The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-25

/ tened. But all the u-ae | thought or
nothing but their uselessness. Before
l left | promised TO do my best, but my
| thought was still the same. 1t was
| stronger than ever when / forced my
self 10 come up here She paused
again ana glanced at Ioder's ayerred
head. But | came. and then. as il by
conauering myself | had compelled Il
reward. you seemed. You somehow
seemed different 1t sounds ridiculous,
/ know" Her voice WAS half amused.
half deprecating. 1t wasn't a differ
ence in your face. though | knew direct
/ ~ that You were free from nerves"
Again she hesitated over the word. 1T
was difference in yourself. in the
things you said. more than in the way
you said them Once more she paused
and laughed a little.
I.oler's discomfort grew.
But it didn't affect me then" She
spoke more slowly. Il wouldn't admit
it then. Aud the next day when we
talked on the terrace l still refused to
admit il. though | felt it more strongly
than before. But | have watched you
since that day, and | know there is a
change Mr.. Fraiie feels the same,
and he is never mistaken. | know its
only nine or ten days. but I've hardly
seen you in the same mood for nine or
ten hours in the last three years" She
stopped, and the silence was impressive.
1t seemed to plead for confirma ton of
her instinct
Still Loder could find no response
After waiting for a moment che lean
ed forward in her chair and lSoked up
at him.
john she said. is it going to iast2
That's what / came TO ask l don't
want to believe till I'm sure l don't
want TO risk a new disappointment"
Loder felt the earnestness of her gaze,
though he avoided meeting it.
Il couldn't have said this to you a
week ago, but today / can. l don't
pretend to explain why. The feeling is
too inexplicable. l only know that 1
can say it now and that l couldn't
week ago. Will you understand-and
answer?''
Still Loder remained mute His posi-
ton was horribly incongruous. What
could he say? What dared he say?
Confused by his silence Eve rose.
If it's only a phase, don't try to hide
it," she said. but if it's going to last
If by any possibility it's going to
last She hesitated and looked up.
She was quite close to him. He would
have been less than man had he been
unconscious of the subtle contact of her
glance, the nearness of her presence,
and no one had ever limited that man.
hood was lacking in him. 1t was mo-
ment of temptation. His own energy,
his own intentions. seemed SO near,
Chilcote and Chilcote's claims so dis
tant and unreal. After all, his life, his
ambitions, his determinations, were his
own. He lifted his eyes and looked at
her
You want me to tell you that / will
go on?" he said.
Her eyes frightened She took a
step forward. Yes" she said; Il want
it more than anything in the world"
There was a wait The declaration
that would satisfy her came to Loder's
lips, but he delayed it. The delay was
fateful. While he stood silent the door
opened, and the servant who had
brought in the tea reappeared.
He crossed the room and handed Lo-
der a telegram. ANY answer, SIR" he
said.
Eve moved back to her chair. There
was a flush on her cheeks, and her eyes
were still alertly bright.
Loder tore the telegram open, read
it, then threw it into the fire.
mo answer he said laconically.
At the brusqueness of his voice Eve
looked up. ''Dlsagreeable newsT she
said as the servant departed.
He didn't look at her. He was watch
ing the telegram whitening in the CEN
ter of the fire.
NO" he said at last in a strained
voice. mo; only news that THAT /
had forgotten to expect