n you've made me the manager of."

"Well, as for forgetting it and pulling together," said Edgington, "I,
as the originator of the Brassfield idea, am not likely to hang back in
the harness. So, here's to success! But----"

"There's no 'but' in this," said Alvord. "The 'buts' are postponed
until after election."

"There's nothing to the election," said Edgington. "You have things
lined up----"

"_We_ have things lined up----" suggested Alvord.

"Yes, that's right," acquiesced Edgington. "It's '_we_,' with all my
heart since the decision. I was saying that the way you have the
different interests working together is perfectly ideal, the wets and
the drys, the wide-opens and the closed-lids, the saloons and the dives
and the churches--all shouting for Brassfield; and each class thinks
he's for its policy. The other man has about as much show--well, the
next is on me. Would you mind pressing the button, Jim?"

The waiter came, bringing a penciled note to Mr. Brassfield.

"One of your constituents," it read, "would like a moment's
conversation with you in the lobby."

Brassfield drew the waiter aside.

"Who is this, George?" asked he, tapping the note. "A woman?"

"A young lady, suh," was the answer. "A mahty hahnsome young lady,
suh."

"Bright auburn hair?" asked Brassfield, "and short?"

"Er--no, suh," answered the waiter, "sutn'y not that kin' o' haiah; an'
tall, suh."

"Make mine the same," said Brassfield, "and excuse me a moment, boys.
I'll be right back."

The note had said in the lobby, but the waiter guided him to a private
room. Brassfield, cautious as usual, by a gesture commanded the waiter
to precede him into the room, and himself halted at the entrance,
looking about the room for the young woman. She sat near the window,
and rose to greet him as he entered--a tall and graceful girl with
wonderful eyes and variegated hair.

"I could not wait to give you my congratulations," said she, offering
him her hand, "until you came home. We at the hotel are wondering why
we have lost you. Let me rejoice with you in your great triumph."

Brassfield's eyes sought hers. His soul recognized this as the queen
of those hazy recollections which he could scarcely believe more than
dreams, and felt her dominance.

"Thank you, ever so much," said he. "I was just coming up to see you."

"How nice of you," said she. "And in that case, why not go up with me
and join me at my supper, which will