Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-09

orusque sentences and overc0nddent
manner faded out. and he faced facts
steadily.
With the return OF his calmness ne
took = long survey OF the room. His
glance frightened appreciatively as it
| Travelled FROM the walls lined with well
J bound books to the lamps modulated TO
the proper light; from the lamps TO the
desk fitted with every requirement
Nothing was lacking An he had once
possessed. all he had since dreamed OF.
was here. but on a greater scale. To
enjoy the Injuries of life a man must
go long without them. Loder had lived
severely-so severely that until three
weeks ago he had believed himself ex-
empt from the temptations OF hui
manity. Then the voice of the world
had spoken. and within him another
voice had answered with a tone so
clamorOus and inslstent that il had
Outcried his surprised and incredulous
wonder at It's existence aud its claims.
That had been the voice Of suppressed
ambition. and now as he stood ia the
new atmosphere newer voice lifted
Itself. The joy Of material things rose
suddenly. Overbalancing the last rem
nant OF the philosophy he had reared.
He saw all things In fresh light
the soft carpets. the soft lights. the
numberless pleasant unnecessary
things that color the passing land
scape and oil the wheels OF life This
was p0wer-power made manifest. The
choice bindings OF ones books. the
quiet harmony OF ones surroundings.
the gratifying Difference OF ones de
pcndents-these were the visible. the
outward signs. the thing she had for
gotten.
Crossing the room slowly. he lifted
and looked nc the different papers on
the desk. They had a substantial feel
ing. an Importance. an air OF value.
They We're Ike the solemn keys to so
many veXed problems. Beside the pa
pers were a heap OF letters neatly ar
RANGED and as yet unopened. lie turn
ed them over one by one They were
all thick and Interesting TO look at.
He smiled rs he recalled his own
scanty mail-envelopes long and bulky
or narrow aud thin. unwelcome manu-
scripts or very welcome checks. Hav-
ING sorted the letters. be hesitated. IL
was his life task 70 open them. but he
had never in his life opened an enveI-
ope addressed TO another man.
lie stood uncertain. weighing them
I'm his hand. Then all az once a look
OF attention and surprise crossed his
face. and he raised his head. Some
one had Enthusiastically paused outside
the door which Grccning had LEFT ajar.
There was "A moment OF apparent
doubt then a stir or skirts. a quick.
uncertain knock. and the intruder en-
tered.
For couple OF seconds she stood in
the doorway; then as Loder made no
EFFORT 10 speak she moved into the
room. She had apparently but just re-
turned from some entertainment. for.
though she had drawn of her long
gloves. she was still wearing an even
ing cloak OF lace and fur
That she was Chilcote's wife Loder
instinctively realized the moment she
entered the room. But dlsconcerting
confusion OF Ideas was all that fol.
lowed the knowledge. He stood by the
desk, silent and awkward. trying 10 az
his expectations 70 his knowledge.
Then. faced 10y the hopelessness OF the
task. he turned abruptly and looked at
her again.
She had taken OF her cloak and was
standing by the Gre. The compulsion
OF moving through life alone had set
It's seal upon her in a certain self pos
session. a certain confidence OF pose.
yet her figure as Loder then saw il.
backgrounded by the dark books and
gowned In pale blue. had suggestion
OF youthfulness that seemed a contra
diction. The remembrance OF Chill
cote's epithets "cold" and "uusympa-
thetic" came back TO him with some
thing like astOnishment He felt no
uncertainty. no dread OF discovery and
humiliation In her presence as he had
felt In the maids. yet there was some
thing In her face that made him inf
nitely more uncomfortable. a look he
could find no name for. a friendllness
that studiously covered another feel
ing. whether question. dlstrust or ac-
tual dislike he could not say. With a
strange sensation Of awkwardness he
sorted Chilcote's letters. waiting for
her 10 speak
As II divinlng his thought she turn
ed toward him. I'm afraid | rather
intrude," she said. III you are busy
His sense or courtesy was touched.
He had begun life with high opinion
OF women. and the words shook up an
echo Of the old sentiment
Don't think that" he said hastily.
Il was only looking through-my let
tiers. You mustn't rate yourself below
letters" He was conscious that his
tone was hurried. that his words were
q little jagged. but Eve did not appear
10 notice Unlike Greening. she took
the new manner without surprise. She
had known ChilcOte for six years.
II dined with the Fraldes tonight"
she said. Mr.. Fraide sent you a mes
sage"
Unconsciously Loder smiled. There
was humor in the thought OF a mes
sage to him from the great Fraide. To
hide his amusement he wheeled one OF
the big lounge chairs forward.
Indeed" he said. Wont you sit
DOWN."
They were near together now. and