Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-03-21

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iii he had conquered. poignantiy
conscious of the appeal that
Ewes attitude made, found further en-
DURANGO 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. Il haven't
finished yet. l haven't said everything.
I'm going to tax your courage further
With touch of panied alarm, Eve
lifted her head "Furtherg" 3he said.
Loder shrank from the expression on
her face. sYes,s he said with difficulty,
sfhere's still another point to be faced.
The matter doesn't end with my going
back. To have the situation fully saved
Chilcote must return hilcote must be
brought to realize his responsibilities.
Ewes lips parted in dumb dismay.
at must be done." he went on hur-
riedIy, sand we have got to do it-you
and l." He turned and looked at her.
81? / could do nothing. What could
6lo?v Her voice failed.
Everything" he said. "You could do
everything. He is morally weak, but
he has one 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 you
to do this-to beg you to do this-that
came to you tonight know that it's
demanding more than a woman's reso.
lution-more than woman's strength.
But you are like no woman in the
Worldl
Eve" he cried, with sudden vehe-
menee, cant you see that it's impera-
tive-tbe one thing to save us both?"
He stopped abruptly as he had be-
gun, and painful silence filed the
room. Then, as before Eve moved in
sinctiyeIy toward him, but this time
her steps were slow and uncertain.
Nearing his side, she put out her hand
as if for comfort and support and, feel
ing his fingers tighten round 1t, stood
for moment resting in the contact.
~ understand" she said at last very
slowly. II understand. When viii you
fake me to him?''
For moment Loder said nothing,
not daring to trust his voice. Then he
answered low and abruptly. "NowF'
be said. Now, at once! Now, this
moment, If l may. And-and remem-
Der that 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 long, dark cloak lay as she
had thrown 1t on her return home, he
picked it up, walked to her side and
silently wrapped it 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
his duties since Loder's entrance, came
quickly forward with an offer of serv-
Ice.
But Loder dismissed him CURLY, and,
with something Of the confusion bred
Of Chilcote's regime, the man drew
back toward the staircase.
With a hasty movement Loder step
ped forward and opening the door
admitted breath Of chill air. Then
on the threshold he paused. It was his
first sign Of hesitation-the one instant
In which nature rebelled against the
conscience SO tardily awakened. He
stood motionless for moment, and 1t
is doubtful whether even Eve fully
fathomed the bitterness of his renun-
ciatIon-the blackness Of the night that
stretched before bis eyes.
Behind 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 interlopera mas
querader-he had played his part, lived
his hour, proved himgelf; as an inter-
loper he was now passing back into the
dim world Of unreallzed hopes and I'M
achieved ambitions.
BE 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 hanson wheeled around
the corner Of the square. The cabman,
seeing him, raised his whip in query,
and involuntarlly he nodded an acqui-
escence. A moment later he had helped
Eve into the cab.
middle Temple lane,' be directed,
pausing on the step.
Middle Temple lane is opposite Cliff
ford's inn," he explained as be 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
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