Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-20
XXI.

street to Grosvenor square. He walked
steadily. neither slowly nor yet fast. The
citation of his last journey over the same
ground was tempered by feelings he could
not satisfactorily bracket even to himself.
There was less of vehement elation and
more of matured determination In his gait
and bearing than there had been on that
night. though the incidents of which they
were the outcome were very complex.
On reaching Chilcote's house he passed
upstairs; but, etill following the routine of
his previous return, ne did not halt at
Chiicote's door. but moved onward towards
| Ewes sitting room and there paused
In that pause his numberless Irregular
thoughts fused into one.
He had the same underlined sense of stand
Ing upon sacred ground that had touched
him on the previous occasion. but the out
come OF the sensation was different rms
time he raised his hand almost immediate
ly and tapped on the door.
He waited. but no voice responded to his
knock. With sense of disappointment he
Knocked again; then, pressing his deterrni-
nation still further, he turned the handle
ana entered the room.
No private room is without meaning
whether trivial or the reverse. In a room,
perhaps more even than in speech, in look
or in work, does the impress of the individ-
ual make itself felt. There, on the wax of
outer things, the inner self imprfnts its seal
dividuaity. This thought, with its arrest
ing interest, made Loder walk slowly, al
most seriously, halfway across the room
and then pause to study his surroundings.
The room was OF medium size-not too
large for comfort and not too small for
ample space At first impression 1t struck
him as unlike any anticipation of wo-
man s sanctum The walls paneled in dark
wood, the richly bound books, the beauti-
fully designed bronze ornaments even the
bowers. deep crimson and violet-blue in
tone, had air of somber harmony that
was scarcely feminine. With strangely
pleasant impression he realized this, and,
following his habitual impulse, moved slow
ly forward toward the fireplace and there
paused, his elbow resting on the mantel-
piece
He had scarcely settled comfortably into
his position, scarcely entered on his sec
ond and more comprehensive study of the
place. than the arrangement of his mind
was altered by the turning of the handle
and the opening of the door.
The newcomer was Eve herself. She was
dressed in outdoor clothes and walked into
the room quickly; then, as Loder had done,
she too paused.
had a peculiar attraction. AS she glanced
up at him, her face alght with inquiry, she
seemed extraordinarily much the owner
and designer of her surroundings, She was
framed by them as naturally and effective
ly as her eyes and her face were framed
by her black hair. For one moment he
forgot that his presence demanded ex-
PLANTATION; the next she had made explain
alton needless. She had been looking at
him intently; now she came forward
slowly.
"John?" she said, half in appeal, half in
question.
lie took step toward her. '.r.ook at me-
he said quietly and involuntarfly. In the
sharp desire to establish himself in her re-
gard he forgot that her eyes had never left
his face
Eut Sha Incopyr,,itv If tho ,.-or.. a,a ,,o+
strike her. OH she exclaimed, IL be-
lieve / knew, directly I saw you here"
The quick ring of life vibrating in her tone
surprised him, but he had other thoughts
more urgent than surprise
In the five days of banishment just lived
through the need for readjustment of his
position with regard to her had come to
him forcfbiy. The memory of the night
when weakness and he had been at peril
ously close quarters had returned to him
persistently and UNCOMFORTABLE, spelling
the remembrance of his triumph. 1t had
been well enough to smother the thought
of that night in days Of work But had
the ignoring of it blotted out the weak
ness? Had it not rather thrown 1t into
holder relief? A man strong in his own
strength does not turn his back upon temp
tation: he faces and quells it. In the soli-
tary days in Clifford's Inn in the solitary
night hours spent in tramping the city
streets. this had been the conviction that
had REQUIRED again and again this the
problem to which, after much consider
alton, he had found soluton-satis-
factory at least to himself. When next
Chilcote called HINT was notable
that ne had used the word when
and not If When next Chilcote called
him he would make a new departure He
would no longer avoid Eve: he would sue
cessfuiiy prove to himself that one interest
ard one alone filled his mind-the pur-
suance of Chilcote's political career So
does man satisfactorily convince himself
against himself. He had this intention fully
in mind as he came forward now
well. he said. slowly has 1t been
very hard to have faith-these last five
daysf" 1t was not precisely the tone he
had meant TO adopt; but one must begin.
Drumming with life, her cheeks still touched
to deep, soft color by the keenness of the
wintry air.
No" she answered. with shy. respon-
sive touch Of confidence. Il seemed to keep
on believing. You know converts make the
best deyotees-" She laughed with slight
embarrassment, and glanced up at him
Something in the blue of her eyes reminded
him Unexpectedly Of spring skies-full of
youth and promise.
lie moved abruptly, and crossed the room
| towards the window. Eve he said,
without looking round Il want your helm -
He heard the faint rustling of her dress
as she turned toward him. and he knew
that he had struck the right chord. All
true women respond to an appeal for aid
as steel answers to the magnet He could
feel her expectancy In the silence.
"You know-we all know-that the pres
ent moment is very vital That it's impos-
sible to deny the crisis in the air Nobody
feels 1t more than I do-nobody is more ex-
brilliantly keen to have share-a part
when the real fight comes" He stopped
then he turned slowly and their eyes met
IF man Is to succeed in such DESIRE"
he went on. deliberately. .he must exclude
all others-he must have one purpose one
interest, one thought. He must forget
that"
Eve lifted her head quickly. that he
has wife, she finished. gently. II think
I understand"
There was no annoyance in her face or
voice. no suggestion of self1shness or of
hurt vanity. She had read his meaning
with disconcertfng clearness, and responded
with disconcerting generosity. A sudden
and very human dissatisfaction with his
readjustment scheme fell upon Loder. OPP
position is the whip to action: too-ready
acquiescence the slackened rein.
did say that7" he asked, quickly. The
| tone was almost Chilcote's.
She glanced up; then a sudden, incompre-
hensib1e smile lighted up her face.
"You didn't say. but you thought" she
answered gravely. Thoughts are the same
as words TO woman. That's why we are
so unreasonable" Again she smiled. Some
idea. battling and incomprehensible to
Loder, was stirring In her mind.
Conscious of the impressjon he moved