Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-04

turbation, Mary had never looked more
lovely, her white shoulders rising out Of a
pearls. the only heirloom her mother had
transmitted to her. about her slender
throat. Opposite. Mrs. Whiting sat, noun
famous and' calm, creaktng in maroon
shoulders well covered with jewels where
the clothing. which In her case would have
been charity, fell lamentably short.
That the two guests were hopelessly un-
congenial was apparent at a glance, and In
spite of her skill and her usual success
Mary found 1t almost impossible to keep
up even a desultory conversation, and Mrs.
Whiting was. for some reason, too preoc-
cupied to second her endeavors. The din
ner dragged along therefore without it's
usual accompaniment of cheerful CONVEX
sation, and not even the hostess's finest
wines enlivened it. Mary. who was Pc
culiarly sensitive to external influences felt
as II some calamity impended. and thought
she detected a similar sensation on the
part OF Mr.. Apple. The little man was In
deed so nervous and overwrought that his
hands trembled and he spilled his wine on
the tablecloth He was one of those high
strung and responsive individuals who act
as mere barometers in troubled times,
showing by some external sign every
threatened change In the moral atmos-
phere.
In spite of the undercurrent of emotion.
however, the dinner finally came to an
end on the dead level Of the common
sigh of relief a feeling that she had tenn
porarily escaped some unpleasant expert
ence but she reflected with amusement
that, after all, her dread might be due to
her constant apprehension Of Mr.. Schel-
lings sentimental advances. But that
night Schelling did not seem inclined to
such vagar1es: he had eaten heavily and
the process of digestion appeared to re-
move him from the arena Of cou-tship,
where Mary often mentally compared his
performances with the antics of a dancing
bear. The little party naturally grav!tated
to the card table In the library where
footman had already Set out the decanters
and a box of cigarettes
But Representative Apple, looking pale
and scared at his own temerity, refused to
play bridge, making some excuse about his
depleted purse and small salary. Mary
had withdrawn a little from the group and
stood in the window recess looking on her
slender white-robed figure gracefully out
lined against the heavy dark hangings
which had been drawn across the case
ment
Schelling had seated himself at the card
table and was running a pack OF cards
through his fingers, while the congress
mans small and meager figure stood oppo-
site. Mrs Whiting detecting a desire for
private ConVe- sation. or from deeper de-
sign. as Mary afterward imagined. moved
away the entire length of the room and
appeared to be looking for something on a
table In a remote corner. Apparently I'M
conscious of Marys presence or indifferent
70 Her kNOWleOSe OF the aHd1r, ScnelllDS
turned slowly toward the little man oppo-
site. His own heavy face was flushed
from his recent Indulgence IN both meat
and drink, and there was a purple tinge
about his prominent jaws.
When is that rate bill amendment COM
ing up, Apple?' he asked that amendment
which involves your state interests?"
The congressman's face turned a shade
paler-in the electric light 1t looked green
tsh to Mary-but there was a peculiar
tightening of the lips
We expect to report 1t day after to-
morrow he said in a dry, hard voice.
Schelling stretched out hand and
helped himself to a cigarette, lighting 1t
le!surely II understand the committee is
evenly divided for and aga inst it and you
have the casting vote--being chairman
he observed finally.
Apple nodded. his hands, which hung at
his sides, twitching a little.
Schelling smoked a moment In silence,
fixing the other man with his small deep
set eyes, and seeming to hold him under
a spell. You know how to vote In the
matter" he observed, and how to report
your bill presume you will do it?"
The congressman was breathing heavily:
Mary saw little points OF moisture start on
his forehead. Il shall do-What seems
best" he replied in dull voice. his lips
twitching now as his hands had done
Schelling paused, and with his cigarette
suspended between his fat forefinger and
thumb he gazed at the other man with an
intentness which seemed to alter his whole
aspect. His face was so heavy with flesh
that deepening of the harsh lines made
IL almost as grotesque as a gargoyle, and
his small eyes were cruel and eager. Il