to the office--I don't know about that."

"They can't bate you," asseverated Conlon promptly.

"Oh, I don't know," demurred Brassfield. "You can't always tell."

"We're wid ye, to a man," asserted Conlon unhesitatingly, growing
warmer. "The common people are wid ye!"

"I'm glad to hear that," said Brassfield, "very glad. But business
first; and this pipe-line is business. Of course, if the people demand
it----"

"They will!"

"--why, I may---- I'll see, Conlon. Anyhow, I appreciate your
friendship. Come up and see me."

And the candidate for mayor walked away, wondering how he could have
offended Conlon, and rejoiced that he had "fixed" him in time.

"Where's the telegram?" he asked, as he entered his private office.
"Why, Stevens might have attended to this. Where's Mr. Stevens? Miss
Strong, send Mr. Stevens in!"

"Mr. Stevens!" gasped Miss Strong. "Mr. Stevens--why----"

"Oh, I mean where does he live now? I heard he was moving. And by
sending him in, I mean, if you happen to meet him," hastily amended Mr.
Brassfield, noting some error. "I want to see him. And show me his
account, please; and kindly ring for a boy to take this message."

The books showed the discharge of Mr. Stevens, and the closing of his
account. Brassfield frowned over it, but resumed his smile at Miss
Strong's re-entrance.

"Let's see," said he. "What have we for this afternoon? These
unanswered--Why, Miss Strong, these must be attended to at once!
Please take some letters for me."

He had dropped into his rut. For an hour or more Miss Strong's fingers
flew as she noted down his dictation, and at the end of that time the
letters were answered, and the communications which had so perplexed
Amidon were filed away among other things done. The office force
breathed freely once more, with the freedom of returning efficiency in
management.

The man who had brought this relief to his employees now looked at his
watch, rose, went out, and walking briskly down the main street,
nodding to an acquaintance here, and speaking to another there, made
his way out among the homes of the town.

Here his brisk walk gradually slowed down to a saunter. He was
strolling toward the house with the white columns. Suddenly coming
into view, as she turned a corner and walked on before him, appeared a
young lady. Not much ability in the detective line would be necessary
for the recognition of her by any of this girl's acquaintances,