The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-04-19

did not herr him there would be n
substitute "a bare reproduction.
In the noment OF action II matters
r1.hing . him that his previous prepa
/ rati0ns we're % q rect extent rendere'
useless ny this news that hsd com
with SUch paralyzin- effect In III
sweeDing consciousness OF his owl
ability b. fousd added joy Ia the free
dom It opened I'd. he ceased to con
slider that by fate he was a Conserya
tive. bound by traditional convention
alities. In that great moment he knew
himself sufficiently a man TO exercise
whatever individuality instinct prompt
ed. He forgot the dIdactic methods by
which he had proposed 20 show knowl-
edge of his subject. both as a past and
a future factor In European politics
With his own strong appreciation OF
present things he saw and grasped the
vast present interest lying beneath bis
hand.
For fifty minutes he held the interest
Of the house. speaking inslstently. fear
lessly. commandingly on the Immediate
need OF action. He unhesitatingly
pointed out that the news which had
Just reached England was not so much
an appalling fact as sinister warning
to those In whose keeping lay the safety
Of the country's interests. Lastly. with
q fine touch OF eloquence, he paid trib-
ute to the steadfast fidelity of such men
as Sir William Brice-Field who. what
ever political complications arise az
home. pursue their duty unswervingly
on the outpoSts of the empire.
At his last words there was silence
the silence that marks a genuine effect
then all at once with vehement, inn
presslve force. the storm of enthusiasm
broke its bounds.
II was one OF those stupendous bursts
IF feeling that no etiquette. no decorlIm,
Is powerful enough to quell. AS he re-
sumed his seat very pale. but exalted
as men are exalted only once or twice
In q lifetime. IL rose about hm-clamor-
Gus, spontaneous undeniable. Near at
hand were the faces of his party, excit
ed and triumphant; across the house
ministry. uncomfortable and disturbed.
The tumult swelled, then fell away,
and In the partial lull that followed
Fraide leaned over the back of his seat.
His quiet. dignlfied expression was IN
altered, but his eyes were intensely
bright
'Chilcote," he whispered, II don't con-
gratulate you or myself l congratu-
late the country on possessing a great |
man.
The remaining features Of the de |
bate followed quickly one upon the |
house possessed strong incentive
power. Immediately Loder's ovation |
had subsidized. the undersecretary for /
foreign affairs rose and in careful
and norincriminating reply defended
he attitude Of the government
Next came Fraide, who, in one of his
are and polished speeches, touched
With much feeling upon his personal
,rief at the news reported from Persia
md made emphatic Endorsement of Lo-
ler's words.
Following Fraide came one or two
Iissentient Liberals, and then Sefbor-
ugh himself closed the debate His
peech was mastery and fluent but,
hough any Dispute +ude he may have
cit was well disguised under tone of
eassuring ease, the attempt to reha-
ilitate his position-already weakened
D more than one direction-was a task
eyond his strength.
Amid extraordinary excitement the
vision followed, and with 1t a govern
lent defeat
1t was not until half an hour after
le votes had been taken that Loder,
reed at last from persistent congratu-
ltions, found opportunity to look for
We In accordance with a promise
lade that morning. he was to find her
aiting outside the ladies' gallery at
lie close of the debate.
Disengaging himself from the group
men who had surrounded and fol-
wed him down the lobby, he discard
the lift and ran up the narrow stair
Use. II @0ching the landing, he went
inward hurriedly, Then with a certain
,rupt movement he paused. In the
,orway leading to the gallery Eve
as waiting for him. The place was
It brightly lighted. and she was stand |
g in the shadow, but it needed only a Il
ance to assure his recognition. He Il
uld almost have seen in the dark that
ght, SO vivid were his perceptions
e took step toward her, then again
stopped. In second glance he real
ID that her eyes were bright with
ars, and it was with the strangest
nsation he had ever experienced that
2 knowledge flashed upon him. Here
70 he had struck the same note-the
lg coveted note of supremacy. 1t had
ng out full and clear as he stood in Is
ilcote's place dominating the house: |
had besieged him DANGEROUSLY as he
ssed along the Hobbies amid sea of
endly hands and voices; now in the
let of the deserted gallery 1t came
me to him with deeper meaning from tra
eyes of Chllcote's wife. IN
Without a thought he nut out his tht