Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-12

Mary seated herself opposite In loN
rocking chair. Lizzie placed q stool
beside the sofa and, crouching upon
IT., began to manipulate the muschs
of the Presidents right hand and wrist
For few moments there vas silence
Lincolns eyelids dropped.
But only for few moments. James
came in. Eyes, Madame"
Il didn't ring. James" said Mary.
Through the private passage carr
John Hay. In evening clothes.
Just caught me- Mr.. Lincoln! I'm
dining with the gods at willards to-
night"
coin smiled at the Young man.
The gardener, the coachman. the
steward crowded in. For hea"ens
sake, What's the NATTER" cried Mary
Lincoln.
Lincoln thrust Lizzie aside and rose
as the doorman and the President 9
bodyguard hurried In from the main
hall
THE Presidents bell has been ring
ing like fury for 5 minutes, SIR ex-
planned John Hay.
Before Lincoln could speak Taddis,
with his two hound dogs. appeared. AZ
sight OF the crowded room, he uttered
boys great laugh.
jimmy. all OF EN-. Papa day.
found the rasta' spring up In the attic
and can make all you call bells sound
at once"
Thomas Lincoln. I'm going TO give
you good speaking, You're too big for
tricks like that" calculated his mother.
A murmur Of approval from the
crowd greeted this, but John Hay began
to laugh. One by one the others joined
4 him. Lincoln loudest Of all, while PEN
/ sacola and Sumter. the two dogs.
barked and began a sparring match
with each other. For q moment. Tads
| mother held out. then she smiled.
/ All right, I'll let him of. this once
All OF YOU combine TO spoil him, and !
have TO carrv the brunt"--
! The crowd melted away, soundlesslv.
/ Lizzie returned TO her nlassaging Tad
curled up on the hearth rug with his
pups Another minutes Of peace.
Once more step In the private pas
sage. and shadowy figure materialized
] near the fire glow into the person OF
Gideon Welles. Secretary Of the Navy:
tall man, with white beard and
thick white hair
I'm sorry to intrude." he said. as he
bowed first to Mary and then 10 the
President but don't dare 90 home 70
Mrs. Welles until I've done this err
rand"
DO I have to get up for the Job"
asked Lincoln
Pray dont!" exclaimed Mr.. welIes
seating himself in the chair Mary indi-
Gated. 1T won't take a moment. My
wife has been interested for some time
In certain Laura Jones, a Young lad
who was residing in Richmond and was
there engaged to be married She came
up three years ago ~ attend her sick
mother here and has been unable 10
return through the lines. I'm no hand
to tell these things. and I'm not sure
she ought to be passed oacx. But am
pretty sure that II you read this letter
to Mrs. Welles from Miss Jones. you
will give her pass. Mr.. President"
You hold candle here for mc
Taddie." said Lincoln
The child lighted on. of the n1ante.
candles from the Goals, and stood be-
side his father the light accsnting tfe
look OF his mother in his round little
face.
Lincoln read the letter. holding il II
his left hand. while Lizzie continued
gently to manipulate the right. Then
he said: oh. poor girl. the years O;
my youth are passing away Yes. yes
Mr.. Welles, lets send her back TO her
lover
i ought to tell you that her sympa-
thies are with the SeceSsionists." con-
tinued the secretary In his dry, careful;
way.
Let her so back" repeated Lincoln.
The war has prevented marriage
enough. The country needs them. Bet
ter have a lot Of little seCeSsionis,s thar
no babies at all. Anyhow, they're all
Americans; that is what counts
He took out one Of his cards from his
waistcoAts. pocket. Il keep - few O;
thess .sigped up for emergency. and ]
reckon that's what Laura Jones con-
siders this-an emergency. You III i:
In. Mr.. WelleS, and give II to her. with
my best wishes for a happy marriage"
Father" welles. as the newspaper
men called him. took the card and rose
10 so. His voice was as dry as ever. but
ne said. Your kindness really is genius.
Mr.. Lincoln. Mrs. weiles will thaok
ycu. She knows how 10 DO these things
better than T.
He bowed and went out,
NO one spoke. Taddie blew out the
candle and went back TO Join the sleep
ing hound dogs. Az gesture from his
mother he did not play with them. but
lay quietly watching the fire. Mary
leaned back in her chair. her eyes. very
tender IN the warm glow. fastened on
her husbands face Lizsie's graceful
brown fingers moved slowly. gently.
Lincolns eyes dropped then closed. The
two women glanced at each other. Mar
motioned for Lizzie TO continue her min
Stration. And Lincoln sept.
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