The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-02-28

ly with the Fraides. Being delayed by
some communications from Wark, he
was 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,
he knew her to be q woman Of the
world.
He took Fraide's outstretched hand,
and again he looked toward Eve, wait
ing 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
than any words, smile that in a
single second conveyed forgiveness,
appreciation and a warm, almost ten
der sense Of sympathy and comprehen-
sion. The remembrance of that smile
stayed with him long after they were
seated at table and far into the future
the remembrance Of the lunch itself,
with it's pleasant private sense of sat-
isfaction, was destined to- return to
him in retrospective moments. The
delightful atmosphere of the Fraides'
home life had always been wonder
and an enigma to him, but on this day
he seemed to grasp it's meaning by a
new light as he watched Eve often
under it's influence and felt himself
drawn imperceptibly from the position
of speculative outsider to that Of an
intimate. 1t was a fresh side to the
complex, fascinating life Of which
Fraide was the master spirit.
These reflections had grown agree
ably familiar to his mind. The talk,
momentarily diverted into social chan
nels, was quietly drifting back to the
inevitable question Of the situation"
that in private moments was never far
from their lips, when the event that
was to mark and separate that day
from those that had preceded it was
unceremoniously thrust upon them.
Without announcement or apology,
the door was suddenly flung open and
Lakeley entered the room.
His face was trimming with excite
ment and his eyes flashed. In the
first haste Of the entry he failed to see
that there were ladies in the room and,
crossing instantly to Fraide, laid an
open telegram before him. "This is
official, SIR" he said. Then at last he
glanced round the table.
LADY Sarahr he exclaimed. Gan
you forgive me? But I'd have given
a hundred pounds to be the first with
this!' He glanced back at Fraide
Lady Sarah rose and stretched out
her hand. "Mr. Lakeley,' she said, 81
more than understands There was
thrill in her warm, cordial voice, and
band.
OF the whole party Fraide alone was
perfectly calm. He sat very still, his
small, thin figure erect and dignified.
as his eyes scanned the message that
meant so much.
Eve, who had sprung from her seat
and passed round the table at sound Of
Lakeley's news, was leaning over his
shoulder reading the telegram with
him. At the last word she lifted her
head, her face flushed with excitement.
"How splendid it must be to be a
man!' she exclaimed, and without
generalization her eyes and Loder's
met
In this manner came the news from
Persia and with it Loder's definite
call. In the momentary stress Of &C.
ton it was impossible that any thought
OF Chilcote could obtrude itself. Events
had followed each other too rapidly,
decisive action had been too much
thrust upon him, to allow of hesita-
ton, and it was in this spirit, under
this vigorous pressure, that he made
~~N
day that followed Fraides luncheon
party.
That indefnable attentiveness, that
alert sensation of impending storm,
mat IS so strong an index Of the par
hamentary atmosphere was very keen
on that memorable list Of April. It
was obvious in the crowded benches
on both sides of the house, in the one
ness of purpose that insensibly made
itself felt through the ranks of the op-
position and found definite expression
in Fraide's stiff figure and tightly shut
lips, in the unmistakable uneasiness
that lay upon the ministerial benches.
But Notwithstanding these indica-
tons of battle the early portion of the
proceedings was unmarked by excite
ment, being tinged with the purposeless
lack of vitality that had of late marked
all affairs Of the Scarborough ministry,