orials he had written
on assignment, for a New York newspaper. West ran through them with
intelligent quickness.

"I say! These are rather fine, you know. This article on the income tax
now--just right!--just the sort of thing!"

Queed sat with his hand clamped on his head, which was aching rather
badly, as indeed it did about three fourths of the time.

"Oh, yes," he said wearily.

"I take off my hat to you!" added West presently. "You're rather out of
my depth here, but at least I know enough political economy to know what
is good."

He looked at Queed, smiling, very good-humored and gay, and Queed looked
back at him, not very good-humored and anything but gay. Doubtless it
would have surprised the young Doctor very much to know that West was
feeling sorry for him just then, for at that moment he was feeling sorry
for West.

"Now look here," said West.

He explained how the _Post_ desired a man to write sleep-inducing
fillers--"occasional articles of weight and authority" was the way he
put it--and wanted to know if such an opening would interest Mr. Queed.
Queed said he supposed so, provided the _Post_ took little of his time
and paid his board in return for it. West had no doubt that everything
could be satisfactorily arranged.

"Colonel Cowles is the man who hires and fires," he explained. "Go to
see him in a day or two, will you? Meantime, I'll tell him all about
you."

Presently West smiled himself out, leaving Queed decidedly relieved at
the brief reprieve. He had been harried by the fear that his visitor
would insist on his stopping to produce an article or so while he
waited. However, the time had come when the inevitable had to be faced.
His golden privacy must be ravished for the grim god of bread and meat.
The next afternoon he put on his hat with a bad grace, and went forth to
seek Colonel Cowles, editor-in-chief of the leading paper in the State.

The morning _Post_ was an old paper, which had been in the hands of a
single family from A.D. 1846 till only the other day. It had been a
power during the war, a favorite mouthpiece of President Davis. It had
stood like a wall during the cruelties of Reconstruction; had fought the
good fight for white man's rule; had crucified carpet-baggism and
scalawaggery upon a cross of burning adjective. Later it had labored
gallantly for Tilden; denounced Hayes as a robber; idolized Cleveland;
preached free trade with pure passion; swallowed free silver; stood