on't care. I know your
grandson is a straight and square young chap, a worker, and a good
business man, but he's no politician. I'm not going to stand for his
butting in at this stage of the game."

"He isn't butting in. I'm throwing him in, like I'd train a puppy to
swim," retorted the old man, calmly. "And, furthermore, what business of
yours is it, anyway?"

"I'm chairman of the State committee."

"And I'm the boss of this legislative district. Now, hold on, Luke." He
bent over and planted his two big hands on the chairman's shoulders.
"Harlan is all I've got. He's always been a steady, hustling boy. But to
get him out of these woods and smoothed up like I want him smoothed up
has been worse than rooting up old Katahdin. I've been pioneer enough
for both of us. I don't propose to have him spend the rest of his life
here. First off, he thought it was his duty to me to take the business
burden off my shoulders. Now he's got into the life, and won't stand for
anything else. And the only thing I care for under God's heavens at my
age is to have him be something in this State. He's got the looks and
the brains and the money! And he's going to be something! And I'm going
to see him started on the way. God knows where I'll be two years from
now. You can't reckon on much after eighty. To-day I'm feeling pretty
healthy." There was a bite in his tone. "And I'm going to nominate
Harlan for the legislature, and then I'm going to elect him. I'm going
to see him started right before I die."

"And he doesn't want to go, and the voters don't want him to go,"
lamented Presson. "You're only trying to bull through a political
slack-wire exhibition for your own amusement--and this whole State on
the hair-trigger! By the mighty, it isn't right. I won't stand for it!"

The Duke started for the front of the mansion.

"And, furthermore, Thelismer, if you're willing to run a chance of
tipping over the politics of this State for the sake of giving your
grandson a course of sprouts, you're losing your mind in your old age,
and ought to be taken care of."

Thornton turned and bestowed a grim smile on his angry friend.

"Presson, I've stood by the machine a good many years. Now, if I can't
stand for a little business of my own without a riot, bring on your
riot. I'll lick you in that caucus with one hand while I'm licking that
dirty bunch of rebels with the other. I've got my reasons for what I'm
doing."

"Give me a good reason, then,