Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-04-25

~ wished to evade or ward off,
she was successful in gaining her end.
For more than two hours she kept 10
der at her side. There may have been
moments in those two hours when the
made to interest and hold hin We're
somewhat strained. But if this was so
it escaped the notice Af the n person
concerned, for it was long after tea
had 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; th4t it was she and not he
who had bridged the difficult silences
and given a fresh direction to danger
ous channels of talk. 1t was long be-
fore be recognized this, but it vas 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-
nifty of making love.
Talking continuously, elated with the
sense of conflict still to come, he drove
with her to the club. Considering that
drive 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
of the cool, crisp air, of Ewes close
presence, of the numberless infnitesi-
NAL things that went to make up the
value of life. 1t was this acknowledge
ment of personality that upheld him
the personality, the power that had
carried him unswervingly through elev-
en- colorless years; that had impelled
him toward this new career when the
new career had first been opened to
him; that had hewn a way for him in
this fresh existence against colossal
odds: the indomitable force that had
trampled u Chilcote's footmarks in
public life, in private life-in love. 1t
was a 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.
Ills 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 tonight?" he said.
His fingers, always tenacious and mas
terful, continued to hold hers. The
conjunction that had driven him tenn
porarily toward sacrifice had passed.
His pride, his confidence and with them
his desire. had flowed back in full
measure.
Eve, watching him attentively, paled
a little. YES" she said, "I'm dining
with the Bramfells."
what time will you get home" He
scarcely realized why he put the ques.
ton. The song of self still sounded
triumphantly, and he responded with.
out reflection.
His eyes held hers, his fingers press
ed her hand; the intense mastery of his
will passed through her in a sudden
sense of fear. Her lips parted in depre
cation, but he, closely attentive of bel
expression, spoke again quickly.
when a 1 see you?" be 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. II shall be home
at H." she said below her breath.
Loder dined with Lakeley at Chill
cote's club, and so absorbing were thu
political interests of the hour-the res
ignation Of Sir Robert Scarborough, til,
kings summoning Of Fraide, the prob
able features of the new ministry-tha'
1t was after 8 o'clock when at last b,
freed himself and drove to the Area
dian theater.
The sound Of music came to him al