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

he had conquered. poignantly
IL conscious OF the appeal that
Ewes attitude made. found further en-
durance impossible. Gently freeing his
hand. he moved away from her 10 the
fireplace. taking up the position that
she had first occupied.
eve" he said slowly. Il haven't
finished yet. I haven't said everything.
I'm going 10 tax your courage further"
With a touch OF panied alarm. Eve
lifted her head Further" she said.
Loder shrank from the expression on
her face Yes" he said with difficulty.
"there's stin another point 20 be faced
The matter doesn't end with my going
back. To have the situation fully saved
Chllcote must return-Chilcote must be
brought 10 realize his responsibilities"
Ewes lips parted In dumb dismay.
ct must be DONE" he went on hur-
riedly. land we have got 20 do it-you
and J." He turned and looked at her.
'IG / could DO nothing What could
I doy" Her voice failed.
Everything" he said. You could do
everything. He is morally weak. but
be has one sensitive point-the fear Of
= public exposure. once make IL plain
10 him that you know his secret and
you can compel him 90 whatever course
or action you select. IL was 90 ask you
20 do this-to beg you 90 do this-that
came To you tonight. ] know that it's
demanding more than q vvoman's reSo-
lution-more than a woman's strength.
But you are like no woman IN the
world
Eve" be cried. with sudden vehe-
mence. cant You see that it's impcra-
uve-tbe one thing 90 save us bothY"
He stopped abruptly as he had be-
gun, and a painful silence filed the
room. Then. as before Eve moved In
Einctively toward him. but this time
her steps were slow and uncertain.
Nearing his side. she put out her hand
as II for comfort and support and. feel
Ing his fingers tighten round IL. stood
FOR moment resting in the contact
Il understand" she said at last very
slowly. i understand. When viii you
take me TO himT~
For q moment Loder said nothiag.
not daring % trust his voice. Then he
answered low and abruptly. "Nowr'
he said. "Now. nc oDcci Now. this
moment II / may. And-and remem-
Der that ] know what lt costs you"
AS II imbued with fear that his cour-
age might fall him. he suddenly re-
leased her hand. and. crossing the room
10 where a long. dark cloak lay as she
had thrown 10 ON her return home. he
picked II up. walked 20 her side and
silently wrapped Il about her. Then.
still acting automatically. he moved
20 the door. opened Il and stood aside
while she passed out into the corridor.
II complete silence they descended
the stairs and passed 20 the hall door.
There Crapham. who had returned to
his duties since Loder's entrance. came
quickly forward with an offer OF serv-
Ice.
But Lodcr dismissed him CURLY. and
with something OF the confusion bred
Of Chilcote's regime. the man drew
back toward the staircase.
With n hasty movement LOder step
ped forward and opening the door
admitted a breath OF chill air. Then
on the threshold he paused 1t was his
6rst sign OF hesltatlon-the one instant
In which nature rebelled against TIE
@C-nNANANN ~ ANAMlAN MMNktItU. lie
stood motiOnlcss for n moment and II
Is doubtful whether even Eve fully
fathomed the bitterness of his renun-
ciation-the blackneSs Of the night that
stretched before his eyes.
Behind him was everything; before
him nothing. The everything symbolic
ed by the luxurious honse. the eagerly
attentive servants, the pleasant atmos-
phere Of responsibility; the nothing rep
resented by the broad public thorough
fare. the passing figures. each uncon-
scious OF and uninterested In his exist
ence. AS an interloper he had entered
this house; as an interloper-a mas
querader-he had played his part. lived
his hour. proved himself: as an inter
loper be was now passing back into the
dim world OF unrealized hopes and IN
achieved ambitions.
he stood rigidly quiet. his strong flg-
ure silhonetted against the lighted hall.
his face cold and set: then. with
touch or fatality, chance cut short his
struggle.
An empty hanson wheeled around
the corner OF the square. The cabman,
seeing him. raised his whip in query,
and inyoluntarily he nodded an acquI-
essence. A moment later he had helped
Eve into the cab.
middle Temple lane" he directed,
pausing on the step
Middle Temple lane is opposite Cliff
fords inn." he explained as he took his
place beside her. when we get out
there we have only TO cross Fleet
street"
Eve bent her head In token that she
understood. and the CAB moved out
Into the roadway.
Within a few minutes the nelghbor-
hood Of GrosvenOr square was exchang-
cd for the noisier and more crowded
one OF Piccadiily. but either the cab
man was overcautious or the horse was
below the average. for they made but
slow progress through the more crowd
ed streets. To the two sitting in ST.
ience the pace was well nigh unbear-
able. With every added movement the
tension grew The methodical care
with which they moved seemed Ike
the tf0nfQninr NJ n string already