The Washington critic., 1888-02-25
IN THE RED ROOM.

lin lHt KtD KUUM.
LUcY c. LnLE, in Harper's Magazine for
March.
On acertain brilliant January morn
ing young man was approaching the
White House, and reading letter as
well as the hanson in which he was
being hastened along would permit.
His smile as he read was shrewd and
reflective. The character Of his face,
on the whole, was thoughtful, with
just tinge of good-humored cynicism
in certain curves about the mouth and
eyes. But he was q handsome fellow
in q manly way, which even the
faultless precision of his attire could
not make foppish. Years of foreign
life and habits had not destroyed
his native American humor or
alertness, but had given 10 both
an air Of being the result of
q large-minded sort of civilian
ton, which the young ladies of
Colonel Hale's acquaintance found
fascinatingly Saxon, and which made
him among men regarded ns good
fellow all around" Without many
preiudices, the young man had very
decided predictions, and his friends
were generally aware that some six
years before he had been crossed in
love. Miss Marion Van Buren, had
unexpectedly Tilted him, marrying a
man from California, whose death.
however, had made her rich widow
just eighteen months ago. Colonel
Hale bad made no particular effort to
meet her; indeed, had not for some
months cared to inquire her where
abouts; but now he told himself that
he was sure his folly would be quickly
revived, since he had experienced
such pleasure when the letter he
was now reading reached him.
Marion is in Washington" the
letter ran; "she is going to be at the
White House to-day at the reception,
and soam |. Pray come there and
find me as speedily as you can. /
shall be in the Red Room, and so
glad to see you | wonder if you
can imagine half how glad | have
only been in Washington day or
two, or l would have notified you
sooner. Dear me believe we will
talk of nothing but Richmond DAYS.
Weren't they happy, though =? Be
sure to be at the Executive Mansion
by u, 1 hope you'll know me after
these two years"
Hale smiled again rs he read these
words, for very vivid remembrance
of the Richmond days arose, domi-
mated by the picture of the charm
ingly- pretty girl who had written
this letter; girl holding as it were
the secret of her happy, joyous youth
on her lips and in her frank, gray
eyes; q girl who could read and care
for Austin Dobson, and look like one
of his delicate Dollys or Susans; who
could sit in the saddle for twenty
mile ride, and dance the deux-temps
half the night afterward; who had on
one occasion played PdTtheniG in pri-
vate theatrieals so that she turned
the heads of half her male acquaint-
ance; and yet whose presiding charm
was purely domestic, for never had
she seemed so bewitching as when
she was pouring tea at herfather's
| Richmond villa, and exercising the
most unaffected of hospitality. If
he had not been in love 80 long and
so bitterly with Marion-well t
Talk of woman's ,constancy !"
Hale said to himself as he sprang out
of the hanson; s'nothing but mans
constancy ever prevented me from
falling madly in love with Portia
Day."
And he went into the vestibule of
the White House, declaring to him
self that things in this world were de-
cidedly awry.
| A small company of people were
being admitted within the sacred pre-
cints beyond the vestibule, and Hale
! followed in their wake, ushered
across the hall by polite attendant,
intothe Blue Room, through the door
way of which he beheld the fair
| young mistress of the Mansion, to
whom he was glad enough to pay
his respects as she stood there dis
pensing pretty bows and smiles,
shaking hands with every one,
| good-humored, it would appear, to
most of her guests. Many of them
withdrew, after a moment, with the
air of people who had assembled
either to appraise the furnishing of
the Executive Mansion, or exchange
opinions on the personal appearance
or manner Of the Presidents bride,
and if Hale had not been engrossed
by the idea Of meeting Miss Day in
the Red Room, it would have amused
him to linger among these careful
analysts, whose opinions were audible
and decidedly pronounced, and who
stood for the most part in little de-
tached groups at distances whence
they could make ashrewd and critical
observation of their hostess.
Hale escaped presently through the
Green Room, and thence around to
the lower door Of the charming parlor
where he might expect to find Miss
Portia Day.
That she was waiting for him
eagerly was evident, for he had not
more than crossed the threshold of
the Red Room before he was conscious
of her presence; saw that she moved
q little;, that her eyes were fixed upon
the door with something very gentle
in them greeting. She was standing
against a tall.vase of ferns, whose
green width and luXuriance formed a
lifting background for her charming
figure, in its simple costume Of soft
gray, with ornaments at her throat
and in the clasp Of her belt, which
Hale was sure he remembered choos
ing with her, queer Oriental stones in
dull silver setting. Her face was
framed daintily in little velvet bon,
net. She had, as always, thought
Hale, the look Of fine finish which he
admired in woman, and he permit
ted himself for an instant to care fol-
the girls fairness, even though it "bC
not for him"
81 am SO glad you sent for me p
was Hale's greeting, as he took Miss