The Princeton union., 1907-02-28

ne read the signs and pOrtents with in
stinctive insight. Seated at Chilcote's
table, surrounded by Chilcote's letters
and papers, he forgot the breakfast
that was slowly growing cold, forgot
the interests and dangers, personal or
pleasurable, of the night before, while
his mental eyes persistently conjured
up the map of Persia. travelling with
steady deliberation from Merv to Me-
shed, from Meshed to Herat, from Her
at to the empire of India! For it was
not the fact that the Hazaras had risen
against the shah that occupied the
thinking mind, nor was it the fact that
Russian and not Persian troops were
destined to subdue them, but the deep
ly important consideration that an
armed Russian force had crossed the
frontier and was encamped within
twenty miles Of Meshed-Meshed, up
on which covetous Russian eyes have
rested ever since the days Of Peter the
Great.
So Loder's thoughts ran as he read
and reread the news from the varying
political standpoints, and so they con-
tinued to run when, some hours later,
an urgent telephone message from the
st. Georges Gazette asked him to call
at Lakeley's Office.
The message was Interesting as we'll
as imperative, and he made an instant
response. The thought Of Lakeley's
keen eyes and shrewd enthusiasms al
ways possessed strong attractions for
his own slower temperament, but even
had this impetus been lacking. the
knowledge that at the st. Georges Of
fees, If anywhere, the true feelings of
the party were invariably voiced would
have drawn him without hesitation.
1t was scarcely II o'clock when he
turned the corner of the tall building.
but already the keen spirit that Lakeley
everywhere diffused was making itself
felt. Loder smiled to himself as his
eyes fell on the days placards with
their uncompromising headings and
passed onward from the string Of gay
ly painted carts drawn up to receive
their first consignment of the paper to
the troop Of eager newsboys passing in
and out Of the big swing doors with
their piled up bundles of the early edi-
tion, and with a renewed thrill Of
anticipation and energy he passed
through the doorway and ran upstairs.
Passing unchallenged through the long
corridor that led to Lakeley's Office, he
caught a fresh impression of action
and vitality from the click of the tape
machines in the subeditor's Office, and
glimpse through the open door Of the
subeditors themselves, each occupied
with his particular task; then without
time for further observation he found
himself at Lakeley's door. Without
waiting to knock, as he had felt CON-
PEELED to do on the one or two previous
occasions that business had brought
him there, he Immediately turned the
handle and entered the room.
Editors officers differ but little in
general effect. Lakeley's surroundings
We're rather more elaborate than is
usual, as became the dignity Of the
Oldest Tory evening paper, but the at
mosphere was unmistakable. AS Loder
entered he glanced up from the desk
at which he was sitting, but instantly
returned to his task Of looking through
and making pile Of early evening edi-
tions that were spread around him.
His coat was off and hung on the chair
behind him, and he pulled vigorously
on long cigar
'Hello! That's right" he said lacon-
ically. 'Make yourself comfortable
half second. while I skim the st.
Stephen's.''
His salutation pleased Loder. With
nod of acquiescence he crossed the
office to the brisk fire that burned in
the crate.
For minute or two Lakeley worked
steadily, occasionally breaking the quiet
by an unintellig1ble remark or vigor-
GUS stroke of his pencil At last he
dropped the paper with a gesture of
satisfaction and leaned back IN his
chair
"Well," he said, what d'you think
of this? How's this for a complica-
tion?"
Loder turned round II think" he
said quietly, "that we can't overesti-
mate it,
Lakeley laughed and took long pull
at his cigar. "And we mustn't be
afraid to let the Scarborough crowd
know it, ehw He waved his hand to
the poster of the first edition that hung
before his desk
| Loder, following his glance, smiled.
Lakeley laughed again. "They nigh,
have known it all along if they'd cared
to deduce," he said. did they really
believe that Russia was going to sit
calmly looking across the Heri-Rud
while the shah played at mobilizing?
But what became Of you last night?
We had regular prophesying Of the
whole business at Bramfelps; the great
Fraide looked in for five minutes.
went on with him to the club after
ward and was there when the news
came in. Twas great night!'
Loder's face lighted up. II can .imagg-
inc it," he said, with an unusual touch
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