Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-15

w. ~ half as much inter
est as this proposal
R8 of Mr.. Moore's TO
regulate the schools of the state according
TO a new system, drastic. nay revolution
arv In ito character The question was
already a sore one A committee aI'er a
long examination had made severe re
mort upon existing methods. stating unan-
imously that the schools were antlquateti
and decidedly inferior to those OF other
states.
The pride of the people. and also that
of the house and senate, had been
touched Many of the members had come
TO the aid of the old system, and otners
had publicly announced that they would
s,pport the committee. 1t was a foregone
conclusion that the legislature Wouid
divide seriously on the question and the
division would not be partisan Repuo-
licans and democrats alike would De 1ouno
in the attack and the defense.
Now Mr. Moore had introduced his
measure. and the field was cleared Tor
the battle. The bill was referred TO a
committee with instructions to report, and
the days session of the house adjourned.
But members and spectators talked OF
nothing else as they passed out.
Bob Whitney, the young member from
Fulton county. and several friends walked
slowly down the aisle, discussing the
measure and wondering whether 1t would
pass Whitney. tall, blue-eyed. handsome
and under thirty, was a favorlte In the
house Moreover he was its first orator,
a man born with the gift Of golden speech,
and obviously destined to high career.
He was in love. too, with Evelyn Carter,
the handsome daughter of the lieutenant
governor, and rumor said that she did
not look upon him with disfavor.
AS Whitney stood upon the capitol
steps he forgot for moment the perpleA-
ing bill. A deep snow had fallen about
a week before, followed by rain which
i'm a half hour so gave way to intense
cold. Very little of the snow had melted,
but the rain had frozen upon its surface
and the world was literally sheathed in
coat of silvery-white armor. The sun
shone bright but frosty and cold, the
white hills threw back it's CLEANS in
million spearpoints of silver and gold. the
surface of the frozen river flashed and
glittered, too. and the myriads OF tcicles,
hanging like spears from the roofs,
seemed now and then to be tipped with
fame
sheet of ice and the snow beneath. and
down the capitol grounds and along the
city streets the snow was heaped on
either side of the walks in great white
walls.
Whitney, still drawing deep breaths of
the cold. bracing air, walked between the
white walls, replying to the stray words
of friends whom he met, but thinking now
neither of them nor of the bill. He had
the best of reasons for this detachment
because he was on his way to the railroad
station to meet Evelyn Carter who was
more interesting and far more attractive
than any bill could ever possibly be even
TO an ambitious and rising young poll
tician.
She had been gone only a week, yet the
glittering world sIittered all the more for
him because she was coming. There was
in him the strain of sentiment. the touch
of poetry which an orator, such as he,
must have, and he was consciously willing
TO attribute much of the beauty ABOUT
him 10 her speedy arrival. He smiled be-
cause he was pleased, and others, seeing
the smile, smiled contag iously.
Life seemed very full 10 Whitney that
morning After some vexing hours he
had found his own mind and was free
from doubt. He loved Evelyn Carter, and
many little signs inspired him with con-
hdence that he did not love in vain:
hence the reasons were numerous and
good why he should hold his head high
and include the whole world in his happy
smile.
He reached the station but did not en-
ter: instead ne preferred TO stand on the
asphalt, beside the tracks. and gaze into
the west, whence the train bearing her
would appear. The capital lay in valley
and the encircling line OF high hills was
cut by two deep clefts. through one OF
which the river flowed. while the railroad
came by the other. From the station
neither cleft visible and to any one
standing there the wall of hills would
seem complete; so far as the eyes was
concerned the little city was its own
little world.
But the keen eye of Whitney saw a
faint blur appear against the dazzling
blue of the western SKY; the train showed
in the cleft and then came swiftly into
the station. He was at the step when
Evelyn Carter came down, helping her TO
the asphalt, although none was mure
sure footed than she.
She was warm. glowing. wrapped in
furs, her cheeks, rosy at any time, red
now with the frost, and her eyes bril-
liant with animation and the pleasure Of
seeing him again. She was beautiful in
a thoroughly sane and wholesome way,
full of life. having alike the wish and
the ability 10 enjoy.
How pleasant 1t is to be back" she
exclaimed. What snug little town it
is, And how ii makes one feel at homer
Il hope i isn't the town alone" said
Whitney. Aren't you glad TO see me?'
"oh, we'll, little bit, since you ask
me-" she laughed.
Your father is detained at the capitol
and | asked TO DE the delegate to meet
you. There is cab at the corner
We won't take Ii. Come, let's walk
if this were only country road I'd race
you home for prize. i feel fine enough
ia do it, and I'd beat you. too
Since we're not allowed to run, we'll
make it walk. I'm glad YOU don't want
cab
1t was a half mile by the most direct
route to Mr.. Carters house on the far
side Of the river, but the two chose an.