rwise. For the purpose of suffrage they may, in the
theory of our government, be equal--but we haven't yet demonstrated it.
We exclude the Japanese and Chinese. We have included the negro, only
within the living generation--and it's entirely evident, now, we made a
monstrous mistake by doing it. Equal! Equal! Never in this world!"

"How about the next world?" asked Croyden.

"I don't know!" laughed Macloud, as they ascended the steps of the
hotel. "For my part, I'm for the Moslem's Paradise and the Houris who
attend the Faithful. And, speaking of houris!--see who's here!"

Croyden glanced up--to see Elaine Cavendish and Charlotte Brundage
standing in the doorway.

VIII

STOLEN

"This is, truly, a surprise!" Miss Cavendish exclaimed. "Who would ever
have thought of meeting you two in this out-of-the-way place."

"Here, too!" replied Macloud.

"When did you return, Geoffrey?" she inquired.

"From abroad?--I haven't gone," said Croyden. "The business still holds
me."

She looked at him steadily a moment--Macloud was talking to Miss
Brundage.

"How much longer will it hold you?" she asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know--it's difficult of
adjustment.--What brings you here, may I inquire?"

"We were in Washington and came over with the Westons to the Officers'
Hop to-night--given for the Secretary of something. He's one of the
Cabinet. We return in the morning."

"Oh, I see," he answered; the relief in his voice would have missed a
less acute ear. "Where are you going now?"

"To a tea at the Superintendent's, when the Westons join us. Come
along!"

"I haven't acquired the Washington habit,--yet!" he laughed. "A man at
a tea fight! Oh, no!"

"Then go to the dance with us--Colin! you'll go, won't you?"

"Sure!" said Macloud. "I'll follow your voice any place. Where shall it
be?"

"To the Hop, to-night."

"We're not invited--if that cuts any figure."

"You'll go in our party. Ah! Mrs. Weston, I've presumed to ask Mr.
Macloud and Mr. Croyden to join our party to-night."

"The Admiral and I shall be delighted to have them," Mrs. Weston
answered--"Will they also go with us to the tea? No? Well, then,
to-night."

Macloud and Croyden accompanied them to the Academy gates, and then
returned to the hotel.

In the narrow passage between the news-desk and the office, they
bumped, inadvertently, into two men. There were mutual excuses, and the
men went on.

An hour or so later, Maclo