Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-04-12


der 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 were
somewhat strained But II this was so
1t escaped the notice Of the one person
concerned, for 1t was long after tea
had been served, long after Eve had
offered to do penance for her monopoly
of him by driving him to Chilcotes
club, that I4oder realized with any de-
gree Of distinctness that II 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 sllences
and given fresh direction to danger
Gus channels of talk 1t was long be-
fore he recognized this, but 1t 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-
nifty of making love.
Talking continuously, elated with the
with her to the club. Considering that
drive In the light Of after events, his
own frame of mind invariably filled
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 Ewes close
presence, of the numberless infinitesi-
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 way for him in
this fresh existence against colossal
odds; the indomitable force that had
trampled out Chilcote's footmarls 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 asmoment at the carriage
door and took Ewes hand before enter
ing the club.
You're dining out tonight?" he said.
Ills 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 attentiyely, paled
little. YES" she said, Pm 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 sudden
sense Of fear Her lips parted In depre-
cation, but he, closely attentive of her
expression, spoke again quickly.
when 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. II shall be home
at H." she said below her breath.
Loder dined with Lakeley at Chill
cote's club, and SO absorbing were the
political interests of the hour-the res
ignation of Sir Robert Scarborough, the
kings summoning of Fraide, the prob
able features of the new ministry-tha
1t was after 8 o'clock when at last he
freed himself aud drove to the Area
dian theater.
The sound of music came to him as
he entered the theater-light, measured
music suggestive Of tiny streams, toy
lambs and painted shepherdesses. 1t
sounded singularly inappropriate to his
mood-as inappropriate as the theater
itself with It's gay gliding. its pale
tones of pink and blue. 1t was the set
ting of different world-a world Of
laughter. light thoughts and shallow
impulses, in which he had no part.
! 1t was the interval between the first
and second acts. The box was in
shadow, and Loder's first Impression
was Of voices and rustling skirts, bro
ken in upon by the murmur 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 he entered, and the story he
was relating was evidently interesting
from the faint EXPLANATIONS Of ques-
ton and delight that punctuated it in
the listeners higher, softer voices.
"Ah, here comes the legislator" ex-
claimed Leonard Kaine, for 1t was he
who formed the male element in the
party.
1.-The revolutionary, Lennie." Lillian
corrected softly. "Bramfell says he
has changed the whole face Of things
She laughed softly and meaningly as
she closed her fan. $50 good Of you to
come, Jack" she added. Let me in
troduce you to Miss Esseltyn. | don't