Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-05-09

he had conquered, poignantly
~ conscious Of the appeal that
lives attitude made, found further en-
durance impossible. Gently freeing his
hand. he moved away from her to the
fireplace, taking up the position that
She had first occupied.
"Eve," he said slowly, II haven't
finished yet. 1 haven't said everything.
I'm going to tax your courage further"
With a touch of panied alarm, Eve
lifted her head. "Further?" she said.
Loder shrank from the expression on
her face. Yes" he said with difficulty,
t4stthere's still another point to be faced.
The matter doesn't end with my going
back. To have the situation fully saved
phicote must return-Chilcote must be
brpnght. TO realize bis responsibilities"
,.EBye's lips parted In dumb dismay.
1T must be DONE" he went on hur-
ried1y, land we have got to do it-you
and1." He turned and looked at her.
ri? / could do nothing. What could
I.do?" Her voice failed.
TsEverything," he said. You could do
everything. He is morally weak, but
he has n sensitive point-the fear Of
A,public exposure. Once make it plain
to him that you know his secret and
you can compel him to whatever course
Of action you select. 1t was to ask o
to do this-to beg you to do this-that
Icame to you tonight. l know that it's
demanding more than Il woman's reso-
%lption-more than a woman's strength.
But you are like no woman in the
world!
1--WE" he cried, with sudden vehe-
mence, cant you see that It's impera-
tye-the one thing to saw us both?'
He stopped abruptly as he had be-
gun, and q painful silence filled the
room. Then, as before, Eve moved in
sinctively toward him, but this time
her steps We're slow and uncertain.
Nearing his side, she put out her hand
as II for comfort and support and, feel
ing his fingers tighten round it, stood
for a moment resting in the contact.
II understand" she said at last very
slowly. Il understand. When will you
take me to him?'
For a moment Loder said nothing,
not daring to trust bis voice. Then he
answered low and abruptly. "Now..'
he said. Now, at once! Now, this
moment, if may. And-and remem-
Der that l know what it costs YOU
AS if imbued with fear that his cour-
age might fail him, he suddenly re-
leased her hand, and, crossing the room
to where Il long, dark cloak lay as she
had thrown it on her return home, he
picked 1t up, walked to her side and
silently wrapped 1T about her. Then,
still acting automatically, he moved
to the door. opened it and stood aside
while she passed out into the corridor.
In complete silence they descended
the stairs and passed to the hall door.
There Crapham, who had returned to
bis duties since Loder's entrance, came
quickly forward with an offer of serv-
zee.
But Loder dismissed him curtly, and,
with something of the confusion bred
Of Chilcote's regime, the man drew
back toward the staircase.
With a hS;ty movement Loder step
ped forward and opening the door
admitted a breath of chill air. Then
ON the threshold he paused. 1t was his
first sign of hesitation-the one instant
IN which nature rebelled against the
conscience so tardily awakened. He
stood motionless for a moment, and it
1s doubtful whether even Eve fully
fathomed the bitterness of his renun-
c%iation-the blackneSs of the night that
stretched before his eyes.
chin him was everything; before
him nothing. The everything symbolic
ed by the luxurious house, the eagerly
attentive servants, the pleasant atmos-
phere of responsibility; the nothing rep
resented by the broad public thorough
fare, the passing figures, each uncon-
scious of and uninterested in his exist
ence. AS an %interloper he had entered
this house; as an interloper-a mas
~querader-he had played his part, lived
bis hour. proved himself; as an inter
loper he was now passing back into the
dim world of unrealized hopes and I'M
achieved ambitions.
He stood rigidly quiet, his strong fig
ure %silhouetted against the lighted hall,
his face cold and set; then, with a
touch Of fatality, chance cut short his
struggle.
An empty ransom wheeled around
the corner of the square. The cabman,
seeing him, raised his whip in query,
and Involuntary he nodded an acqui-
escence. A moment later he had helped
Eve into the cab.
middle Temple lane" he directed,
pausing on the step.
Middle Temple lane is opposite Cliff
ford's inn." he explained as he took his
) place beside her. when we get out
there we have only to cross Fleet
street"
Eve bent her head in token that she
understood, and the cab moved out
into the roadway.
Within a few minutes the neighbor-
hood Of Grosvenor square was exchang-
ed for the noisier and more crowded
n of Piccadilly, but either the cab
man was overcautious or the horse was
below the average, for they made but
slow progress through the more crowd