The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-04-26

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 bundles of the early edi-
ton. and with 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 fresh impression Of action
and vitality from the click Of the tape
machines In the subeditor's ofiice. and
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 CON-
PEELED to do on 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. as became the dignity Of the
oldest Tory evening paper. but the at
mosphere was unmistakable. As I.oter
entered he glanced up from the desk
at which he was sitting. hut instantly
returned to his task Of looking through
and making pile Of early evening ed-
tions 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 second, while skim the st.
Stephens"
His salutation pleased Loder With
a nod Of acquiescence he crossed the
office to the brisk fire that burned in
the CRATE
For 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 n gesture of
satisfaction and leaned back In his
chair.
Well" he said. what d'y0u think
Of this? How's this for a complica-
tionT
Loder turned round. 81 think" he
mate it,"
Lakeley laughed and took a long pull
at his cigar. And we mustn't be
afraid to let the Scarborough crowd
know it. eh?'' He waved his hand to
the poster Of the first edition that hung
before his desk.
Loder. following his glance, smiled.
Lakeley laughed again "They might
have known it all along II they'd cared
to deduce," he said. did they really
believe that Russia was going to sit
calmly looking across the Her-Rud
while the shah played at mobilizing?
But what became Of you last night?
We had regular prophesying Of the
whole business at Bramfell's; the great
Fraide looked in for five mlnutes.i
ward aiu Was there when inY. .heWa
came In. Twas a great night"
Loder's face lighted up. Il can imag-
Inc 1t" he said. with an unusual touch
Of warmth.
Lakeley watched him intently for
moment. Then with quick action
he leaned forward and rested his ell
bows on the desk.
"It's going to be something more
than imagination for you. Chilcote," he
said impressively. It's going to be
solid earnest" He spoke rapidly and
with rather more than his usual
shrewd decisiveness; then he paused tA
see the effect Of his announcement
Lo1er was still studying the fiaring
poster. At the others words he turn
ed sharply. Something in Lakeley's
voice. something in his manner. arrest
ed him. A tinge Of color crossed his
face.
"Reality?" he said. What do you
mean%
For a further space his companion
watched him. then with a rapid move
ment he tilted back his chair.
Yes" he said. Yes; old Fraide's
instincts are never far out. He's quite
right. You're the man"
Still quietly. but with a strange un-
derglow Of excitement, Loder left the
at Lakeley's desk.
"Do you mind telling me what you're
driving at?" he asked in his old. la
comic voice.
Lakeley still scrutiniZed him with an
air Of brisk satisfaction; then with
gesture of finality he tossed his cigar
away.
my dear chap" he said. there's 60
Ing to be breach somewhere-and
Fraide says you're the man to step in
and fill 1t! You see, FIVE years ago.
when things looked lively on the gulf
and the Bundar Abbas business came
to light. you did some promising work.
and a reputation like that sticks to a
man even when he turns Stacker!
won't deny that you've Stacked abomi-
nably," he added as Loder made an un-
easy movement. "but Stacking has DIFF