nstairs again, the Island, as well as all Canada, was
in the throes of a campaign preceding a general election. Gilbert, who
was an ardent Conservative, found himself caught in the vortex, being
much in demand for speech-making at the various county rallies. Miss
Cornelia did not approve of his mixing up in politics and told Anne so.

"Dr. Dave never did it. Dr. Blythe will find he is making a mistake,
believe ME. Politics is something no decent man should meddle with."

"Is the government of the country to be left solely to the rogues
then?" asked Anne.

"Yes--so long as it's Conservative rogues," said Miss Cornelia,
marching off with the honors of war. "Men and politicians are all
tarred with the same brush. The Grits have it laid on thicker than the
Conservatives, that's all--CONSIDERABLY thicker. But Grit or Tory, my
advice to Dr. Blythe is to steer clear of politics. First thing you
know, he'll be running an election himself, and going off to Ottawa for
half the year and leaving his practice to go to the dogs."

"Ah, well, let's not borrow trouble," said Anne. "The rate of interest
is too high. Instead, let's look at Little Jem. It should be spelled
with a G. Isn't he perfectly beautiful? Just see the dimples in his
elbows. We'll bring him up to be a good Conservative, you and I, Miss
Cornelia."

"Bring him up to be a good man," said Miss Cornelia. "They're scarce
and valuable; though, mind you, I wouldn't like to see him a Grit. As
for the election, you and I may be thankful we don't live over harbor.
The air there is blue these days. Every Elliott and Crawford and
MacAllister is on the warpath, loaded for bear. This side is peaceful
and calm, seeing there's so few men. Captain Jim's a Grit, but it's my
opinion he's ashamed of it, for he never talks politics. There isn't
any earthly doubt that the Conservatives will be returned with a big
majority again."

Miss Cornelia was mistaken. On the morning after the election Captain
Jim dropped in at the little house to tell the news. So virulent is
the microbe of party politics, even in a peaceable old man, that
Captain Jim's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were flashing with all
his old-time fire.

"Mistress Blythe, the Liberals are in with a sweeping majority. After
eighteen years of Tory mismanagement this down-trodden country is going
to have a chance at last."

"I never heard you make such a bitter partisan speech before, Captain
Ji