Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-04-11

surrounded. Mel whose faces Loder
barely knew crowded about him. The
intoxication of excitement was still in
the air-the instinct that a new force
had made itself felt, a new epoch been
entered upon, stirred prophetically in
every mind.
Passing through the enthusiastic con-
course of men, they came unexpected
ly upon Fraide and Lady Sarah sur
rounded by a group Of friends. The
Die statesman came forward instantly
and, taking Loder's arm, walked with
him to Chilcote's waiting brougham.
He said little as they slowly made
their way to the carriage, but the pres
sure of his fingers was tense and an
unwonted color showed in his face.
When Eve and Loder had taken their
seats, he stepped to the edge of the
curb. They were alone for the mo-
meUo. and, leaning close to the car
riage, he put his hand through the
open window. In silence he took Ewes
fingers and held them in a long, affec-
tionate pressure; then he released them
and took Loder's hand.
Good night, Chilcote,'' he said. You
have proved yourself worthy Of her.
Good night" He turned quickly and
rejoined his waiting friends. In an
other second the horses had wheeled
round, and Eve and Loder were car
ried swiftly forward into the darkness.
In the great moments of mans life
woman ONE beforehand after. Some
shadow of this truth was in Ewes
mind as she lay back in her seat. with
closed eyes and parted lips. 1t seemed
that life came to her now for the first
time-came in the glad, proud. satisfy
ing tide of things accomplished. This
was her hour, and the recognition of it
brought the blood to her face in a sud
den happy rush. There had been no
need to precipitate it's coming; it had
been ordained from the first.
Whether she desired it or no, whether
she strove to draw it nearer or strove
to ward it off. it's coming had been in
evitable. She opened her eyes sudden
~ and looked out into the darkness. the
darkness throbbing with m%ultitudes of
lives, all waiting. all desiring fulfill
ment. She was no longer lonely, no
longer aloof. She was kin with all this
pitiful, admirable, shining, loving hui
manity. Again tears Of pride and hap
piness filled her eyes. Then suddenly
the thing she had waited for came to
pass.
Loder leaned close to her. She was
conscious of his nearer presence, of his
strong. masterful personality. With a
thrill that caught her breath she felt
his arm about her shoulder and heard
the sound of his voice.
GIVE" he said, 81 love you. Do you
understand? love you," and, drawing
her close to him. he bent and kissed
her.
With Loder, to do was to do fully.
When he gave. he gave generously:
when he swept aside a barrier, he left
no stone standing. He had been slow
to recognize his capacities, slower still
to recognize his feelings. But now that
the knowledge came he received it
openly. In this matter of newly com
pretended love he gave no thought to
either past or future. That they loved
and were alone was all he knew or
questioned. She was as much Eve
the n woman-as though they were
together in the primeval garden, and in
that spirit he claimed her.
He neither spoke nor behaved ex-
travagantly in that great moment OF
comprehension. He acted quietly, will
the completeness of purpose that be
gave to everything. He had found a
new capacity within himself, and he
was strong enough to dread no weak.
ness in displaying it.
Holding her close to him, he repeated
his declaration again and again, as
though repetition ratified it. He found
no need to question her feeling for him
he had OWNED it in a flash Of inspira.
ton as she stood waiting in the door
way of the gallery, but his W sur
render was a different matter.
AS the carriage passed around the cor
ner Of Whitehall and dipped into the
lfamc or flccadilly he bent down again
until her soft hair brushed his face, and
the warm personal contact, the slight
fresh smell of violets SO suggestive OF
her presence, stirred him afresh.
Eve" he said vehemently, do y0y
understand? Do you know that I have
loved you always-from the very
first" AS he said it he bent still
nearer, kissing her lips, her forehead