Evening star., 1925-12-09
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Col. LoSanberry H. Ball had just
come to Washington from the great
Middle West
Breezy. big.hatted, with a voice that
could be heard from the Treasury to
the Capitol. Col. Ball talked about
everything except his real mission.
He talked about the growth Of the
city, how he never could get the lay
Of the land here" how he wondered
If the grand park plans would ever be
completed, how the squares and cir
cles compared with the city park Back
home''
Col. Ball never mentioned aloud the
single purpose that had brought him
tearing across wide plains and noun
tuins to Union Station. in which he
aliShted early in December. somewhat
dazed, beneath the umbrella sheds.
1t had been many years since he had
visited Washington. lie had been here
once before. but long ago, and since
that period time and money have done
much TO change the Capital of the Ma
ton.
Col. Ball was agreeably impressed
with what he saw. The Lincoln Me
mortal was u "da isy,' he said: his
round, red face taking on a look OF ar
tistic appreciation that was not bit
faxed
Despite his hearty habits. Col. Lo-
cranberry II. Ball had an ina Sinative,
poetic temperament. Perhaps it
would be nearer the truth to say be-
cause of them. That supreme ina
gist. Charles Dickens. had somewhat
gross tastes, vet out of their vigor
sprang many delicate fancy, AS SEN
sitive as fragile flowers tinged with
silver dew.
Col. Ball, for all his crude ways.
had the heart of Dickens in him.
He was "A Sentimentalist if the truth
were known. although he never admit
ted IL.
Why, he was here whole week be
fore he ever let out the slightest hint
about what he was doing in Washing
ton at this time of year.
Then one day V he heard about Mary
Rogue. the girl who helps you out. y
star-eyed Mary. who sends out bills
just like doctor or lawyer. TO pro-
fessional service rendered
II one has IL problem he wants
solved. one that takes the smile of a
charming lady to put it over" he
hunts up Miss Rogue.
, 1t was to her tiny office, just big
enough for spinet desk. a bookca sc
and several Windsor chairs. that Col.
Loga nberry II. Ball hied himself.
He looked like the proverbial bull in
Il china shop. as he sat unea silly on
the edge of his mahogany chair. Col.
Ball thought that it did not look strong
enough to hold him, but he was mis-.
taken about that.
Mary Rogue had an impeccable
taste in chairs, and this included d
sure knowledge of their construction.
A real bull could have sat in that cha IL
without mishap.
His 5-gallon hat held in his huge
red hands, Col. Ball smiled. despite
himself. at the radiant picture across
the desk from him. Col. Ball did not
realize that the blue velvet curtains
framing the window behind her made
as effective background as ever the
alter set" pro"ided.
Star-eyed Mary. having planned and
executed this effect. never bothered hei
bobbed blond head about it again. She
sat there. slight, dainty. watching her
clients. on whose faces the light from
the window played strongly, but not
, too strongly. thanks to the curtains.
You look like her" suddenly blurt
! ed out Col Ball
Mary smiled.
K n x
She ran away with him two years
ago he continued. and | never
| heard OF her since, until | learned in
a roundabout way that she was in