Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-04-25
these same SURROUNDINGS.

He quickened his steps as the sensa-
ton came to him. Then, reaching the
head CT the stairs, he turned directly
toward Ewes sitting room and, gaining
the door, knocked. The strength of his
eagerness, the quick beating Of his
pulse as be waited for q response, sur
prised him. He had told himself many
times that his passion, however strong,
would neve again conquer as 1t had
done two nights ago, and the fact that
he had come thus candidly to Ewes
room was to his mind a proof that
temptation could be dared. Neverthe-
less there was something disconcerting
to a strong man in this merely physical
perturbation, and when Ewes voice
came to him, giving permission to en-
ter, he paused for an instant to steady
himself. Then, with sudden decision.
he opened the door and walked into
the room
The blinds were partly drawn, there
was a scent of violets in the air, and q
fire glowed warmly in the crate. He
noted these things carefully, telling
himself that a mar should always be
alertly sensible Of his surroundings.
Then all at once the nice balancing of
detail suddenly gave way. He forgot
everything but the one circumstance that
Eve was standing in the window, her
back to the light, her face toward him.
unsteady sensation in his brain, he NOV
ed forward, holding out his hand.
Give he said below his breath.
But Eve remained motionless. AS he
came into the room she had glanced at
him-a glance of quick, searching ques-
ton, then with equal suddenness she
had averted her eyes. AS he drew close
to her now she remained immovable.
Eve he said again. II wanted to
see you'll wanted to explain about yes
terday and about this morning" He
paused, suddenly disturbed. The full
remembrance of the scene in the
brougham had surged up at sight Of
her-had risen a fierce, unquenchable
recollection. Eve he began again
in a new, abrupt tone.
And then it was that Eve showed
herself in a fresh light. From his en-
trance into the room she had stayed
m%otionless, save for her first glance of
acute inquiry, but now her demeanor
changed. For almost the first time in
Loder's knowledge Of her the vitality
and force that he had vaguely appre-
hended below her quiet, serene exte-
rt0y cy,porp NV 1il,a n Q0rro yyt{hiy,
whose radius things are Illuminated
With a quick gesture, she turned to.
ward him, her warm color deepening
her eyes suddenly alight.
II understand" she said-'I under
stand. Don't try to explain. Can't
you see that it's enough toto see yor
as you are"-
Loder was surprised. Remembering
their last passionate scene and the
damper Chilcote's subsequent presence
must inevitably have cast upon it, hi
had expected to be doubtfully received
but the reality Of the reception left hin
bewildered. Ewes manner was no
that of the i'll used wife. Its vehe
mence, it's note of desire and deprecia
lion, were more suggestive Of his owl
ardent Selling Of the present as distin
guished from past or future. With al
odd sense of confusion he turned to he
afresh.
"Then l am f~oraiven?" he said. AM
unconsciously as he moved nearer h,
touched her arm.
At his touch she started. All til,
yielding sweetness, all the submission
that had marked her two nights ag'
was gone. In its place she vas pos
sessed by a curious excitement tina
stirred while it perpleXed.
Loder, moved by the sensation, tool
another step forward. "Then l an
forgiven" he repeated more softly.
Her face was averted as he spoke
but he felt her arm CULVER, and whe,
at last she lifted her head their eye
met. Neither spoke, but in an instan
Loder's arms were around her.
For a long silent space they stoo
holding each other closely. Then. wit
a sharp movement, Eve freed herself
Her color was still high. her eyes sti.
peculiarly bright, but the bunch of vic
lets she had Worn in her belt had falle
to the ground.
"John," she said quickly, but on tn
word her breath caught. With a touc
of NERVOUSNESS she stopped to pick u
the flowers.
Loder noticed both voice and gestur,
"What is it"' he said. "What wer
you going to say?'
But she made no answer. For a SCI
ond longer she searched for the violet!
then as he Dent to assist her she stoo
up quickly and laughed-a short, en-
b%arrassed laugh.
How absurd and ervou 1 ami" sh
exclaimed. Like a schoolgirl instea