The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-08


and passed through the door.
be Iunehed with Fraide at his CLUB
ana afterward walked with am 10
Westminster. The walk and lunch
were both memorable. In that hour be
learned many things that had been
sealed to him before. He tasted his
first draft OF real citation. his first droa
OF real discontinue. He saw for the
first time how a great man may con-
deseend-hOw unostentstiously, how
fully. how delightfully."-. He felt what
tact and kindness perfectly combined
NAV accomplish. and he burned In
wardIy with a sense OF dupliclty that
crushed aud elated him alternately.
He was John LOder. friendless, penni-
less. with no present aud no future, Jet
be walked down whitehall In the fnll
Ight OF day with one OF the greatest
statesmen England has knowA -,
Some strangers were being shown
| ever the terrace when he and Fraide
reached the house, and, Noticing the
open door. the old man paused.
Il never refuse fresh air" he said.
''shaiI we take another breath Of Il
before settling DOWN." He took Ls-
der's arm and drew him forward. AZ
they passed through the doorway the
pressure of his fingers frightened i
shaIl reckon today among my pleasant
eat memories, Chilcote," he said grave
Ely. IL can't explain the feeling. but
seem to have touched Ewes husband.
the real you, more closely this morning
than | ever did before. 1t has been
genuine happiness" He looked up with
| the eyes that through ali his years OF
action and responsibility had remained
SO bright.
But Loder paled suddenly. and his
glance turned to the river-wide, mysr
terious. secret Unconsciously Ffaide
had stripped the illusion. 1t was not
John Loder who walked here; It was
Chllcote- Chilcote with his position, his
constituency-his wife. He half extri-
Gated his arm, but Fraide held 1t.
oNo." he said. Don't draw away
from me- You have always been TOO
ready to do that 1t is not often l have
a pleasant truth to tell. 1 won't be de-
prived of the enjoyment"
"Can the truth ever be pleasant siry'
Involuntirily Loder echoed Chilcote.
Fraide looked up. He was half
head shorter than his companion,
4 though his dignity concealed the fact.
"Chilcote." he said seriously, give up
cynicism! 1t is the trademark of fall
ure. and / do not like 1t in my
friends"
Loder said nothing. The quiet in
sight of the reproof, Its mitigating
kindness. touched him sharply. In
that moment he saw the rails down
which he had sent his little car OF ex-
lstence spinning, and the sight daunted
him. The track was sleeper, the gauge
narrower, than he had guessed; there
were curves and sidings upon which
he had. not, reckoned. He turned his
head and met Fraide's glance.
aDon't count too much on me, ST., :
he said slowly. 81 might disappoiat
Won again" His voice broke OF on
the last word. for the sound OF OTHER
voices and of laughter came to them
across the terrace as a group OF two
women and three men passed through
the open door At glance he realize
/, that the silghter of the two women
. was Eve.
Seeing them. she disengaged herself
from her party and came quickly Tor
ward. He saw her cheeks flush anf
her eyes brighten pleasantly as they
rested on his companion, but he noticed
also. that after her first cursory glance
she avoided his own direction.
As she came toward them Fraidt
drew away his hand in readiness tf
greet her.
Here comes my godchild!' he said
II often wish, Chilcote, that | coult
do away with the prefix" He addet
the last words in an undertone as ~
: reached them, then he RESPONDED
warmly to her smile.
"Whaty' he said. Turning the ter
race into the garden Of Eden in Jan
uary! We cannot allow this"
Eve laughed. Blame Lady Sarah!
she said. 1--WE met at lunch, and sh'
carried me of. Needless to say
hadn't to ask where"
They both laughed, and Loder Joined
little uncertainty. He had yet q
learn that the devotion of Fraide an'
his wife was long standing Jest i
their particular set.
At the sound Of his tardy laugh Ev
turned to him. II hope l didn't rob yo'
: of all sleep last night" she said.
caught him in his den," she explained
turning to Fraide, land invaded II mos
courageously. believe we talke'
till q"
!, Again Loder noticed how quickly SD
looked from him to Fraide. The know
edge reused his self assertion.
81 had an excellent night" he sale
"Do look as IL hadn't sleptT'
: Somewhat slowly and reluctantl
Eve looked back. NO" she said trutf
fully and with faint surprise that I
Loder seemed the first genuine emotio
she had shown regarding him. mo,
don't think l ever saw you look 8
uv CHI x.,aa o,,ita unconscious an