Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-09

yet fast The citation OF his last Jour
ney over the same ground was temper
ed by feelings be could not satisfac-
torily 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. still following the
routine OF his previous return. he did
not halt at Chllcotes door. but moved
onward toward Ewes sitting room and
there paused
10 that pause his numberless irreg-
ular thoughts fused into one.
lie had the same underlined sense or
standing upon sacred ground that had
touched him on the previous occasion.
but the outcome OF the sensation was
different This time he raised his
hand almost Immediately and tapped
on the door
He waited. but no voice responded
to his knock. With sense Of disap-
pointment be knocked again: then,
pressing his determination still fur
Their. he turned the handle and entered
the room.
No private room Is without mean
ing. whether trivial or the reverse. In
a room perhaps more even than Ia
speech. IN look or in work does the
Impress or the Individual make itself
felt There on the wax OF outer things
the inner self impriuts its seal. en-
forces It's deeting claim TO separate in
dlviduality. This thought. with its
arresting interest. made Loder walk
slowly. almost seriously. halfway
across the room and then pause to
study his surroundings.
The room was OF medium slze-nos
too large Tor comfort and not too small
for ample space. AT first impression
It struck him as unlike any anticipa-
ton OF woman's sanctum. The walls
paneled In dark wood. the richly
bound books. the beautifully designed
bronze ornaments. even Che flowers.
deep crimson and violet blue I'm tone. had
an air OF somber harmony that was
scarcely feminine With a strangely
pleasant impression he realized this.
and following his habluual impulse.
moved slowly forward toward the Gre
place and there paused. his elbow rest
ing on the mantelpiece
He had scarcely settled comfortably
into his position, scarcely entered on
his second and more comprehensive
study OF the place. than the arrange
ment 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 aud
walked into the room quickly: then. as
Loder bad done. she. too paused.
The gesture. SO natural and sponta-
neOus. had q peculiar attraction. AS
she glanced up az him. her face allght
with inquiry. she seemed extraordi-
narily much the owner and designer
OF her surroundings. She was framed
by them as naturally and effectively
as her eyes aud her face were framed
by her black hair. For one moment
he forgot that his presence demanded
explanation; the next she had made
explanation needless. She had been
looking at him intently; now she came
forward slowly.
john she said. half In appeal. half
IN question
He took step toward her. Look
az me-" he said quietly and lnvolun-
tarily. In the sharp desire TO estab-
lsh himself IN her regard he forgot
that her eyes had never left his face.
T-ff tho fra,r..rr.rrff,r - e.. ,....4-
not strike her. "Oh," she exclaimed.
IL believe I knew directly saw
you here" The quick ring OF life Vi
brating In her tone surprised him. But
he had other thoughts more urgent
than surprise
In the i've days OF Punishment Just
lived through the need for readjust-
ment OF his position with regard 10
her had come &c him forclbly. The
memory OF the night when weakness
and he had been at perilously close
quarters had returned TO him persist
emily and uncomfortably. spelling the
remembrance OF his triumph. II had
been we'll enough 10 smother the
thought Of that night In days OF work.
But had the ignoring OF it blOtted out
the weakness2 Had 10 not rather
thrown il into holder relief2 A man
strong in his own strength does not
turn his back upon temptation. He
faces and Quells il. In the solitary days
In Clidord'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 10 which. after much con
slderatiOn be bad found a solution. sat
isfactory at least TO himself When
next Chilcote called him II was nota-
bic that he had used the word when
and not "if" When next Chilcote cafled
him he would make new departure. He
would no longer avoid Eve He would
successfully prove TO himself that one
interest and one alone filed his mind
the pursuance OF Chilcote's political
career. So does man satisfactorily CON
vince himself against himself. lie had
this intention fully in mind as he came
forward now.
We'll" he said slowly. has IL been
very hard 60 have faith these last five
days| IL was not precisely the tone
be had meant fO adonf ht,t ono NM.