Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-07


 was to mark and separate that day
 from those that had preceded 1t wal
 unceremoniously thrust upon them. Without announcement or apology
 the door was suddenly flung open and
 Lakeley entered the room.
 His face was brimming with excite
 ment, and his eyes flashed. In the
 first haste of the entry he failed to see
 that there were ladies in the room and,
 crossing instantly to Fraide, laid an
 open telegram before him. "Thls Is
 official, sir," he said Then at last he glanced round the table.
 | Lady Sarah" he exclaimed. "Can you forgive me? But I'd have given
 hundred pounds to be the first with this!" He glanced back at Fraide. Lady Sarah rose and stretched out
 her hand. "Mr. Lakeley," she said, T
 more than understand! There was a
 thrill in her warm, cordial voice, and
 her eyes also turned toward her hus-
 band.
 Of the whole party Fraide alone was perfectly calm. He sat very still, his small. thin Agure erect and dignifed, as his eyes scanned the message that
 meant so much.
 Eve, who had sprung from her seat
 and passed round the table at sound of
 Lakeley's pews. was leaning over his
 shoulder reading the telegram with
 him. At the last word she lifted her head, her face flushed with excitement.
 "How splendid it must be to be a manw she exclaimed. and without reconciliation her eyes and Loder's met.
 In this manner came the news from Persia and with 1t Loder's definite call. In the momentary stress of ac- tion it was impossible that any thought of Chilcote could obtrude itself. Events had followed each other too rapidly, decisive action had been too much thrust upon him, to allow of hesita- tion, and 1t was in this spirit, under this vigorous pressure. that he made his attack upoa the government on the day that followed Fraide's luncheon party,
 That indefinable attentiveness, that alert sensation of impending storm. that is so strong an index of the par llamentary atmosphere was very keen on that memorable 1st of April It was obvious in the crowded benches on both sides of the house, in the one ness of purpose that insensibly made itself felt through the ranks of the op- position and found definite expression In Eraide's stiff figure and tightly shut l lips, in the unmistakabie uneasiness that lay upon the ministerial benches.
 But notwithstanding these indica- tions of battle the early portion of the was unmarked by excite ment, being tinged with the purposeless | lack of vitality that had of late marked | all affairs of the Scarborough ministry, and 1t was not until the adjournment of the house for the Easter recess had i at last been moved that the spirit of activity lowering in the air descended and galvanized the assembly into life. It was then, amid stir of interest. that Loder slowly rose.
 Many curious incidents have marked the speechmaking annals of the house of commons. but 1t is doubtful whether It has ever been the lot of member I 10 hear his own voice raised for the first time on subject of vital interest to his party, having been denied all initial assistance of minor questions lsked or unimportant amendments made. Of all those gathered together n the great building on that day, only me man appreciated the difficulty of Loder's position, and that man was Loder himself.
 He rose slowly and stood silent for
 couple of seconds. his body braced, ls fingers touching the sheaf of notes hat lay in front of him. To the wait ng house the silence was efreAtive. It night mean overassurance or 1t might mean failure of nerve at a critical noment. Either possibility had tinge f piquancy. Moved by the same i'm. nlse, fifty pairs of eyes turned upon i'm with new interest, but up in the idies' gallery Eve clasped her hands sudden apprehension, and Fraidc. ltting stiffiy in his seat, turned and hot one swift glance at the man on 'hom. against prudence and precedent, e had pinned his faith. The glance , as swift. but very searching. and with , characteristic movement of his wlry ioulders he resumed his position and Is usual grave. attentive attitude. At , ,e same moment Loder lifted his head , nd began to speak. : Here at the outset his inexperience , let him. His voice. pitched too low. lly reached those directly near him. was moment of great strain. Eve, stening intently. drew long breath ! suspense and let her fingers drop : part. The skeptical. watchful eyes |. at faced him. line upon line, seemed flash and brighten with critical h. rest. Only Fraide made no change of {, Ipression. He sat placid. serious. at- 1, ntive. with the shadow of a smile be- i, nd his eyes. Again Loder paused. but this time the luse was shorter. The ordeal be had t 'eaded and waited for was passed. 4 Id be saw his way clearly. With the 2 d movement of the shoulders he |, frightened himself and once more be- !, In to speak. This tiTe his voice rang i, lietly true and eoIsmandlng across z c floor of the house.
 No first step can be really great. It |,