Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-23

stinctively suggested IT,
Five OF six inmates passed. but he
waited without impatience. Then at
last the sound Of a carriage stopping
before the house caused him 70 lift his
head. and at the same instant Eve ap-
peared at the head Of the staircase.
She stood there for a second. looking
down on him. her maid a pace OF two
behind holding her cloak. The picture
she made struck upon his mind with
something OF a revelation.
On his first sight Of her she had ap-
pealed TO him as a strange blending OF
youth and self possession girl with
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 power in her own world
a woman 10 whom no man could deny
4 consideration. She looked taller for
the distance between them. and the
distinction OF her carriage added 20 the
effect Her black gown was exquisite
ly soft-as soft as her black hair.
+ Above her forehead was a cluster OF
splendid diamonds shaped like a corO-
net aud a band OF the same stones en-
circled her neck. Ioder realized in a
glance that only the most distinguished
or women could wear such ornaments
and not have her beauty cclipsed with
a touch OF the old awkwardness that
had before assailcd him I'm her pres
ence. BE came slowly forward rs she
descended the stairs.
"Can 1 help you with your cloak7" he
asked. and as NE asked it something
Ike surprise az his own timidity Cross
ed his mind.
For n second Ewes glance rested on
his face. Her expression was quite I'm
passive. but as she lowered her lashes
faint CLEAN hickercd across her eyes.
Nevertheless. her answer. when Il
came. was studiously courteous
THANK YOU" she said. "but Marie
viii DO all ! want"
Loder looked az her Tor a moment.
then turned aside lie was not hurt by
his rebuff Rather. by an interesting
sequence OF Impressions he was stirred
by IL. The pride that had refused Chill
cote's help. and the self control that
had refused il graciously. moved him
20 admiration He understood and ap-
preciated both by the light OF personal
experience.
The carriage is waiting. sir" Crap
hams voice broke in.
LOder nodded. and Eve turned 10 her
maid. THAT will do. Marie" she said.
l y shall want a cup Of chocolate when
/ get back. probably at l o'clock" She
drew her cloak about her shoulders and
moved toward the door. Then she
| paused and looked back "Shan we
/ startT" she asked quietly.
LOder. still watching her. came for
ward at once Certainly" be said.
with unusual gentleness.
lie 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
/ hail dO0r-Crapham IN his somhe- ny-
/ cry and the maid I'm her black dress,
/ both silhouetted against the dark back
I 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 or the
| drive there was silence. To Loder there
was a strange. new sensation in this
! cOmpanionship, so close and yet so dis
tant He was SO near 10 Eve that the
slight fragrant scent from her clothes
1 might almost have belonged 10 his own.
I The impression was confusing. vet
/ vaguely delightful. IL was years since
| he had been SO close 10 a woman OF his
own class, his own caste. He acknowl-
edged the thought with curious sense
Of pleasure. Involuntary he turned
4 and looked at her.
She was sitting very straight, her fine
profile cut clear against the carriage
window. her diamonds qulvering In the
light that flashed by them from the
street For n 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 10 quell it, Almost involuntarily
as he looked at her his lips parted.
MAY | say sOmething?" he asked.
i've remained motiOnless. She did
not turn her head, as most women
would have done. Say anything you
like" she said graveIy.
Anything" He bent little nearer,
filed again by the inordinate wish to
dominate
"Of course"
II seemed to him that her voice
sounded forced and a little tired. For
a moment he locked through the win
dow at the passing lights; then slowly
] his gaze returned TO her face.
You look very beautiful tonight" he
said. His voice was low and his man
ner Unconditional, but his words had the
effect he desired.
She turned her head, and her eyes
met his In a glance of curiosity and
surprise.
Slight as the triumph was. It thrilled
him. The small scene with Chilcote's
valet came back TO him; his own per
sonality moved him again to a reck-
less determination TO make his own
voice heard. Leaning forward, be laid
his hand lightly on her arm.
Eve" he said quickly-"Eve. do you
remember Then he paused and