The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-05-03


Instantly he blamed himself for the
passing doubt. For. before all things.
he knew her to be a woman of the
world
He took Fraide's outstretched hand
ana again he looked toward Eve, wait
ing for her to speak.
She met his glance, but said nothing
instead of speaking she smiled ut him
"A smile that was far more reassuring
than any words, smile that In
single second conveyed forgiveness,
appreciation and a warm. almost ten
der sense OF sympathy and comprehen-
sion. 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 sat
!Sfaction. was destined to return to
him in retrospective moments The
delightful atmosphere of the Fraides'
home life had always been wonder
and an enigma to him, but on this day
he seemed to grasp it's meaning by
new light as he watched Eve often
under it's influence and felt himself
drawn impcrceptibly from the position
of speculative outsider to that of an
intimate. 1t was fresh side to the
complex. fascinating life OF which
traide was the master spirit.
These reflections had grown agree
ably familiar to his mind. The talk,
momentarily diverted into social chan
ncls. 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
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. This Is
official sir" he said. Then at last he
glanced round the table
Lady Sar9h! he exclaimed. "Can
you rUsire hruT But I'd have given
hundred poundio- 60 be the hrst wrtu
this" He glanced back at Fraide.
Lady Sarah rose and stretched out
her hand. Mr.. Lakeley," she said. II
more than understand" There was a
thrill In her warm, cordial voice. and
her eyes also turned toward her hus-
band.
or the whole party Fralde alone was
perfectly calm. He sat very still. his
small, thin figure erect and dignified.
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 news, 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 1t must be to be |
man.! she exclaimed. and without
generalization 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-
ton 1t 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-
ton. and II was In this spirit. under /
this vigorous pressure. that he made !
his attack upon the government on the !
day that followed Fraide's luncheon
party.
That indeflnable 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. 1t
was obvious In the crowded benches
on both sides of the house, In the one
ness OF purpose that insenslbly made
itself felt through the ranks Of the op-
position and found definite expression
in Fraide's stiff figure and tightly shut
lips in the unmistakable uneasiness
that lay upon the ministerial benches.
But Notwithstanding these indica-
tions Of battle the early portion Of the
proceedings was unmarked by excite
ment, being tingcd with the purposeless
lack Of vitality that had Of late marked
all affairs Of the Sefborough ministry,
and 1t 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 descended
and galvanized the assembly into life.
1t 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
1t has ever been the lot of member
to hear his own voice raised for the
first time on a subject OF vital interest
to his party, having been denied all
initial assistance OF minor questions
asked or unlmportant amendments
made. OF all those gathered together
In tire great building on that day. only