"Good-bye—Ned!" she breathed softly.
And then he did a foolish thing, but the impulse was resistless. He bent low, reverently kissed the tips of her fingers and fled without daring to look back.
[CHAPTER IV]
[A PAIR OF YOUNG EYES]
When Betty's card was sent in at the White House next morning, a smile lighted the sombre face of the President. He waved his long arms impulsively to his Secretaries and the waiting crowd of Congressmen:
"Clear everybody out for a few minutes, boys; I've an appointment at this hour."
The tall figure bowed with courtly deference over the little hand and his voice was touched with deep feeling:
"I want to thank you personally, Miss Betty, for your kind words about my Inaugural. They helped and cheered me in a trying moment."
"I'm glad," was the smiling answer.