The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-03

case Reaching the landing. he wen
. forward hurriedly. Then with a certain
abrupt movement he paused. In thu
. doorway leading to the gallery Ev'
was waiting for him. The place wa,
not brightly lighted, and she was stand
ing in the shadow. but it needed only (
glance to assure his recognition. HI
could almost have seen in the dark tina
night. SO vivid were his perceptions
He took a step toward her, then AGAR
he stopped. In a second glance he real
lied that her eyes were bright with
fears, and 1t was with the stranges'
sensation he had ever experienced thai
the knowledge flashed upon him. Here
also he had struck the same note-the
long coveted note OF supremacy. 1t had
rung out full and clear as he stood in
Chilcote's place dominating the house
it had besieged him DANGEROUSLY as be
passed along the lobbieS amid sea OF
friendly hands and voices; now in the
quiet of the deserted gallery 1t came
home to him with deeper meaning from
the eyes of Chilcotos wife.
Without thought he put out his
hands and caught hers.
Il couldn't get away" he said. 'Pm
afraid I'm very late"
With smile that scattered her tears,
Eve looked UP. Are youY she said.
laughing little. II don't know what
the time is. I scarcely know whether
it's night or day
Still holding one Of her hands, he
drew her down the stairs, but as they
reached the last step she released her
fingers.
''In the carriage" she said, with an.
other little laugh Of nervous happiness.
At the foot of the stairs they were
surrounded. Men whose, faces Loder
barely knew crowded about him. The
intoxication of excitement was still In
the air-the instinct that new force
had made itself felt. new epoch been
entered upon. stirred prophetically in
every mind.
Passing through the enthusiastic con
course of men. they came unexpected
ly upon F'raide and Lady Sarah sur
rounded by a group of friends. The
old statesman came forward instantly
and, taking Loder's arm, walked with
him to Chilcote's waiting brougham
He said little as they slowly made
their way to the carriage, but the pres.
sure of his fingers was tense and an
unwonted color showed in his face
When Eve and Loder had taken their
seats. he stepped to the edge OF the
curb. They were alone for the mo
ment. and, leaning close to the car
riage. he put his hand through the
open window. In silence he took Ewes
fingers and held them in long. affec-
=, 81
and took Loder's hand.
Good night. Chilcote" he said. you
have proved yourself worthy OF her.
Good night" He turned quickly and
rejoined his waiting friends. In an
other second the horses had wheeled
round. and Eve and Loder were car
ried swiftly forward into the darkness.
In the great moments Of mans life
woman comes beforehand after. Some
shadow OF this truth was in Ewes
mind as she lay back in her seat, with
closed eyes and parted lips. 1t seemed
that life came to her now for the first
time-came in the glad. proud, satisfy
Ing tide of things accomplished. This
was her hour. and the recognition OF it
brought the blood to her face in a sud
den happy rush. There had been no
need to precipitate its coming; 1t had
been ordained from the first.
Whether she desired it or no. whether
she strove to draw 1t nearer or strove
to ward 1t OF. its coming had been In
evitable. She opened her eyes sudden
ly and looked out into the darkness. the
darkness throbbing with multitudes of
lives. all waiting. all desiring fulfill
hn
longer aloof She was kin with all this
pitiful. admirable. SHINING. loving hu-
mainly. Again tears Of pride and hap
pipess filed her eyes. Then suddenly
the thing she had waited for came to |
pass.
Loder leaned close to her. She was |
OF his nearer presence, OF his |
strong, masterful personality. With a |
thrill that caught her breath she felt |
his arm about her shoulder and heard |
the sound Of his voice.
Eve" he said, IT love you Do you |
understand? 1 love you" and. drawing |
her close TO him. he bent and kissed /
her.
With Loder. to do was to do fully. |
When he save. he gave generously: |
when he swept aside barrier, he left |
no stone standing. He had been slow
to recognize his capacities, slower still
to recognize his feelings. But now that
the knowledge came he received Ii
openly. In this matter Of newly COM
pretended love he gave no thought to
either past or future That they loved
and were alone was all he knew or
questioned She was as much Eve
the one woman--as though they were
together In the primeval garden, and IN
that spirit he claimed her.
He neither spoke nor behaved ex-
ira gantly in that great moment Of /.
He acted quietly, with
the completeness Of purpose that he
gave TO everything. He had found a
new capacity within himself. and he
was strong enough to dread no weak
ness in displaying it.
Holding her close to him. he repeated
his declaration again and again. as
though repetition ratified it. He found
10 need to question her feeling for him
he had OWNED IL In a fash Of inspira-
lion rs she stood waiting in the door
way Of the gallery. but his own sur
-onLor a diRoropf altar