The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-02-07

lE,'ASA "AlAOue lAApdlleuce. linen at
last the sound of carriage stopping
before the house caused him to lift his
mead, and at the same instant Eve APP
peared at the head of the staircase
| She stood there for second, looking
down on him, her maid a pace or two
| Dehlnd holding her cloak. The picture
she made struck upon his mind with
something of revelation.
On his first sight of her she had ap-
pealed to him as strange blending of
youth and self possession-a girl with a
woman's clearer perception Of life.
Later he had been drawn to study her
III other respects-as possible comrade
and friend. Now for the first time he
saw ner as power in her own world
a woman to whom no man could deny
consideration. She looked taller for
the distance between them, and the
distinction of her carriage added to the
effect. Her black gown was exquisite
~ soft-as soft as her black hair.
Above her forehead was a cluster of
splendid diamonds shaped like a coro-
net, and band of the same stones en-
clrcled her neck. Loder realized in a
glance that only the most distinguished
Of women could wear such ornaments
and not have her beauty eclipsed With
touch of the old awkwardness that
mad before assailed him in her pres
ence, he came slowly forward as she
descended the stairs.
Gan help you with your cloak?" he
asked, and as he asked it something
like surprise at his own timidity cross
ed his mind.
For a second Ewes glance rested on
his face. Her expression was quite i'm
passive, but as she lowered her lashes
faint CLEAN f1ickered across her eyes.
nevertheless, her answer, when it
came, was studiously courteous,
"Thank you," she said, 'but Marie
will do all want.'
Loder looked at her for moment.
then turned aside. He was not hurt by
his rebuff. Rather, by an interesting
| sequence of impressions, he was stirred
| oy 1t. The pride that had refused Chill.
| cote's help, and the self control that
mad refused it graciously, moved him
TO admiration. He understood and an
| preclated both by the light of personal
experience.
1.-The carriage is waiting, sir" Crap
hams voice broke in.
Loder nodded, and Eve turned to her
maid. 'That will do, Marie" she said.
Il shall want cup Of chocolate when
l get back, probably at 1 O'clock" She
drew her cloak about her shoulders and
moved toward the door. Then she
paused and looked back. "shall we
| start?" she asked quietly.
Loder, still watching her, came for
ward at once. Certainly" he said,
with unusual gentleness.
lie followed her as she crossed the
footpath, but made no further offer Of
| help, and when the moment came he
quietly took his place beside her in the
carriage. His last impression as the
horses wheeled round was Of the open
hall door-Crapham in his somber liv-
| cry and the maid in her black dress,
both silhouetted against the dark back
ground of the hall; then as the carriage
| moved forward smoothly and rapidly
he leaned back in his seat and closed
his eyes.
During the first few moments of the
| drive there was silence. To Loder there
was a strange, new sensation in this
companionship, so close and yet so dis
tant. He was so near to Eve that the
| slight fragrant scent from her clothes
might almost have belonged to his own
The impression was confusing, yet
vaguely delightful. 1t was years since
ne had been so close to a woman Of his
own class, his own caste. He acknowl-
edged the thought with curious sense
| Of pleasure. Involuntarily he turned
| and looked at her.
She was sitting very straight, her fine
profile cut clear against the carriage
window, her diamonds quivering in the
light that flashed by them from the
street. For space the sense of unreal
ity that had pervaded his first entrance
into Chilcote's life touched him again;
then another and more potent feeling
rose to quell it. Almost involuntarily
as he looked at her his lips parted.
MAY say something's" he asked.
Eve remained motionless. She did
not turn her head, as most women
would have done. "Say anything you
like" she said gravely.
"Anything?" He bent little nearer,
filed again by the inordinate wish to
dominate.
"Of course"
It seemed to him that her voice
sounded forced and little tired For
moment he looked through the Win
dow at the passing lights; then slowly
his gaze returned to her face.
"You look very beautiful tonight he
said. His voice was low and his man
ner Unconditional, but his words had the
effect he desired.
She turned her head, and her eyes
met his in glance of curiosity and
surprise.
Slight as the triumph was, it thrilled
| h1