Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 3 to kiss him the minute he proposed and, upon my word, I wouldn’t do it!” “Of course you wouldn’t! We all know you wouldn't,” said Miss Allyn, soothingly ; “but, really, I don’t see why you didn’t. I am sure | should have! When I fell in love I developed a perfect mania for kissing, and just think, I haven’t seen my promised hus- band since we left Indianapolis! Oh, I know how it feels ta be a grass widow!” “It must be awful,” laughed Miss Ellis, who had recovered from her embarrassment. “Why, if I was to be separated from Bert: a day I believe it would kill me!’ Every one laughed at her tragic tones, and _ then Marion happened to glance up at Dr. Brookes. — The young man was looking at her with a wistful expression in his eyes, as though he were longing with all his heart to hear her express some such sentiment. A flush rose to her cheeks, and she turned her eyes away quickly. The next instant the train began slowing up, and the conductor called out “Washing- ton!” CHAPTER IT. THE TWO COLONELS. It was the day of the inauguration of President McKinley, and the wide streets of the national capital were swarming with sight-seers. A gigantic parade stretched down Pennsylvania avenue, and at every street corner were waiting companies ready to fall in at a moment’s notice, while the crowds that thronged the sidewalks waved flags and banners, and cheered lustily. The beautiful city was in gala attire, and every one was bent upon making the day a memor- able one. Now and then there would be a “rough- and-tumble” fight upon some crowded cor- nef, but it was usually indulged in by some of the colored population, who had consumed a little too much whisky in honor of the oc-. casion. Overlooking the seething crowd from the steps of the Treasury Building stood two gentlemen, wearing silk hats and frock coats, and showing plainly by every movement that they were no less important personages than Congressmen or Senators. Behind them at a little distance stood another gentleman, clad in the uniform,of an army officer, but, although he was within speaking distance of the other two, they merely saluted him and resumed their talk about the panorama that passed before them. Suddenly the younger of the two uttered a sharp exclamation: “Quick! Look at that group just oppo site, colonel! You are a connoisseur of beauty—what is your opinion of the young lady with the chestnut hair, who is leaning on the arm of that distinguished-looking young fellow ?” His companion, whom he had addressed as “colonel,” turned instantly and glanced in the direction indicated. “By Jove! She is magnificent! Looks like a wild rose, doesn’t she? What glorious eyes and what a delicious color!’ he ex- claimed, enthusiastically. “An improvement on our Washington beauties! eh, colonel?” said the other, with a mischievous side glance. “She’s more of a field daisy, though, to my way of thinking. She is graceful and delicate, and yet there is a rugged freshness about her. A stranger, of course, or one of us would know her.” A laugh followed, and then Colonel Apple- by spoke again: “There seems to be quite a party of them, and a hard time they are having of it to make their way through the mob. Now, if I only had the honor of that beautiful girl’s ac- quaintance, I might offer her my carriage.” The remark was made in jest, and his com- panion answered it laughingly: “What, and be the target for the envious eyes of every man in Washington, as well as bring down the wrath of the beautiful Miss MacGregor upon your shoulders! That would be sheer recklessness, I assure you, colonel! It would involve you in more duels than one, old man, but, perhaps you haven’t seen the morning papers.” He drew a newspaper from his pocket as he spoke, and pointed to a paragraph. The elder man glanced at» it and then smiled good-naturedly. COMICHOOKS».€O