The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-01-18

: be had avoided the climax, but NJ
> evasion can be eternal. and this b,
realized as be sat In his place on thu
. opposition benches during the hall
hour Of wlntry twilight that precedel
, the turning on OF the lights. He real
lied II in that half hour. but the appli
cation Of the knowledge followed later
when the time came for him to ques-
. ton the government ON some point re-
lating TO thA.proposed additional dry
dock at Talkfey the naval base. Then
for the first time he knew that the suf-
ferings Of the past months could have
a visible as well as a hidden side-couId
disorganize his daily routine as they
had already demoralized his will and
character
The thing came upon him with ex-
traordinary lack of preparation He sat
through the twilight with tolerable
calm. his nervousness showing only in
the occasional lifting of his hand to
his collar and the frequent changing
of his position, but when the lights
were turned on and he leaned back in
his seat with closed eyes he became
conscious of a curious impression-a
disturbing idea that through his closed
lids he could see the faces on the OPP
posite side of the house, see the rows
of eyes, sleepy, interested or vigilant
Never before had the sensation pre-
sented itself, but once set up 1t ran
through I'll his susccptibilitics. BIZ IN
absurd freak of fancy those varying
| eyes seemed to pierce through his lids,
! almost through his eyeballs. The cold
]! perspiration that was his daily horror
broke out on his forehead, and at the
same moment Fraide, his leader, turn
ed, leaned over the back of his seat
and touched his knee.
Chilcote started and opened his eyes.
IL believe was DOING" he said
confusedly.
Fraide smiled his dry, kindly smile.
"A. fatal admission for a member Of
the opposition he said But l was
looking for you earlier in the day,
Chilcote. There is something behind
this Persian affair. l believe it to be |
a mere first move on Russia's part.
You big trading people will find 1t
worth watching"
Chilcote shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, I
| don't know he said. Il scarcely I
believe in it. Lakely put match to
the powder in the st. Georges, but
twill only be a noise and a pun of /
smoke"
But Fraide did not smile. What is
the feeling down at WarkY' he asked.
"Has 1t awakened any interest?'
AT Wark? Oh, II don't quite
know. | have been a little out of
touch with Wark In the last few /
weeks. A man has so many private
affairs to look to- He was uneasy I,
under his chiefs scrutiny
Fraide's lips parted as If to make re-
ply, but with certain dignified reti-
cence be closed them again and turned
away.
Chilcote leaned back In his place and
furtively passed his hand over his fore I
head. His mind was possessed by one |
~ the consideration of
himself He glanced down the crowd \
ed, lighted house to the big glass !,
doors; he glanced about him at his col !.
eagues, Indifferent or interested; then
his fingers strayed to
MS waistcoat pocket.
Usually he carried his morphia tab
ODDS with him, but today by lapse k
Il memory he had left them at home. D
lie knew this, nevertheless he contin- !,
led to search, while the need of the !
lrug rushed through him with a sense :.
i physical sickness. He lost hold on
he business of the house; unconscious Of
y he half rose from his seat b
The man next him looked up. Hold
our ground, Chilcote," he said. Ray &
orth is drying up
With a wave Of relief Chilcote drop fl
ed back into his place. Whatever the W
onfusion in his mind it was evident n
Z not obvious in his face. &C
Rayforth resumed his seat, there was
ne usual slight stir and pause; then h,
alett, the member for Salchester, rose. til
With Salett's first words Chilcotes 70
and again sought his pocket, and
gain his eyes strayed toward the m
oors, but Fraide's erect head and stiff fr
ack just in front of him held him BIZ
liet. With an effort he pulled out an
8 notes and smoothed them nervous ~
j; but, though his gaze was fixed on he
e pages, not line Of Blessington's Al
ear writing reached his mind. He
anced at the face of the speaker, =,
en- at the faces on the treasury -
nch, then once more he leaned back ~
his seat.
The man beside him saw the move ~
emit "Funking the dry dockY he De
hispered jestingly. 81
'No''-Chilcote turned to him sud- 1s'
nly--'but feel beastly--have felt eu'
astly for weeks" 81
rhe other looked at him more close ur'
Anything wrong?' he asked. 1t sn'
ls novel experience to be confided
by Chllcote. re
oh it's the grind-the internal OF
nd AS he said It 1t seemed to ho'
n suddenly that his strength gave for
70 TIa fOf.Onf his comma ui0r hia | lar