The Princeton union., 1907-01-31
But at hers Loder changed color.
Author of "The Circle Etc

WOfld, she said. Its quite incred-
ible, and yet I can't deny it. Against
all my reason, all my experience, all
my inclination, I seem to feel in the
last week something Of what felt at
first" She stopped with an embar-
rassed laugh. 1T seems that, as if by
magic, life has been picked up where I
dropped it six years ago." Again she
stopped and laughed.
Loder was keenly uncomfortable, but
he could think Of nothing to say.
1T seemed to begin that night dined
with the Fraides," she went on. 'Mr.
Fraide talked so wisely and so kindly
about so many things. He recalled all
we had hoped for in you, and-and he
blamed me little" She paused and
laid her cup aside. "He said that when
people have made what they call their
last effort they should always make just
one effort more. He promised that if I
could once persuade you to take an in
terest in your work he would do the
rest. He said all that and thousand
other kinder things, and I sat and lis
tened. But all the time I thought Of
nothing but their uselessness. Before
I left I promised to do my best, but my
thought was still the same. It was
stronger than ever when I forced my
self to come up here"- She paused
again and glanced at Loder's averted
head. "But came, and then, as if by
conquering myself I had compelled
reward, you seemed, you somehow
seemed different. It sounds ridiculous,
I know" Her voice was half amused,
half deprecating. 1T wasn't differ
ence in your face, though I knew direct
~ that you were free from nerves."
Again she hesitated over the word. 1T
was a difference in yourself, in the
things you said, more than in the way
you said them." Once more she paused
and laughed little.
Loder's discomfort grew.
"But it didn't affect me then.' She
spoke more slowly. II wouldn't admit
it then. And the next day when we
talked on the terrace I still refused to
admit it, though I felt it more strongly
than before. But have watched YOU
since that day, and know there is a
change. Mr.. Fraide feels the same,
and he is never mistaken. I know it's
only nine OF ten days, but I've hardly
seen you in the same mood for nine or
ten hours in the last three years. She
stopped, and the silence was impressive.
It seemed to plead for confirmation of
her instinct
Still Loder could find no response.
After waiting for a moment she lean
ed forward in her chair and looked up
ut him.
"John,' she said, 'is it going to last?
That's what l came to ask. I don't
want to believe till Pm sure. I don't
want to risk a new disappointment"
Loder felt the earnestness Of her gaze,
though he avoided meeting it.
Il couldn't have said this to you
week ago, but today I can. 1 don't
pretend to explain why. The feeling is
too inexplicable. I only know that
can say it now and that 1 couldn't
week ago. Will you Understandable
answer?'
Still Loder remained mute. His posi-
tion was horribly incongruous. What
could he say? What dared he say?
Confused by his silence, Eve rose.
IF it's only phase, don't try to hide
it," she said. But if it's going to last
If by any possibility it's going to
last She hesitated and looked up.
She was quite close to him. He would
have been less than man had he been
unconscious of the subtle contact of her
glance, the nearneSs of her presence,
and no one had ever limited that man
hood was lacking in him. 1t was mo-
ment of temptation. His own energy,
his own intentions, seemed so near
Chilcote and Chilcotes claims so dis
tant and unreal. After all, his life. his
ambitions, his determinations, were his
own. He lifted his eyes and looked at
her
You want me to tell you that I will
go on?' he said. +.
Her eyes frightened. She took a
step forward. YES" she said; II want
1t more than anything in the world"
There was a wait The declaration
that would satisfy her came to Loder's
lips, but he delayed it. The delay was
Hateful. While he stood silent the door
opened, and the servant who had
brought in the tea reappeared.
He crossed the room and handed Lo-
der telegram. ANY answer sir?' he
said
Eve moved back to her chair. There
was flush on her cheeks, and her eyes
were still alertly bright.
Loder tore the telegram open, read
it, then threw it into the fire.
mo answerH' he said laconically.
At the brusqueness Of his voice Eve
looked up. ''Disagreeable news?' she
said as the servant departed.
. He didn't look at her. He was watch.
ing the telegram whitening in the cen
ter Of the fire.
"No," he said at last in a strained
voice. mo; only news that THAT ]
had forgotten to expect