The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-02

pr1dtng himself on a stony superiority 70
sunshine and storm. But nov he fairly
prattled about the future with an ingenious
delight. 1t was all rose colored.
The engagement Of Geraldine Schrigley
20 his colleague, Senator Cabaniss, had
been duly announced. She now agreed TO
welcome with cordial respect Mrs. Bliss
Adsit, formerly Mollie Merton Of concert
hall notoriety. He himself RAJ to- lave
the honor Of escorting this socially am
bilious wife and absolute ruler OF the State
boss.
Thenceforth he and Cabaniss could count
confidently on the enthusiastic support Of
The Leaf, Adsit's organ. The nomination
Of four Assemblymen from Tobula would
thus be assured to them; and as Tobula
went, so went Sequoia. It was another
term In the United States Senate for Savage
and Cabaniss; il was good-by for Merri-
held and the tar reform movement OF which
be was the leader.
So on and on he went, like the house that
Jack built, but never inhabited.
I was lucky to be invited to so exclusive
q State function as the Regents dinner;
lucky TO be numbered among "the others
there; and especially lucky to find myself,
when confusion had settled into conven-
tion, on a remote arc Of the horseshoe table
in the company OF a distant relative and
near dependent OF the Schrigleys-Aunt
Rebecca TO them and Miss Skeed to me.
Though Miss Skeed was walnutty OF
countenance and back hair, there was .
deal Of sour sense between these two hSmi-
spheres. With a birdlike quality OF eye and
bill, she saw just what to peck at, and she
pecked, to my edihcation.
isn't it odd that Merriheld should be
here7' I asked as l saw the tall form OF
the former Senator directly opposite his
antagonist, Mr.. Savage.
He is here because it is odd, = Miss Skeed
retorted. you can always count on
Geraldine Schrigley doing and leaving
undone the things she shouldn't. As for
her honored father, the Governor, he Is
an inarticulate fuss who never let's anything
alone; least Of all, we'll enough
"Hence2' / said oomprisingly.
Hence she continued, following my
gaze, this impossible conglomeration here
assembled
1T doesn't resemble Arabia the Happy,
barring two Gases.
ooh, you have noticed the rule and its
exceptions, have your Yes, Geraldine and
her lover seem to be enjoying themselves.
but that IL all pretenoe on her partg Yes,
Mrs. Adsit and your Senator seem to be on
the best OF terms, bu. that IL all p~retence
on his part. After a little these pretenoes
will become evident, Is the ~pretenders
weary Of pretending, and then that uni
versal stagnation which preoedes q storm
will prevail
Not while you are here, madam
But il was even so-the lack Of that merry
heart which makes a continual feast. One
kept expecting baked meats to be served,
the aspect was so funereal.
The natural solemnity Of State dignitaries,
men Of years and learning, vas accentuated
by their environment, like lines In salt
water. Where, oh, where, was the soften
ing, sweetening influence Of woman7
1T ia not that they have remained station
airy while their lords nav developed and
advanced" said Miss Skeed, reading my
thoughts. THAT is a characteristic OF our
women 1 admit, which accounts for many
q social lapse; but cordially has always
been their strong point; 30 strong as to be
overpowering. No, no.; it IL soorn that
has turned on the cold current; and the one
they are all thinking about is the n that
none Ia looking at
7 glanced about the rich and bounteous
table; at the good, plain matrons, taut Of
looks, bespectacled, uneasy Of manner,
unbecoming Of dress. Many an anxious
look was cast toward a husband too art
Iessly admiring. Many q knowing look
was exchanged with friend alike appre-
hensive and indignant.
But not a feminine eye; saw occasionally
A. A-s-hk aHalaaa 1Daa - G0rn LASNA
6chrigley, was turned TO where Mollie
Merton Adsit, gorgeous in scarlet and dia-
monds and dancing aigrettes sat triumphant
by my Senator's side. ,
at was all very well for Geraldine 10
consent to overlook her past, for good
reasons of her own" explained Miss
Skeed. SBut all the other women are look
ing over It. They see that red creature,
not as she is by the grace Of graft, but as
she wal when she peddled smiles, physical
and spirituous, in Big Tom Merton's concert
saloon. This dinner, Mr.. Buffum, is going
30 reverse the conventional rule. 1t will
proceed from ice 10 hot stuff
II.
Il was Mr.. Merrifeld who melted the Ice
n little. He sat at Miss Schrigley's right
d~iagonally opposite TO US, and when for
the first time he spoke we shrank behind
a big vase Of roses and listened.
NV main reason for coming to a gather
Si.S OF those certainly not friendly to me-
he said In low tones, was to thank you,
Miss schrigley, for your thought Of me-
Geraldine flushed.
IF the thanks are no more h the
thought" she snapped over her plump
shoulder, they are not worth mentioning. .
And she turned it more directly.
~Yet you must nave caused the invitation
10 be sent he persisted. when l have
eliminated every m else for a good and
sufficient reason you remain
well, then, l did send it. admitted the
girl, swinging around. Il wanted the chance
70 tell you what l think Of you"
Il would rather hear that when have first
told YOU what l think Of you
Here senator Cabaniss, who had been
striving to ignore this passag &c between
his intended and the nan he disliked and
dreaded, looked up from his plate to say:
Geraldine, my love, l forgot to tell you
that Thai a jacques have made a report
about the ma tchad pearlaS