Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-07

ward and was there when the news
came in. Twas a great night"
Loder's face lighted up. II a imag-
inc it," he said, with an unusual touch
of warmth.
Lakeley watched him intently for a
moment. Then with a 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. Its going to be
solid %earnest!" He spoke rapidly and
with rather more than his usual
shrewd de~cisiveness; then he paused to
see the effect Of his announcement.
Loder was still studying the faring
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.
Eyes," he said. Yes; old Fraide's
instincts are never far out. He's quite
right. You're the mani"
Still quietly, but with a strange un-
derglow of excitement, Loder left the
fire and, coming forward, took a chair
at Lakeley's desk.
DO you mind telling me what you're
driving att" he asked in his old, Ia
comic voice.
Lakeley still scrutinized him with an
air Of brisk satisfaction; then with n
gesture of finality he tossed his cigar
away.
my dear chap" he said, there's 60
ing to be a breach somewhere-and
Fraide says you're the man to step in
and fill it! 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! I
won't deny that you've Stacked abomi-
nably." he aided as LoGer made an I'M
easy movement, but Stacking has diff
ferent effects. Some men run to seed,
others mature. l had almost put you
down on the black list, but I've altered
my mind in the last two months"
Again Lodcr stirred in his seat. A
host Of emotions were stirring in his
mind. Every word wrung from Lakeley
was another stimulus to pride. another
subtle tribute to the curious force of
personality.
"Well%' he said. "Well?'
Lakeley smiled. I'VE all know that
Sefborough's ministry is-well, top
heavy" he said. scarborough is build
ing his card house just a story too high.
It's a toss up what'll upset the balance.
1t might be the army, of course, or it
might be education, but it might quite
as we'll be a matter Of foreign policy!"
They looked at each other in compre-
hensive silence.
You know as we'll as l that it's not
the question of whether Russia comes
into Persia, but the question of wheth-
er Russia goes out Of Persia when these
Hazaras are subdued! I'll lay you what
you like, Chilcote, that within one week
we hear that the risings are suppress
ed, but that Russia, instead Of retiring,
has advanced those tempting twenty
miles and comfortably ensconced her
self at Meshed-as she ensconced her
self on the island of Ashurada." Lake
ley's nervous energetic figure was brac-
ed, his light blue eyes frightened by
the intensity of his interest.
eff this news before the Eas-
ter recess" he went on. the first nail
can be hammered in on the motion for
adjournment. And if the right man
does it in the right way I'll lay my life
twill be a nail in Sefborough's coffin"
Loder sat very still. Overwhelming
possibilities had suddenly opened be
fore him. In a moment the un.cality
of the past months had become real: a
tangible justification of himself AID
his imposture was suddenly made l.ns
slble. In the stress of understandings
he, too, leaned forward. and. restiM.
his elbows on the desk. took his face
between his hands.
For a space Lakeley made no renlark.
To him MAI and mans moods raz.e
oCNOAO AZ lltClSSl w LID paper illO Ills
party politics. That Chilcote should be
conscious of the glories he had opened
up seemed only natural; that he shoul1
show that consciousness in a becoming
gravity seemed only right. For soale
seconds he made no attempt to disturb
him, but at last his own irrepressibie
activity made silence uncomfortable. He
caught up his pencil and tapped i'm,
patiently ON the desk.
"Chilcote," he said quickly and With
n CLEAN of sudden anxiety. you're MT
by any chance doubtful of yourselt:"
At sound of his voice Loder lifted his
face. 1t was quite pale again. but the
energy and resolution that had come
into 1t when Lakeley first spoke wert.
still to be seen.
mo, Lakeley." he said very slowly.
tits not the sort Of moment in which
a man doubts himself"
CHAPTER XIX.
YNn ca If no mo fo noe, +bo+ r odo.