Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-05-09

the Tightening OF a string ALREADY
strained to breaking point, yet neither
spoke, because neither had the courage
necessary for the words.
Once or twice as they traversed the
Strand, Loder made a movement as if
to break the silence, but nothing fol-
lowed 1t. He continued to lean for
ward with a certain logged stiffness,
his clasped hands resting on the doors
of the cab, his eyes staring straight
ahead. Not once as they threaded their
way did he dare to glance at Eve,
though every movement, every stir Of
her garments, was forced upon his
consciousness by his acutely awakened
senses.
When at last they drew up before
the dark archway of Middle Temple
9 he descended hastily, and as he
mechanically turned to protect Ewes
dress from the wheel he looked at her
fully for the first time since their en-
terprise had been undertaken. AS he
looked he felt his heart sink. He had
expected to see the marks of suffering
on her face, but the expression he saw
suggested something more than mere
mental pain.
All the rich color that usually deep
sned and softened the charm Of her
beauty had been erased as if by a
long illness, and against the new pal
lor of her skin her blue eyes, her
black hair and eyebrows seemed
startlingly dark. A chill colder than
remorse, a chill that bordered upon
actual fear, touched Loder in that
moment. With the first impulslve
gesture lhs had allowed himself, he
touched her arm.
Eve he began %unsteadily. Then
the word died off his lips.
Without n sound, almost without a
movement, she returned his glance, and
something in her eyes checked what he
might have said. In that one express
i've look be understood all she had de-
sired, all she had renounced-the full
extent Of the ordeal she had consented
to n the motive that had compelled
her consent. He drew back with the
heavy sense that repentance and pity
were equally INTELLECTUALLY out of
place.
Still in silence, she stepped to the
pavement and stood aside while Loder
dismissed the cab. To both there was
something symbolic, something prophet
&c, In the dismissal. Without intention
and almost unconsciously they drew
closer together as the horse turned, it's
hoofs gathering on the roadway, it's
harness jingling. and, still without real
i~zation, they looked after the vehicle as
1t moved away down the long, shadow
ed t~horoughfare toward the lights and
the crowds that they had left. At last
involuntarily they turned toward each
other.
Come" Loder said abruptly. tits
only across the road"
Fleet street is generally very quiet
once midnight is passed, and Eve had
no need of guidance Oh 4rotection as
they crossed the pavement, shining like
ice in the lamplight. They crossed it
slowly, walking apart, for the dread of
physical contact that had possessed
them in the cab seemed to have fallen
on them again.
Inquisitiveness has little place in the
region of the city, and they gained the
opposite footpath unnoticed by the cas-
ual passerby. Then, still holding apart,
they reached and entered Clifford's inn.
Inside he entrance they paused, and
Eve shiyered involuntarily. How
gray it isl she said family. "And how
cold! Like Il graveyard"
Loder turned to her. For one mo-
ment control seemed shaken. His blood
surged, his vision clouded. The sense
that life and love We're still within his
reach filled him overwhelmingly. He
turned toward Eve; he half extended
his hands. Then, stirred by what i'm
pulse, moved by what instinct, it was
impossible to say, he let them drop to
his sides again.
Gomez" he said. Come! This is the
way. Keep close to me. Put you
hand on my arm"
He spoke quietly, but his eyes We're
resolutely averted from her face as
they crossed the dim, silent court.
Entering the gloomy doorway that
led to his own rooms. he felt her fin
gers treinble on his arm, then tighten
In their pressure as the bare passage
and cheerless stairs met her view, but
he set his lips.
Come" he repeated in the same
strained voice. Come! 1t isn't far
three or o. flights
With a white face and a curious ex-
preston in her eyes Eve moved for
ward. She had released Loder's arm
as they crossed the hall, and now,
reaching the stairs, she put out her
hand gropingly and caught the banis-
ter. She had a panied, numb sense of
submission, of suffering that had sunk
to apathy. Moving forward without re-
sistance, she began to mount the stairs.
The ascent was made in silence. Lo-
der went first, his shoulders braced,
his head held erect. Eve, mechanically
watchful Of all his movements, fol-
lowed a step or two behind. With
weary monotony one flight of stairs
succeeded another, each to her unac-
customed eyes seeming more ~colorless,
~ ~~o J.