Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 10: what you’re looking at

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8 what the paper said about him. He does not look a bit like a man who would fight a duel.” Marion hesitated a moment before she re- plied. There had been something in the Congressman’s manner that puzzled her a little. tig “T hardly know what to think of him,’’ she said, very honestly. ‘He was exceedingly kind, of course. I can hardly understand his courtesy, but did you notice how he looked at me, sometrmes, Alma’ As if there was something about me that was extremely funny.” : . “You mean that he seemed chuckling to himself over something,” said her friend. “Yes, I noticed it, but I laid it to the fact that you and Bert amused him—you were so out- spoken, you know, about that letter.” “T thought it best to be honest,” said Mar- ion, a little anxiously. “We hoped he would invite us, and I did not see any harm in say- ing so.” “Well, it wasn’t exactly ‘according to Hoyle,’” laughed Alma, merrily, “but then you are nothing if not original, dearie! Why, your unconventional ways are your greatest charm! It is no wonder the Con- gressman was amused. He probably thinks you are a curio.” “T hardly know whether that is a compli- ment or not,” laughed Marion, gayly; “but, if being outspoken and honest is going to brand me a ‘curio,’ I think I shall be rather proud of it. Really, Alma, I have no patience at all with politic people. I just despise sham and hypocrisy, so why should I employ it? I did want him to invite us to the Inauguration Ball, and [| just couldn’t help telling him so, when I saw the opportunity !”’ Miss Allyn burst into a peal of laughter, and the temptation to tease a little could not be resisted. “Now, if you had only hinted that an invi- tation to the President’s reception this after- noon would be appreciated, Marion! but perhaps the reception is only intended for the Diplomatic Corps ; still, a hint might have heen sufficient.” “You can't tease Marion, with a quiet smile, have happened than our going to the doe I intend to see the inside of the White me a bit, Alma,” said “Stranger things tion. MY QUEEN. 4 House, at any rate, and, perhaps, we can shake hands with the new Vice-President, if we can’t with the President!” ti “Hello, girls! Are you home safe? Wasn't it grand!” called a voice at that mo- ment, and Miss Ellis came flying into the apartment. “Where were you, Marion? I could not see you at all!” she went on, eagerly. “Did you have good positions and did you see the President ?” Marion and Miss Allyn looked at each other and smiled, and then Miss Allyn an- swered: . | . “Didn’t you see us, dear? Why, what a pity!’ We were riding around in Congress- man Colonel Appleby’s carriage!” os | “Rats! Come off! What are you giving us!” exclaimed the igénue, dropping into Bert Jackson’s slang. “You don’t expect me to believe that fairy tale, do you?” “But we were, really,” laughed Marion, as she proceeded to explain. “Bert had a letter, you know, to Colonel Appleby from his father, and we met him in the crowd. The next we knew we were in his carriage, and, well, you can imagine how proud we felt, but Bert nearly disgraced us! What do you think, he gave one of his Comanche war- whoops, right in the Congressman’s car- riage !” | “Bully for Bert! You can’t tame that boy!” cried Miss Ellis, delightedly. “Why, ever since we have been engaged, I have been trying to tone him down, but it’s no use—he is irrepressible, and I'm getting so I like it! Bert wouldn't be Bert without his slang and his war-whoop!” ‘Well, he distinguished himself to-day,” said Alma Allyn, laughing; “but Marion has not told you the rest of the story. We are eoing to the Inauguration Ball in the Pension suilding this evening !” “Pooh! That’s nothing! There are others!” retorted Miss Ellis, loftily, “Dr. \-ookes has four tickets for the ball, and he is looking for two more; so, unless all signs fail. ‘yours, truly,’ will attend the ball, also!” “Here's the doctor now!” cried Miss Allyn, as some one tapped on the door, The next moment she had admitted the handsome lead- ing man of the company. Eomichooks.com