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Easterly. "See here," interrupted Mrs. Vanderpool. "I'm interested in Alwyn; in fact, an honest man in politics, even if he is black, piques my curiosity. Give him a chance and I'll warrant he'll develop all the desirable traits of a first class office-holder." Easterly hesitated. "We must not offend the South, and we must placate the Negroes," he said.
You were wrought up tonight, nervous wild. You were happy to meet your people, and where he said one word you supplied two. What you attribute to him is the voice of your own soul." But Zora merely smiled. "All you say may be true. But what does it matter? I know one thing, like the man in the Bible: 'Whereas I was blind now I see." Mrs. Vanderpool gave a little helpless gesture.
Vanderpool was a Wells of Boston, and endured Lake George now and then during the summer for her husband's sake, although she regarded it all as rather a joke. This summer promised to be unusually lonesome for her, and she was meditating a retreat to the Massachusetts north shore when she chanced to meet Mary Taylor, at a miscellaneous dinner, and found her interesting.
The sun behind the swamp was crimsoning the world. Mrs. Vanderpool strolled alone to the school, and saw Sarah Smith. There was no cordiality in the latter's greeting, but when she heard the caller's errand her attention was at once arrested and held. The interests of her charges were always uppermost in her mind. "Can't I have the girl Zora?" Mrs. Vanderpool at last inquired.
Vanderpool, amused, baffled, spurred for the time being from her chronic ennui. "Are you happy?" retorted Zora, looking her over carefully, from silken stockings to garden hat. Mrs. Vanderpool laid aside her little mockery and met the situation bravely. "No," she replied simply. Her eyes grew old and tired.
Had she been compelled to earn a living she would have made a successful teacher or manipulator of men. As it was, she viewed the human scene with detached and cynical interest. She had no children, few near relations, a husband who went his way and still was a gentleman. Essentially Mrs. Vanderpool was unmoral.
Miss Smith started, for she was thinking of Zora at that very instant. The girl was later than usual, and she was momentarily expecting to see her tall form moving languidly up the walk. She gave Mrs. Vanderpool a searching look. Mrs. Vanderpool glanced involuntarily at her gown and smiled as she did it. "Could I trust you with a human soul?" asked Miss Smith abruptly. Mrs.
I take it you're not so rich but that " Mrs. Vanderpool smiled faintly. "Really, Mr. Easterly, I know little about such matters and care less. I have food and clothes. Why worry with more?" Mr. Easterly half expected this and he determined to deliver his last shot on the run. He arose with a disappointed air. "Of course, Mrs.
At present four Southern votes were needed to confirm Vanderpool; but if they could not be had, Easterly declared it would be good politics to nominate Cresswell and give him Republican support. Manifestly, then, Mrs. Vanderpool's task was to discredit the Cresswells with the Southerners. It was not a work to her liking, but the die was cast and she refused to contemplate defeat.
Mind you if you can persuade her; and that may be impossible." "Where is she now?" Miss Smith glanced out at the darkening landscape, and then at her watch. "I do not know; she's very late. She's given to wandering, but usually she is here before this time." "I saw her in town this afternoon," said Mrs. Vanderpool. "Zora? In town?" Miss Smith rose.
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