Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-02

tue stalFS anu LOOK up ms poSltlun III the hall. Resolution is strong word to apply to such proceeding, but something in his bearing, in the atti- tude of his shoulders and head, in- stinctively suggested 1t
 Five or six minutes passed, but he
 waited without impatience. Then al
 last the sound of carriage stopping
 before the house caused him to lift his
 head, and at the same instant Eve ap-
 peared at the head of the staircase.
 She stood there for second, looking
 down on him, her maid pace or two behind holding her cloak. The picture
 she made struck upon his mind with
 something of revelation.
 On his first sight of her she had ap- pealed to him as strange blending of youth and self possession-a girl with a woman's clearer perception of life. Later he had been drawn to study her in other respects-as a possible comrade and friend. Now for the first time he saw her as q power in her own world a woman to whom no man could deny considera ton. She looked taller for the distance between them, and the distinction of her carriage added to the effect Her black gown was exquisite ly soft--as soft as her black hair. Above her forehead was cluster of splendid diamonds shaped like a coro- net, and band of the same stones en- circled her neck. Loder realized ill glance that only the most distinguished of women could wear such ornaments and not have her beauty eclipsed. With a touch of the old awkwardness that had before assailed him in her pres ence, he came slowly forward as she descended the stairs.
 ''Can help you with your cloak?" he asked, and as he asked 1t something like surprise at his own timidity cross ed his mind.
 For second Eve's glance rested on his face. Her expression was quite inn passive, but as she lowered her lashes a faint gleam fickered across her eyes. Nevertheless, her answer, when 1t came, was studiously courteous.
 ''Thank you,' she said. but Marie will do all want"
 Loder looked at her for a moment, then turned aside. He was not hurt by his rebuff. Rather, by an interesting sequence of impressions, he was stirred by it. The pride that had refused Chil- cote's help, and the self control that had refused it graciously, moved him to admiration. He understood and ap- preclated both by the light of personal experience.
 ''The carriage Is waiting, sir" Crap-' hams voice broke in.
 Loder nodded, and Eve turned to her maid. That will do. Marie," she said. '1 shall want cup of chocolate when I get back, probably at o'clock" She drew her cloak about her shoulders and moved toward the door. Then she paused and looked back. Shall we start?" she asked quietly.
 Loder, still watching her. came for ward at once. Certainly be said, with unusual gentleness.
 He followed her as she crossed the footpath, but made no further offer of help. and when the moment came he quietly took his place beside her in the carriage. His last impression as the horses wheeled round was of the open hall door-Crapham in his somber llv- cry and the maid in her black dress, both silhouetted against the dark back ground of the hall; then as the carriage moved forward smoothly and rapidly he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
 During the first few moments of the drive there was silence To Loder there was strange. new sensation in this companionship. so close and yet so dis tant. He was so near to Eve that the slight fragrant scent from her clothes might almost have belonged to his own. The impression was confusing. yet delightful It was years since he had been so close to a woman of his own class, his own caste. He acknowl- edged the thought with a curious sense of pleasure. Involuntarily he turned and looked at her.
 She was sitting very straight. her fine profile cut clear against the carriage window. her diamonds quivering in the light that flashed by them from the street. For a space the sense of unreal ity that had pervaded his first entrance Into Chilcote's life touched him again: then another and more potent feeling rose to quelI it. Almost involuntarily as he looked at her his lips parted.
 May say somethinsT" he asked.
 Eve remained motionless. She did not turn her head. as most women would have done. Say anything you like" she said grayely.
 "Anythingg" He bent a little nearer. filled again by the InOrdinate wish to dominate.
 '-Of course-
 It seemed to him that her voice sounded forced and a little tired. For a moment he looked thrc-gh the win low at the passing lights: then slowly bis gaze returned tO her face
 "You look very beautiful tonight be said His voice was low and his man her unemOtOnel. but his words had the effect he desired
 She turned her head and her eyes net his in q glanoe of curiosity and surprise.
 Slight as the triumph was. 1t thrilled him The srzsH scere with Chilcote's rales eane Lack to him: his own per