Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-02-28

delicacy, her subtle attraction, she
might well be the outcome Of imagi-
nation. But with Eve 1t was different.
She also was graceful and attractive,
but it was grace and attraction Of a
different order. One was beautiful
with the beauty Of the white rose
that springs from the dollhouse and
withers at the first touch Of cold; the
other with the beauty Of the wild rose
on the cliffs above the sea, that keeps
its petals fine and transparent in face
Of salt spray and wet mist. Eve, too,
had her realm, but 1t was the realm
Of real things. A great confidence, a
feeling that here one might rely even
Il all other faiths were shaken, touched
him suddenly. For a moment he stood
i~rresolute, watching her mount the
stairs with her easy, assured step.
Then a determination came to him.
Fate favored him tonight; he was In
luck tonight. He would put his for
tune to one more test. He swung
across the hall and ran up the stairs.
His face was keen with interest as
he reached her side. The hard outline
of his features and the hard grayness
Of his eyes were softened as when he
had paused to talk with akeley. Action
was the breath of his life. and his face
changed under it as another's might
change under the influence of stirring
music or good wine.
Eve saw the look and again the un-
easy expression Of surprise crossed her
eyes. She paused, her hand resting
on the banister.
Loder looked at her directly. will
you come into the study as you came
that other night? There's something 1
want to say" He spoke quietly. He
felt master of himself and her.
She h%esitated, glanced at him and
then glanced away.
"Will you comeY' he said again.
And as he said it his eyes rested on
the sweep of her thick eyelashes, the
curve Of the back hair.
At last her lashes lifted and the per-
plexity and doubt in her blue eyes
stirred him Without waiting for her
answer. he leaned forward.
"say yes!' he urged. II don't often
ask for favors."
Still she hesitated. Then her decision
was made for her. With a new bold
ness he touched her arm, drawing her
forward gently but decisively toward
Chilcote's rooms.
In the study q fire burned brightly,
the desk was laden with papers, the
lights were nicely adjusted, even the
chairs were in their accustomed places.
Loder's senses responded to each sug-
gestion. 1t seemed but a day since he
had seen it last. 1t was precisely as he
had left 1.-THE niche needing but the
a
To hide his emotion he crossed the
floor quickly and drew a chair for
ward. In less than six hours he had
run up and down the scale of emotions.
He had looked despair in the face till
the sudden sight of Chilcote had lifted
him to the skies: since then surprise
had assailed him in it's strongest form;
he had known the full meaning Of the
word risk" and from every contin-
gency he had con out conqueror. He
bent oyer the chair as he pulled it for
Yard to hide the expression in his
eyes.
"Sit down." he said gently.
Eve moved toward him. She moved
slowly, as if half afraid. Many emo
tons stirred her-distrust, uncertainty
and a curious half dominant, half sup
pressed questioning that it was difficult
to define. Loder remembered her
shrinking GOODNESS, her reluctant toler-
ance on the night of his first coming,
and his individuality, his certainty Of
power, kindled afresh. Never had be
been so vehemently himself; never had
Chilcote seemed so complete a shadow.
AS Eve seated herself he moved for
ward and leaned over the back Of his
chair. The impulse that had filed him
In his interview with Renwick, that
had goaded him as he drove to the re-
ception, was dominant again.
Il tried to say something as we drove
to the Bramfells' tonight" he began.
Like many men who possess %eloquence
for an impersonal cause, he was
brusque, even blunt, in the stating of
his W case. May I bark back, and
go on from where I broke OFF,
Eve half turned. Her face was still
puzzled and questioning. "Of course.'
She sat forward again, clasping her
hands.
He looked thoughtfully at the back
OF her head, at the slim outline OF her
shoulders, the glitter of the diamonds
about her neck.
DO you remember the day, three
weeks ago, that we talked together in
This room-the day a great many things
seemed p%ossible?"
This time she did not look round.
She kept her gaze upon the fire.
DO you remembers" he persisted
quietly. In his college days men who
heard that tone Of quiet persistence
had been wont to lose heart. Eve
heard it now for the first time and.
without being aware, answered to it.
Eyes I ra~momhor - che co;a