The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-01-24
Chilcote- Chilcote with his position, his

Chilcote- Chilcote with his position, his
constituency-his wife He half extri-
Gated his arm, but Fraide held it.
NO." he said. Don't draw away
from me. You have always been too
ready to do that. 1t is not often have
pleasant truth to tell. I won't be de-
prived of the enjoyment"
''Can the truth ever be pleasant, sir?"
Involuntarily Loder echoed Chilcote.
Fraide looked up. He was half a
head shorter than his companion,
though his dignity concealed the fact.
"Chilcote," he said seriously, 'tgive up
cynicism! It is the trademark of fail
ure, and I do not like it in my
friends"
Loder said nothing. The quiet in
sight of the reproof, it's mitigating
kindness, touched him sharply. In
that moment he saw the rails down
which he had sent his little car Of ex-
istence spinning, and the sight daunted
him. The track was sleeper, the gauge
narrower, than he had guessed; there
were curves and sidings upon which
he had not reckoned. He turned his
head and met Fraide's glance.
Don't count too much on me, SIR
he said slowly. II might disappoint
you again" His voice broke off on
the last word, for the sound of other
voices and Of laughter came to them
across the terrace as a group Of two
women and three men passed through
the open door. At glance he realized
that the slighter of the two women
was Eve
Seeing them, she disengaged herself
from her party and came quickly for
ward. He saw her cheeks flush and
her eyes brighten pleasantly as they
rested on his companion, but he noticed
also that after her first cursory glance
she avoided his own direction.
AS she came toward them Fraide
drew away his hand in readiness to
greet her.
"Here comes my godchildv he said
Il often wish, Chilcote, that I could
do away with the prefix" He added
the last words in an undertone as he
reached them, then he responded
warmly to her smile.
'sWhat"' he said. Turning the ter
race into the garden of Eden in Jan
uary! We cannot allow this"
Eve laughed. Blame Lady Sarahv'
she said. 1--WE met at lunch, and she
carried me off. Needless to say
hadn't to ask where"
They both laughed, and Loder joined,
little uncertainty. He had yet to
learn that the devotion of Fraide and
his wife was a long standing jest in
their particular set.
At the sound Of his tardy laugh Eve
turned to him. II hope 1 didn't rob you
of all sleep last night" she said. 81
caught him in his den," she explained,
turning to Fraide, land invaded it most
courageously. l believe we talked
till Q"
Again Loder noticed how quickly she
looked from him to Fraide. The knowl-
edge reused his self assertion.
Il had an excellent night" he said
DO look as if I hadn't slept?"
Somewhat slowly and reluctantly
Eve looked back. No. she said truth
fully and with a faint surprise that to
Loder seemed the first genuine emotion
she had shown regarding him. mo,
don't think | ever saw you look so
WELL She was quite unconscious and
very charming as she made the admis-
sion. 1t struck Loder that her coloring
of hair and eyes gained by daylight
were frightened and vivified by their
setting OF somber river and somber
stone
Fraide smiled at her affectionately,
then looked at LOder. "Chilcote has
got new lease Of nerves, Eve,' he
said quietly. And I-believe-I have
got new henchman. But I see my
wife reckoning to me. I must have a
word with her before she fits away
May I be eXcused?" He made a cour-
teous gesture Of apology, then smiled
at Eve.
She looked after him as he moved
away. Il sometimes wonder what
should do if anything were to happen
to the Fraides,' she said, little visit
fully. Then almost at once she laugh
ed, as if regretting her impulsiveness
You heard what he said," she went on
in a different voice. Am 1 really to
congratulate you?''
The change of tone stung Loder IN
accountably. "Will you always disbe-
ieve in me-" he asked
Without answering, she walked SLOW
" across the deserted terrace and,
pausing by the parapet, laid her hand
on the stonework. Still in silence. she
looked out across the river.
Loder had followed closely. Again
her aloofness seemed a challenge.
will you always disbelieve in me?o he
repeated.
At last she looked up at him slowly.
Have you ever given me cause to
believer she asked in a quiet tone.
To this truth he found no answer,
though the subdued incredulity nettled
him afresh.
Prompted to further effort, he spoke