Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-26
XXV-Continued.


At his last words there was siience-the
silence that marks a genuine effect-then
all at once, with vehement, impressive
force, the storm of enthusiasm broke its
bounds.
II was one of those stupendous bursts of
feeling that no etiquette. no decorum is
powerful enough to quell AS he resumed
hks seat, very pale, but exalted as men are
exalted only once or twice in lifetime.
1t rose about him-clamorous, spontane-
Gus. undeniable. Near at hand were the
faces of his party. excited and triumphant;
across the house were the faces of Self
borough and his ministry. uncomfortable
and disturbed.
The tumult swelled. then fell away: and
In the 1hrtial lull that followed Fraide
leaned over the back of his seat. His
quiet, dignified expression was unaltered,
but his eyes were intensely bright.
Chilcote." he whispered, Il don't con-
graduate you-or myself. I congratulate
the country on possessing a great mani"
The remaining features of the debate
followed quickly one upon the other; the
electric atmosphere of the house possessed
a strong incentive power. Immediately
Loder's ovation had subsidized, the under
secretary for foreign affairs rose and in
Tended the attitude of the government.
Next came Fraide, who. in one of his rare
and polished speeches touched with much
feeling upon his personal grief at the news
reported from Persia, and made emphatic
Endorsement of Loder's words.
Following Fraide came one or two dis
sentient liberals. and then Scarborough HIM
self closed the debate. His speech was
mastery and fluent: but though any dis
quietude he may have felt was well dis
guised under tone OF reassuring ease. the
attempt to rehabilitate his position-already
weakened in more than one direction-was
a task beyond his strength
Amid extraordinary excitement the di-
vision followed-and with II government
defeat.
1t was not until half an hour after the
votes had been taken that Loder, freed at
last from persistent concentrations, found
opportunity to look for Eve. In accord
ance with promise made that morning. he
was 10 find her waiting outside the ladies'
gallery at the close of the debate.
Disengaging himself from the group OF
men who had surrounded and followed him
down the lobby he discarded the lift and
ran up the narrow staircase. Reaching the
landing. he went forward hurriedly; then
with a certain abrupt movement he paused
In the doorway leading to the gallery Eve
was waiting for him. The place was not
brightly lighted, and she was standing In
the shadow: but IL needed only a glance
to assure his recognition. He could al
most have seen In the dark that night, so
vivid were his perceptions. He took step
toward her. then again he stopped. In
second glance he realized that her eyes
were bright with tears: and 1t was with
tnt SENSATION lie fldu ever eX-
perienced that 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
tn Chilcote's place dominating the house;
81 had besieged him DANGEROUSLY as he
passed along the Hobbies amid a sea of
friendly hands and voices; now in the quiet
OF the deserted gallery ii came home to
MIN with deeper meaning from the eyes OF
Chilcote's wife.
Without thought he put out his hands
81 couldn't get away" he said. I'm
afraid I'm very late"
With smile that scattered her tears
Eve looked UP. Are your" she said. laugh
ing little II don't know what the time
is. / 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 another
little laugh of nervous happiness
At the foot of the stairs they were sur
rounded Men whose faces Loder barely
knew crowded about him. The intoxica-
tion of"excitement was still in the air-the
instinct that new force had made itself
felt. a new epoch been entered upon. stirred
prophetically in every mind.
Passing through the enthusiastic con-
course of men, they came unexpectedly
upon Fraide and Lady Sarah surrounded
by a group of friends. The old statesman
came forward instantly. and. taking Lo-
ders arm, walked with him to ChilcoteS
waiting brougham He said little as they
slowly made their way to the carriage
but the pressure of his fingers was
tense and an unwonrsd 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
moment and. leaning close to the carriage
he put his hand through the open window.
In silence he took Ewes fingers and held
them In a long. afectionate pressure: then
he released them and took Loder's hand.
Goodnight. Chilcote." he said. You
harro NpB
night" He turned quickly and reSoined his
waiting friends. In another second the
horses had wheeled round and Eve and
Loder were carried swiftly forward into
the darkness.
In the great moments of mans life wom-
al 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. satisfying tide of things ac-
cOmplished. This was her hour, and the
recognition OF II brought the blood to her
face in a sudden, happy rush. There had
been no need to precipitate its coming; 1t
had been ordained from the first Whether
she desired II or no, whether she strove to
draw II nearer or strove 70 ward IL off, its
coming had been inevitable.F She opened her
eyes suddenly and looked out into the dark
ness-tbe darkness throbbing with multi
ttIdes of lives. all awaiting. all desiring full
hmeut. She was no longer lonely, no long
CT alOoi. she was KIN Win all this pittful.
admirable SHINING. loving humanity. Again
tears ofpride and happiness filled her eyes.
Then suddenly the thing she had waited
for came to pass
Loder leaned close to her She was con-
scious 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. II love you. Do you UNI
derstand? / love YOU" And drawing her
close to him he bent and kissed her.
With Loder. to do was to do fully. When
he gave, he gave generously; when he swept
aside a barrier he left no stone standing
He had been slow, to recognize his capaci-
ties-slower still t6 RECOGNIZES his feelings
But now that the knowledge came he re-
ceived IL openly. In this matter of newly
cOmprehended 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 Eye-the one woman-as
though they were together In the primeval
garden; and In that spirit he claimed her
He neither spoke nor behaved extraya-
gantly in that great moment OF comprehen-
sion. He acted quietly, with the completes
ness OF purpose that he gave TO everything.
He had found new capacity within him
self. and he was strong enough TO dread no
weakness In displaying II.
Holding her close TO him. he repeated his
declaration again and again. as though rep
clifton ratified It. He found no need to