Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-12-29
CHAPTER vlI.-continued.

CHAPTER vlI.-continued.
It was not new to me. OF course.
this Pageant, although 1t never lacked
of interest There were in the throng
representatives Of all America as II
was then, a strange. crude blending Of
refinement and vulgarity. of ease and
poverty. Of luxury and thrift
A certain air of room at this time
hung over offfcia 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 Princeton-whlch had killed MIR.
Upshur our secretary of state. with
Others and had. at one blow. come so
near to depriving this government of
fits 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
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 were not wholly dis
continued and the administration, I'M
settled as II was, and fronted By the
gravest OF diplomatic problems. made
such show of dignity and even cheer
fulness 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 whom | knew | forgot
them; for in a far corner, where a
food of light came through the trail
ing vines that shielded the outer win.
dow. my anxious eyes discovered the
object of my quest-EiZabeth
II 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
representative Of our American beau.
ty She was very bravely arrayed to-
day in her best pink lowered lawn.
made wide and full. as was the custom
OF the time. but not so clumsily gath.
cred at the waist as some. and so
serving not wholly to conceal her
natural comeliness of figure Her bon.
hn no 4 bl
sunlight on the ripples of her brown
hair and the shadows which Jay
above her eyes as she turned to face
me. and the slow pink which crept
into her cheeks
Dignified always. and reserved. was
Elizabeth Churchill But now ! hope
It was not wholly conceit which led
me to feel that perhaps the warmth
the glow of the air. caught while ri
ding under the oren sky. the sight OF
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
Misunderstanding at least of this
had caused an awake ming in her girls
'
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 ":
stood ushing like children as our
hands touched-iorgotten In that as
semblage of Washington's pomp and
circumstance
How do you do?" was all I could
find 10 say And How do you do?'
was all ! could catch for answer al
though ] saw. in a fieeting way. q
glimpse OF a dimple hid In Elizabeth e
cheek She never showed II saw.
when pleased ! have never seen a
dimple like that of Elizabeth's.
Absorbed. we almost forgot Aun,
Betty Jennings-stout. radiant. snub
nosed. arch-browed and curious. Eliz
abe this chaperon On the whole.
was glad Aunt Betty Jennings was
there
Aunt Betty" said I. as took heI
hand: Aunt Retty. have we told you
Elizabeth and ~"
] saw Elizabeth straighten In per
out "Sht oh
"Yes. Elizabeth and -"
'You dear children!" gurgled Aun,
Betty
Congratulate us both!" demanded
and put Elizabeth's hand, covered
with my own. into the short and club
by fingers OF that estimable lady
Whenever Elizabeth attempted to open
her lips ] opened mine before, and
SO overwhelmed dear Aunt Betty Jen
nings with protestations Of my regard
for her. my interest in her family. her
other nieces, her chickens. her kit
tens. her home-I SO quieted all her
questions by assertions and demands
and ordinations. and declarations
that Mr. Daniel Churchill had given
his consent. that swear for the mo
ment even Elizabeth believed that
what ! had said was indeed true A,
least. ! can testify she made no for
NAL dental although the dimple was
now 'rirF ened ont of sight
hdna Aunt Betty Jennings'