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

uee1 OF action. lie unneSitatinolv
pointed out that the news which had
Just reached England was not so much
an appalling fact as a sinister warning
10 those In whose keeping lay the safety
Of the country's interests. Lastly. With
a hne touch OF eloquence. he paid trib-
ute TO the steadfast fidelity OF such men
as Sir William Brlce-Field. who, what
ever political complications arise at
home, pursue their duty unswervingIy
en- the outpOsts OF the empire.
At his last words there was silence
the silence that marks a genuine effect
then all at once. with vehement. i'm
pressive force. the storm OF enthusiasm
broke it's bounds.
IL 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. IL rose about him-clamor-
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 a=ay.
and in the partial hull that followed
Fraide leaned over the back OF his seat.
His quiet. dignifed expression was IN
altered. but his eyes were intensely
bright.
"Chilcote." he whispered, 81 don't con
graduate you or myself. I congratu-
late the country on possessing a great
manw
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 a careful
and nonincriminating reply defended
the attitude or 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 well disguised under a tone OF
reassuring ease. the attempt 20 reha-
bilitate his pOsition-already weakened
in more than one direction-was a task
beyond his strength.
Amid extraordinary excitement the
division followed. and with Il "A govern
meut defeat
IL was not until half an hour after
the votes had been taken that Loder.
freed at last from persistent congratu-
lations. found opportunity 20 look FOR
Eve. In accordance with a promise
made that morning. he was 20 find her
waiting outside the ladies' gallery at
the close OF the debate.
Disengac'ng himself from the group
or mon who had surrounded aud fol
lowed him down the lobby. he discard
ell the lift and ran up the narrow stair
case. Reaching the landing. he went
forward hurriedly. Then with a certain
abrupt movement ne paused In the
doorway leading 90 the gallery Eve
was waiting FOR him. The place was
not brightly lighted. and she was stand
ing I'm the shadow. but it needed only a
glance 90 assure his recognition. lie
could almost have seen I'm the dark that
night SO vivid We're his perceptions
He took step toward her. then again
he stopped Ia second glance he real
lied that her eyes were bright with
tears. and IL was with the strangest
sensation nc had ever experienced that
the knowledge flashed upon him. Here
also he had struck the same nOte-the
long coveted note OF supremacy. Ii had
rung ont fun and clear as he stood IN
Chllcote's place dominating the house:
II had bcsiegcd him clamorously as he
passed along the Hobbies amid "A sea OF
friendly hands and voices: now in the
quiet OF the deserted gallery Il came
home 20 him with deeper meaning from
the eyes OF Chilcote's wife
Without q thought he put out his
hands and caught hers.
Il couldn't get away" he said. I'm
afraid I'm very late"
With a smile that scattered her tears.
Eve looked up. Are your" she said.
laughing n little. Il don't know what
the time is. / scarcely know whether
it's night or day"
Still holding one OF her hands. he
drew her down the stairs. but as they
reached the last step she released her
fingers.
I'm the carriage" she said. with an
other little laugh OF nervous happiness
AT the foot OF the stairs they were
surrounded Men whose faces Loder
barely knew crowded about him. The
intOxication Of excitement was still in
the air-the instinct that a new force
had made itself felt. a new epoch been
entered upon, stirred prophetically in
every mind.
Passing through the enthusiastic con
course OF men. they came unexpected
ly upon Fralde and Lady Sarah sur.
rounded by a group of friends. The
old statesman came forward instantly
and. taking Loder's arm. walked with
him to Chilcote's waiting brougham.
He said little as they slowly made
their way 10 the carriage. but the pres
sure or his fingers was tense and an
unwonted color showed In his face
When Eve and Loder had taken their