Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-14

course Of men, they came unexpected.
~ upon Fraide and Lady Sarah sur
rounded by group of friends. The
old statesman came forward instantly
and. taking Ioder'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 Lodcr had taken their
seats, he stepped to the edge Of the
curb. They were alone for the mo-
meut 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 long, affsc-
Tomato pressure; then he released them
and took Loder's hand.
Good night, Chllcote," he said. "You
have proved yourself worthy of her.
Good night" lie turned quickly and
rejolned 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 comes beforehand after. Some
I shadow of this truth was in Ewes
mind rs 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 sud
den happy rush. There had been no
need TO prcclptate its coming; 1t 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. its coming had been in
evltable. She opened her eyes sudden
/ ~ and looked out into the darkness the
darkness throbbing with multtudes 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
mainly. Again tears of pride and hap
piness filled her eyes. Then suddenly
the thing she had waited for came TO
pass.
conscious of his nearer presence, of his
strong, masterfu personality. With
thrill that caught her breath she felt
his arm about her shoulder and heard
the sound of his voice.
Eve" he said. Il love you. DO YOU
understands | love you," and, drawing
her close 10 him. he bent and kissed
her.
With Loder to do was to do fully
When he gave, he gave generously;
when he swept aside q barrier he left
no stone standing. lie had ben 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 one woman-as though they We're
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, with
the completeness OF purpose that he
gave to everything He had found
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 1t in flash of insplra-
ton as she stood waiting in the door
way of the gallery, but his own sur
render was a different matter.
AS the carriage passed around the cor
ner Of Whitehall and dipped into the