The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-29
CHAPTER XIX.

ing of March q, when Lakeley ha
. expounded the political programm
in the Offices of the st. George
Gazette, to the afternoon OF April
he found himself a central figure Il
the whirlpool of activity that forme
itself in Conservative circles.
With the acumen for which he wa
noted, Lakeley had touched the keyston
OF the situation on that morning, an,
succeeding events, each fraught witt
lbs own importance, had established rAs
precision of his forecast.
Mlnutely watchful OF RussIa's att
tude, Fraide quietly organized his
forces and strengthened his position
with a statesmanllke grasp Of opportu-
nifty, and to Loder the attributes dis
played by his leader during those try
Ing days formed an endless and alb
sorbing study. Setting the thought of
ChiIcote aside, ignoring his own posi-
ton and the risks he daily ran, he had
fully yielded to the glamour of the mo-
ment and In the frst freedom Of a
loose rein he had given unreservedly
all that he possessed of activity. capac-
| ity and determination to the cause that
had claimed him.
SingularIy privileged in a constant
personal contact with Fraide, he learn
ed many valuable lessons of tact and
organization In those FIVE vital days
during which the tactics of q whole
party hung upon one item OF news from
country thousands of miles away.
For should Russia subdue the insur-
gent Hazaras and, laden with the hon.
ors of the peacemaker, retire across
the frontier, then, the political arena
would remain undisturbed; but should
the all important movement predicted
by Lakeley become an accepted fact be-
fore parliament rose for the Easter re-
cess, then the first blow In the fight
that would rage during the succeeding
session must inevitably be struck. In
the meantime it was Fraide's difficult
position to wait and watch and yet pre-
serve his dignity.
It was early in the afternoon Of
March 20 that Loder, In response to
long standing invitation, lunched quiet
ly with the Fraides. Being delayed by
some communications from Wark, he
was a few minutes late in keeping his
appointment, and ON being shown into
the drawing room found the little group
of three that was to make up the party
already ssembled-Fraide. Lady Sa-
rah-and Eve. As he entered the room
they ceased to speak, and all three
turned in his direction.
In the first moment he had vague
impression of responding suitably to |
Lady Sarah's cordial greeting, but he |
knew that Immediately and uncOn- |
sciously his eyes turned to Eve, while |
a quick sense Of surprise and satisfac |
ton passed through him at sight of |
her For an instant he wondered 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,
ne knew her to be a woman of the
world
He took Fraide's outstretched hand,
ind again he looked toward Eve, wait
ng for her to speak.
She met his glance, but said nothing
instead OF speaking she smiled at him
"A smile that was far more reassuring
han any words, a smile that in a
single second conveyed forgiveness,
Ipprobation and a warm, almost ten
Ter sense of sympathy and comprehen-
ion. The remembrance of that smile
tayed with him long after they were
Gated at table and far into the future
he remembrance of the lunch itself,
Nth its pleasant private sense of sat
sfaction. was destined to return to
i'm in retrospective moments, The
elightful atmosphere of the Fraides'
ONE life had always been wonder
nd an enigma to him, but on this day !.
e seemed to grasp Its meaning by a !.
ew light as he watched Eve often
nder Its influence aud felt himself
rawu imperceptiDly from the position :
{ a speculative outsider to that Of an
ltimate 1t was u fresh side to the
Dmplex, fascinating life OF which
raide was the master spirit. '
These reflections had grown agree
bly, familiar to his mind. The talk.
diverted into social chan
els was quietly drifting back to the
Ievltable question Of the situation y
lat in private moments was never far Y
om their lips. when the event that q
as TO mark and separate that day
ON those that had preceded It was
thrust upon them.
Without announcement or apology,
e door was suddenly flung open and y
akeley entered the room. o
His face was Drumming with excite.
ent. and his eyes flashed. In the x
st haste or the entry he failed to see 9
at there were ladies In the room and, Of
ossing Instantly to Fraide, laid an
ZEN telegram before him. This Is %
ical. sir" he said. Then at last he Of
anced round the table. u
Lady SARAH! he exclaimed. Can ~
u forgive met But I'D have given v
pounds to be the first with ~
sl' He glanced back ut Fraide. IN