The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-03-21


. iii not hear its heart.beats
III Therefore, perhaps,
" studied my neighbour
more than | might study
them under different circumstances
Inc great wooden hall had it.
transient and unsubstantial char
acter stamped on every bare wood
en- joist and unclinched nail. II
was gaudy with flags and bunting and
cheap portraits. There We're tin ban.
nerettes crookedly marshaled on the
fioor, to indicate the homes of the
different states. A few delegates,
doubtless new to the business and
0Ver-zealous, were already on the
floor, but none Of the principals were
visible. They were perspiring and ar
guing in those committee rooms, those
hotel lobbies and crowded hotel
rooms where the real business of the
convention was already done and neat
ly prepared for presentation to the
nation. had nothing to keep me from
studying my neighbors. In front of
me sat two people who had occupied
the same seats at every session that
l was present, young girl and an old
man. The girl wore the omnipresent
shirtwaist (of pretty blue and white
tlnts, with snowy cuffs and collar),
and her green straw hat was decked
with blue corn-fowers, from which
l inferred that she had an eye on the
fashions. Her black hair was thick
and glossy under the green straw. l
thought that she had a graceful neck.
1t was very white. Whittier than her
race, which kept touch of sunburn,
as If she were often out in the open
air. Somehow l concluded that she
was a shop-girl and rode wheel. III
were wrong it is not likely that | shall
ever know.
The old man fancied, was not so
old as he looked; his delicate, haggard
profile may have owed its sunken
lines and, the dim eyeastos sickness
rather than to years. He wore the |
heavy broadcloth Of the rural poll
tician, and his coat sagged over his
narrow chest as if he had left his |
waistcoat at home. On his coat lapel |
were four old-fashioned Blaine badges.
necessarily he famed himself.
at can't be they amt going to |
nominate him today?" he asked rath-
er than asserted, his voice breaking
on the higher notes, the mere wreck |
Of voice.
"Oh. maybe later" the girl reas-
sured him.
well, wanted to attend Repub-
lican convention once more before / |
died. Your ma would have it / wasn't |
strong enough; but l knew better:
you and l knew better; didn't we,
jenny"
She made no answer except to pat |
his thin, ribbed brown hand with her |
soft, white, slim one; but there was a |
world of sympathy in the gesture and |
her silent smile.
II wonder what your ma said when |
she came downstairs and found the |
letter, and us gone," he cackled with |
the garrulous glee OF a child recount. !
ing successful mischief; made me |
think of the times when you was lit
tie and I stole you away for the cir
Gus. Once, your pa thought you was |
lost-'member? And once, you had on |
your school dress and you'd tore it
she did scold you that time. But we
had fun when they used to let me
have money, didn't We, jenny"
well, now ! earn money, we have
good times, too. grandpa" said Jenny,
smiling the same tender. comprehend
ing smile.
eve do that; I don't know what I
would do 'oept for you, lambie, and
this is--this is grand time, Jenny,
you look and listen; it's great thing
to see nation making its principles |
and its president-and such presi-
dent!"
He half turned his head as he
spoke. with a mounting enthusiasm,
thus bringing his flushing face and
eager eyes-no longer dim--into the
focus of his next neighbours bright
gray eyes. The neighbor was a young
man, not very young, but hardly to
be called elderly, Of an alert bearing
and kindly smile.
81 think him a pretty fair man my.
SELF" said the other with jocose un-
reinstatement; II come from his
town."
What was there in such a simple
statement to bring distinctly anxious
look into the young girls soft eyes?
There 1t was; one could not mistake
It.
"Well!" said the old man; there
was a flattering Difference In his
voice. well, well. And-and maybe
you've seen him lately?" The auaver-
Ing tones sharpened with a keener
feeling: 1t was almost as il the man
were inquiring for some one on whom
be had a great stake Of affection.
4How did he look? Was he better,
stronger?"
ooh. he looked elegant" said the !.