The Red Cloud chief., 1907-02-08
IloeNuNUED.l

how'll OH nlnl, ncr maid u pace or w
behind holding her cloak. The picture
she made struck upon his mind with
something Of a revelation.
On his first sight Of her she tad ap-
peaied to him as a strange blending Of
youth and self possession-a girl with q
woman's clearer perception OF life.
Later he had been dra wn to study her
IN other respccts-as a possible comrade
and friend. Now for the first time he
saw her AZ q power in her W world
a woman to whom no man could deny
consideration. She looked taller for
the distance between them. and the
distinction of her carriage added to the
effect. Her black gown vas exquisite
y soft-as soft as her black hair.
Above her forehead was a cluster of
splendid diamonds shaped like a coro-
net, and a band of the same stones en-
strtied her neck. Lodcr realized In a
glance that only the most distinguished
&f women could wear such ornaments
and not have her beauty cclipsed. With
Il touch Of the old awk wardness that
bad before assailed him In her pres
ence. he came slowly forward AZ she
ssascended the stairs.
Can Z help you with your doakr' he
asked, and as he asked 1t something
bike surprise ut his own timidity cross
81 his mind.
For a second Ewes glance rested OF
his face. Her expression was quite i'm
passive, but as she lowered her lashes
n faint gleam f1ickered across her eyes.
Nevertheless. her answer. when 1t
came, was studiously courteous.
Thank you," she said, "but Marie
Will do all I want"
then turned aside. He was not hurt by
his rebuff. Rather. by an interesting
sequence Of impressions, he vas stirred
nv II. The pride that had refused Chill
eote's help. and the self control that
had refused it graciously, moved him
- admiration. He understood and APP
yscciated both by the light of personal
experience.
The carriage is waiting. sir" Crap
hams voice broke in.
IOder nodded, and Eve turned to her
maid. THAT will do, Marie" she said.
a shall want a cup Of chocolate when
! get back. probably at 1 { O'clock" She
drew her cloak about her shoulders and
moved toward the door. Then she
paused md looked back. "Shall we
start?" she asked quietly.
L.oder, still watching her. came for
ward at once. Certainly" he said
with unusual gentleness.
lie followed her as she crossed the
foOtpath, but made no further offer OF
help, and when the moment came he
quietly took his place beside her In the
carriage. His last impression rs the
horses wheeled round was Of the open
hall door-Crapham in his somber liv
cry and the maid In her black dress
both s%ilhouetted against the dark back
ground of the hall: then as the carriage
moved forward smoothly and rapidly
ne leaned back In his seat and closet
mis- eyes.
During the first few moments of tn,
drive there was silence. To Loder there
was Il strange, new sensation in thl'
companionship, so close and yet so dis
tant. He was so near to I've that thu
slight fragrant scent from her clothes
might almost have belonged to his w
The impression was confusing, ye
vaguely delightful. 1t was years Sine
l ne had been so close to a m OF hi
own class. his own caste. lie acknOwl
edged the thought with a curious sens
Of pleasure. ~Involuntarily he turne'
and looked ut her.
She was sitting very straight, her fin
Troiile cut clear against the carriag
window, her diamonds quivering in tn
light that flashed by them from tn
street. For a space the sense of unreal
sty that had pervaded his first entranc
INTO Chilcote's life touched him again
then another and more potent feelin
rose TO qucll 1t. Almost involuntaril
as he looked at her his lips parted.
MAY | say something's" he asked.
Eve remained motionless. She di
not turn her head, as most wome
would have done. Say anything 20
Nike" she said gravely.
"Anything?" lie bent a little nearel
allied again by the inordinate wish I
dominate.
."Of course"
1t seemed to him that her vOic
sounded forced and a little tired. Fo
a moment he looked through the viii
dow at the passing lights; then slowl
his gaze returned to her face.
You look very beautiful tonight b
said. His voice was low and his maj
aer Unconditional. but his words had IN
effect he desired.
She turned her head, ana her eye
.A LIa IN a ~lanca n fssrfOG1tX an