trail with that reform
bunch. It's all hot air and tomfool theory. Populism and socialism! Take
my wor-rd for it, there's nothin' to 'em."

"I'm neither a populist nor a socialist, Mr. O'Brien."

"Coorse you're not. I can see that with wan eye shut. That's why I hate
to see youse ruin yourself with them that are. I've no need to tell
you that this country's run by business men and not cranks. Me, I'm a
business man, and I run the city. P. C. Frome's a business man; so's
Merrill. That's why they're on top. Old Joe Powers is a business man
from first to last. You'll never get anywhere, me boy, until youse look
at things from a business point of view."

If James was impressed he gave no sign of it. "Which means you want me
to support P. C. for the Senate. Is that it?"

"I don't care whether you do or don't. We've got this fight won. But
this is only the beginning. I can see that. Agitators and trouble
breeders are busy iverywhere. Line up right and you've got a big future
before you. Joe Powers himself has noticed your speeches. P. C. told me
that last night."

For a moment the lawyer felt an exultant paeon of victory beat in his
blood. His imagination saw the primrose path of the future stretch
before him in a golden glow. The surge of triumph passed and he was
himself again, cool and wary. His eyes met Big Tim's full and straight.
"I was elected to support Hardy. I expect to stay with him."

The political boss waved aside this declaration. "Sure. Of course you've
got to VOTE for him. I've got too much horse sense to try to buy YOU.
But after this election? Your whole future's not tied up with fool
reformers, is it? Say, what's the matter with you havin' a talk with P.
C.?"

"Oh, I'll talk with him. P. C. and I are good friends."

"When can you see him? Why not to-night?"

"No hurry, is there?" James paused an instant before he added: "I'm
going to The Brakes this afternoon on a social call. If Frome happens
to be at home we might talk then. So far as making a direct appointment
with him, I wouldn't care to do that until the senatorial election is
decided. You understand that I pledge myself to nothing."

"That's right," agreed Big Tim. "It don't do any harm to hear both sides
of a proposition. I guess that cousin o' yours kind of hypnotized you.
He's got more fool schemes for redeemin' this state. Far as I can see it
don't need any redeemin'. It's loaded to the rails with prosperity and
clippin' off its sixty