Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-02
THE MAN
ON THE BOX
By
HAROLD MAC GRATH
e1R,cn,. 80. =, ~. eoess c.tesn. co -

Il do hope. Bob will not wake up the
baby" said Mrs. w.
Probably he won't even take the trouble
to look at him., replied Jack; mot if he
gets into that private case of mine"
Il can't understand what you men see IN
My dear girl said Jack, lin those
days there were no historians; they
were simply story-tellers, and we get our
history from these tales. The tales them
selves not very lofty, l am willing to
admit; but they give us a general idea of
the times in which the characters lived.
This is called literature by the wise crit
les.
Critics. said L "humph, Criticism is
always lazy mans job. When no two
critics think alike. of what use is crit
icism?"
"Ah, yes; forgot. That book of essays
you wrote got several sound drubbings.
Nevertheless" continued Jack, what you
offer is in the main true Time alone Is the
true critic. Let him put his mark of APP
prevail on your work, and not all the crit
fcal words can bury 1t or hinder its light.
But Time does not pass his opinion till long
after one is dead. The first waltz, dearest,
if you think you can stand it. You mustn't
get tired, little mother
Il am wonderfully strong tonight" said
the little rnother. How beautifully it is
arrangedv'
WHAT" we men asked, looking over the
rooms
THE figures on Mrs. Secretary-of-State'
gown. The lace is beautiful. Your brother.
Nan, has very good taste for man. That
cloak of yours is by far the handsomest
thing L have seen tonight; and that bit of
scarf he sent me isn't to be matched"
Poor boy!' sighed Nancy. Il wonder If
he'll be lonely. It's shame to leave him
home the very first night"
why didn't he come, then?' Mrs. w.
shrugged her polished shoulders.
"Oh. my cigars and Scotch fairly
comforting" put in Jack, complacently.
Besides, Jane isn't at all bad looking
Winking me what do Won saw
Charlie?'
But Charlie had no time to answer. The
gray-haired, -whiskered ambassador
was bowling pleasantly to us. A dozen no.
table military and naval attaches nodded;
and we passed on to the ball ROOM where
the orchestra was playing "A Summer
Night In Munich In moment Jack and
his wife We're lost in the maze of cleaning
shoulders and white linen. 1t was pic
ture such as few men, once having wit
messed it, forget. Here were the great
men in the great world; this man was an
old rear admiral, destined to become the
nations here soon; there famous
general of long and splendid serv-
ice; celebrated statesmen diplomats.
financiers: noted English duke:
scion of the Hapsburg family; an init
nate of the German kaiser: a swart Jap;
a Chinaman with his peacock feather: tens
OF men whose lightest word was listened
to by the four ends of the world repre-
sentatives of all the great kingdoms ard
states. The President and his handsome
wife had just left as we came, so we miss
ed that formality. which detracts from
the pleasures of the ball room.
Who is that handsome young fellow
over there. standing al the side of The
Russian ambassadors wife, asked Nancy,
pressing my arm.
Where? Oh. he's Count Karloff Cor
something which sounds like it,. a wealthy
Russian, in some way connected with the
RUSSIAN government; diplomat and
capital fellow, they say. l have never
Innn 1i,,.r
girl right next to him that | haven't seen
before. Where you going?"
Nancy had dropped my arm and was
gliding, kitty-corner fashion, across the
floor. Presently she and the stunning girl
had saluted each other after the impulsive
fashion of American girls. and were play
ing cat-in-t he-cradle, to the amusement of
those foreigners nearest. A nod, and L
was threading my way to Nancy's side.
isn't it glorious?" she began. This IS
Miss Annesley, Charlie; Betty. Mr.. Hen
derson Miss Annesley looked mildly
curious at Nan, who suddenly flushed.
I'VE are to be married in the spring" she
explained shyly; and | dare say that there
was ditdent expression on my own
face.
Miss Annesley gave me her hand. smiI-
ing. You are very fortunate man, MIR.
Henderson,
Not the shadow of doubt Miss An
nesley, | frankly admitted on the spot,
was next to Nancy. the handsomest girl
l ever saw: and as | thought of Mr.. Roh-
ert in his den at home. I sincerely pitied
him. l was willing to advance the state
nent that had he known a pair of crutcheS
would not have kept him away from No.
1900 Connecticut avenue.
l found three chairs and we sat down.
There was, for me. very little opportunity
to talk Women always have so much -
say TO each other even when they haven't
seen each other within twenty-four hours.
From time to time Miss Annesley
glanced at me, and l am positive that
all,
was rather embarrassing. and l was
balling my gloves up in a most
dreadful fashion. As they seldom addressed
a word to me, I soon became absorbed
IN the passing scene. L was perfectly
aroused, however.
Mr.. Henderson, Count Karloff," Miss
Annesley was saying. (karloff is name
of my own choosing. I haven't the
hottest idea if it means anything in the
Russian language. 1 hope not)
Charmed" The counts RS were very
pleasantly rolled. l could see by the way
his gaze roved from Miss Annesley to
Nancy that he was puzzled to decide which
came the nearer to his ideal of woman
hood.
! found him most engaging fellow. sur
prisingly well informed on American tonnes
l credit myself with being "a fairly good
reader of faces and, reading his as he
bent it in Miss Annesley's direction l be-
gan to worry about Mr.. Roberts course of
true love. Here was a man who possessed
a title. was handsome. rich, and of as
sured social position; it would take an ex-
traordinary American girl to look coIdly
upon his attentions. By and by the two
left us, Miss Annesley promising to call on
Nancy
And where are you staying, Betty?"
Father and have taken Senator Blanks
house in Chevy Chase for the winter Ny
horses are already in the stables. Do you
rider
Il do"
Then we shall have some great times
together"
BE sure to call. 1 want you to meet
my brother"
Il believe 1 have" replied Miss Annes-
ley.
Il mean my younger brother, a lieuten-
ant in the army"
''Oh, then you have two brothers,
Yes" said Nancy.
THE dance is dying, mademoiselle," said
the count in French.
Your arm, monsieur. Au revoir Nancy"
Poor Bobby" Nancy folded her hands
and sighed mournfully. 1T appears TO me
that his love affair is not going to run
very smooth. But isn't she just beautiful,
Charlie? What color, what style!''
shes Il sumner. l. m forced admit