Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-11

Yet, through all these thoughts ran the
undercurrent of one emotion. the constant
recurrence of Ryland's words, the notes OF
| his voice. as it sounded in the House, the
| look his face wore when the wave OF APP
plause proclaimed his triumph over even
the prejudices of his political opponents
| Mary, herself profoundly ambitious, had
appreciated the moment and thrilled with
the comprehensons of his success. She
could not forget 1t; she put down the
caddy and forgot instead the prosaic duties
of the rite. She slipped into an attitude OF
thought, her hands loosely clasped on heI
knee. and her head bent as she looked into
the fire. fugitive shaft of sunlight reach.
ing across the room from a western window
touched the folds of her soft white gown
and climbed slowly to the flowers in her
girdle. But her face was softly pale. her
hair. carelessly arranged. was full of deli.
cate Wavy shadows above her white fore
head. The old suggestion of delicate
sketch by Reynolds was more than ever ap-
parent.
There was stir In the hall at last. how
ever. and the sound Of the footman. re-
turning to usher in a guest. Mary started
and looked up; a sudden thought made her
heart beat quickly-was 1t possible? The
| next moment brought her certainty; Law
renee Ryland came quietly through the
drawing rooms and entered the library.
He was little pale and more worn looking
than usual, but his eyes had a peculiar
! brillance that sometimes accompanies an
unusual frame of mind
Mary controlled her involuntary start at
the sight of him and held out her hand with
q smile. but without word Ryland took
her hand and looked at her searchingly as
If he expected different welcome.
1T is early for you?" she observed. blush
ing under his eyes; 1T is only half-past
five: I always think of six as your hour. .
He laughed. II ran away he said. TAX
ing chair by her table; Il am a truant
from school. Give me a cup of teal need
it; I've been speaking today for an hour:
n "a hraI for o1,a
having the temerity to speak for an hour
II know-1 heard you,' she replied
simply.
Ryland turned sharply and looked into
her face. his own coloring with some new
emotion. He was as abashed as boy.
Were you there?" he exclaimed; land 1
did not know tt
Mary's hands trembled little as she
busted herself with the cups. 1T was a
great speech she said softly, without
looking up: how does 1t feel to make a
speech like that-to hear a great burst of
applause-to be triumphant?''
"Ah.' he replied, that Is what cannot
define But came straight to you: 1 came
on an impulse; 1 knew you would under
stand though 1 did not know that you had
heard me-
She looked up. a flash of sympathy in her
eyes. That was good of you she ex-
claimed fnvoluntarily: II do understand
never realized before, never until today.
what that feeling must be. what 1t Is for a
>,
his country needs him. Did you think Of
it? Or were you only carried away by
your own eioquence. the force of your own
emotion?'
Ryland smiled. Il am afraid I was an
egotist." he said frankly: I'm afraid the
applause was sweet to my ears"
Mary laughed softly. holding out his cup
Of tea I'm glad you said that" she re-
marked: your mood seemed SO exalted.
you were carried along 80 by your oratory
that 1 was almost afraid to entertain so
great a man."
Ryland did not reply: instead he set his
cup. untasted. on the table by his side. and
leaning little forward. with his elbows on
his knees~and his hands hanging loosely
clasped before him. he looked steadily into
the fire. The fiame-light playing on his
features in high lights and shadows ex-
aggerated their strength and clearness of
outline Mary from behind the table
watched him with varying emotions; he
had come to her in the hour Of his tri-
umph and she could no longer doubt her
own influence with him. but she set herself
remember instead that he was deceived in
his estimate OF her and that If he knew
the truth
the other day." she asked softly: about
the height that was never reached, the
Olympus that was never climbed? Do you
feel that today. with the echo OF that
great wave of applause in your ears. with
the consciousness of that speech?'
He turned grave face toward her: the
freight exaggerated the shadows II feel
1t more than ever. I have fallen below the
standard l set for myself even tOday-you