The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-03-22

through rEe doorway ald ran ulelhlrl
Passing unehaIlenged through the Ion
-orritOr that led 70 Lakeley's ofiice. b
cercst "a fresh impre sion OF aetio
and vitality from tie click OF the tap
machines ia Tire sULcditOr's Office, an
a glImree through the open door OF tn
subedit0r; themselves. each occupies
with his particular tesE. then withOu
time FOR further observation he fOunS
himself n Inkeley's door. Withou
waiting to knock. rs he had felt con-
PEELED % 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
were 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 a pile Of early evening edi-
tions that were spread around him
His coat was of and hung on the chair
behind him. and he pulled vigorously
on a long cigar.
Hello! That's right" he said lacon-
fcally. Make yourself comfortable
half a second while | skim the st.
Stephens"
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 unintelligible remark or a 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 compiled.
Hon?'
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, eh?'' 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 might
have known it all along If they'd cared
to deduce," he said. Did they really
hoIiavo TINT Prussia UaS Uoin0 m cir
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 Bramfell's; the great |
Fralde 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. Il can imag-
ne it," he said, with an unusual touch
If warmth
Lakeley watched him intently for
Then with quick action
he leaned forward and rested his ell
BOWS on the desk.
cts going to be something more
han Imagination for you, Chilcote," he
aid impressively. It's going to be
old earnestw He spoke rapidly and
With rather more than his usual
hrewd decisiveness; then he paused to
ee the effect of his announcement.
Loder was still studying the fiaring
oster At the others words he turn
d sharply. Something in Lakeley's
dice, something in his manner, arrest
d him. A tinge of color crossed his
ice.
"Reality?" he said. What do you
lean"
For further space his companion J
'atched him, then with a rapid move :
ent he tilted back his chair. !
Eyes" he said. Yes; old Fraide's |.
stincts are never far out. He's quite ;
ght. You're the man.
Still quietly, but with a strange I'M
erglow of excitement, Loder left the
e and, coming forward, took a chair
Lakeley's desk.
do you mind telling me what you're
living at?" he asked in his old la y
mic voice 81
still scrutinized him with an
r of brisk satisfaction; then with q y
sture of finality he tossed his cigar Il
way. a.
My dear chap" he said, there's go -
2 to be a breach somewhere-and r
aide says you're the man to step in
d fill it! You see, five years ago,
len things looked lively ON the gulf y
d the Bundar Abbas business came :.
light, you did some promising work, e
d a reputation like that sticks to a g g
IN even when he turns Stacker! IN ~
mt deny that you've Stacked abomi- 81
bly," he added as Loder made an I'M
~ movement. "but Stacking has diff 4
ent effects. Some men run to seed,
ers mature. l had almost put you
wn on the black list, but I've altered
mind in the last two months"
gain Loder stirred in his seat. A Nj
It of emotions were stirring in his
nd. Every word wrung from Lakeley
s another stimulus TO pride, another
file tribute TO the curious force of ne