Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02

st have seen you," volunteered the girl.
with catch In her voice that Mrs. ]. p.
took for awe. ''in-in your brougham. you
know
Mrs. Brown smiled This was approach
ing the sort Of adulation that she expected.
But you are related to the Cradle
baughs," she said, returning to her first
proposition.
"My-my husband claims some relation"
responded the young woman. ito Mr.. Cra-
dlebaugh. In fact. he owes his present
situation to the influence of Mr.. Cradle
baugh."
He is in business. then. in Bellport?'
queried Mrs Brown with rising infection.
YES" went on the girl. demurely. He
the Consolidated Traction Company" She
flushed slightly. as though she preferred
| not to pursue the conversation.
Il suppose. then" continued Mrs. J. P.
Brown. more suavely. that you sometimes
go to see the CradlebaughsT
AS she said it, Mrs. Brown trembled
eagerly-this she reasoned with herself,
might be. after all. the thin edge of the
wedge.
"My-my husband takes me sometimes
when he goes" returned the younger wo-
Mrs. ]. Pendleton leaned back in her
chair. and the Van Renssalaers-do you
go there ever?" she inquired. The girl
| flushed.
| Rensselaers." added Mrs. Brown. II try
to go to their affairs whenever I'm in
| vited." which was literally true.
Il have never been invited there" re-
turned the girl. Mrs. Brown leaned for
ward. Your face" she said, lis somewhat
familiar to me- yet I never have seen you
| at any of the places where I CO."
The girl smiled. mo" she replied, you
have never seen meat the places where
you 60"
Mrs. Brown rose majestically. II shall
hope to see more of you" she remarked in
parting. The girl did not answer. She
looked out steadily across the sunlit sea-
But Mrs Brown returned, holding In her
hand a white envelope She opened it and
showed it to the girl.
II hope to see you at the governors pri-
vate reception to be held tonight" she re-
marked.
II don't know" the girl replied uncertain
ly, lit depends upon my husband-if he
| comes down, why, yes. perhaps"
Her husband came down that night in
time for dinner. To make their exit they
had to pass close to Mrs. ]. P.'s table. AS
they passed. the girl made no sign of rec
ognition. But Mrs. Brown was glad, dou-
bly, glad, that she did not. For behind her
stalked her husband. He was young and
tall and boyish-looking. And he was some
| thing else besides. Mrs. ]. Pendleton Brown
shivered as she recognized that fact.
He was none other than trolley car con-
ductor No. 1902 Of the Bellport main street
line. Good heavens Some poor, some very
poor relation of the Cradlebaughs-and this
was his situation with the Consolidated
The state militia were in camp upon the
beach, and the governor was entertaining.
1t was his custom to give private recep-
ton to all his friends upon the first night
and public one upon the second night
Mrs. John P Brown had been able by
dint of much persistence and persuasion, to
secure an invitation for herself and old
John P.
They rolled down the beach drive in style
and pulled up before the governors spa
cious cottage couple in what appeared
to be hired rig pulled up just before them
There was something familiar in their APP
pearance that attracted Mrs. John P.'S at
tention. She thought she knew them and
she was right. AS they assembled the porch
steps the woman on ahead threw from her
head and shoulders the light mantle that
enveloped them-it was Mrs. d. D. Cradle
baugh. The man was her conductor hus-
band Mrs Brown was almost speeches..
The idea of these people going In here
good-natured negro stood at the door.
AS the two stepped in he held out his hand
The conductor fumbled around In his
pocket Then he ciapped the negro on the
back.
Hello. Gawge, old boy" he exclaimed
heartily. Il thought you were down here.
| haven't seen you lately in the Port-at least
not on my car Say he added, confiden-
TALLY, as he thrust a dollar bill into the
negroes hand. "heres some Fourth of July
luck. Hook on to it." The negro hooked.
And say Gawge." went on Number 1902,
Mrs. Cradlebaugh and I have left our
cards of admission home l suppose you
Will let us in all right?"
The negro grinned. II guess youse kin
go in all right" he conceded, slowing away
the bill. and reaching out for John P.
Browns ticket John P. was in like pre-
dicament. He had forgotten his.
I've left mine. too" he said passing out
another dollar BILL '.can we go mr.
The negro looked him blankly in the face.
Cant let anybody in. boss" he said,