Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27
that she takes much interest in politics.

Are not her dinners charming.
At this moment volley of applause from
the Opposition benches drowned the muir
INJURED conversation.
This speaker spoke for about three-quarterl
of an hour, and then at last Geoffrey got ontt
his legs. One or two other members rose al
the same time, but they gave way.
He began slowly-and somewhat tamely,
as it seemed to Beatrice, whose heart was in
her mouth-but when he had been speaking
for about five minutes he warmed up. And
then began one Of the most remarkable ora.
torical displays OF that Parliament. Geoffrey
had spoken we'll before, and would speak
well again, but perhaps he never spoke SO
well as he did upon that night. For nearly
chains, even the boots and interruptions
died away toward the end of the grafton.
His powerful presence seemed to tower in
the place. like that of giant among pig
mics, and his dark, handsome face,
lit with the fires of eloquence,
shone like lamp. He leaned forward
with slight stoop on his broad shoulders,
and addressed himself nominally to the
Speaker, but really to the Opposition. He
took their facts one by one, and with con-
vincing logic showed that they were no
facts; amid hiss of anger he pulverized
their arguments aud demonstrated their mo-
tives. Then suddenly he dropped them al
together, and addressing himself to the
House at large, and the country beyond the
House, he struck another note, and broke
out into that storm of patriotic eloquence,
which confirmed his growing reputation,
both in Parliament and in the constituent
cies.
Beatrice shut her eyes and listened to the
deep, rich voice as it rose from height to
height and power to power, till the whole
place seemed full of it, and every contend
| ing sound was hushed.
Suddenly, after an invocation that would
have been passionate had it not been so re-
strained and strong, he stopped. She
opened her eyes and looked. Geoffrey was
seated as before, with his hat on. He had
been speaking for an hour and half, and
yet, to her, it seemed but few minutes
since he rose. Then broke out volley of
cheers, in the midst of which leader OF the
! Opposition rose to reply, not in the very
best of tempers, for Geofrey's speech had
hit them hard.
| He began, however, by complimenting the
honorable member on his speech, "as fine
| speech as he had listened to for many years,
though, unfortunately, made from a mis-
taken standpoint and the wrong side of the
| House." Then he twitted the Government
| with not having secured the services of
man so infinitely abler than the majority of
their "items," and excited good deal of
amusement by stating, with some sarcastic
humor, that, should it ever be his
lot to occupy the front Treasury bench, he
should certainly make certain proposal to
the honorable member. After this good
natured badinage, he drifted off into the
consideration of the question under discus
sion, and Beatrice paid no further attention
- l., h,,R ,oI =,
Geofrey drop back into the same apparent
state of cold Indifference from which the
necessity of action had aroused him.
Presently the gentleman who had found
her the seat came up and spoke to her, ask
ing her how she was getting on. Very soon
he began to speak of Geoffrey's speech, say
ing that it was one of the most brilliant of
the session, if not tine most brilliant.
''Then Mr.. Bingham is rising man, I
suppose?" Beatrice SAID.
'Rising? 1 should think So" he an
swered. "They will get him into the Gov
ernment on the first opportunity after this;
he's too good to neglect Very few men
have come to the fore like Mr.. Bingham.
We call him the comet and if only he does
not make a mess of his chances BY doing
something foolish, there is no reason why he
should not be Attorney General in a few
years."
"Why should he do anything foolish?"
she asked.
'Oh, for no reason on earth that know
of; only, as L dare say you have noticed,
brilliant men of this sort are very apt to do
ridiculous things, throw up their career,
get into public scandal, run away with
somebody or something. Not that there
should be any fear of such thing where
Mr.. Bingham is concerned, for he has q |
IL. ffo nd f1nry i, Oh
great help to him. Why, there is the divis- |
ion bell. Goodby, Mrs. Everston; will |
come back to see you"
"Goodby," Beatrice answered, "and in |
case l should miss you, wish to say some
thing, to thank you for your kindness in |
helping me to get in here tonight. You
have done me a great service, very great
service, and am most grateful to you.''
SIT is nothing-nothing, he answered.
TT has been a pleasure to help you. If"
he added, with some confusion, you would
allow me to call some day, the pleasure
would be all the greater. will bring Mr..
Bingham with me, If you would like to |
know him-that is, if can."
Beatrice shook her head. IT cannot"
she answered. smiling sadly. "T am going
on a long journey tomorrow and I shall not
return here. Goodby."
In another second he was gone, more
piqued and interested about this fair un-
known than he had been about any woman
for years. Who could she be? and whv was
she so anxious to hear the debate? There
was mystery in it somewhere, and he de-
termined to solve it if he could
Meanwhile the division took place, and
the members focked back, and
amid ringing ministerial cheers and coun-
ter opposition cheers the victory of the Gov
|
usual formalities and the members began to
melt away. Beatrice saw the leader of the |
House and several members OF the Govern
ment go up to Geoffrey. shake his hand and
him. Then. with one long
look, she turned and went leaving him in
The moment of his triumph, that seemed to
interest him so little, but which made Bea-
.rice more proud at heart than if she had |
been declared empress of the world.
Oh, it was well to love man like that, q
man born to tower over his fellowmen-and
we'll to die for him. Could she let her mis-
,rable existence interfere with such life as
lis should be? Never, neverI There should
De no public scandal" on her account.
She drew her veil over her face and in
Iuired the way from the House. Presently
he was outside. By one of the gatewans,
Ind in the shadow of its pillars, she stopped,
the members Of the House stream
,ast her. Many OF them were talking to-
,ether, and once or twice she caught the
ound of Geofrey's name, coupled with such
words as splendid speech" and other
erms of admiration.
"Move on, move or" said a policeman to
Ter. Lifting her veil, Beatrice turned and
ooked at him and muttering something he
moved on himself, leaving her in peace.
Presently she saw Geoffrey and the gentle
nan who had been so kind to her walking