es. They took advantage of
your bein' sick to--to--Here, I'll tell you just what they did."

What they had done was this: Mrs. Lake and Mrs. Black, heads of the
opposing factions, each realizing how close the vote was likely to be,
had, with their lieutenants--Mrs. Dott excepted--gotten together five
days before the election and arranged a compromise, a trade. By this
arrangement, Annette was to receive the Lake party's support
for president; Miss Canby was to be given the Black support for
vice-president; and the united support of both factions was to be
behind Mrs. Lake in her struggle for office in the National body. This
arrangement was carried through. Serena, not being on hand to protect
her own interest, had been sacrificed, her name had not even been
brought before the members to be voted upon.

Captain Dan told of this precious scheme, just as it had been told him
by his daughter. At first his wife interrupted with exclamations and
questions; then she listened in silence.

"That's what they did," cried the captain angrily. "Chucked you into the
scrap heap to save themselves. And you sick abed! This was the gang you
worked yourself pretty nigh to death for. These were the FRIENDS you
thought you had. And Annette Black was the worst of all. 'Twas her idea
in the first place. Why, Serena--"

But Serena could hear no more. She threw her arms about her husband's
neck and the tears, which she had so bravely repressed at the tidings of
her own disappointment, burst forth.

"Oh--oh, Daniel," she sobbed, "take me away from here. I hate this
place; I hate Scarford and all the dreadful people in it! Take me to
Trumet, Daniel. Take me home! Take me home!"

Half an hour later Captain Dan shouted his daughter's name over the
balusters.

"Gertie!" he called; "Gertie! come up here, will you?"

Gertrude came. She entered the room hastily. She had feared to find
her mother prostrate, suffering from a new attack of "nerves." She was
prepared to obey her father's order to 'phone for the doctor.

But Serena did not, apparently, need a doctor. She was not prostrate,
and, although she was nervous, it was rather the nervousness of
expectancy, coupled with determination.

"Gertie," said the captain, "I've got some news for you. Your mother
and I have made up our minds to go back to Trumet, and we want you to go
along with us."

The young lady did not answer at once. She looked first at Serena and
then at Daniel. The troub