Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-04
Mary Inlay Taylor,
UTHoR OF MY LADY cLANCARrY." ETC

believe L stated the alternative the other
day with sufficient clearness.' lie said in
a low voice; Il need not repeat it
There was a profound silence: then Mrs.
Whiting turned with the frou-frou OF over
abundant skirts and came slowly toward
them. while Mary-moved beyond reason
by this singular little scene-slipped quietly
out Of the room by a side door which
opened at the head OF the stairs leading 10
the lower hall Without any direct evil
dence to confirm her in the impression she
felt that Mrs Whiting was a party 70 the
coercion OF Mr.. Apple Her timely with
drawal to a convenient distance was too
suggestive of COLLISION to be mistaken;
Mary had observed her keenly and
convinced that her smallest actions We're
studied and sprang from deeply considered
designs. and she remembered the express
sion of Rylands face when Harriet Cheever
introduced her as Mrs. Writings niece and
his evident reluctance to be seen often In
her house or at her table. Profoundly
ignorant though she was of the keynotes
OF Washington life and the twists OF Its
ssrpentins labyrinths. Mary was 200 keen
not to divine much OF the status quo of
society. She was conscious of blushins
deeply at the thought that Mrs. Whiting
might be a delicate and adrot raneuverer
of gigantic lobby. and that she was using
her undoubted position IN society a cloak
for other and deeper designs in politics
and finance. But entirely aside from these
considerations Mary was moved by a feel
Ing Of pity for the little man who seemed
to have fallen into a snare and was as
unlikely to extricate himself unaided q
wounded hare. The same feeling that had
often prompted her to release a squealling
mouse from trap and TO set free q Gagged
sparrow moved her now with al ineXp;i-
cable desire to help him.
Having closed the door softly behind her
ahe was alone In the large hall: not even a
footman had yet come to attend the de-
parting guests and II was profoundly still.
no murmur of the subdued conversation In
the library penetrating the heavy portieres
The electric globe in the lower hall made
the stairs look like a scarlet ladder of I'M
usual width, and at the top the tall sago
palms raised their graceful plume-like foil
age, browning the pillars of the balustrade.
Poverty and insignificance made pecu-
liar appeal to Mary's mood at the moment,
and especially in the midst of such sur
roundinss where their mere existence
seemed a contradiction. Unconscious al
most OF her motive. but feeling strongly in
her rebellion against coercion in any form.
Mary waited until the portieres OF the
further drawing room parted and Repre-
sentative Apple came out and began to de-
Scend the stairs like man in a nightmare.
Mary moved swiftly after him. and, touching
his arm, beckoned to him to follow her
into the reception room on the first floor.
1t was dark when she entered 1t, but she
turned the switch of the electric light and
the glare revealed two white faces, for
her own had paled nearly as much as his.
The man looked at her in dull bewilder-
ment: even his lips were blue. Conven-
ped like a cloak
Don't do itr' she exclaimed eagerly;
don't go against your conscience"
He still regarded her with p.nched face
and his lower Jaw fell. She felt with
sudden twinge OF conscience that advice
was exceedingly cheap. "Oh, know it's
vastly easy to say 1t to others she cried;
but It's true"
He suddenly collapsed a word Of SYM
pathy is often like a match to the maya
zine of emotion, and causes an explosion
He sank on lounge and covered his face
with his hands. Mary stood looking at him
in dismay; she had never seen mans
hard-wrung tears before, and she was
overwhelmed with a woman's feeling OF
helplessness before mans emotion.
Il am ruined.'' he said at last: for my
self l should not care, but l have Wife
and six children. II vote as that man
dictates 1t is equivalent to taking a bribs
in office. On the other hand. If l follow
the dictates of my own conscience lose
everything Schelling will foreclose mort
cages on my property at home-Im behind
with the interest-and turn my children
into the street There is no way out of It,
except destruction"
Not if you raise the money to take up
his notes?" Mary suggested, with secret
inspiration
Miss Hadding. l can't do it; 1 can't raise
a cent"
Mary blushed How much Is it?" she
asked bluntly.
lcH lLouSdiiu " ILiih.
Apple said with evaporation at fate.
Mary hesitated and then looked up.
What If could raise 1t % she asked.
He looked at her with a flicker of hope
which died when she added: I'm poorer
than you a-e-but, perhaps. I could-could
borrow 1t for you. May 1 try?"
He got up with a despairing gesture and
moved slowly to the door. IT'S no use."
he said hoarsely.
But I may try?" Mary exclaimed, rebel
ling against his helpless surrender.
He nodded and went out, still like a man
in