- scripts or very welcome checks. Hav- ing sorted the letters, he hesitated. It was his life task to open them, but he had never in his life opened an envel- ope addressed to another man.
 He stood uncertain, weighing them in his hand Then all at once look of attention and surprise crossed his face. and he raised his head. Some one had unmistakably paused outside the door which Greening had left ajar.
 There was a moment of apparent doubt. then stir of skirts, quick, uncertain knock, and the intruder en- tered.
 For couple of seconds she stood in the doorway; then as Loder made no effort to speak she moved into the room. She had apparently but just re- turned from some entertainment, for, though she had drawn off her long gloves, she was still wearing an even- ing cloak of lace and fur.
 That she was Chilcote's wife Loder instinctively realized the moment she entered the room. But disconcerting confusion of ideas was all that fol- lowed the knowledge. He stood by the desk, silent and awkward, trying to fit his expectations to his knowledge. Then. faced by the hopelessness of the task, he turned abruptly and looked at her again.
 She had taken of her cloak and was standing by the fire. The compulsion of moving through life alone had set its seal upon her in certain self pos session, Il certain confidence of pose, yet her figure as Loder then saw it. backgrounded by the dark books and gowned In pale blue, had a suggestion of youthfulness that seemed q contra diction. The remembrance of Chil- cote's epithets "cold" and 'unsympa- thetic" came back, to him with some thing like astonishment. He felt no uncertainty, no dread of discovery and humiliation In her presence as he had felt in the maids, yet there was some thing in her face that made him infi- nitely more uncomfortable, look he could find no name for, friendliness that studiously covered another feel ing, whether question, distrust or ac- tual dislike he could not say. With a strange sensation of awkwardness he sorted Chilcote's letters, waiting for her to speak.
 As if divining his thought she turn ed toward him. I'm afraid rather intrude," she said. If you are busy
 His sense of courtesy was touched. He had begun life with high opinion of women. and the words shook up an echo of the old sentiment.
 Don't think that" he said hastily. T was only looking through-my let ters You mustn't rate yourself below letters" He was conscious that his tone was hurried, that his words were a little jagged. but Eve did not appear to notice. Unlike Greening. she tool. the new manner without surprise. She had known Chilcote for six years.
 .T dined with the Fraides tonight" she said. 'Mr. Fraide sent you a mes- sage.'
 Unconsciously Loder smiled. There was humor in the thought of a mes sage to him from the great Fraide. To hide his amusement he wheeled one of the big lounge chairs forward.
 indeed" he said. Wont you sit downT'
 They were near together now, and he saw her face more fully. Again he was taken aback Chilcote had spoken of her as successful and intelligent. but never as haautSuI. Yet her heauty was a rare and uncommon fact. Her hair was biack-nOt glossy black. but the dusky black that Is softer than any brown-her eyes were large and of a peculiarly pure blue. aLd her eyelashes were black, beautifully curved and of remarkable thickness