suddenly sank to her knees in mortal fear. The tones were not loud,
but she never could have believed that those mild, blue eyes would flash
at her such a menace of death.

"Arthur!" she wailed; "what have you heard? Why have you come home like
this? I have not been untrue? Who said so? I have not! I have lied to
you sometimes about little things--but not now!"

The silence was terrible! She began again, miserably: "I've been
helping Mr. Burroughs; but surely that's not--it was for your
advancement--Arthur!--speak to me!" She broke into gasping sobs.

The pale, emaciated face above her never softened; the eyes never
wavered. Yet a reasoning anguish crept into the insane glare. After all,
nothing mattered except this one great pain in his heart. What was it
he wanted to know? Yes--he remembered! The truth!--the truth!

"And Philip Danvers?"

The change in tone gave so great relief that Eva became hysterical, not
understanding the obscure connection.

"Oh, Senator Danvers? He has had nothing to do with the lobbying. You
know he is against Mr. Burroughs." She rose, again self-possessed,
feeling herself able to explain all untoward circumstances.

"Come, you are worn from your journey. Lie here on the couch and I'll
get you some wine."

But her husband resisted, dumbly, looking at her as a starving dog might
look at the hand that had enticed him by pretending to offer food. Words
came, at last, while he beat his hands together in agony.

"I cannot bear it--I cannot! They said you and Phil had an affair in the
Whoop Up Country----"

"What are you saying?" came from Eva, sharply. She went from fear to
fury. "You've been listening to some malicious gossip," she screamed;
"and now you come home to frighten me into spasms!" The rage covered her
fright. "There's not a word of truth in it!"

"Tell me the truth!" The God on high could not have been more
mandatory.

The woman dared not lie again. Her anger, rather than her self-respect,
brought the truth like a charge of dynamite from the muddy waters of her
soul.

"Well, then, it _is_ the truth! I was engaged to Philip Danvers at Fort
Macleod. I threw him over afterwards, because he had no money and you
had. Now are you satisfied?" The cruel desire to hurt gave this added
thrust. "No? Then let me tell you that I have never loved you, never!
I've always loved Philip Danvers--always--always--always!" Her voice
rose in crescendo.

At last it was spoken. Eva stood at