The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-28
By
MEREDITH
NICHOLSON.
CHAPTER Xxx.
ROsRe Mundt.

Mrs, Atchison and Ardmore had given
their last touches 70 the preparations for
the dinner Every window OF the great
house shone and a myriad OF lanterns
Illuminated the lawns and terraces. The
flags OF North and South Carolina were
everywhere entwined: nor We're the Stars
and Stripes neglected. They surveyed
the long table in the dining-roOm. where
gold and silver and crystal were bright
upon the snowy napery.
THE matter OF precedence is serious,
Tommy" urgd Mrs. Atchison. I can
not for the life Of me remember what
two monarchs do about entering a room
at the same time"
Nor do 1. Nellie" said Ardmore; ''un-
less they sprint for the door and the
one who gets through first takes the head
Of the table stu, that would be undig-
nihed. particularly II the kings we're old
and fat. and II they bumped going
through the door and took a header it
would Jar the divine right"
Here in democratic America" Girls
void, Joining them. there can be no
such preposterous idea Of precedence
Il should think better Of that notion,
Prof. Griswold." laughed Mrs. Atchison.
~ L had never seen the goats carefully
shepherded to keep them away from the
lambs at functions In Washington. De-
mocracy may be a political triumph. but
It is certainly deficient socially. Person
ally I have always wished to bring my
self in touch with the poor Ardy is
quite right that our own kind are dis
tinctly uninteresting"
You ought TO remember, Nellie. that
your idea Of going Summing In a pur-
pie coupe and dressed up in your best
rags IS not well calculated 20 Inspire
confidence and affection among the sub
merged. But how to handle two gov
ernOTs has me fused. You are the host
ess, and It's for you TO decide which
excellency shall take you in. I see no
way out but TO match for IT,
That viii be unnecessary" said Mrs
Atchison. for the doors and the hall
are broad enough FOR a dozen governors
10 march in abreast"
That would never do, Nellie! You
don't understand these things You
can't hitch up a brace OF American gov
ernOrs in a team and drive them like a
pair OF horses. At least, speaking FOR
the Old North State. I viii say that we
can never consent 20 any such COM
promise"
And I. speaking for the great Pal
metto Commonwealth not less emphat-
lcally reject the idea" declared Girls
void
Then" said Mrs. Atchison, there Is
only one possible solution. When the
rest Of US have entered the dining room
and taken our places, a bugle viii sound:
"a nf no
enter from the north door: the governor
OF South Carolina from the south door.
and advance 10 seats facing each other
midway OF the table. Prof Griswold.
you are an old friend OF the family, and
you shall yourself take me In 10 dinner"
The members OF Mrs. Atchison's house
party. well distributed among the Of
fetal guests. were still somewhat at a
loss 10 know what had happened but
Il seemed 10 be In the air that Tommy
Ardmore had at last done something.
though just what was not wholly clear.
IL was sufficiently obvious however. that
the little girl with blue eyes who had
the drollest possible way OF talking, and
whom one never seemed able TO take of
guard had seized strong hold upon the
master Of Ardsley; and she. on her part.
treated him with the most provoking
condescension. Ii was agreed by all
that Miss Osborne was distinguished and
lovely and that Prof Griswold did not
seem out OF place at her side.
The talk grew general after the first
restraint was over, and Mrs Atchison
dropped Just the right word here and
there to keep the ball rolling. Gov. Os-
borne had generously forgotten and for
given his painful Incarceration In the
corn crib, and he and Gov. Dangerfield
We'd with each other in avowing their
determination TO live up TO the high
standards that had been SET for them by
their daughters.
Both governors had at almost the same
moment turned down their glasses. It
even seemed that they had been drilled
IN the part. so dexterous were they put
versing them so nimbly did they put
from them the hope OF wine The men,
bers OF the house party noted this act
OF the two governors with well-bred sur
prise; and ArdmOTe was grieved. feeling
that In some measure the illustrious
guests were criticising his hospitality
The butler at this moment spoke 10 him.
and much relieved he smiled and nodded
A moment later two jugs two little
brown jugs, were carried in, and one
was placed quietly in front Of each gov
ernor at precisely the same moment
Expectation was instantly a-tiptoe
Gentlemen" said Ardmore, addressing
the governors. these jugs have Just been
left at the house by our old friend Mr.
Bill Appeweeht alias Poteet. with HIS
compliments, for the governors Of the
two greatest States in the Union. note
that there's a bit OF pink calico around
the stopper Of Gov. Danger1eld's jug,
while Gov Osbornes is garnished with
blue and white gingham."
Gov. Osborne rose.
I'm politics." he began, resting his
hand gently on the jug, 1T would be a
fine thing II we could all live up to our
noblest ideas; but unfortunately we must
be all things 10 all men, What I have
here IS not merely the testimonial OF a
valued constituent but something much
subtler than that, ladies and gentlemen
a delicate proof that those of us who
would command the good will and suf-
frages OF the people must keep a care
full eye on the weather-vane This jug,
which you probably all believe contains
the rude product Of some hidden still, is
as eQuivocal as q political platform. l
will illustrate my meaning"
All eyes were bent upon the governor
OF South Carolina as he picked VI the
jug. twisted the cob stopper for a mo-
ment, and then poured into a tumbIer
which the butler placed for him. a clear