Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-23

many minutes after he had grasped
| the meaning OF Fralde's message he
/ sat neglectfUl OF his notes, his elbows
resting on the desk. his face between
his hands. stirred by the suggestion
that here might lie a greater opportu-
nifty than any he had anticipated.
Still moved by this new suggestion,
he attended the party conclave that
Fraide had convened and afterward
lunched with and accompanied his
leader TO the house. They spoke very
little as they drove to Westminster.
for each was engrossed by his own
thoughts. Only once did Fraide ailude
to the incident that was paramount In
both their minds. Then. turning to
Loder with a smile Of encouragement.
be laid his fingers for an instant on
his arm
"Chilcote." be had said, when the
time comes. remember you have all
my confidence"
Looking back upon that day, Loder
often wondered ar the calmness with
which be bore the uncertainty. To sit
apparently unmoved and wait without
emotion for news that might change
the whole tenor Of ones action would
have tried the stoicism Of the most
experienced: 10 the novice IL was well
nigh uncomfortable. And IL was under
these conditions and lighting against
these odds that he sat through the long
afternoon IN Chilcote's place. obeying
the dictates Of his chief. But il the
day was fraught with difficulties for
IN rrr
disappointment for others. for the IN
dercurrent OF interest that had stirred
at the Easter adjournment and risen
with added force on this first day OF
the new session was gradually but
surely threatened with extinction as
hour after hour passed bringing no
suggestion OF the battle that had on
every side been tacltly expected.
Slowly and Enthusiastically speculation
and dissatisfaction crept into the at
mosphere OF the house as moment sue
ceeded moment and the opposition
made no sign. Was Fraide Sinking
the attack or was he playing a waiting
gamer Again and again the question
arose. filing the air with passing
flicker OF interest but each time II
sprang up only 20 die down again as
the ordinary business Of the day drag
ged itself out.
Gradually. as the afternoon wore on.
daylight began 20 fade. Loder. sitting
rigidly I'm Chilcote's place. watched
with suppressed inquiry the faces OF
the men who entered through the con
staatly swinging doors. but not one
face. so eagerly scanned. carried the
message for which he waited. Monet
onously and mechanically the time
passed. The government. adopting n
neutral attitude. carefully skirted al
dangerous subjects. while the opposi-
ton. acting under Fraide's suggestion.
assisted rather than hindered the pro-
gramme OF postponement. For the mo-
ment the eagerly anticipated reassem-
bling threatened dismal failure. and IL
was with n universal movement OF
WEAKNESS and relief that at last the
house rose TO dine.
But there are no possibilities so elias
tic as those OF politics. At half past Z
the house rose i'm spirit OF boredom
and disappointment and az 8 O'Clock
the Hobbies. the dining room. the entire
space of the vast building. was stirred
into activity 10y the arrival OF "A single
telegraphic message.
The new development for which
Fraide had waited came indeed. but il
came with a force he had little antlci-
pated. With "a thrill OF awe and con
sternation men heard and repeated the
astounding news that while personal
ly exercising his authority on behalf OF
British traders. Sir William Brice-
Field, consul general az Meshed. had
been fired at by a Russian officer and
instantly killed.
The interval Immediately following
the receipt OF this news was too con
fused FOR detailed remembrance. Two
ideas made themselves slowly felt-a
deep horror that such an event could
obtrude itself upon our high civiliza-
ton and n strong personal dismay that
so honored. distinguished and esteem
ed representative as Sir William
Brice-Field could have been allowed 10
meet death in SO terrible a manner.
IL was in the consciousness OF this
feeling. the consciousness that in his
own person he might voice not only
the feelings OF his party. but those OF
the whole country. that Loder rose an
hour later 10 make his long delayed
attack.
He stood silent for moment. as he
had done on an earlier occasion, but
this time his motive was different.
Reused beyond any feeling Of self con
seriousness. he waited as by right for
the full attention or the house: then
quietly, but with self possessed firm
ness. he moved the motion for adjourn
ment.
Like a match TO a train OF powder
the words set fame to the excitement
that had smOldered for weeks, and In
an atmosphere or stirring activity.
scene OF such tense and vital concen-
tration as the house has rarely wit.
messed. he found inspiration for his
great achievement
q To give Loder's speech In mere words
would be little short of futile. The
gift Of oratory is too Elusive. too much
matter OF eve and voice and individ-