Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 41 thought, perhaps, we might see him again somewhere in the White House.” | “Oh, I expect all of the Congressmen and Senators are very busy entertaining to-day. We were very fortunate, indeed, to have as much of his time as we did, but see, here come Bert and Miss Ellis! Who knew they were behind us?” They had been drifting along the avenue with the crowd as they talked, and were now some distance from the White House and, as Alma spoke she took Marion’s arm and hurried her across the wide thoroughfare, which was fairly clear at that moment. “Where is your carriage, girls?” called out Bert, as he elbowed his way along, almost drawing the mgénue after him. “Oh, we told the colonel when we went in that we would walk home,” answered Miss Allyn. “It was quite enough for him to send for us, but the crush is so great that we felt sorry for the horses, and I am sure he appreciated our sentiments on the sub- ject.” “We just met him for a minute, and gee! you ought to hear him praise Marion!” said Bert, laughing. “Oh, Miss MacGregor isn’t in it from this time forth! Better look out for her at the ball to-night, Marion! She’s liable to fly at you and scratch your eyes out!” “What a sensation that would create, and, oh, what an ‘ad!’” laughed Miss Allyn, gayly. “Why, it would get in all the papers and what would be the result? The Tem- ple Theatrical Company would receive an in- _ vitation to play in Washington! It is even possible that the residents would give us the theatre.” “IT hardly think any such dire event will occur,” said Marion, laughing. “Washing- ton society belles are too well bred for that, and then, dear me, why should she be feal- ous? She is a grand lady, no doubt, while I am only an actress!” “You are as much account as any of them, Marion,” said Bert, as he tucked her hand under his arm, “only you are too modest to know it.” Marion laughed merrily at his words, but made no reply. “How proud the dear old commodore would be if he were here with you, Marion,” said Miss Ellis. “It would be such a pleas- ant sequel to your experience in Omaha.” Marion’s flushed cheeks paled at the allu- sion to Omaha, for it was in that city that she had passed through a frightful experi- ence, that of being with a gentleman when he was. “held up” by highwaymen, after which she had been dragged from her saddle by a lariat thrown by one of the ruffians. She did not reply, and Miss Allyn changed the subject by calling her attention to some of the elegant residences. “You had better come to Washington and live when you decide to get married,” said her friend, as she stopped to stare at a row of attractive houses on Rhode Island ave- nue. “See! Here is the nation’s gift to Ad- miral Dewey. It is as empty as vanity. You might come and rent it, Marion!”’ The fair young girl glanced up at the va- cant house, and her eyes twinkled merrily. “T don’t-believe I’d care to live there! I'd rather live in the White House,” she said, rather demurely. “So would Dewey,” laughed Bert; “so be warned in time, Marion. Don’t let your longings for the White House make you ré- fuse a Congressman. Oh, I'd like nothing better than to see you established here! It is the neatest, the prettiest and the gayest city in the Union!” “Quite a change from Hickorytown,” laughed Marion, gayly. “Oh, Bert, how strange it all seems and how incredible! Just think, a few months ago we were poor chil- dren in the country. Why, a farm-house kitchen and a straw bed and hoeing and milking was our portion, and here we are now conspiring to live at the national cap- ital! It’s so funny that I can sinibach keep from laughing when I think of it.’ “Where there’s a will there’s a way,’ quoted Bert, solemnly, as he turned them back toward the main thoroughfare. “We’ve already accomplished things that we did not dream were in our power; so who is to Say that our present aims are impossible ?”’ “There is nothing impossible. except our crossing that avenue,” broke in Miss Allyn. “Look, Bert! The crowds are surging this EGOMIGDOOKSAGO J