Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-30

he had found no need for either coercion or
entreaty BY power more subtle and ef-
fectfve than any at his command. Loder had
been prepared for his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ly ready with an acquieseence before his
appeal had been made 1t was the fruit of
this preparation 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, i'm
pressed him ii never failed TO do as he
crossed the large hall and assembled the
stairs-the same stairs that he mad passed
down almost as an outcast not so many
hours before. He was filled with the sense
of things regained; belief in his own star
lifted him as it had done hundred times
before in these same surroundings
He qu.ckened his steps as the sensation
came to him. Then, reaching the head OF
the stairs, he turned directly toward Eve s
sitting room, and. gaining the door. knock
ed The strength of his eagerness, the quick
beating of his pulse he waited for re-
Spouse, surprised him. He had told himself
many times that his passion. however
strong would never again conquer as it had
done two nights ago-atld the fact that he
had come thus candidly to Ewes room was
to his mind proof that temptation could
be dared. Nevertheless there was some
thing disconcerting to a strong man in this
merely physical perturbation; and when
Ewes voice came TO him. giving permission
to enter he paused for an instant to steady
ed the door and walked into the room.
The blinds were partly drawn, there was a
scent of violets On the air, and a fire glowed
warmly in the CRATE. He noted these things
carefully, telling himself that man should
always be alertly sensible of his surround
ings; then all at once the nice balancing OF
detail suddenly gave way. He forgot every
thing but the one circumstance that Eve
was standing in the window-her back to
the light, her face toward him. With his
pulses beating faster and an unsteady sem
sation in his brain. he moved forward hold
ing out his hand.
"Eve-?'' he said below his breath
But Eve remained rnotionless. IS he came
into the room she had glanced at him-a
glance of quick, searching question; then
with equal suddenness she had ayerted her
eyes. AS he drew close to her now, she re-
manned immovable-
Eve" he said again. IT wanted to see
you'll wanted TO explain about yesterday
and about this morning. He paused, sud-
denly disturbed. The full remembrance OF
the scene in the brougham had surged up
at the sight of her-had risen a fierce, UNI
quencbable recollection. Eve" he began
again in a new, abrupt tone.
And then ii was that Eve showed herself
in fresh light. From his entrance into
the room she had stayed motionless save
for her first glance of acute inquiry; but
now her demeaDor changed For almost
the first time in Loders knowledge of her
the vitality and force that he had vaguely
apprehended below her quiet serene ex-
terror sprang up like a flame within whose
radius things are Illuminated. With quick
gesture she turned toward him, her warm
color deepening. her eyes suddenly alight
i understand. she said; II understand
Don't try to explain. Can't you see that
it's enough toto see you as you are-?'
i.oder was surprised Remembering
their last passionate scene, and the darn-
per Chiicote's subsequent presence must
inevitably have cast upon it, he had ex-
pected to be doubtfuliy received; but the
reality of the reception left him be-
wsldered. Ewes manner was not that of
the ill-used-wife; its yehemence, its note
of desire and depreciation. were more
suggestive of his own Ardent SELLING of
the present. as distinguished from past
or future With an odd sense of con-
fusion he turned to her afresh.
Then am forgiven" he said. And I'M
consciously. as he mover nearer, he
foiched her arm.
At his touch she started. All the yield
ing sweetness, all the submission. that
had marked her two nights ago was
gone: in its place she was possessed by
curious excitement that stirred while II
perpIexed.
I.oder. moved by the sensation. took an
other step forward. Then am for
gttenT he repeated. more softly.
Her face was averted AZ he spoke but
he felt her arm culver: and whe4 at last
she lifted her head their eyes n1sk NsttAs9