Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-18

"A
And 30 it came about that Loder was
freed from one responsibility to undertake
another. From the morning of March n.
when Lakely had expounded the political
program in the Offices Of the ST. George
Gazette. to the afternoon OF April / ne
found himself q central figure In the whirf-
pool OF activity that formed itself in con-
sentative circles
With the acumen for which he was not I'd,
Lakely had touched the keystone OF the
situation on that morning: and succeeding
events. each fraught with its own impor-
tance, had established the precision of his
forecast
Minuteiy watchful Of Russia's attitude
Fraide quietly organized his forces and
strengthened his position with a statesman
like grasp of opportunity; and to Loder the
attributes displayed by his leader during
absorbing study. Setting the thought OF
Cbtlcote aside, ignoring his own position
and the risks he daily ran, he had fully
yielded to the glamour Of the moment, and
In the first freedom of loose rein he had
gwen unreservedly all that he possessed
OF activity. capacity and determination to
the cause that had claimed him.
Sin&ularly privileged in constant per-
| scnal contact with Fraide, he learned many
valuable lessons of tact and organization
IN those f1ve vital days during which the
TACTICS OF whole party hung upon one
item of news from a country thousands of
miles away. For should Russia subdue the
insurgent Hazaras and laden with the hon.
ors OF the peacemaker, retire across the
frontier. then the political arena would re-
main undisturbed but should the aII-im-
portant movement predicted by Lakely be-
come an accepted fact before parliament
rose for the Easter recess then the first
blow In the fight that would rage during
the succeeding session must Inevitably pe
struck In the meantime it was k'raides
difficult position to wait and watch and
yet preserve his dignity
1t was early in the afternoon of March
~ that Loder. in response to a long stand-
ing invitation, lunched quietly with the
Frafdes. Being delayed by some communi-
cations from Wark. he was few minutes
being shown into the drawing room found
the little group Of three that was to make
up the party already assembled-Fraide
Lady Sarah and Eve. AS he entered the
room they ceased to speak, and all three
turned in his direction
In the first moment he had a vague i'm
preston OF responding suitably to Lady
Sarah's cordial greeting, but he knew that
Immediately and unconsciously his eyes
turned to Eve while a quick sense of sur
prise and satisfaction passed through him
at sight of her. For an instant he won
dered how she would mark his avoidance
Of her since their last eventful interview:
then instantly he blamed himself for the
passing doubt For. before all things he
knew her to be womah Of the world.
He took Fraide's outstr 1tcheA hand. and
again ne looked towards I'VE, waiting for
her to speak.
She met his glance. but said nothing
instead of speaking she smiled at him-a
smile that was far more reassurinp than
any words. a smile that in a single second
conveyed forgiveness appreciation, and
warm. almost tender sense OF sympathy and
comprehension. The remembrance of that
smile stayed with him long after they were
seated at table; and far into the future the
remembrance of the lunch itself with its
Pleasant private sense Of satisfaction, was
destined to return to him in retrospective
moments. The delightful atmosphere of the
Fraides home life had always been a won
der and an enigma to him; but on this day
he seemed to grasp its meaning by a new
light, as he watched Eve soften under its
influence and felt himself drawn inper-
ceptibly from the position of a speculative
outsider to that of an intimate. It was
fresh side to the complex, fascinating
life of which Fraide was the master spirit.
These reflections had grown agreeably ia
miliar to his mind; the talk, momentariiy
diverted into social channels was quietly
drifting back TO the inevitable question of
the situation" that in private moments
was never far from their lips. when the
event that was to mark and separate that
day from those that had preceded it was
uuceremoniously thrust upon them.
Without announcement or apology the
door was suddenly flung open and Lakely
entered the room.
Ills face was Drlmmlng with excitement,
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. This 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 a hundred
pounds to be the first with this!' He
glanced back at Fraide
Lady Sarah rose and stretched out her
hand. MIR. Lakely.'' she said. Il more
than understand There was thrill in
her warm. cordial voice. and her eyes also
turned towards her husband
OF the whole party, Fraide alone was per-
fectly calm. He sat very still, his small,
thin figure erect and dignifled as his eyes
Acanned the message that meant SO much.
Eve who had sprung from her seat and
passed round the table at sound OF Lakely's
news, was leaning over his shoulder. read
ing the telegram with him. At the last
word shs lifted her head her face flushed
with excitement.
How splendid it must be TO be man.
she exclaimed. And without premeditation
her eyes and Loder's met.
In this manner came the news from Per-
STA and with 1t Loder's definite call In
the momentary stress of action II was I'M,
possible that any thought OF Chlicote could
obtrude itself Events had followed each
other too rapidly decisive action had been
too mucn thrust upon him. to allow OF hesi-
tatjon: and it was In this spirit under this
vigorous pressure, that he made his attack
lowed Fraide's luncheon party
That indefinable effectiveness, that
alert sensation of impending storm.
that is so strong an index of the parlia-
,nentary atmospheric was very keen on
that memorable first of April 1t was OBJ
vious in the crowded benches on both sides
of the house-in the oneness of purpose
that insensibly made itself felt through the
ranks of the opposition, and found definite
EXPRESSION in Fraide's stin figure and
tightly shut lips-in the unmistakabie I'M.
easiness that lay upon the ministerial
henches
But Notwithstanding these indications OF
battle, the early portion of the proceedings
was unmarked by excitement. being tinged
with the purposeless lack of vitality that
had of late marked all affairs of the Self
borough ministry. and It was not until the
adjournment of the house for the Easter
recess had at last been moved that the
spirit of activity lowering in the air de-
seconded and galvanized the assembly into
life It was then, amid a stir of interest,
that Loder slowly rose.
Many curious incidents have marked the
speechma king annals of the house OF COM
mons but 1t Is doubtful whether II mas ever
been the lot of member to 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 qifes-
lions asked or unimportant amendments