The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-08-11
TO SEE THE J
SECRETARY )
By Katherine M'Donald J
, Copyright. ie0e. by #. c. Mcclure {

The secretary sat in his office and
iumed at the heat. He was born in a
Hoosier log cabin and had attended a
college OF the northwest. He had gone
to housekeeping in a little old messy
cottage for which he found II difficult
at times to pay So a month rental. Yet
at fifty he sat In that noble room whose
long windows let In the breeze from
the Potomac and framed a view in
| comparable for the mingling Of natural
and artificial beauty-sat and fumed
at the heat. Williams. the messenger,
entered. He was like most negroes. a
sort of human barometer. and he never
failed to suit his bearing to his mas
ter's humor. On this occasion he was
obsequious. patient. but bored.
THAT woman's still theah, boss" he
said.
Didn't tell you to get rid Of herr
"Yassah; been tryin'. but she's q
slayer. Fust time done like you say
I told her Mr.. Sec'tary's engaged Tell
him I'll wait until he is at liberty she
say, like she de lady of the Ian herself
Next time l say, Beg yo' pahdon.
madam. for not tellin' yo' sooner. but
Mr.. Sec'tary he's out and she look up
and say, Tell him I'll wait until he
comes in Yassah. she say them iden-
teal words"
What kind of looking woman il
she. Williamsburg and saucyT
NO: she gettin' long twa'ds middle
life, sab, and she mighty shabby. Still,
amt say but she is got a quality eye.
and she do hor her head up nightly"
"Oh. WELL" said the secretary. with a
sigh Of resignation, I'll see her and
haze 1t over"
The woman William ushered In was
shabby. Not only were her clothes
worn and rusty, but they had never
been either fine or tasteful. Your lady
In temporary straits always has some
bit of faded elegance TO prove that she
has seen better days. This woman was
|clearly the habitual patron of bargain
|counters when she bought at all.
Still. as William had said, she carried
her head high-a noble head. with bold
clear lines and mass of soft, well
kept hair. The secretary arose. and
they faced each other for one silent
moment. she surveying him with q
lcalm and friendly air. he dazed by the
glimmering apparition Of younger
land brighter presence which came be
tween them.
"Can this be Laura CamdenT be
asked. Her eyes filled at all his tons
L lt.sl hr4x ri Z
changed-she lost her courage-theI
she threw up her head, with a defian
laugh.
This is all that Is left of her. And 4
this Tom Lloyd?" She swept the room
with calculating glance. 1t was as Il
she estimated the cost Of the massiv,
table and rich chairs. Instantly she
turned her eyes back upon the secre
tary as II to measure him.
He flushed and rallied.
"Yes: this is Tom Lloyd. the fellow
Iyou wouldn't have. you know"
"well.' she laughed impenitently
then sank into the chair nearest he
and ran a furtive. appreciative fnge
lover the tapestry covering.
You married Tucker BartonT b.
asked.
"Oh, yes, And he turned out as ever.
one predicted I look the character
don't Ia drunkard's widow who ha
neither hope nor pride left?"
Her voice rang clear-no tremor o
self pity, no note Of shame or appeal.
by Jove." the secretary said to him
self. this Is Laura. and she's got tn
old spirit I'm her stillr'
"Can I do anything for your b
asked.
"why, yes. II you will. OF course
didn't come merely to call-nor to n
call | want a place I'm one Of the d.
partments."
what kind Of a placer
Il I'm not particular" she said coolly
"You know very well l have neithe
talent nor training You will have {
| treat me as IL l were a political henct
man and find me something which wi
require neither. I could keep accounts
but l think l should like to be In th
library. There is a ladies' room. yo
know, as well as women attendants"
But that Is such a menial place"
, She spread out her hands. brown an
knotted and calloused. He drew bac
In a sort Of shame and would have bic
den his own had he dared. They wer
too white and soft and prosperous
lie in full sight on the table before he
"The wages are small-not more tina
| $50 or ST5 n month"
'.Not more-' She looked at him wit
, glittering eyes. Her voice trembled no'
and seemed to express want and d,
spair and resentment together. "ToI
Lloyd. Sixty dollars a month-ever
month? That would be riches to met
| He shrank back in the chair. "Lal
ra," he said. why have you nevs
. come before? You live in Washington
; and you might have come. Any time
. the last ten years I've been here"
"Oh. yes. know-Congressma
Lloyd. Senator Lloyd. Secretary Lloy,
And | have. as you say. been here a
I the time. I've wanted to come. but ST
Z wouldn't let me-"
"SheT
! Laura - Laura Camden. the gi
: you knew. She was always THROWN
!, 1t up to me that things might ha,
been different" She fingered the ia
sells Of the chair. and she dropped b,
j eyes with the timidity of a girl.
4 The secretary's heart beat fast. 3
leaned toward her and spoke softl
D ayes, you might have been the wife I
the secretary Of the navy by now, La
"a" She tossed her head In her q