Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-29

ton and senatorial dignity wen calculated to
oe nee S,s an u u1nSsophistcated observer.
lie, ne gIee.ed phenle with courtly bow and a
smile, which changed quickly to dark look as
ms eyes met mine, and turned away with a
sudden assumption of lofty indifference and alb
Picnic accompanied nae to nv room without
word, where l busted myself in preparing
some work for her mother, chatting meanwhile
oI various trif1ing matters.
could see that the girl looked puzzled, as
ton1shed, even a little angry. She kept one of
her small. dimpled hands hidden under the folds
OF her waterproof, too. and her eyes followed
WHO were those people saw you with last
evening. coming from ifs saloon? ?" sud-
Picnic gave me startled glance; her face
grew pale.
Her name" she stammered, "is Nettie Null
"And the gentleman?n 1 asked again. with
an irony which l fear was entirely thrown
| away.
The girls color came back with rush.
-" His name is OBrien, General O'Brien," she
faltered. "He-he's great mani" she added,
with pitiful little show of pride
All! Did he tell you so?" asked.
''She's known him a long time. He's rich and
has great deal of-of influence, and he's prom
ised TO get us promoted. Hes great friend of
Ne eha SANG ana heEhes perfect gentleman"
sat rubbing the toe of one small boot across the
figure OF the carpet, that had not the heart to
IuSSIIion noi luiln IN ner agitation she had
Withdrawn the hand she had kept hitherto con-
cealed beneath her cape, and was turning
around and around the snowy ring which
adorned one finger.
II am certain, Phenien said ssthat your
friend General O'Brien is no more general and
no more a gentleman than that ring you are
wearing Is genuine gold and diamonds"
look one cg gave me ,na1lfaughin
went away at length, with the puz lied, hurt
look still on her face.
o.. For several days following went every day
10 the gate OF the bureau, and saw Picnic on
her homeWard way. For two or three days
General O'Brien" continued to loiter about the
doorway, but as he ceased at length to appear,
me much fatigue and loss of time, decided
finally to leave Picnic again to her own devices:
not, however, without some words of advice
and warming. She received them silently, but
pathetic, wondering look of a baby who cannot
comprehend why it shall not put It's hand into
the blaze of the lamp.
Il old not see her for some time after this, but
having ascerta1ned from her mother that she
was In the habit OF coming home regularly. my
anxiety was in measure quoted.
"She don't seem material, Picnic DON'T Mrs.
Angel said one day. "She's kind O. quiet. like,
as Ell she was studyn' about something, an she
USED 10 be eveTlaStin' Singin' an laughin. Co
lumbus, he's a-gittin' kind O. Uneasy an jealous,
like. Says he, Mrs. Angel says he, 'ef Picnic
should go back on me after all, an me a-scrapin'
an, a-savln,' an, goin' out O. butcherin along
0, her not raVorin' it, says he, why reckon /
wouldn't never git over It, says he. Ye see him
an hers been akeepin comp'ny since Picnic
was twelve year old. l tells him he amt no
call ter feel Uneasy, though, not as / knows
on"
Something urged me here to speak of what I
knew as to PheDe'S recent associates, but other
m0tyeS-a regard for the girls feelings and re-
lance upon certain promises she had made me.
mingled with want Of confidence in her moth
erS wisdom and diScretion-kept me silent.
one eVen1ng-tt was in March, and a little
pluSlerlng-l was sitting comfortably By my
Ire, trying to decide between the attractions OF
d new magazine and the calls of duty which
required my attendance at certain Ladies'
committee meeting when a mutfied unhandy
sort OF kAock upon my door disturbed my
train Of thought. uttered an INDECENT Come
in,'
There was hesitatfng turn of the knob. the
door opened: and rose TO be confronted by
tall, proad-cheSted young man, of rudy COM
pleXion and undecided features: a young man
who, not at all abashed, bowed In a friendly
manner, While his mild, blue eyes wandered
about the apartment with undisguised eager
ness. He wore new suit of Invisible plaid an
extremely low-necked shirt, a green necktie.
and celluloid pin in the form of shapely
FEMININE leg. furthermore the little finger OF
the hand which held his felt hat was gracefully
crooked In manner admitting the display of
seal ring OF peculiarly striking style, and an
agreeable 0dor OF bergamot, suggestive Of the
BARRIERS chair, emanated from his person. Tt
1laShed over me at once that this was Picnic
Anglers lover, suspicion which his first words
"Aint Miss Angel here?" he asked. in voice
full of surprise and disappointment
NO, No she Is not" answered, You are her
friend, Columbus
-" Columbus Padgett, ma'am," he responded.
ev,nn'?" -0
IN, No; Did you expect to find her here?"
Mr.. PadgettS frank face clOuded parcpntibly
and he pushed his hair back and forth GA his
forehead uneasily, as he answered:
dld, indeed ma'am. I-you see, ml'am,
Picnic amt, an amt had no good chance TO
speak to her for right smart of a while laid
OIL to see her tonight for certain. I've got
somethln' Idrttc'dr to say TO her tonight. You
see, ma am" he added, becoming somewhat
confused, ''me an her-we-I-me an her.
lie stopped, evidently feeling his inability to
express himself with the delicacy the subject
Il understand, Mr.. Padgett," 1 said, srnil-
1ngly. you and Picnic are
That's IT, interposed Mr.. Padgett, much
renewed. Yes, ma'am, that's how the matter
STAINS. Her ma says as that's where SHE'S been
a-stayin' nights lately"
l started. l had not seen Picnic for two or
81 dare say she has gone home with one
OF the girls from the bureau, l said, Ieassar-
1ngly.
I had been studying the young mans face in
the meantime and had decided that Mr. Pad
gett was very good sort OF a fellow There
was good material in him. 1t might be In raw
S Sa put II was very good material, indeed.
was the ''milGest-mannered man" that ever
felled an OK. His voice had pleasant, sincere
ring, and altogether he looked like man with
whom lt might be dangerous to trltie bat who
might be trusted to handle a sick baby or
wait upon helpless woman with unlimited de-
votion.
You don't have no idea who the girl might
be p he asked, gazing dejectedIy into the crown
OF his hat. "'Ta1nt so late. might IND Phe-
ME yit."
1t happened, by the merest chance. that did
know where Nettie Mulin, In whose com
pany feared Picnic might again be found
boarded. That is to say, knew the house but
not It's number, and standing as it did at q
point where several streets and avenues inter
sect. It's situation was one not easily impaired
to another. / saw, By the look OF homeless b.
W1ldtrment on Mr.. PadgettS lace, that he could
have discovered the Northwest Passage with
equal facility.
reflected. hesltated, formed a hasty resolu-
ton. and said:
81 am going out to attend meeting. and I
VIII show you where one OF the girls, wit q whom
have seen Picnic. lives. You may lind her
there now"
The young mans face frightened little He
expressed his thanks, and waited for IN 2 on the
landing.
The house where Miss Mullin boarded was
only a few squares away. 1t was one OF row
OF discouraged looking houses, which had start
ed out With the intention OF being genteel but
haa long ago given up the idea
IL was lighted up cheerfully however we
saw on approaching, and hack stood before
IN rod