Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-07

away, we are apt to rest content. 1t is
only to the eyes that see through long
distance glasses, the minds that regard
the present as nothing more or less
than al inevitable link joining the fu-
ture to the past, that this distant, de-
batable land stands out in it's true po-
litical significance.
To the average reader Of news the
statement of Russia's move seemed
scarcely more important than had the
first report Of the border risings in
January, but to the men who had
watched the growth of the disturbance
it came charged with portentous mean
ing. Through the entire ranks of the
opposition, from Fraide himself down
ward, it caused a thrill Of expectation
that peculiar prophetic sensation that
every politician has experienced at
some moment of his career.
In no member of his party did this
feeling strike deeper root than in Loder.
Imbued with a lifelong interest in the
eastern question, specially equipped by
personal knowledge to hold and pro-
claim an opinion upon Persian affairs,
he read the signs and portents with in
stinctive insight. Seated at Chilcote's
table, surrounded by Chilcote's letters
and papers, he forgot the breakfast
that was slowly growing cold, forgot
the interests and dangers, personal or
pleasurable, of the night before. while
bis mental eyes persistently conjured
up the map of Persia, travelling with
steady deliberatien from Merv to Me-
shed, from Meshed to Herat, from Her
at to the empire of India! For it was
not the fact that the Hazaras had risen
against the shah that occupied the
thinking mind, o was it the fact that
Russian and not Persian troops were
destined to subdue them, but the deep
ly important consideration that an
armed Russian force had crossed the
frontier and was encamped within
twenty miles of Meshed-Meshed, up
on which covetous Russian eyes have
rested ever since the days Of Peter the
Great.
So Loder's thoughts ran as he read
and reread the news from the varying
HSAANANS SSAAAJOlAlos oao ~ IVY ~
tinued to run when, some hours later,
an urgent telephone message from the
st. Georges Gazette asked him to call
at Lakeley's office.
The message was interesting as well
as imperative, and he made an instant
response. The thought of Lakeley's
keen eyes and shrewd enthusiasms al
mo n0ccacco1 ctronr of%ro afi0ro fr~
his own slower temperament, but wen
had this impetus been lacking, the
knowledge that at the st. Georges Of
fees, If anywhere, the true feelings Of
the party were invariably voiced would
have drawn him without hesitation.
1t was scarcely IL o'clock when he
turned the corner of the tall building,
but already the keen spirit that Lakeley
everywhere diffused was making itself
felt. Loder smiled to himself as his
eyes fell OF the days placards with
their uncompromising headings and
passed onward from the string Of gay
ly painted carts drawn up to receive
their first consignment of the paper to
the troop of eager newsboys passing in
and out Of the big swing doors with
their piled up tundles of the early edi-
ton, and with a renewed thrill of
anticipation and energy he passed
through the doorway and ran upstairs.
Passing unchallenged through the long
corridor that led to Lakeley's Office, he
caught q fresh impression of action
and vitality from the click of the tape
M cE;,,oo ~, &1o ,,,lo1t%o,,r ols1o ,->l
a glimpse through the open door of the
%subeditors themselves, each occupied
with his particular task; then without
time for further observation he found
himself at Lakeley's door. Without
waiting to knock, as he had felt COM
PEELED to do IN the one or two previous
occasions that business had brought
him there, he Immediately turned the
handle and entered the room.
Editors officers differ but little in
general effect. Lakeley's surroundings
were rather more elaborate than is
usual, a became the dignity of the
Oldest Tory evening paper, but the at
mosphere was unmistakable. AS Loder
entered he glanced up from the desk
III WHICH, lie WAS SltlluS, UuL INSTANTLY
returned to his task Of looking through
and making a pile Of early evening edi.
tons that were spread around him.
His coat was off and hung on the chair
behind him, and he pulled vigorously
on a long cigar.
"Hello! That's right" he said lacon-
ically. Make yourself comfortable
half a second. while l skim the st.
Shepherds"
His salutation pleased Loder. With
a nod Of acquiescence he crossed the
Office to the brisk fire that burned in
the crate.
For q minute or two Lakeley worked
steadily, occasionally breaking the quiet
by an unintelligible remark or a vigor-
GUS stroke of his pencil. At last he
dropped the paper with a gesture Of
satisfaction and leaned back in his
chair.
"Well," he said, what d'you think
Of this? How's this for a compiled
tion?"
Loder turned round. 81 think" he