Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-30
CHAPTER XIX.
ND SO 1t came to pass that Loder
was freed from one resnonsi-

- From the morning of March p,
when Lakeley had exponnded the politt-
cal programmeNin the offices of the ST
Georges Gazette, to the afternoon of
April / he found himself central fig
l,re In the whirlpool Of activity that
formed itself In. Conservative circles.
4 With the acumen for which he was
noted, Lakeley had touched the Keystone
OF the situation ON that morning, and
succeeding events, each fraught with
ITS own importance, had established tho
precision OF his forecast.
Minutcly watchful Of Russia's atti-
tude, Fraide quietly organized his
forces and strengthened his position
with statesmanHke grasp Of opportu-
nifty. and to I.oder the attributes dis
played by his leader during those try
ing days formed an endless and alb
sorbing study. Setting the thought of
Chilcote aside, ignoring his own posi-
ton and the risks he daily ran, he had
fully yielded to the glamour Of the mo-
ment and In the first freedom Of a
loose rein he had given unreservedly
Ill, that he possessed Of activity, capac-
IT. and determination to the cause that
had claimed him.
Singularly privileged in a constant
personal contact with Fraide, he learn
ed many valuable lessons Of tact and
organization In those five vital days
during which the tactics Of whole
party hung upon one item Of news from
country thousands Of miles away.
For should Russia srbdue the insur-
gent Hazaras and, laden with the hon
ors Of the peacemaker, retire across
the frontier, then the political arena
would remain undisturbed; but should
the all important movement predicted
by Lakeley become an accepted fact be-
fore parliament rose for the Easter re-
cess, then the first blow in the fight
thrt would rage during the succeeding
session must inevitably be struck. In
the meantime it was Fraide's difficult
position to wait and watch and yet pre-
serve his dignity.
il It was early In the afternoon Of
March % that Loder, in response to a
long standing Invitation, lunched quiet
" with the Fraides. Being delayed by
some communications from Wark, he
was a 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 assembled 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 a vague
Impression Of responding suitably to
Lady sarah's cordial greeting. but he
knew that Immediately and uncon-
eciously his eyes turned to Eve. while
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 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
Ia smile that was far more reassuring
than any words, smile that in q
single second conveyed forgiveness,
appreciation and warm, almost ten
der sense OF sympathy and comprehen-
oion. The emembrance Of that smile
stayed with him long after they We're
seated at table ands far into the future
the remembrance of the lunch itself,
with its 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 its meaning by
new light as he watched Eve often
under its influence and felt himself
drawn imperceptibly from the position
Of a 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 1T 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 Sarahw he exclaimed. "Can
you forgive me? But I'd have given
q hundred pounds to be the first with
thisY He glanced back at Fraide.
Lady Sarah rose and stretched out
her hand. ..Mr. Lakeley," she said, II
more than understand There was a
thrill in her warm, cordial voice, and
her eyes also turned toward her hus-
band.
OF the whole party Fraide alone was
perfectly calm He sat very still. his
small. thin figure erect and dignified,