The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-05-03

had found no nee. To- either clercioa
or entreaty. by q power more subt.e
and effective than any n his command
Loder had been prepared for bis com
ing-urcOasciovsly ready with an ae-
Quiescelce before his appeal had been
made. 1t was the fruit OF this prepare
ton, the inevitable outcome OF II. that
strengthened bis step and steadied his
hand as he mounted the steps and
opened the hall door OF Chllcote's house
on that eventful afternoon.
The dignity. the air Of quiet solidity.
impressed him as IL never failed to do.
as he crossed the large hall and ascend
I'd the stalrs-the same stairs that be
bad passed down almost as an outcast
not 50 many hours before. He was I'LL
ed with the sense of things regained.
Belief In his own star lifted him. as IL
had done a hundred times before In
these same surroundings.
He quick ened his steps as the sensa-
don came to him. Then. reaching the
head Of the stairs, he turned directly
toward Ewes sitting room and. gaining
the door, knocked. The strength Of his
eagerness, the quick beating of his
pulse as he waited for a response. sur
prised him. He had told himself many
times that his passion, however strong,
would never again conquer as 1t had
aoue two nights ago. and the fact that
be had come thus candidly to Ewes
room was to his mind a proof that
temptation could be dared. Neverthe-
less there was something dIsconcerting
to a strong man In this merely physical
perturbation, and when Ewes voice
came to him, giving permission b en-
Ter, he paused for an instant to steady
himself. Then, with sudden decision.
be opened the door and walked into
die room.
The blinds were partly drawn, there
was a scent Of violets in the air, and
Gre glowed warmly in the CRATE. He !
aoted these things carefully, telling |
himself that man should always be |
alertly sensible Of his surroundings. |
Then all at once the nice balancing Of |
detail suddenly gave way. He forgot |
everything but the one circumstance that
ave was standing In the window, her
hack to the light, her face toward him.
With his pulses beating faster and an
unsteady sensation In his brain, he NOV
ID forward. holding out his hand.
Eve he said below his breath.
But Eve remained motionleSs. As he
eame into the room she had glanced at
alma glance of quick. searching ques-
don, then with equal suddenness she
Aad averted her eyes. As he drew close
10 her now she remained immOvable.
Eve he said again. Il wanted to
zee you-I wanted to explain about yes
lertIay and about this morning" He
paused, suddenly disturbed The full
OF the scene in the
brougham had surged up at sight of
her-had risen a fierce. unquenchable
Eve he began again q
In new, abrupt tone. I
And then II was that Eve showed d
herself in fresh light From his en- q
rance into the room she had stayed /
save for her first glance Of Il
acute inquiry, but now her demeanor ,
hanged. For almost the first time In Il
Loder's knowledge Of her the vitality | C
md force that he had vaguely appre b
,ended below her quiet, serene exte- o
'ior snrang up like a fame within o
Who's, radius things are Illuminated. G
With quick gesture, she turned to- g
yard him, her warm color deepening, a
Ter eyes suddenly alight.
II understand" she said--"T under \
tand Don't try to explain. Can't a
ou see that it's enough TOTO see you o.
q you are Il
heir last passionate scene and the p
amper Chilc0te's subsequent presence "
AUST inevitably have cast upon II, he e.
ad expected to be doubtfully received, u
ut the reality of the reception left him O.
ewildered. Ewes manner was not
nat of the III used wife. It's vehe- "
renee, Its note Of desire and deprecia- "
on, were more suggestive of his own n
rdent seizing Of the present as distin- o.
uIshed from past or future. With an hi
id sense of confusion he turned to her al
fresh. W
Then am forgiven" he said. And bl
as he moved nearer he W
,uched her arm. #
At his touch she started. All the W
Ielding sweetness, all the submission, th
lat had marked her two nights ago Of
as gone In its place she was pos pr
,ssed by a curious excitement that M
Tired while ii perplexed va
Loder, moved by the sensation, took M
lother step forward. Then l am tn
rgivenr he repeated more softly. ca
Her face was averted as he spoke en-
1t he felt her arm culver, and when bill
last she lifted her head their eyes ne
ct Neither spoke, but In an instant bill
oder's arms were around her. thi
For a long silent space they stood Cd
'lding each other closely. Then, with trs
sharp movement, Eve freed herself. pu
er color was still high, her eyes still wa
ctiiiarly bright, but the bunch Of vio- In
Is she had worn in her belt had fallen pr,
the ground. &C,
John" she said quickly, hut on the dai