to the clever political manipulations of Mollenhauer and Simpson
(ballot-box stuffing and personal violence at the polls not barred), in
another victory, by, however, a greatly reduced majority. The Citizens'
Municipal Reform Association, in spite of a resounding defeat at the
polls, which could not have happened except by fraud, continued to
fire courageously away at those whom it considered to be the chief
malefactors.

Aileen Butler, during all this time, was following the trend of
Cowperwood's outward vicissitudes as heralded by the newspapers and the
local gossip with as much interest and bias and enthusiasm for him as
her powerful physical and affectional nature would permit. She was no
great reasoner where affection entered in, but shrewd enough without
it; and, although she saw him often and he told her much--as much as his
natural caution would permit--she yet gathered from the newspapers and
private conversation, at her own family's table and elsewhere, that,
as bad as they said he was, he was not as bad as he might be. One item
only, clipped from the Philadelphia Public Ledger soon after Cowperwood
had been publicly accused of embezzlement, comforted and consoled her.
She cut it out and carried it in her bosom; for, somehow, it seemed to
show that her adored Frank was far more sinned against than sinning.
It was a part of one of those very numerous pronunciamientos or reports
issued by the Citizens' Municipal Reform Association, and it ran:

"The aspects of the case are graver than have yet been allowed to reach
the public. Five hundred thousand dollars of the deficiency arises not
from city bonds sold and not accounted for, but from loans made by the
treasurer to his broker. The committee is also informed, on what it
believes to be good authority, that the loans sold by the broker were
accounted for in the monthly settlements at the lowest prices current
during the month, and that the difference between this rate and that
actually realized was divided between the treasurer and the broker, thus
making it to the interest of both parties to 'bear' the market at some
time during the month, so as to obtain a low quotation for settlement.
Nevertheless, the committee can only regard the prosecution instituted
against the broker, Mr. Cowperwood, as an effort to divert public
attention from more guilty parties while those concerned may be able to
'fix' matters to suit themselves."

"There," thought Aileen, when she