by his red face and
clinched fist.

Costell smiled his deep smile. "I'm very glad," he said to the man next
him, "that we didn't pick Stirling up."

Then Milton was nominated and seconded, as were also Catlin, and four
minor stars. That done, a ballot was taken and the vote stood:

Porter 206
Milton 197
Catlin 52
Scattering 29

A second ballot showed:

Porter 206
Milton 202
Catlin 54
Scattering 22

A third ballot gave:

Porter 206
Milton 210
Catlin 52
Scattering 16

"Porter's done for on the next," was whispered round the hall, though
where it started, no one knew. Evidently his adherents thought so, for
one made a motion to adjourn. It was voted down, and once more the roll
call started.

"I shall vote for Milton," Peter told Schlurger, and the changes in the
delegations as the call proceeded, proved that many changes were being
made the same way. Yet the fourth ballot showed:

Porter 125
Milton 128
Catlin 208
Scattering 14

The wildest excitement broke out in the Porter delegates. "They've
beaten us," screamed Kennedy, as much to himself as to those about.
"They've used Milton to break our ranks, meaning Catlin all the time."
So in truth, it was. Milton had been put up to draw off Porter's
delegates, but the moment they had begun to turn to Milton, enough New
York City delegates had been transferred to Catlin to prevent Milton
being chosen. Amid protests and angry words on all sides another ballot
was taken:

Catlin 256
Porter 118
Milton 110

Before the result was announced. Green was at Peter's elbow.

"Will you move to make it unanimous?" he asked.

"Yes." And Peter made the formal motion, which was carried by
acclamation. Half an hour served to choose the Lieutenant-Governor and
the rest of the ticket, for the bulk of it had already been slated. The
platform was adopted, and the convention dissolved.

"Well," said Kennedy angrily to Peter, "I guess you've messed it this
time. A man can't please both sides, but he needn't get cussed by both."

Peter went out and walked to his hotel. "I'm afraid I did mess it," he
thought, "yet I don't see what else I could have done."

CHAPTER XXIV.

MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND UNDERSTANDINGS.