Her Infinite Variety
I
AMELIA came running eagerlydown the wide stairs, andthough she was smiling withthe joy of Vernon’s coming, she stoppedon the bottom step long enough toshake out the skirt of the new springgown she wore, with a manner thattold she had it on that evening for thefirst time. Vernon hastened to meet her,and it was not until he had kissed herand released her from his embrace thatshe saw the dressing-case he had setdown in the hall.
“What’s that for?” she asked inalarm. Her smile faded suddenly, leavingher face wholly serious.
“I have to go back to-night,” hereplied, almost guiltily.
“To-night!”
“Yes; I must be in Springfield inthe morning.”
“But what about the dinner?”
“Well,” he began, helplessly, “Iguess you’ll have to get somebody inmy place.”
Amelia stopped and looked at himin amazement.
“I thought the Senate never metMondays until five o’clock in the afternoon?”she said.
“It doesn’t, usually; but I had a telegramfrom Porter an hour ago; there’sto be a conference in the morning.”
They started toward the drawing-room. Amelia was poutingin her disappointment.
“I knew something would spoil it,”she said, fatalistically. And then sheadded, presently: “I thought that Mondayafternoon sessions never lasted longerthan a minute. You never went downbefore until Monday night.”
“I know, dear,” said Vernon, apol