behind his back before the statue of Jackson. He was gazing up at the fierce old face with an expression so animated that passers-by were smiling broadl

ed, for she knew that if she did not he

oining her when he saw she had n

ur devotions," protested she.

ack. I want to talk with a woman-a sensi

atronizing-and her plans concerning him made her contemptuous of herself

d met that old chap on the pedestal there when he was my

been just about as much a

White House not to get too cultured. You know it was because the gang that was in got too refined and fo

n?" suggested Margaret w

he had ever heard him admit a doubt about himself. "The question is," he went o

accompany me." She put out her hand. "Goodby." She did not realize it, or intend it, but she had appealed to one of h

n front of her. Her color was high, but she could not resist the steady compulsion of his eyes. "I

Margaret ans

t the courage to as

o have got what you sought," said she. He

lied Craig. "I hav

ugh or to burst out in anger. "I'm sure I don't car

courage. He took the woman he wanted-defied public opinion to do it-and it only made him the more popular. I had always intended to strengthen myself by ma

" said Margaret. "

" exclaimed Craig. "W

ockingly. "But what am I to st

esolve, as he said: "There you are, and there you stay, Margaret. And you're not at all fit to be my wife. You haven't been

m in sheer amazement. "I!" excl

Margaret," he said tend

head. The indignant de

e. "But I'll manage it somehow. I'll win

was laughing at him; but she felt she had penetrated beneath the surface that excited their mirth-had seen quali

rough and coarse for you-you,

nd the deeper delight a woman feels when a man shows her t

t that sort of thing in a man who prevails in such a world as this. When men get too high-toned and aristocratic, too fussy about manners and dress, along come real men t

, how could she refuse? They were crossing another square of green. He drew-almost dragged-her into one

ured, violently agitate

eyes as they devoured her. And, despite her protests and struggles, she was again in those savage arms of his, was ag

ed, alarmed, yet still looking

-I don't know

eaning of those unprecedented emotions that had risen under his caresses, and that stirred at the memory of them. "Perhaps I am trying to love him," she said to herself. "Anyhow, I

you?" Crai

no

imed. "But when I touched

m. "I didn't dream you

d her. "I'd never have dared tell you," replie

ed to make her tone passable as sh

y I came pleading for Grant. I s

to himself. But what did it matter? How like ironic fate, to pierce hi

in. At his touch she flamed. "Don't!" s

lf a dozen times squarely upon the lips. "Not that t

to those caresses, and even as she hated him for violating her lips, she longe

fumed with impatience while she was adjusting her hat and veil pushed awry by his boisterous love-making. "It

tless, angry outburst against himself and her for his tardiness at that important appointment. She dropped into the seat with a gasp of relief. She felt she must-for form's sake-merely for form's sake-glance out of the window for the farewell he would be certain to expect; she must do her p