The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-02

upon him IN q mood or security and con-
fidence-a strong realization of the tenn
porary respite and freedom for which
no price would have seemed too high.
The moment for which he had uncon-
sciously lived ever since Chilcote's first
memorable proposition was within
reach at last, safeguarded by his own
action.
The walk from Cnfford's inn to
Grosvenor square was long enough TO
dispel any excitement that his inter
view had aroused. and LONE before the
we'll known house came into view he
felt sufficiently braced mentally and
physically to seek Eve in the morning
room, where he instinctively felt she
would still be waiting for him.
Thus he encountered and oyerpassed
the obstacle that had so nearly threat
ened ruin, and, with the singleness of
purpose that always distinguished him,
he was able, once having passed it. to
dismiss it altogether from his mind.
From the moment of his return to Chill
cote's house no misgiving as TO his own
action, no shadow of doubt, rose to
trouble his mind. His feelings on the
matter were quite simple. He had in
ordinately desired q certain opportuni-
ty. One factor had arisen to debar that
opportunity, and he, claiming the right
of strength, had set the barrier aside.
In the simplicity Of the reasoning lay
its power to convince. and were tonic
needed to brace him for his task he
was provided with one in the master
full sense of a difficulty set at naught.
For the man who has fought and con-
ouered one obstacle feels strong to
yanquish a score.
1t was ON this day. at the reassem-
bling of parliament, that Fraide's great
blow was to be struck. In the ten
days since the affair of the caravans
had been reported from Persia public
feeling had run high, and it was upon
the pivot of this incident that Loder's
attack was to turn, for. as Lakeley was
fond of remarking, I'm the scales of
public opinion one dead Englishman
has more weight than the whole east
ern question" 1t had been arranged
that, following the customary proce-
dure, Loder was to rise after questions
at the morning sitting and ask leave to
move the adjournment of the house on
a definite matter of urgent public i'm
portance, upon whch-leave having
been granted by the rising Of forty
members in his support-the way was
to lie open for his definite attack at
the evening sitting. And 1t was with
a mind attuned to this plan of action |
that he retired to the study imme-
diately he had breakfasted and settled
to a final revision of his speech before |
an early party conference should com |
pei him to leave the house. But here
again circumstances were destined to
change his programme. Scarcely had
he sorted his notes and drawn his chair
to Chilcote's desk than Renwick enter.
ed the room with the same air Of i'm
portant haste that he had shown on q
previous occasion.
"a letter from Mr. Fraide, sir. But
there's no answer he said. with I'M
usual brevity.
Loder waited till he had left the
room; then he tore the letter open. He
read:
cipient of special and very vital news
from Meshed-unofficial, but none the
less alarming. Acts of Russian aggres-
sion toward British traders reported
to be rapidly increasing, and it is stated
that the authority of the consulate is
treated with contempt Pending a posi-
bic confirmation of this, I would suggest
that You keep an open mind on the sub
feet of tonights speech. By adopting an
- even an unprepared - atti-
tude you may find your hand materially
strengthened. 1 shall put my opinions be-
fore you more explicitly when we meet.
Yours faithfully,
HERBERT FRAIDT.
The letter, worded with Fraide's usu.
al restraint, made strong impression
On it's recipient. The thought that his
speech might not only express opinions
already tacitly held, but voice a Situa-
ton Of intense and national impor-
tance struck him with full force. For
many minutes after he had grasped
The meaning Of Fraide's message he
sat neglectful of his notes, his elbows
resting on the desk, his face between
lis hands. stirred by the suggestion
hat here might lie greater opportu-
1ity than any he had anticipated.
Still moved by this new suggestion,
lie attended the party conclave that
Fraide had convened and afterward
unched with and accompanied his
eader to the house. They spoke very
title as they drove to Westminster,
or each was engrossed by his own
thoughts. Only once did Fraide allude
o the incident that was paramount in
10Th their minds. Then, turning to
4oder with a smile Of encouragement,
lie laid his fingers for an instant on
lis arm.
"Chilcote," he had said. when the
ime comes, remember you have all
ny confidence"
Looking back upon that day, Loder
ften wondered at the calmness with
which he bore the uncertainty. To sit
pparently unmoved and wait without
motion for news that might change
he whole tenor Of ones action would ..
ave tried the stoicism of the most
experienced; to the novice it was well !.
Ugh uncomfortable. And it was under :.
hese conditions and fighting against
hese odds that he sat through the long
fternoon in Chilcote's place. obeying !.
he dictates Of his chief. But if the
ay was fraught with difficulties for
i'm it was fraught with dullness and !.
isappointment for others, for the IN