lt male.

"Anyhow," he went on, "no intelligent person could fail to be
interested in politics, once he or she appreciated what it meant. And
people of our class owe it to society to take part in politics. Victor
Dorn is a crank, but he's right about some things--and he's right in
saying that we of the upper class are parasites upon the masses. They
earn all the wealth, and we take a large part of it away from them.
And it's plain stealing unless we give some service in return. For
instance, you and I--what have we done, what are we doing that entitles
us to draw so much? Somebody must earn by hard labor all that is
produced. We are not earning. So"--he was looking handsome now in his
manly earnestness--"Jen, it's up to us to do our share--to stop
stealing--isn't it?"

She was genuinely interested. "I hadn't thought of these things," said
she.

"Victor Dorn says we ought to go to work like laborers," pursued David.
"But that's where he's a crank. The truth is, we ought to give the
service of leadership--especially in politics. And I'm going to do it,
Jane Hastings!"

For the first time she had an interest in him other than that of
conquest. "Just what are you going to do?" she asked.

"Not upset everything and tear everything to pieces, as Victor Dorn
wants to do," replied he. "But reform the abuses and wrongs--make it
so that every one shall have a fair chance--make politics straight and
honest."

This sounded hazy to her. "And what will you get out of it?" asked she.

He colored and was a little uneasy as he thus faced a direct demand for
his innermost secret--the secret of selfishness he tried to hide even
from himself. But there was no evading; if he would interest her he
must show her the practical advantages of his proposal. "If I'm to do
any good," said he, putting the best face, and really not a bad face,
upon a difficult and delicate matter--"if I'm to do any good I must win
a commanding position--must get to be a popular leader--must hold high
offices--and--and--all that."

"I understand," said she. "That sounds attractive. Yes, David, you
ought to make a career. If I were a man that's the career I'd choose."

"You can choose it, though you're a woman," rejoined he. "Marry me, and
we'll go up together. You've no idea how exciting campaigns and
elections are. A little while, and you'll be crazy about it all. The
women are taking part, more and more."

"Who's Victor Dorn?" she sud