The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-05

tilueieSS- 1O" lie pTOpOceu ~ III
this. how he proposed to come out tri-
umphant in face of such situation.
was a matter that as yet was shape
less in his mind; nevertheless the dan
ger, the sense OF impending conflict,
had a SAVIOR Of life after the inaction
of the day and night just passed. Chill
cote in his weakness and his entangle-
ment had turned to him. and he in his
strength and capacity had responded
to the appeal.
His step was firm and his bearing as
sured as he turned into Grosvenor
square and walked toward the familiar
house.
The habit of self deceit is as insidi-
GUS and tenacious as any vice. For one
moment on the night of his great
speech as he leaned out of Chilcote's
carriage and met Chilcote's eyes Loder
had seen himself and under the shock
of revelation had taken decisive action.
But in the hours subsequent to that
action the plausible, inner voice had
whispered increasingly. soothing his
wounded self esteem. rebuilding stone
by stone the temple of his egotism, I'M
til at last when Chilcote. panic stricken
at his own action. had burst into his
rooms ready to plead or to coerce he
had found no need for either coercion
or entreaty BY q power more subtle
and effective than any at his command
Loder had been prepared for his COM
ng-unconsciously ready with an ac-
quiescence before his appeal had been
made. 1t was the fruit of this prepara-
ton. the inevitable outcome of it. that
strengthened his step and steadied his
hand as he mounted the steps and
opened the hall door of Chilcote's house
on that eventful afternoon.
The dignity, the air of quiet solidity,
impressed him as it never failed to do,
as he crossed the large hall and ascend
ed the StairS-the same stairs that he
had passed down almost as an outcast
not SO many hours before. He was fill
ed with the sense of things regained.
Belief in his own star lifted him, as 1t
had done q hundred times before in
these same surroundings.
He Quickened his steps as the sensa-
ton came to him. Then, reaching the
head of the stairs. he turned directly
toward Ewes sitting room and. gaining
the door, knocked. The strength of his
eagerness. the quick beating OF his
pulse as he waited for a response, sur |
prised him. He had told himself many |
times that his passion, however strong,
would never again conquer as it had /
done two nights ago, and the fact that |
he had come thus candidly to Ewes
room was to his mind a proof that |
could be dared. Neverthe-
less there was something disconcerting
to a strong man in this merely physical
perturbation, and when Ewes voice
came o~him, giving permission to en-
ter. he paused for an instant to steady
himself. Then, with sudden decision.
he opened the door and walked into
the room.
The blinds were partly drawn, there
was a scent of violets in the air, and
Gre glowed warmly in the CRATE. He
noted these things carefully, telling
himself that a man should always be
alertly sensible Of his surroundings.
Then all at once the nice balancing OF
letail suddenly gave way. He forgot
every thing but the one circumstancet that
Eve was standing in the window, her
back to the light, her face toward him.
With his pulses beating faster and an
l
ID forward, holding out his hand.
Eve he said below his breath.
But Eve remained motionless. As he
,ame into the room she had glanced at
lima glance of quick. searching ques
ion, then with equal suddenness she
lad averted her eyes. AS he drew close
o her now she remained immovable.
Eve he said again. 81 wanted to
zee you'll wanted to explain about yes
erday and about this morning" He
suddenly disturbed. The full
remembrance of the scene in the
had surged up at sight Of
ler-had risen a fierce, unquenchable
Eve he began again
a q new, abrupt tone.
And then 1t was that Eve showed
.erself in a fresh light. From his en-
rance into the room she had stayed
save for her first glance of
cute inquiry, but now her demeanor
hanged. For almost the first time in
4oders knowledge of her the vitality |
nd force that he had vaguely appre
ended below her quiet, serene exte-
ior sprang up like a fame within
whose radius things are Illuminated
With a quick gesture, she turned to-
yard him, her warm color deepening,
er eyes suddenly alight.
II understand" she said-'I under
tand- Don't try to explain. Can't
on see that it's enough toto see you
8 you are
Loder was surprised. Remembering
heir last passionate scene and the
amper Chilcote's subsequent presence
lust inevitably have cast upon it. he
ad expected to be doubtfully received,
ut the reality of the reception left him
ewildered. Ewes manner was not G
nat of the i'll used wife Its yehe-
lence its note of desire and deprecia- S
on, were more suggestive of his oN n C
rdent seiZing of the present az distin- Q
lisned from past or rurure. with an
Id sense Of confusion he turned to her :.
resi- :
"Then am forgiven" he said. And !,
as he moved nearer he +
uched her arm. ;
At his touch she started. All the
Gliding sweetness, all the submission, .
at had marked her two nights ago i