The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-04

Wnilo Jne Sldl playeu 1T nOD1IIZIuS
But what became of you last night?
We had a regular prophesying Of the
whole BUSINESS at BramfelFs; the great
Fraide looked in for five minutes. l
went on with him to the club after
ward and was there when the news
came in. Twas a great nightr'
Loders face lighted up. I can mag
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.
ITS going to be something more
than imagination for you, Chilcote," he
said impressively. It's going to be
solid earnestr' He spoke rapidly and
with rather more than his usual
shrewd decisiveness; then he paused to
see the effect Of his announcement
Loder was still studying the fiaring
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 further space his companion
watched him, then with a rapid move
ment he tilted back his chair
Yes" he said. Yes; old Fraides
instincts are never far out. He's quite
right. You're the mani"
Still quietly, but with a strange I'M
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, la
comic voice.
Lakeley still scrutinized him with an
air of brisk satisfaction; then with Il
gesture of fnality he tossed his cigar
away.
MY dear chap" he said, there's go
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 q
man even when he turns Stacker! l
won't deny that you've Stacked abomi-
nably," he added as Loder made an IN
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 Loder stirred in his seat A
host of emotions were stirring in his
mind Every word wrung from Lakeley
was apother stimulus to pride, another
subtle tribute to the curious force Of
personality.
"Well?" he said. "WeH?"
Lakeley smiled 1--WE 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'H 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
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.
IF this news comes before the Eas-
ter recess" he went on, 1.-The first nail
can be hammered in on the motion for
adjournment. And if the right man
does 1t 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 unreality
Of the past months had become real; q
tangible Justification of himself and
his imposture was suddenly made pos
sible In the stress of understanding
he, too, leaned forward. and. resting
his elbows on the desk. took his face
between his hands.
/ For a space Lakeley made no remark.
To him man and mans moods came
second in interest to his paper and his
party politics. That Chilcote should be
/ conscious of the glories he had opened
| up seemed only natural; that he should
show that consciousness in becoming
/ gravity seemed only right. For some
seconds he made no attempt to disturb
/ him. but at last his own irrepressible
activity made silence uncomfortable He
caught up his pencil and tapped i'm
patiently on the desk
"Chilcote," he said quickly alal with
a CLEAN of sudden anxiety. you're not
by any chance doubtful of yourself?'
At sound of his voice Loder lifted his
face. 1t was quite pale again. but the
energy and resolution that had come