Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-28
nand.

| of the house, speaking insistently, fear
Iessly, 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 a genuine effect
then all at once, with vehement, i'm
pressiye force, the storm Of enthusiasm
broke its bounds.
It was one of those stupendcus 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-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 away,
and in the partial lull that followed
Fraide leaned over the back of his seat.
His quiet, dignified expression was I'M
altered, but his eyes were intensely
bright.
"Chilcote,' he whispered, 81 don't con-
graduate you or myself. l congratu-
late the country on possessing great
manr'
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 Tor
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-
ders 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 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 govern
ment defeat.
1t 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 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 a
| glance to assure his recognition He
| could almost have seen in the dark that
night, so vivid were his perceptions.
He took a step toward her, then again
he stopped. In a 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. It had
rung out full and clear as he stood in
Chilcotes 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 it came
home to him with deeper meaning from
the eyes of Chilcote's wife.
| N4luUul q SAOu5AI AC PUT Jul LIS
hands and caught hers.
81 couldn't get away" he said. 'I'm
/ afraid I'm very late.'
With smile that scattered her tears,
Eve looked up. "Are you?' she said,
laughing a little Il don't know what
the time is. 1 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.
'In 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 new force
had made itself felt, new epoch been
entered upon. stirred prophetically in
4 rx1e,.ry -,,;v11