The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-04-21

made. You will perceive there are thirteen
stripes alternating red and white: the can
ton will be blue with thirteen stars"
For the life of her. Betsy could not keep
from contemplating the personality Of the
American General. then in the height Of
his mental lowers. She saw the paper with
the design for a banner laid in ink upon 1t:
she saw his large hand with its pointed
finger trace the stripes, and heard his
words but dimly. If her god had suddenly
fallen, there had as suddenly arisen an ad-
miration for the man. His slow, even voice
charmed her. He lifted his head and looked
at her to mark how he was being followed.
and his calm gray eye held her. She noted
every minute detail Of Washington. from
the few faint pockmarks on his temples
to the grains of powder that had fallen
from his hair upon his broad shoulders.
There was something Of care and worry In
the suggested lines Of his face, but no deep
wrinkles, no hint Of weakness. The chin
was powerful, the lips firm. the cheek
bones broad, and his countenance pale
though not of an unhealthy hue. She COM
pretended his meaning, though she could
not have repeated his words, and as he
looked up at hel she replied with a me-
chanical Yes, your Excellency," and let
her eye travel from his face to the portrait
en- the wall. Instantly his look followed
hers, and he dropped the subject in hand as
he pointed to the painting and said to Mr..
Ross: .-..,
why. here we are, as true as life. Ross.
and 1t is as good Of me as any / have yet
had!" And Washington. who through all
his days was nightly interested in his own
portraits, arose and walked to the picture.
standing before it in serious contemplation.
his hands clasped behind his back.
Come. come, gentlemen, this Is beside
the business he continued abruptly. re-
turning to the table. I'VE were speaking
of the stars. Is there anything about the
flag that you can suggest, Mrs. Ross?"
your Excellency.' said Betsy. II see
your stripes are white at top and bottom.
Do you not think red better to begin and
end with?'
Possibly" said Washington musingly.
"And your stars are six-pointed. Would
not a flve-pointed star be betterT"
1T makes little difference" was the an
swer. Il conceived the ~six-pointed star
easier to form. Is 1t not SOP"
mo. your Excellency. Sect" said Betsy.
with animation. and quickly catching up a
piece of paper, she folded 1t rapidly and
deity.
The three men watched her narrowly.
each noting the delicate movement of her
quick fingers. Not for months had the
mind of any one Of the three descended to
the equal triviality Of looking with interest
at a pretty woman manipulate q square Of
paper; but when, In something less than
thirty seconds, she completed 1t, and, feel
ing for the scissors hanging at her waist.
gave the folded p one straight cut. the
applause of the Commander-in-Chie and
the Congressional Committee was genuine.
for by the single Grip had been formed a
perfectly proportional ~five-pointed star.
"Bless me!' said Washington in frank
wonder. as all laughed easily. The deci-
sion is decidedly in your favor. Mistress
Ross. Practical ocular demonstration
leaves no room for argument"
Are you quite consistent in that, Gen.
eral?" asked Betsy roGuishly.
Norris and her uncle stared at the girl
In wonder. Washington turned toward her
with an approach to a twinkle in his rather
severe eye.
How so, madame?"
The little woman felt that she had gone
a step too far, but 1t was now beyond her
power to retreat with grace. Blushing
wildly. she answered.:
Because. your observation-disclosures the
British complain that. though they have
practical ocular demonstration that you are
whipped, yet you will still persist in giving
them an argument on the subject"
Washington smiled grimly. for compli-
ment was not to his liking. Turning to MIR.
Ross. he said:
Ross, your niece is a natural diplomatist;
more. a person Of excellent Judgment. We
can do no better than leave the flag In
her hands to CON plete, according to her
taste, on the lines as laid out"
Il only hope 1 shall succeed in pleasing
you" exclaimed Betsy.
There can be bat little doubt as to that
was the answer. Then he added impress
sively: This design of the flag you are
requested to make has already been ac-
copied by the Continental Congress in Sc
cret session as the STANDARD Of the new
nation. But Congress must see the COM
pleted flag to pronounce 1t official. Until
1t Is finished the greatest secrecy should be
Observed. The reasons are obvious"
Yes. your Excellency."
ITO that end, and that you may suffer
20 unwilling intrusion, I will place LIEU
tenent WheatIy in command Of a detach-
ment here until the flag is FINISHED"
Mrs. Ross courtesied. Then may I have
a week, your Excellency? There are many
things to consider"
Surely, madame" said the Commander
in-Chief as he made a move to 60. "A
week from this day, at this hour-eh. gen.
fIemen? Mr.. Morris. 1 think we have I'm
ished."
Mr.. Morris accepted the hint. and depart
ed to notify the squad without. Mr.. Ross
took his niece by the hand and said:
General, 1 am happy to say that you
nave no greater or truer champion than
my little friend here"
at need not be told so.'' said Washington.
drawing his tall figure to Its full height. A
figure impressive 20 all men-friends or
enemies. Seriously. Mrs. Ross he con-
| tinued. "you are, indeed. TO be enVieo.
=! other wars and greater Generals may come
and 20, but to o will always remain the
sole honor of having made the frst nag OF
the United States. q flag which may noat