The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-07

by IN order, each to receive the limp
handshake, the mechanical bow and
the perfunctory smile Of President
Tyer-rather tall, slenderlimbed,
active man and Of very decent pres
ence, although his thin, shrunken
cheeks and his cold blue-gray eye
left little quality Of magnetism in his
personality.
1t was not new to me, Of course,
this pageant, although it never lacked
OF interest There were in the throng
representatives of all America as it
was then, a strange crude blending Of
refinement and yulgarity} Of ease and
poverty, OF luxury and thrift.
A certain air Of gloom at this cine
hung over official Washington. for the
minds of all were still oppressed by
the memory Of that fatal accident
the explosion of the great cannon
"Peacemaker" on board the war YES
sci Prineeton-which had killed Mr..
Upshur, our secretary of state. with
others and had at one blow, come so
near to deprlying this government OF
its head and his official family; the
number OF prominent lives thus ended
or endangered being appalling to con-
template. II was this accident which
had called Mr.. Calhoun forward at a
national juncture Of the most extreme
delicacy and the utmost importance
In spite of the general mourning,
however, the informal receptions at
the White House we're not wholly dis
continued and the administration, un-
settled as It was. and fronted by the
gravest of diplomatic problems, made
such show of dignity and even cheer
funess as II might.
considered 1t my duty to pass in
the long procession and TO shake the
hand of Mr., Tyler That done, gazed
about the great room. carefully scan
ming the different little groups which
were accustomed to form after the
ceremonial part Of The visit was over.
] saw many NuVlI hiHNf iol SNN
them; for in far corner where q
food of light came through the trail
ing vines that shielded the outer win
dow my anxious eyes discovered the
object of my quest-Elizabeth.
1t seemed to me ! had never known
her so fair as she was that morning In
the great east room of the White
House. Elizabeth was rather taller
than the average woman. and Of that
splendid southern figure. slender but
strong. which makes perhaps tho best
representative Of our American beau
~ She was very hravely arrayed to-
day In her best pinkhowered lawn,
made wide and full, as was the custom
Of the time, but not so clnmslly gath
cred at the waist as some, and so
serving not wholly TO conceal her
natural comeliness Of figure Her bon
net she had removed ! could see the
sunlight on the ripples Of her brown
hair, and the shadows which lay
above her eyes az she turned 10 face
me, and the slow pink which crept
into her cheeks
nlgnined always, and reserved WAS
Elizabeth Churchill. But now hope
/ II was not wholly oonceit which led
me to feel that perhaps the warmth
the glow OF the oir, caught while RI
ding under the open sky, the sight oI
the many budding roses Of our city
the scent OF the blossoms which even
then came through the lattice-the
meeting even with myself, so lately
returned at least OF this
had caused an awakening In her girls
heart. Something, ! say, ] do no
know what, gave her greeting to m'
more warmth than was usual viii
4 her. My own heart. eager enough Il
break bounds. answered in kind w
stood blushing like children az on
hands touched forgotten in that as
semblage ~ Washington's pomp an,
circumstance
"How do you do?" was all coul
find to say. And "iIow do you do?
was all | could catch for answer, a
though saw, In neeting way,
glimpse of a dimple hid in Elizabeth
check She never showed It say
when pleased | have never seen
dImple like that OF Elizabeth's.
Absorbed, we almost forgot Aur
Betty Jennings stout, radiant, snul
nosed. arch-browed and curious, Eli
abeths chaperon On the whole,
was glad Aunt Betty Jennings wa
there.
"Aunt Betty" said I, as | took he
hand, Aunt Betty, have we told yo
Elizabeth and lg
saw Elizabeth straighten in pc
plexity, doubt or horror. but went o.
Yes, Elizabeth and -
you dear ehlldrenl" gurgled Aul
Betty.
"Congratulate us bothr demande
and | put Elizabeths hand, coyere
/, with my own, into the short and chu
, by fingers Of that estmable lad
, Whenever Elizabeth attempted 10 opC
her lips | opened mine before. and
so overwhelmed dear Aunt Betty Je
. nings with protestations Of my regal
for her. my interest in her family, HI
other nieces, her chickens. her k
!, tens, her home--I 80 quieted all h
!, questions by assertions and deman'
!, and exclamations. and declaration
;, that Mr. Daniel Churchill had give
(, bis consent, that ! swear for the m
r,ort avap Llizahafh hGiiavad IN