The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-03-28

l
tive, bound by traditional conventions
alities. In that great moment he, knew
himself sufficiently a man to exercise
whatever individuality instinct prompt
ed. He forgot the didactic methods by
which he had proposed to show knowl-
edge Of his subject. both as past and
a future factor in European politics.
| With his own strong appreciation Of
present things he saw and grasped the
vast present interest lying beneath his
hand
For fifty minutes he held the interest
of the house, speaking insistently, fear
lessly, commandingly on the immediate
need of action. He unhesitatingly
pointed out that the news which had
Just reached England was not so much
an appalling fact as a sinister warning
to those in whose keeping lay the safety
of the country's interests. Lastly, with
a fine touch of eloquence, he paid trib-
ute to the steadfast fidelity of such men
as Sir William Brice-Field, who, what
ever political complications arise at
home, pursue their duty unswervingly
on the outposts Of the empire.
/ At his last words there was silence
the silence that, marks genuine effect
then all at once, with vehement, i'm
pressive force, the storm of enthusiasm
broke it's bounds.
It was one Of those stupendous bursts
Of feeling that no etiquette, no decorum.
is powerful enough to quell AS he re-
sumed his seat, very pale, but exalted
as men are exalted only once or twice
in lifetime, it rose about him. lamor-
GUS, spontaneous, undeniable Near at
hand were the faces of his party, excit-
ed and triumphant. across the house
were the faces of Scarborough and his
ministry, uncomfortable and disturbed.
The tumult swelled, then fell away,
and III the partial lull that followed
Fraide leaned over the back of his seat
His quiet, dignifed expression was un-
altered. but his eyes were intensely
bright.
"Chilcote,' he whispered, II don't con-
graduate you or myself I congratu-
late the country on possessing great
man!'
The remaining features Of the de-
bate followed quickly one upon the
other. The electric atmosphere of the
house possessed a strong incentive
power. Immediately Loder's ovation
had subsidized, the undersecretary for
foreign affairs rose and in careful
and nonincriminating reply defended
the attitude Of the government
Next came Fraide, who, in one Of his
rare and polished speeches, touched
with much feeling upon his personal
grief at the news reported from Persia
and made emphatic Endorsement of Lo-
der's words.
Following Fraide came one or two
dissentient Liberals, and then Sefbor-
ough himself closed the debate His
speech was mastery and fluent; but,
though any disquietude he may have
felt was we'll disguised under tone of
reassuring ease, the attempt to reha-
bilitate his position-already weakened
in more than one direction-was task
beyond his strength.
Amid extraordinary excitement the
division followed, and with it a govern
ment defeat
It was not until half an hour after
the votes had been taken that Loder,
freed at last from persistent congratu-
lations, found opportunity to look for
Eve. In accordance with a promise
made that morning, he was to find her
waiting outside the ladies' gallery at
the close Of the debate.
Disengaging himself from the group
of men who had surrounded and FOL-
lowed him down the lobby, he discard
ed the lift and ran up the narrow stair
case. Reaching the landing, he went
forward hurriedly. Then with certain
abrupt movement he paused. In the
doorway leading to the gallery Eve
was waiting for him. The place was
not brightly lighted, and she was stand
ing in the shadow, but it needed only
glance to assure his recognition. He
! could almost have seen in the dark that
night, so vivid were his perceptions.
He took step toward her, then again
he stopped. In second glance he real
lied that her eyes were bright with
tears, and it was with the strangest
sensation he had ever experienced that
the knowledge flashed upon him. Here
also he had struck the same note-the
long coveted note Of supremacy 1t had
rung out full and clear as he stood in
Chilcote's place dominating the house;
it had besieged him DANGEROUSLY as he
passed along the Hobbies amid a sea of
friendly hands and voices; now in the
quiet of the deserted gallery If came
home to him with deeper meaning from
the eyes of sChilcote's wife.
Without = thought he put out his
hands and caught hers.
II couldn't get away" he said. "I'm
afraid I'm very late" ~>
With a smile that scattered her tears,
| Eve looked up. "Are you?' she said,
laughing little. II don't know what
| the time is. I scarcely know whether
it's night or day. -r ".as.
Still holding one Of her hands, he
drew her down the stairs hut as thew