Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-03-14

she was successful III gaining her end.
For more than two hours she kept Lo-
her at her side. There may have been
moments in those two hours when the
tension was high, when the efforts she
made TO interest and hold him We're
somewhat strained But If this was so
1t escaped the notice of the one person
concerned. for it was long after tea
rad been served, long after Eve had
offered to do penance for her monopoly
Of him by driving him to Chilcote's
club. that Loder realized with any de-
gree of distinctness that it was she and
not he who had taken the lead in their
Interview; that it was she and not he
who had bridged the difficult silences
and given a fresh direction to danger
BUS channels of talk. 1t was long be-
fore lie recognized this, but it was still
longer before he realized the far more
potent fact that without any GOODNESS,
without any lessening of the subtle
consideration she always showed him,
she had given him no further opportu-
atty 1T aaaISing love.
Talking continuously, elated with the
sense of conflict still to come, he drove
with her to the club. Considering that
ariye in the light Of after events, his
own frame of mind invariably filed
him with incredulity. In the eyes OF
any sane man his position WAS not
worth an hours purchase, yet in the
blind self confidence of the moment he
would not have changed places with
Fraide himself The great song of self
was sounding in his ears as he drove
through the crowded streets, conscious
Of the cool, crisp air, of Eyes close
presence, of the numberless ininitesi-
NAL things that went to make up the
value of life It was this acknowledg
ment of personality that upheld him
the personality, the power that had
carried him unswervingIy through eley-
en- colorless years; that had impelled
him toward this new career when the
new career had first been opened to
him; that had hewn way for him in
this fresh existence against colossal
odds; the indomitable force that had
trampled out Chileote's footInarks in
public life, in private life-in love. 1t
was triumphant paean that clamored
in his ears, something persistent and
prophetic, with an undernote of men,
ace-the cry of the human soul that has
dared to stand alone.
His glance was keen and bright as he
waited for a moment at the carriage
door and took Ewes hand before enter
ing the club.
you're dining out tonightg' he said.
His fingers, always tenacious and mas
terful, continued to hold hers. The
compunction that had driven him tenn
porarily toward sacrifice mad passed.
His pride, his confidence and with them
his desire, had flowed back in full
measure
Eve, watching him attentiyely, paled
little. eyes," she said, sT'm dining
with the BramfelIs.''
ssWhat time viii you get homer" He
scarcely realized why he put the ques-
Hon The song of self still sounded
triumphantIy, and he responded with
out reflection.
His eyes held hers, his fingers press
ed her hand; the intense mastery of his
win passed through her in a sudden
sense of fear. Her lips parted in depre-
cation, but he, closely attentive of her
expression, spoke again quickly.
ssWhen can see you?" he asked very
quietly.
Again she was about to speak. She
leaned forward, as If some thought
long suppressed trembled on her lips,
then her courage or her desire failed
her. She leaned back, letting her lashes
droop over her eyes. 81 shall be home
at L." she said below her breath.
Loder dined with Lakeley at Chill
cotes club, and so absorbing were the
political interests Of the hour-the res
ignatfon of Sir Robert Scarborough. the
kings summoning Of Trade, the prob
able features Of the new ministry-that
it was after 8 o'clock when at last he
freed himself and drove to the Area
dian theater
The sound OF music came to him as
be entered the theater light, measured
music suggestive of tiny streams, toy
lambs and painted shepherdesses. It
sounded singularly inappropriate to his
mood-as inappropriate as the theater
itself with its gay gliding its pale
tones of pink and blue. 1t was the set
ting of a different worlda world Of
laughter, light thoughts and shallow
impulses, in which he had no part
It was the interval between the first
and second acts. The box was in
shadow. and Loders first impression
was Of voices and rustling skirts, bro
ken in upon by the murmu Of fire.
quent amused laughter. Later, as his
eyes grew accustomed to the light, he
distinguished the occupants. two wo-
men and man. The man was speak
ing as be entered, and the. story he
was relating was evidently interesting
from the faint ordinations Of cues
ton and delight that punctuated it in