Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 138: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

278 and Miranda became at once tearful and reproachful. Her father reminded his prospective son-in-law that the society people in their circle of acquaintances would re- mark upon the odd circumstance if they saw them in so important an as- semblage unaccompanied by Miranda’s fiancé. The incident was becoming magnified out of proportion, and Reuel surrendered. The three were driven to the execu- tive mansion in the Congressman’s handsome coach, drawn by high-step- ping dapple grays. The scene under the gas lamps at the entrance was spec- tacular, and the vivid contrast brought quickly to Reuel’s mind pictures of the somber squalor of the Kansas settle- ments. The foreign diplomats glittered in sumptuous uniforms, loaded with jeweled orders and decorations. Their ladies and those of the American of- ficials vied with one another in ex- travagance of costume and toilette. Ermine and sable covered gem-studded satin, and priceless tiaras and minia- ture coronets surmounted the handi- work of imported Paris coiffeurs. In Kansas, reflected the young man bitterly, people were freezing to death for want of fuel and clothing dying for lack of nourishing food — people who journeyed westward to accept the rovernment’s proffered bounty and ex- tend the boundaries of the republic. He found himself presently in the small parlor where the President and his lady were receiving, just off the large and sumptuous Green Room. His Excellency was in a gracious mood, and made a prepossessing picture with his comely face, his slender military form and carriage, and the easy grace of his bearing. It was noted, however, by a number of the bystanders, that the affable smile vanished when Senator John Hale, of New Hampshire, the President’s own State, entered the room with his family. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Hale was popular with everybody in Washington save his colleagues among the fire-eating Southern agitators, and it was known that the President re- sented the militant abolitionist tactics adopted by the influential New Hamp- shire orator at the very time when the administration most needed the favor of the Southern clans. Mrs. Hale and her daughter preced- ed the Senator in the line that filed past the President and Mrs. Pierce, and they were cordially greeted and fa- vored with a few casual remarks. Then, as the ladies moved on, Sena- tor Hale smiled, stepped forward with a courtly bow, and extended his hand. But the President saw neither the hand nor the man behind it; he deliberately turned his back on the guest, and fell to chatting with some members of his suite. Mr. Hale flushed vividly, bowed to Mrs. Pierce, and passed on without a word. “The cad!” gasped Reuel, his eyes flashing with hot anger. “Hush, hush!” whispered Mr. Reynolds nervously. ‘“ Be not amazed at anything, my boy, in the political arena in times of stress.” Presently District Marshal Hoover called out the names of Representative Reynolds and his daughter, adding the name of their guest. Mitanda gracefully dropped a curtsy and received a winsome smile from the first lady and a compliment from his Excellency. Mr. Reynolds was greet- ed cordially as he moved past. Reuel, his face still flushed and his lips set in a straight line, stepped out of the file, fell back a pace, and exe- cuted a formal bow, his white-gloved hand placed on his breast. “The nephew of Senator ‘Tris- tram!” exclaimed the President cordi- ally, and thrust his hand out with more than ordinary heartiness. Reuel bowed again, and the hand remained insistently extended. “Mr. President,” said the young Gomichbooks (C@