Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-07

|
 their piled up bundles of the early edi-
 tion. and with renewed thrill of l anticipation and energy he passed
 through the doorway and ran upstairs.
 Passing unchallenged through the long
 corridor that led to Lakeley's office, he
 caught a fresh impression of action and vitality from the click of the tape
 machines in the subeditor's office, and
 glimpse through the open door of the
 subeditors themselves, each occupied
 with his particular task; then without
 time for further observation he found
 himself at Lakeley's door. Without
 waiting to knock, as he had felt con-
 pelled to do on the one or two previous
 occasions that business had brought
 him there. he immediately turned the
 handle and entered the room.
 Editors officers differ but little in
 general effect. Lakeley's surroundings
 were rather more elaborate than is
 usual. as became the dignity of the
 oldest Tory evening paper, but the at
 mosphere was unmistakable. As Loder
 entered he glanced up from the desk
 at which he was sitting. but instantly
 returned to his task of looking through
 and making pile of early evening edi-
 tions that were spread around him.
 His coat was of and hung on the chair
 behind him. and he pulled vigorously on long cigar
 Hello! That's right,' he said lacon-
 ically. Make yourself comfortable half second, while skim the St. Stephens"
 His salutation pleased Loder. With a nod of acquiescence he crossed the office to the brisk fire that burned in the grate.
 For a minute or two Lakeley worked steadily. occasionally breaking the quiet by an unintelligible remark or vigor- ous stroke of his pencil. At last he dropped the paper with gesture of satisfaction and leaned back in his chair.
 Well" he said. what d'you think of this? How's this for a complica- tion" G-ls
 Loder turned round. q think" he said quietly. that we can't overesti- mate it.
 Lakeley laughed and took long pull at his cigar. And we mustn't be afraid to let the Sefborough crowd ! know it. eh?" He waved his hand to 1 the poster of the first edition that hung before his desk.
 Loder following his glance. smiled.
 Lakeley laughed again. ''They might ! Aave known it all along if they'd cared i 10 deducc," he said. Did they really believe that Russia was going to sit calmly looking across the Heri- Rud while the shah played at mobilizing? But what became of you last night? ! We had a regular prophesying of the whole business at Bramfell's: the great Fraide looked in for five minutes. went on with him to the club after. ward and was there when the news {, ,ame in. Twas a great night.'
 Loder's face lighted up. T can imag. ne it." he said, with an unusual touch ,f warmth.
 Lakeley watched him intently for a I Then with a quick action he leaned forward and rested his el- ,ows on the desk.
 "It's going to be something more han imagination for you. Chilcote," he 'aid impresslvely. Its going to be iolid earncstw He spoke rapidly and with rather more than his usual hrewd decisiveness; then he paused to ee the effect of his announcement.
 Loder was still studying the flaring 'oster. At the others words he turn d sharply. Something in Lakeley's 'oice. something Ia his mIEner. arrest d him. A tinge of color crossed his , ace. , "RealityT he said. What do you i neany , For a further space his companion ( him, then with rapid move a lent he tilted back his chair. r "Yes." he said. Yes; old Fraide's { lstincts are never far out. He's quite { Ight. You're the man.
 Still quietly. but with a strange un- i erglow of excitement. Loder left the I re and. coming forward. took a chair ! | Lakeley's desk. s "Do you mind telling me what you're a irving atT' he asked In his old. la- t Dnic voice h Lakeley still scrutlnized him with an $ IF of brisk satisfaction: then with a q esture of inality he tossed his cigar il way. D My dear chap" he said. there's go- b g to be a breach someuhere-and V raide says you're the man to step in ld fll 1t! You see, i've years ago. a hen things looked lively on the gulf ii d the Bundar Abbas business came light. you did some promising work. Ii Id a reputation like that sticks to q - an even when he turns stacker. I il ont deny that you've slacked abomi- si ply be added as Loier made sn un- al sy movement. but stacking has dIs- q. rent effects. Some men run io seed. si bers mature. I had almost put you si Iwn Oa the black list. but I've altered e ' mind in the last two noaths-- tf Again Loder stirred ia his seat A v st of emotions were stirring in his Is ind Every word vru1z from LakeIey hl ss smother stimulus to pride. another (. bsle tribute to the curious force of b. sr -weIly' he said. -wsaY b. pxkeIey smiled We all know that D. fseO1es-s ministry fsL-en top- ur
 --Ar- n.