My father is made of the stuff that kindles martyr
fires. He will march to the stake for his principles when the time
comes."
"You admire that kind of man?"
"Don't you?"
"Yes. And for that reason I can't understand why you admire a trimmer
and a time server."
"You mean?"
"The Rail-splitter in the White House."
"But he's not!" Betty protested. "I can feel the hand of steel beneath
his glove--wait and see."
Ned laughed:
"Let Ephraim alone, he's joined to his idols! As our old preacher used
to say in Missouri. Your delusion is hopeless. It's well the President
is safely married."
Betty's eyes twinkled. Ned paused, blushed, fumbled in his pocket and
drew out the card the President had given him to deliver.
"I am ordered by the administration," he gravely continued, "to serve
this document on the daughter of Senator Winter."
Betty's eyes danced with amazement as she read the message in the
handwriting of the Chief Magistrate.
"He sent this to me?"
[Illustration: "'Good-bye--Ned!' she breathed softly."]
"Ordered me to serve it on you at once--my excuse for coming at this
unseemly hour."
"But why?"
"I gave him a hint of your opinion of his Inaugural. I think it's a case
of a drowning man grasping a straw."
"Well, this is splendid!" she exclaimed.
"You take it seriously?"
"It's a great honor.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148