LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1801, 28 November 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THIS SENATOR'S DAUGHTER. The Sma-ll Gold Box. [From the " New Xbrk Sun."] i. On the evening of the 4th of March, year of grace 1937, Mr Daniel Webster Wanlee devoted several hours to the consummation of a rather elaborate toilet. That accomplished, he placed himself before a mirror and critically surveyed the result of his patient art. The effect appeared to give him satisfaction. In the glass he beheld a comely yonng man of thirty, something under the mediam stature, faultlessly attired in evening dress, The face was a perfect oval, the complexion delicate, the features refined. The high cheek bones and a slight elevation of the outer corners of the eyes, the short upper lip, from which droppod a slender but aristocratic moustache, the taper fingers of tbe hand, and the remarkably small feet, confined to-night in danciog-pumps of polished'red morocco, were all unmistakable heirlooms of a pure Mongolian ancestry. The long, stiff, black hair, brushed straight back from the ferehead, fell in profusion over the neck and shoulders. Several rich decorations shone on the breast of the black broadcloth coat. The knickerbocker breeches were tied at the knees with scarlet ribbons. Tho stockings were of flowered silk. Mr Wanlee's face sparkled with intelligent good sense; his figure poised itself before the glass with easy grace A soft, distinct nttsrance, filling the room yet appearing to proceed from no particular quarter, now attracted Mr Wanlee's attention. He at once recognised the voice of his friend, Mr Walsingham Brown. ' How are we off for time, old fellow ?'

'lt's getting late,' replied Mr Wanlee, without turning his face from the mirror. ' You had better come over directly.' In a very few minutes the curtains at the entrance to Mr Wanlee's apartments were unceremoniously pulled open and Mr Walsingham Brown strode in. The two friends cordially shook hands. * How is the honorable member for the Los Angeles district ? ' inquired the new comer oomer gaily. " And what is there new in Washington society ?' Prepared to conquer to-night, I see. What's all this ? Red ribbons and flowered silk hose ! Ah, Wanlee, I thought you had outgrown these frivolties !'

The faintest possible blush appeared on Mr Daniel Webster Wanlee's cheeks.

'ls it cool to-night ?' he asked, changing the subject. * Infernally oold,' replied his friend. * I wonder you have no snow here It is snowing hard in New York, There were at least three inches on the ground just now when I took the Pneumatic.

'Pull an easy chair np to the thermoelectrode,' said the Mongolian. ' You must get the New York climate thawed out of your joints if you expect to waltz creditably. The Washington women are critioal in that respect.' Mr Walsingham Brown pushed a comfortable chair towards a sphere of shining platinum that stood on a crystal pedestal in the pedestal in the centre of the room. He pressed a silver button at the base and the metal globe began to glow incandescent, A genial warmth diffused itself through the apartment. 'That feels good,' said Mr Walsingham Brown, extending both hands to catch the heat from the thermo-electrode.

* By the way,' he continued, 'you haven't accounted to me yet for the scarlet bows. What would your constituents say if they saw you thus—you, the impassioned young orator of the Pacific Blope, the thoughtful student of progressive statesmanship, the mainstay and hops of the Extreme Left, thorn in the Bide of corservative VegetarianIsm, the bete noire of the whole Indo European gang —you, in knee ribbons and florid extensions, like a club man at a fashionable Harlem hop, or a * Mr Brown interrupted himself with a hearty but good-natured laugh. Mr Wanlee| seemed ill at ease. He did not reply to his friend's raillery. |He cast a stealthy glance at hia knees in the mirror, and then went to one side of the room, where an endless strip of printed paper, about three feet wide, was Blowly issuing from between noiseless rollers and falling in neat folds into a willow basket on the floor to receive it. Mr Wanlee bent his head over the broad strip of paper and began to read attentively. * You take the " Contemporaneous News, I suppose,' said the other. 'No ; I prefer the " Interminable Intelligencer," replied Mr Wanlee. 'The "Contemporaneous." is too much of my own way of thinking. Why should a sensible man ever read the organ of his own party ? How much wiser it is to keep posted on what your political opponents think and say.' ' Do you find anything about the event of the evening?' .-,,,«■ , ' The ball has opened,' said Mr Wanlee, 'and the floor of the Capitol is already crowded. Let me see,' he continued, beginning to read aloud. ' The wealth, the beauty, the chivalry, and the brains of the nation combine to lend unprecedented lustre to the inauguration ball, and the_ brilliant success of the new administration is assured beyond all queation. * 'That Is encouraging logio," Mr Brown remarked. 'President Trlmbelly has just entered the rotunda escorting his beautiful and stately wife, and accompanied by ex-President Riley, Mrs Biley and Miss Norah Biley. The illustrious group is, of course, the cynosure of all eyes. The utmost cordiality prevails amongst statesmen of all Bhades of opinion, for once, bitter political ani-

I mosltiea seem to hare boon * a id aside with the ordinary habiliments of ey er J-day life. | Oonspiciuooß among the gnests are soma of j the most distinguished radicals of the opposition. Even Gen. Quong, the .defeated Mongol-Vegetarian candidate, is now proceeding across the rotunda, leaning ou" the arm of the Chinese- Ambassador, with the evident intention of paying his compliments to his successful rival. Not the slightest trace of resentment or hostility is visible upon his strongly marked Asiatic features. ' The Hero of the Battle of Cheyenne can afford to be magnanimous,'' remarked Mr Wanlee, looking np from the paper. ' True,' said Mr Walsingham Brown, warmly. 'The noble old hoodlum fighter has settled for ever the question of the equality of your race. The Presidency could have added nothing to his fame.'

Wr Wanlee went on rf ading ; " The toilets of the ladies are charming. Noted: among those which attraot the reportorial eye are the peacock feather train of Princess Hushyida ; the mauve—'

' Cut that,' suggested Mr Brown. 'We shall see for ourselves presently. And give me a dinner, like a good fellow. It occurs to me that J have eaten nothing for fifteen days.' The Hon. Mr Wanlee drew from his waistcoat pocket a small gold box, oval in form. He pressed a Bpring and the lid flew open. Then he handed the box to his friend It contained a number of litt!e grey pastiles, hardly larger than peas. Mr Brown took one between his thnmb and forefinger and put it into his mouth. ' Thus do I sal isfy mine hunger,' he eaid, ' or, to borrow the language of the opposition orators, thus do I lend myself to a vile and degrading practice, subversive of society as at present constituted, and outraging the very laws of nature.'

Mr Wanleo was paying no attention. With eager gaze he was again scanning the columns of the Interminable Intelligencer. As if involuntarily, he read aloud ; 'Secretary Quimby and Mrs Quimby, Count Schnecke, the Austrian Embassador, Mrs Hoyette and the Misses Hoyettc, of New York, Senator Newton, of Massachusetts, whose arrival with his lovely daughter is causing no small attention— * He paused stammering, or he became aware that his friend was regarding him earnestly. Coloring to the roots of his hair, he affected indifference and began to read again : ' Senator Newton, of Massachusetts, whose arrival with his lovely—' ' I think, my dear boy,' said Mr Walsingham Brown with a smile, ' that it is high time for us to proceed to the Capitol.' ir. THE BALL AT THE CAPITOL. Through a brilliant throng of happy men and charming women, Mr Wanlee and his friend made their way into the rotunda of the Capital, Accustomed as they both were to the spectacular effects which society arranges for its own delectation, the young men were startled by the enchantment of the scene before them. The dingy historical panorama that girds the rotunda was hidden behind a wall of flowers. The heights of the dome were not visible, for beneath that was a temporary interior dome of red roses and white lilies, which poured down from its concavity a continual and almost oppressive shower of fragrance. From the centre of the floor ascended to the height of forty of fifty feet a single jet of water, rendered intensely luminous Jby the newly discovered hydro> electric process, and flooding the room with a light ten times brighter than daylight, yet soft and gratefnl as the light of the moon. The air pulsate! with music, for every flower in the dome overhead gave utterance to the notes which Baibolint, in the Conservatoire at Paris, was Bending across the Atlantic from the vibrant tip of his baton. The friends had hardly reached the centre of the rotunda, where the hydroelectic fountain threw aloft its jet of blazing water, and where two opposite streams of promenaders from the north and south wings of the Capital met and mingled in the eddy of polite humanity, before Mr Walsingham Brown was seized and led off captive by some of his Washington acquaintances. Wanlee pushed on, scarcely noticing his friend's defection. He directed his steps wherever the crowd seemed thickest, casting ahead and on either side of him quick glances of inquiry, now and then exchanging bows with people whom he recognised, but pausing only once to enter into conversation. That was when he was accosted by Gen, Qaong, the leader of the Mongol-Vegetarian party and the defeated candidate for President in the campaign of 1936. The veteran spoke familiarity to the young Congressman, and detained him only a moment. ' Ton are looking for somebody, Wanlee,' said Gen. Quong, kindly. 'I see it in your eyes. I grant you leave of absence,' Mr Wanlee proceeded down the long corridor that leads to the Senate Chamber and continued there in eager search. Disappointed, he turned back, retraced his steps to the rotunda, and went to the other extremity of the Capitol. The Hall of Representatives was reserved for the dancers. From the great clock above the Speaker's desk issued the music of a waltz, to the rythm of which several hundred couples were whirling over the polished floor. Wanlee stood at the door, watching the couples as they moved before him in making the circuit of the hall Presently his eyes began to sparkle. They were resting upon the beautiful face and supple figure of a girl in white satin, who waltzed in perfect form with a young man, apparently an Italian. Wanlee advanced a step or two, and at the came instant the lady became aware of his presence. She said a word to her partner, who immediately relinquished her waist. 'I have been expecting you this age,' said the girl holding out her hand to Wanlee. ' I am delighted that you have come.' ' Thank you, Miss Newton,' said Wanlee. 'Von may retire, Francesco,' she continued, turning to the young man who had just been her partner. • I shall not need you again.' The young man addressed a<r Francesco bowed respectfully, and departed without a word, ' Let us not loose this lovely waltz,' said Miss Newton, putting her hand upon Wanlee's shoulder. 'lt will be my first this evening.' (7b be continued.)