The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-02-25
ST. VALENTINE AT THE CAPITAL.

HOWEVER exciting debates may be al
times Senator usually has to endure q
great deal of dullness. There must be
long hours of listening to prosy speeches
in an atmosphere the reverse of invigor-
ating; so, hoNsve enthusiastic his in
terest in causes pending may be, his at
tention is apt to wander, as did the
attention of certain Senator during q
session shortly after the opening of Con
gress in the year 49,.
The Senator had q headache and the
voice of the speaker on the other side oi
the Senate Chamber droned exasperating
ly on and on concerning some financial
question about which the listener cared
not two straws. He actually found him
self wondering at the people in the gal.
lery who sat hearing in immovable
patience and who doubtless, as the Sena
tor said to himself, vexedly, knew nc
more of the matter 10 debate than they
did of the secret of the Sphinx. The
Senator looked them over for the want
of better occupation. There were all
kinds and sorts of people," young and
old, elegant and seedy, curious and care
less, ignorant and blase-an uninterest
ing set enough. The Senator was abou,
giving up his inspection with a yawn OF
weariness when his eye unexpectedly
fell ON lady's face and was instantly
fixed in admiration. The lady sat two
or three rows back, wore a heavy dark
brown cloak and bonnet and veil that
shaded her face; but the face Itself was
one for a painter-a face beautiful in
outline and OF a pure, clear pallor, re-
lieved by the faint gold of ripply hair and
wonderful dark-gray eyes holding an ex-
preston which caused the Senator to
murmur, nalf involuntarily:
"a Marguerite! The very ideal of q
Margueritep ,r -. .,.. .....-
Forgetting that there was such thing
as debate going on, the Senator became
rapt in contemplation of the face in the
gallery, which contemplation was all the
safer because it's owner was utterly un-
conscious of his existence and was alb
stractedly gazing at the railing before
her, rousing herself now and then to
respond to some remark made by another
lady at her side. Whether the time was
long or short before the two rose and
began to move toward the door the Sena-
tor did not calculate, but as they started
he started too, and was Fastening out,
when he ran almost into the arms OF 9
gentleman entering. The latter ex-
claimed:
Confound-- Why, my dear fellow
How are you, Came on for nothing in
the world but to see you. Come round
to my hotel and talk over matters lit.
tle"
The Senator groaned inwardly, but
there was nothing for it but to comply
The gentleman was political sup.
porter" of his, and what were Margue'
rites to "political supporters!' But the
NJ. G. was strangely unsatisfactory
companion during the rest of the day
and caused his indefatigable friend some
uneasiness in regard to his soundness'
on certain points. That night he dreamed
of nothing but Marguerite, and during
the next few days he watched feverishly
for her temperance in the galleries.
Who could she have been." he askee
himself distractedly, after week ot
vain expectation, adding, hopelessly, Al
he tossed his cigar into the CRATE, It.
more than likely shall never see hel
again" -r -
1t seemed as if this melancholy predic
tion would come true, for week passed
without his having glimpse of his In
amorata- Finally, during an evening de
bate of unusual interest, in which he wal
taking an active part, and just in the
midst of q somewhat heated speech OF
his own, he became aware of PAIR OF
gray eyes looking down at him from tht
gallery. t'L7
The effect Was nearly disastrous. Tn,
Senator, who WAS still young man, ant
not very self-possessed, stammered snt
flushed like school-boy, and brough
his remarks to 4 sudden close.
l. xrst n cn1f
but unable to keep his eyes from the fac
lady, in the same dress, and with the sam,
companion. Tonight he got q neare
view of the face, and thought it NOR
lovely than ever tfEi iaf'
But his opponents in the question o
the day had no mind TO leave him u
peace, and the dazed NJ. G. was present.,
brought to his feet by q smart philippi'
from the opposite side Of the chambes
lie answered hotly, got sharp response
and a contest of words ensued. in whicl
our Senator came off victor, but whicl
SO excited him that he forgot for Will
the lady in the 6 llery. When he di'
look for her she had disappeared.
She did net visit the Senate Chambe
again; and the holidays came, during
WHICH the StHotOi, uOt DStuk neu "
family" as he said, rather dolefully. I,
his friends, remained in Washington
He was popular in society, and the sea
son was very gay, but he had never beel
50 discontented in his life. He spen
much of his time in collecting variou
pictured conceptions of Goethe's Ma.
gueTite, with which he stored his privst
portfolio.
He was glad when work commence
again but, in spite Of all his efforts to tn
contrary, he found himself coDtinuall
noting the costumes and faces Of peopl
that came and wen. at the Capitol. Man
brown bonnet made his heart bes
wildly, and many . slimpse of fair curl
brought the blood to his cheek.
II suppose" he soliloquized, mIser'
bly,, as be sat soiitArily In bis apartment
one evening, "that Pm in love. Deuc
take Cupid! Say I. I've never sufiere
as / have this winter"
The very next day his enchantress n
peared again. Always in the same dres
with the same companion, and alwaJ
provokingly unconscious of the 6enaf1f
Rlances: but II abe was unconscious h
companion was not. The 6enstof GO
1 parcRfvaA that ha had 0pnW0 the affa1