Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-13
WOMAN, LOVELY WOMAN.
What Will Not Your MASCULINE Slave,
Brave IN Your Cause?


Brave IN Your Cause?
She had just left the central west entrance OF
the Capitol and had paused a moment beside
the white marble balustrade Of the upper ter
race while she surveyed the parks and the
housetops of the city panoramically disclosed be-
fore her.
1t was clear, beautiful afternoon, the sun
glistening brightly upon the white crystals Of
snow that covered the park with thick,
downy blanket
The sharp wind tossed her short brown curls
into thick tangle about her head, half con-
cealing the roguish blue eyes that snapped and
sparkled as they gazed interestedly far of down
Pennsylvania avenue.
/ Too latei
Both arms went up quickly and each neatly
Rloved hand grabbed the thick mass Of curls
upon which an instant before her hat had
rested.
Then she made desperate, frantic, fruitless
dive for 1t. But it sailed far out Of her reach,
the sudden gust of wind carrying it over the
first terrace to the promenade below, where ii
nuttered down, rolling over and over almost to
the base OF the Marshall statue.
1t was as light feather-just a bit Of felt
frame, bow OF lace and ribbon or two-one
OF those artfu creations of the milliner that ex-
cites mems admiration and women's envy.
As it bowled over the walk the tall. thin gen.
tleman was ascending the steps in front Of the
statue.
The short, hook-nosed gentleman was hurry
ing east.
The purple-faced apoplectic gentleman was
leisurely strolling west
They all observed the little hat simultane-
ously. Then three inquiring countenances
were upturned and three pairs of eyes saw
the tangled curls, the pretty face and trim
little figure looking down at them over the
balustrade.
The hat was equi- distant from the trio but il
the truth must be told the purple-faced, apo
plectic gentleman placed his hand on the lace
bow the sixteenth of secoud before the hand
of tall. thin gentleman caught the ribbon, and
the hand Of the short, hook-nosed gentleman
grabbed the Frame
They bumped their tiles over their eyes as
they came together, and jammed the brims
down upon their noses as they arose. each hold
ing tightly to the prize.
Il beg your pardon, sir" said the tall, thin
gentleman, frigidly, but the lady looked at
me-"
IL beg your pardon, SIR" wheezed the purple
faced, apoplectic gentleman. laboriously. The
lady looked at me-"
II beg your pardon, SIR" growled the short.
hook-nosed gentleman, holly THE lady looked
at me-"
Then they all looked savagely at one an
other, each showing no signs of relinquishing
his hold.
81 will carry the hat to the LADY, announced
the tall, thin gentleman. haughtily, making
move toward the base of the steps,
1T is unnecessary for you to 90 to that
trouble said the purple-faced, apoplectic
gentleman, fiercely. II will convey the hat to
the lady"
ION the contrary" agrily asserted the short,
hook-nosed, gentleman. II will do it myself. :"
The coquetish blue ewes spanked humorousy
and the curls brushed the rich color of the
cheeks dimpled into smile. Woman-like. she
watched her gallant knights fight it out, leaning
on elbow on the balustrade the better to view
the combat in the arena below.
Slowly toward the long fight of steps the
three gentlemen proceeded, the hat hidden in
their combined grasp, their eyes flashing
angrily, their voices breathing expressions of
contempt and dlsdain.
The steps are long. very long. fully 100 or
more. but tightly maintaining their grips they
slowly neared the top with their coveted
capture.
She had left her original position and stood
at the end of the balustrade with an encour-
aging smile. 1t was sweet. enticing smile
that stimulated the efforts of the climbers and
brought them all putting to the upper terrace.
She reached out her hand for her hat as if
she we're bestowing laurel wreath to the vic
The tall, thin gentleman caught his breath
first.
Il have the pleasure, miss" he said politely,
"of returning your hat"
O-ODiBe 1ue-mlSH. Dv-DT accepting YOUR
hat. gasped the purple-faced. apoplectic gen.
tleman, his puffy cheeks n royal purple from
his exertions
Delighted, miss" said the short, hook nosed
gentleman, ito have the honor Of recovering
your hat" with an inclination as low as his
stubby legs would permit
The wind tossed the tangled curls playfully
and the blue eyes shone brightly as she muir
INJURED a word of thanks
The tall thin gentleman marched majesticaly
into the Capitol. The smile and glance were
for him.
The prrple-faced apoplectic gentleman
proudly and leisurely resumed his stroll west
She had smiled at him alone.
The short. hook-nosed gentleman elatedly
and hurriedly proceeded east. Her recognition
was certainly intended only for him.
And the maiden?
She brushed the refractory curls out Of her
eyes, adjusted the cause of the trouble in place
and then tripped lightly and gayly down the
steps.
They didn't find the pin," she said.