The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-11-13

view they were exceedingly bsd-showing
the mere genesis Of something since perfected,
but dear, Of course, 10 the true collectors
soul; i don't believe that Carmen really adj
m I'D them either. But the mink knew that
tn, senator prdcd himself on having the
only pot hooks OF the great a. or the first ar
tistic efforts OF 81 leave the real uaIues to
be- filed in by the connotSeur and the
senator became interested. For the last
year, two or three of these denominations had
been hanging in his study, utterly ignored by
the casual visitor. But here was apprecia-
ton, "She was," she added, "oDly poor
young artist, unable to purchase such treas
ures, but equally unable to resist the opIor-
tunity afforded her, even at the risk Of seeming
bold, or of obtruding upon great mans
privacy" etc, etc.
This fattery, which, il offered in the usual
legal tender of the country, would have been
looked upon rs counterfeit, delivered here in
u foreign accent, with slightly tropical
warmth, was accepted 10y the senator as
genuine. These children of the sun are SC
impulsive We, of course, feel little pity
for the person who thus transcends our stand
ard OF good taste and violates our conven-
tional caHon-but they are always sincere,
The cold New Highlander saw nothing wrong
in one or two direct and extravagaut compii-
ments, that would have insured his visitors
early dismissal if rendered in the clipped mo
| talliC phrases of the commonwealth he rep
resented
So that in few moments the black, curly
head of the little artist and tho whit" flowing
| locks Of the senator were close together bend
ing over The rack that contained the cugrav-
ings. 1t was then that Carmen, listening To
a graphic description of the early rise of art
in the Netherlands, forgot herself and put her
shawl around her head, holding it, folds in
her little brown hand In this situation they
werr at different times during the next two
hours, interrupted by five congressman, three
Senator's "A cabinet officer and Judge of the
supreme uench-oach Of whom was quickly
but courteously dismissed. Popular senti-
mcnt, however, broke out in the hall.
"Well, I'm BANKED but this getSme," The
speaker was territorial dclcgat".)
AT this time o life too lookin' over pic.
lures with gal young enough to he his
| grandchiid." This from venerable ot'icial,
since suspected of various crotic irregular
| ties.j
"Shc don't handsome any" (1'he honorable
| member from Dakota)
This accounts for his protractcd silence
during the sessions" a serious colleague
| from the senator's own state)
ooh, blank it all" (Omnes)
| Four went home to tell their wives. There
are few things more touching in the matri-
monal compact than the superb frankness
with which each confdes to each the various
irregularities Of their friends. II is upon
these sscred condolences that the firm founda-
lions Of marriage rest mistaken
OF course the objects of this comment, at
least one Of them, were quite oblivious. II
trust" said Carmen, timidlv, when they had
for the fourth time regarded in rapt admira-
ton an abomnable something by some Dutch
woodchopper, II trust i am not keeping you
| from yo,ry great friends"-her pretty eyelids
were cast down in tremulous distress-I
should never forgive myself. Perhaps it Is
| important business of the state:'
"Oh, dear, no! They will come a9ain-it's
their business"
The senator meant it kindly. IL was as near
the perilous edge of compliment as your
average cultivated Boston man ever ventures,
and Carmen picked it up, femininely, 10y its
sentimental end And l suppose shall not
trouble You again.
Il shall always he proud TO place the port
folio at your disposal. Command me at any
time" said the senator, with dignity
"You are kind You are good" said Car
men, "and II am bullock you-only
poor girl from California, that You know
not"
Pardon mo- know your country well"
And indeed he could have told her the exact
number OF bushels of wheat To the acre in her
own county of Monterey, its voting popula-
ton, it, political bias Yet of the more i'm
portant product before him, after the manner
OF book read men, he knew nothing.
Carmen was astonishcd, but respectful 1t
tramspired presently that she was not aware
of the rapid growth of the sikwoim in her
own district, knew nothing of the Chinese
question, and very little of the American
mining lows Upon these questions the sen
ator enlightened her fully. "Nour name is
historic 10y the way" he said pleasantly
| There was a Knight of Alcantara, de
IIaro,' one Of the emisrants with La Casas."
Carmen nodded her head quickly. Yes
my great great great grandfather"
| The senator stared.
ooh, yes. am the niece Of Victor Castro,
who married my fathers sister"
"The Victor Castro of the Blue Mass
mine" asked the senator abruptly
| Yes she said quietly.
Had the senator been OF the Gashwiler type
he would have expressed himself, after the
average masculine fashion, by a long-drawn
whistle But his only perceptible apprecla-
| ton of a sudden astonishment and Suspicion
in his mind was lowering of the social
| thermometer of the room So decided that poor
Carmen looked up innocently, chilled and
| drew her shawl closer around her shoulders.
IL have something more TO ask" said
Carmen, hanging her head-"it is great, oh,
a very great favor"
Tue senator had reiterated behind his bas-