ckery and scoundrelism. Yet such vile weapons
and slanders would not be used if there were not people vile and mean
enough at heart to let such things influence them. The fault is not in
politics. It is in humanity."

CHAPTER L.

SUNSHINE.

But just as Peter was about to continue this rather unsatisfactory train
of thought, his eye caught sight of a flattened bullet lying on the
floor. He picked it up, with a smile. "I knew she was my good luck," he
said. Then he took out the sachet again, and kissed the dented and bent
coin. Then he examined the photographs. "Not even the dress is cut
through," he said gleefully, looking at the full length. "It couldn't
have hit in a better place." When he came to the glove, however, he
grieved a little over it. Even this ceased to trouble him the next
moment, for a telegram was laid on his desk. It merely said, "Come by
all means. W.C.D'A." Yet that was enough to make Peter drop thoughts,
work, and everything for a time. He sat at his desk, gazing at a blank
wall, and thinking of a pair of slate-colored eyes. But his expression
bore no resemblance to the one formerly assumed when that particular
practice had been habitual.

Nor was this expression the only difference in this day, to mark the
change from Peter past to Peter present. For instead of manoeuvring to
make Watts sit on the back seat, when he was met by the trap late that
afternoon, at Newport, he took possession of that seat in the coolest
possible manner, leaving the one by the driver to Watts. Nor did Peter
look away from the girl on that back seat. Quite the contrary. It did
not seem to him that a thousand eyes would have been any too much.
Peter's three months of gloom vanished, and became merely a contrast to
heighten his present joy. A sort of "shadow-box."

He had had the nicest kind of welcome from his "friend." If the manner
had not been quite so absolutely frank as of yore, yet there was no
doubt as to her pleasure in seeing Peter. "It's very nice to see you
again," she had said while shaking hands. "I hoped you would come
quickly." Peter was too happy to say anything in reply. He merely took
possession of that vacant seat, and rested his eyes in silence till
Watts, after climbing into place, asked him how the journey to Newport
had been.

"Lovelier than ever," said Peter, abstractedly. "I didn't think it was
possible."

"Eh?" said Watts, turning with surprise on his face.

But Leonore did not lo