Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-09

vaded his domain. and he wondered what
this new departure might mean.
His thought OF her had been less vivid in
the last few days; for. though st.ll using
steady discretion. he had oeen drawn grad
uaily nearer the fascinating whiriwind Of
new interests and new work Shut his
eyes as he might. there was 40 denying that
this moment so personally vital to him.
was politically vital to the whole country:
and that by curious coincidence Chill
cote's position well-ntgh forced him to take
an active interest in the situation. Again
and again the suggestion had arisen that
should the smouldering Are in Persia break
Into a flame, Chileote's commercial inter-
ests would facilitate, would practically
compel. his standing In IN the campaign
against the government
The little incident OF thu tea-tabie. re-
calling the social side OF his obligations.
had aroused the realization OF greater
things As he stood meditatively IN the
middle OF the room he saw suddenly how
absorbed he had become II, these greater
things. How. in the swing OF congental
interests, he had been borne iasensbly for
ward-his capacities expanding his intelli-
sence asserting itself. He had so unde-
niably found his sphere that the Idea OF
usurpation had receded gently as by nat
urai laws. until his own personality had
begun to color the days work
AS this knowledge came he wondered
Quickly II II held a solution OF the present
little comedy: II Eve had seen what others.
he knew, had observed-that Chlleote was
SHC"!iS u grasp OF t1lugs tnat ne nad not
exhibited for years. Then. as sound of
skirts came softly down the corridor hs
squared his shoulders with his habltuai
abrupt gesture and threw his cigar into tina
fire.
Eve entered the room much as she had
done on her former visit. but with one diff
ference. In passing Loder she quietly held
out her hand.
He took it as quietly why am I go
henored?" he said
She laughed a little and looked across
at the fire. How like a man, You always
want to begin with reasons Lets have tea
nrst and explanations after" She moved
forward toward the table and he fol-
lowed. As he did so, II struck him
that her dress seemed in peculiar har-
mony with the day and the room, though
beyond that he could not follow Its details
AS she paused beside the table he drew
forward chair with faint touch of awk-
wardness
She thanked him and sat down.
He watched her in silence as she poured
out the tea, and the thought crossed his
mind that 1t was incredibly long since he
The dizziness of her fingers filed him with
an unfamiliar. half-inquisltive wonder. So
interesting was the sensation that, when
she held mis- cup toward him. he didn't i'm
mediately see it.
Don't you want any," She smiled lit
tie.
He started. embarrassed by his own tar
diness. I'm afraid I'm dull ne said.
I've been So
SO keen a worker IN the last week."
For moment he felt relieved. Then. as
a fresh silence fell his sense of awkward
ness returned He slipped his tea and ate
biscuit. He found himself wishing, for al
most the first time. for some Of the small
society talk that came so pleasantly TO
other men. He felt that the position was
ridiculous He glanced at Ewes averted
head and laid his empty cup upon the table.
Almost at once she turned and their eyes
met.
John, she sid. do you guess at all
why I wanted to have tea with your
He looked down at her No" he said,
honestly and without establishment.
The curtness Of the answer might have
displeased another woman. Eve seemed 10
take no offense.
II had talk with the FFaides today
she said; "a long talk. Mr. Fraide said
great things of you-thinss l wouldn't have
believed from anybody but Bfr. Fraides. %
She altered her position and looked from
Loder's face back into the fire
He took a step forward. what things
he said. He was almost ashamed OF the