Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-01-17

other kinder things, and l sat and lis
tened. But all the time I thought Of
nothing but their uselessness. Before
l left l promised to do my best, but my
thought was still the same. 1t 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
c%onquering myself l had compelled n
reward. you seemed. you somehow
seemed different. 1t sounds ridiculous,
l know" Her voice was half amused,
half ~deprecating. 1T wasn't a differ
ence in your face, though l knew direct
ly that you were free from nerves."
Again she hesitated over the word. at
things you said, more than in the way
you said them.'' Once more she paused
and laughed Il little.
Loder's discomfort grew.
But it didn't affect me then" She
spoke more slowly. Il wouldn't admit
IL lueI. ANU VIC lSSI udN MlCl WE
talked on the terrace l still refused to
admit it, though l felt 1t more strongly
than before. But l have watched you
since that day, and 1 know there is a
change. Mr.. Fraide feels the same,
and he is never mistaken. l know it's
only nine or 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.
1t 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
at him.
"John,' she said. "is 1t going to last?
That's what l came to ask. l don't
want to believe till I'm sure. I don't
want to risk a new disappointment"
Loder felt the earnestness of her gaze.
though he avoided meeting 1t.
IL couldn't have said this to you a
week ago, but today l can. l don't
pretend to explain why. The feeling is
too inexplicable. I only know that 1
can say it now and that I couldn't a
week ago. Will you understand-and
answer?"
Still Loder remained mute. His posi-
ton was horribly homogeneous. What
could he say? What dared he say?
Confused by his silence, Eve rose.
"1f it's only a 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 "a lacking in him. 1t was a mo-
ment Of temptation. His w energy
his own intentions, seemed so near,
Chilcote and Chilcote's claims so dis.
tant and unreal. After all, his life, his
ambitions, his determinations, were his
own. He lifted his eyes and looked al
her.
You want me to tell you that ] will
go on?' he said.
Her eyes frightened. She took q
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
f%ateful. 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 a telegram. ANY answer, sir?" he
said.
Eve moved back to her chair. There
was a dush OH her cheeks, and her eyes
were still alertly bright.
Loder tore the telegram open. reat
u, then threw it into the fire.
mo answer he said laconically.
At the brusqueness Of his voice Ev
looked up. "Disagreeable news:" sh
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 straine,
voice. mo; only news that THAT
had forgotten to expect"