Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-07-27
A Job In the
Senate BY
Chamber Sweet
Copyright. 1905, by Frank H. Sweet

the door cNpcCtdnt, impatient, IHou6h
the visitors gallery would not be open
to the public until l. She drew from
her belt the one remaining link of
foImer opulence. 1t still lacked ten
minutes, and she slipped the watch
back with scarcely breathed sigh.
Why had she come here at all, she
thought accusingly? She would be bet
ter visiting the stores In search of a
position as clerk; there were surely
some business houses she had not yet
been in. And-and besides
Her eyes were brighter, and flush
came and descended TO her lips In a
soft eyanescent smile that was more
like the smile of the old days before
the wistfulness came.
She had been standing at the post
office door, and he had looked precisely
as he had that day when he parted
from them in the Arizona canyon, he
penniless prospector and her father an
extensive mine owner. And he bad not
forgotten. Even before she saw him
he had sprung from Garage, WITH
out regard to his horses, and was com
ing up the postotfice steps with out
stretched hands.
Good heavens. You here, Murlel-
Miss Ashburton," he had cried, with
gladness I'm his voice which he did not
attempt to conceal and which brought
IN answering color TO her face and
light TO her eyes. There had been
nothing between them except look
and hand pressure, but she had often
thought of him in these later dreary
years and was glad to know he had
remembered her. Il looked for you
everywhere everywhere" he had con-
tinued but without n clew. l was
afraid you had gone from my life.
But pardon me; we cannot talk here,
and | have a great deal TO say May
I call on you at once-thls evening?
Is your father hcreT'
MY father is dead" she had man
aged 10 say. Her brain had been In
whirl her heart In tumult. What
did IL all meang What was this I'm
petuous mailman saying, implying by
a strong effort she had controlled her
self
Yes, you may call" she had an
swered in low voice. Il will be
glad to see you" And she had given
him the number OF the house In which
she rented one small room.
Thank you. | Will be there early
would ask to GO back with you now,
but I have an appointment which Is
nrnK-i1nnfinI
though this meeting? | have been In
Washington only three days, and TO
turn up against you like thisp'
Have you employment here| she
had asked for want of something bet
ter 10 say.
Yes, temporarily; n Job in the sen
ate chamber. You remember / was
jack Of all trades. from farm boy TO
an impecunious prospector, with oeca-
sional dabs at fresco painting and jour
nalsm 10 help me through college. But
/ will not detain you here in the wind
any longer"
She had watched him spring into the
carriage and drive away, an odd light
In her eyes and a warm color In her
cheeks As she went down the side
walk she laughed softly. Eight years
before she would not have been like
this Evidently he was without any
regular employment, just doing some
temporary work In the senate chamber
-fresco painting probably, for he had
spoken OF being familiar with that. At
first from his being in the carriage
holding the horses, she had thought he
might be coachman waiting for his
employers return. But, after all, what
did IL matter? Coachman or painter or
impecunious prospector, he was warm
hearted and honest and ambitious. She
could read that In his eyes and in the
strong, full grasp Of his hands. And
he had remembered her and-and cared
for her. 1t was beautiful TO know that
In the hurrying, Indifferent world there
was one who still thought Of her and
cared for her a little. The manner or
lack or employment was such a small
matter compared with that. Knowl-
edge of life soon leveled such petty dis
tinctions.
Almost unconsciously her steps had
turned toward the capitol. The only
alternative seemed a continuation Of
her search for employment, and. some
how, she shrank from that just now,
even though she had been restricting
herself 10 a single meal day for a
week She would celebrate the finding
OF friend 1t was opening day at the
senate chamber and would be unusual
ly interesting. and perhaps she might
nee this friend himself or some of the
work he had been doing.
There was sudden stir in the line
ahead Of her, and she felt herself being
pushed forward. The door WAS open
at last, and foot by foot. yard by yard,
she was being impelled toward II. But
when she entered every seat was taken.
and she could only crowd herself into
the narrow space behind the last row.
She could see the chaplain and few
Of the senators on the far side Of the
chamber and upon the few desks In
sight gorgeous display OF flowers
Presently che heard the opening
prayer and bowed her head. Then
there was a confusion OF voices, with
quick, crisp sentences from one desk
and another. followed by a short recess
In which there was a great shaking OF
hands and introductions among the
senators. At the end Of fifteen or TWEEN
~ minutes some Of those In the WIS.,
itors' gallery began to rise and leave.
They had witnessed the opening and
were now going homo to lunch. Soon
she was able to step down TO vacant
seat in one of the front rows.
She had now good view Of the
chamber. and her gaze swept curiously
from desk to desk Many Of the SEN
ators she recognized from pictures she
had seen I'm current periodicals. Sud
denly she started and half arose. She
had not thought to see him down there;
ha mot him n "a would lao I'm