The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-08

THE SPOKANE PRES
in the long procession and to shake
the hand of Mr.. Tyler. That done
1 gazed about the great room, care.
fully scanning the different little
groups which were. accustomed g
form after the ceremonial part
the visit was over. saw MANI
whom I knew. l forgot them "a
in far corner, where the flood e
light came through the trailing
vines that shielded the outer viii
dow, my anxious eyes discovery
the object Of my quest-Elisahet6
1t seemed to me had never
known her 30 fair as she was thai
morning in the great east room OF
the white house. Elisabeth WA
rather taller than the average
woman, and of that splendid south
ern figure, slender but strong
which makes perhaps the best rep
resentative of our American beauty
She was very bravely arrayed to
day in her best pink lowered lawn
made wide and full, as was the Gus
tom Of the time, but not SO clumsily
gathered at the waist as some, and
so serving not wholly to conceal
her natural comeliness of figure
Her bonnet she had removed.
could see the sunlight on the rip
pies of her brown hair, and the
shadows which lay above her eyes
as she turned to face me, and the
slow pink which crept into hel
cheeks. ..-o -..-
-Dignified always, and reserved
was Elisabeth Churchill. But now
hope 1t was not wholly conceit
which led me to feel that perhaps
the warmth, the glow of the air
caught while riding under the oper
sky, the sight of the many buddine
roses Of our city, the scent of the
blossoms which even then came
through the lattice-the meeting
even with myself, so lately return
ed-sOmething at least of this had
caused an awakening in her girls
heart. Something, saw, l do not
know what, gave her greeting to
me more warmth than was usual
with her. My own heart, eager
enough to break bounds, answered
in kind. We stood-blushing like
children as our hands touched
forgotten in that assemblage OF
Washington's pomp and circum
stance.
How do you do?" was all ]
could find to say. And How dc
you do?" was all I could catch fol
answer, although I saw, in a fleet
ing way, a glimpse of dimple hid
in Elisabeth's cheek. She never
showed it save when pleased
have never seen a dimple like that
of Elisabeth's.
Absorbed, we almost forgot Aunt
Betty Jennings-stout. radiant
snub-nosed, arch-brOwed and curl
Gus, Elisabeth's chaperon. On the
whole. was glad Aunt Betty Jen
nings was there.
Aunt Betty" said I, as took hel
hand; Aunt Betty, have we told
you, Elisabeth and L" d,
saw Elisabeth straighten in per
plexity, doubt or horror, but we'd
on.
Yes, Elisabeth and I"
you dear children! gurgled
Aunt Betty.
Congratulate us BOTH" de
manded, and ! put Elisabeth's hand
covered with my own, into the
short and chubby fingers Of that
estimable lady, Whenever Elisabeth
attempted to open her lips opened
mine before; and l so overwhelmed
dear Aunt Betty Jennings with pro
testations of my regard for her
my interest mixer family, her other
nieces, her chickens. her kittens
her home-I so.quieted all her ques
lions by assertions and demands
and EXPLANATIONS, and declarations
that Mr.. Daniel Churchill had given
his consent, that swear for the
moment even Elisabeth believed
that what l had said was indeed
true. At least can testify she
made no formal denial, although
the dimple was now frightened out
of sight.
Admirable Aunt Betty Jennings!
She forestalled every assertion !
made, herself bubbling and blush
ing in sheer delight. Nor did she
lack in charity. Tapping me with
her fan lightly. she exclaimed :
you rogue! l know that you two
want to be alone; that is what you
want. Now l am going away-just
down the room. You will ride home
with us after a time, l am sure"
Adorable Aunt Betty Jennings!
Elisabeth and l looked at her com
Portable back for some moments
before l turned, laughing, to look
Elisabeth in the eyes.
You had no right" began she
her face growing pink.
every right" said I, and man
aged to find a place for our twe
hands under cover Of the wide
flounces of her figured lawn as
we stood. both blushing. 81 have
every right. I have truly just seen
your father. have just come from
him."
She looked at me intently, glow
ing, happily. N
II could not wait any longer"
went on. within a weekI am
going to have an office of my own
Let us wait no longer. l have wait
ed long enough. Now" -
| i babbled IN and che Iiotarad 7,