Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-04-13

way did he dare 20 glance at Eve
though every movement every stir OF
her garments. was forced upon his
consciousness by his acutely awakened
senses.
When at last they drew up before
the dark archw0y Of Middle Temple
lane he descended hastily. and as he
mechanically turned 20 protect Ewes
dress from the wheel ne looked at her
fully for the first timc since their en-
terprise had been undertaken. As he
looked he felt his heart sink. He bad
expected 10 see the marks OF suffering
on her face. but the expression he saw
suggested something more than mere
mental pain.
All the rich color that usually deep
ened and softcned The charm OF her
beauty had been erased ms ~ by a
long Illness. and against the new pal
Tor OF her skin her blue eyes. her
black hair ANA eyebrows seemed
staruincly dark. a chill colder than
remorSc. q chill that borIcred upon
actual fear. touched Loder in that
moment With the first impulslve
gesture Dec had allowed himself. he
touched her arm.
Eve ho began unsteaduy. Then
the word lied OF his lips.
Without sound almos. without
movement she returned his glance. and
something n Der eyes checked what he
might have said. IN that one express
i've look he understood an she had de-
sired. all she had rcnouuced-the full
extent OF the otlosl she had consented
TO and the motive that had compelled
her consent he drew back with the
heavy SENSE that repentance and pity
were equally futilc-cqually out OF
place.
Suu in silence. she stepped 10 the
pavement ana stood aside while I.oder
dismissed che cab 10 both there was
somcth.ng symbolic. something prophet
ic, in the dismissal Without intention
and almost unconsciously they drew
closer together as the horse turned. its
hoofs Gathering on the roadway. Its
harness liuglug. and. stili without real
! ization, they looked after the vehicle as
il moved away down the long. shadow
ell thoroughfarc toward the lights and
the crowds that they had left. At last
involuntarily they turned toward each
other.
Come" Lodcr said abruptly. Its
only across the road"
Fleet street IS generally very quiet
once midnight Is passed and Eve had
no need OF guidance or protection as
they crossed the pavement. shining like
Ice In tho lamplight. They crossed Il
slowly. walking apart. for the dread OF
physical contact that had possessed
them IN the cab seemed TO have fallen
on them again.
Inquisitiveness has little place In the
region OF the city, and they gained the
( opposite footpath unnotlced by the cas-
ual passerby. Then. still holding apart.
they reached and entered Cllnord's Inn.
Inside the entrance they paused. and
Eve shlvered !nvoluntarily. How
gray Il is" she said family. And how
cold! Like a graveyard"
Loder turned 10 her. For one mo
ment control seemed shaken His blood
surged, his vision clouded. The sense
that life and love were still within his
reach filled him overwhelmingly. He
turned toward Eve: he half extended
his hands. Then. stirred by what I'M
pulse. moved by what instinct, 1t was
impossible TO say. he let them drop to
his sides again.
, way. Keep close to me. Pct your
hand on my arm"
He spoke quietly. but his eyes were
resolutely averted from her face as
they crossed the dim. silent court.
Entering the gloomy doorway that
led TO his own rooms he felt her I'm
gers tremble on his arm, then tighten
In their pressure as the bare passage
and cherries stairs met her view, but
he set his lips.
Gomez! he repeated In the same
strained voice. "COmel It isn't far
three or four flights"
With a white face and curious ex-
preston in her eyes Eve moved for
ward She had released LOder's arm
as they crossed the hall. and now,
reaching the stairs. she put out her
hand gropingly and caught the banls-
ter. She had panied. numb sense OF
submission. OF suffering that had sunk
to apathy. Moving forward without re-
sistance. she began TO mount the stairs.
The ascent was made In silence. Lo-
der went first his shoulders braced.
his head held erect Eve. mechanically
watchful OF all his movements, fol
| lowed a step or two behind. With
weary monotony one flight OF stairs
succeeded another. each to her unac-
custOmed eyes seeming more colorless
more solitary, more desolate than the
| preceding one.
Then at last with a sinking sense OF
apprehension. she realized that their
| goal was reached.
The knowledge broke sharply through
her dulied senses. and, confronted by
the cioseness OF her ordeal. she paused
her head lifted. her hand still nervous
ly grasping the banister. Her lips part.
ed as II In sudden demand for aid, but
in the nervous expectation. the panied
apprehension OF the moment, no sound
escaped them. Loder, resoluteiy cross
ing the landing. knew nothing OF the
silent appeal.
For a second she stood hesItating;
| then her own weakness. her own