The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-01

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him. Turning, he saw Eve.
She was standing quite still, looking
down upon him as she had looked once
before. AS their eyes met she changed
her position hastily.
You are going out?" she asked. And
it struck Loder quickly that there was
suggestion, shadow of disappoint-
ment in the tone of her voice. Moved
by the impression, he responded with
unusual promptness.
EYES," he said. I'm dining out
dining with Lakeley''
She watched him intently while he
| spoke; then, as the meaning of his
words reached her her whole face
| frightened.
with Mr.. Lakeley" she said "Oh,
I'm glad-very glad. 1t is quite-quite
another step" She smiled with a warm,
impulsive touch Of sympathy.
Loder, looking up at her, felt his
senses stir. At sound of her words his
secret craving for success quickened to
stronger life. The man whose sole in
centive lies within may go forward
coldly and successfully; but the man
who grasps a double inspiration, who,
even unconsciously. is impelled by an
other force, has stronger impetus for
attack, surer, more vital hewing
power. Still watching her, he answer
ed instinctively:
yes" he said slowly, "a long step"
And, with smile of farewell he turn
ed, opened the door and passed into the
road.
The thrill OF that one moment was
cf; ha epor
dens and mounted the steps of No. 80
so vitality warm that he paused for an
instant before pressing the electric
bell. Then at last, dominated by antici-
patton, he turned and raised his hand.
The action was abrupt, and it was
only as his fingers pressed the bell that
a certain unexpectedness. certain
want of suitability In the aspect Of the
house, struck him. The door was white;
the handle and knocker were Of mass
i've silver. The first seemed a disap-
pointing index of Lakeley's private
taste, the second a ridiculous tempta-
ton to needy humanity. He looked
again at the number of the house, but
it stared back at him convincingly.
Then the door opened
So keen was his sense Of unfitness
that, still trying to fuse his impression
of Lakeley with the idea of silver door
fittings, he stepped into the hall with
out the usual preliminary question.
Suddenly realizing the necessity, he
turned to the servant, but the man fore |
stalled him:
will you come into the white room,
81 r. fa1x
The smooth certainty of the mans !
manner surprised him. 1t held another /
SAVIOR of disappointment, seeming as
little in keeping with the keen, bust |
nesslike Lakeley as did the house. Still |
struggling with his impression. he al |
lowed himself to be relieved Of his hat |
and coat and in silence ushered up the
shallow staircase.
AS the last step was reached it came
to him again to mention his hosts
name, but simultaneously with the sug-
gestion the servant stepped forward
with a quick, silent movement and
threw open door.
'Mr. Chilcotew he announced in
subdued, discreet voice
Loder's first impression was Of q
room that seemed unusually luxurious,
soft and Swallowed. Then all impress
sion Of inanimate things left him sud
denly.
For the fraction Of second he stood
in the doorway, while the room seemed
emptied of everything except a figure
that rose slowly from a couch before
the fire at sound Of Chilcote's name.
Then, with a ealmness that to himself
seemed incredible, he moved forward
into the room.
He might, OF course. have beaten a
retreat and obviated many things, but
life is full of might have beens. and re-
treat never presents itself agreeably to
a strong man. His impulse was to face
the difficulty, and he acted on the inn
pulse.
Lillian had risen slowly, and as he
neared her she held out her hand
Jack" she exclaimed softly, how
sweet Of you to remember"
The voice and words came to him
with great distinctness, and as they
came one uncertainty passed forever
from his mind-the question as to
what relation she and Chilcote held to
each other. With the realization came
Of his own difficulty his face hardened.
Lillian ignored the coldness. Taking
MS hand she smiled. You're unusual
y punctual," she said. But your
hands are cold. Come closer to the
ire"
Loder was not sensible that his
hands were cold, but he suffered him.
'elf to be drawn forward.
One end of the couch was in fire. !
light, the other in shadow. BY a for .
innate arrangement of chance Lillian ,
selected the brighter end for herself .
Ind offered the other to her guest. ;
With quick sense Of respite he ac- .
'epted 1t. At least he could sit secure
rom detection while he temporized !
With fate. ,
For a moment they sat silent, then ,
Lillian stirred. won't you smoker"
he asked.
Everything in the room seemed soft ;
md enervating-the subdued glow of
he fire, the smell OF roses that hung :
bout the air and, last of all, Lillian's /.