towed disapproval of Alleghenia's sister states. In all
the _personnel_ of her government there was but one man sincerely
devoted to her advancement on the lines of integrity and
non-partisanship. And that man was Lieutenant-Governor Barclay, whose
influence on the trend of affairs was approximately that of the
proverbial fly on the hub of the revolving wheel.

The Lieutenant-Governor had turned back to his desk, and was arranging
his papers, preparatory to departing for the day, when his ears were
greeted by the unusual and unwelcome sound of a rap upon the
communicating door. Instinctively he braced himself for an unpleasant
encounter before replying. It was his experience that the Governor's
room was like to Nazareth of old, in that no good might be expected to
issue therefrom. Nevertheless, as Governor Abbott entered, in response
to Barclay's "Come!" it was difficult to believe that he was aught but
what he appeared to be,--a courteous, conspicuously well-dressed and
white-haired gentleman, of sixty or thereabouts, smooth-shaven save for
chop side-whiskers of iron gray, with a habit of rubbing his hands, and
an inclination from the hips forward which suggested a floor-walker. In
brief, the Governor of Alleghenia seemed the type of a man who turns
sideways and slips through narrow places, rather than run the risk of
barking his elbows by a face-front advance. In reality he was somewhat
less pliable than a steel rail.

"You are going?" he asked, seeing how Barclay was employed.

"I was thinking of it," replied the Lieutenant-Governor. "Of course, if
there is anything"--

Governor Abbott seated himself on the edge of the desk, holding a lapel
of his coat in each hand, and surveyed his subordinate from under his
drooping eyelids, with his head cocked on one side.

"I believe you know Peter Rathbawne," he said.

"I do. I am engaged to his elder daughter."

"Ah! That is what I thought."

The Governor looked contemplatively at the ceiling, closing his right
eye, and nibbling behind his pursed lips.

"Peter Rathbawne," he said, "is the second most obstinate man in Kenton
City, if not in Alleghenia. I'm afraid he thinks he is the _most_
obstinate. If so, he does me an injustice. His mills are the largest in
the state. I am told that when they are running full strength they
employ over four thousand hands."

"Something like that number, I believe," put in Barclay, as the Governor
seemed to expect a reply.

"Ah!