We would like you to
give it your official sanction."

"Do I understand it will be without expense to my--to the city
government?" Mr. Quinlin was anxious to make a show of economy in his
annual message.

"Entirely," Farnham assured him.

"It is done, sir. Come to-morrow morning and get what papers you want.
The sperrit of disorder must be met and put down with a bold and
defiant hand. Now, gentlemen, if there is a back door to this
establishment, I will use it to make me way home."

Farnham showed him the rear entrance, and saw him walking homeward up
the quiet street; and, coming back, found Bolty and Kendall writhing
with merriment.

"Well, that beats all," said Kendall. "I guess I'll write home like the
fellow did from Iowa to his daddy, 'Come out here quick. Mighty mean
men gits office in this country.'"

"Yes," assented Bolty. "Dot burgermeister ish better as a circus mit a
drick mule."

"Don't speak disrespectfully of dignitaries," said Farnham. "It's a bad
habit in soldiers."

When they went out on the sidewalk the crowd had dispersed. Farnham
bade his recruits good night and went up the avenue. They waited until
he was a hundred yards away, and then, without a word to each other,
followed him at that distance till they saw him enter his own gate.

XIII.

A BUSY SUNDAY FOR THE MATCHINS.

Matters were not going on pleasantly in the Matchin cottage. Maud's
success in gaining an eligible position, as it was regarded among her
friends, made her at once an object of greater interest than ever; but
her temper had not improved with her circumstances, and she showed
herself no more accessible than before. Her father, who naturally felt
a certain satisfaction at having, as he thought, established her so
well, regarded himself as justified in talking to her firmly and
seriously respecting her future. He went about it in the only way he
knew. "Mattie," he said one evening, when they happened to be alone
together, "when are you and Sam going to make a match?"

She lifted her eyes to him, and shot out a look of anger and contempt
from under her long lashes that made her father feel very small and old
and shabby.

"Never!" she said, quietly.

"Come, come, now," said the old man; "just listen to reason. Sam is a
good boy, and with what he makes and what you make----"

"That has nothing to do with it. I won't discuss the matter any
further. We have had it all out before. If it is ever mentioned ag