ain Willoughby, the smartest woman in Algonquin and
the Convener of the dinner committee, said that if those gossipy old
cranks wanted to have the banquet in the lock-up, why they might have
it there for all she cared, but she wanted every one to know that it
would be served in the Presbyterian School room or she would have
nothing to do with it. That almost settled it for every one knew it
was utterly impossible to get up such a huge affair without Mrs.
Captain Willoughby at the head. But the very next night Jock McPherson
brought up the matter in a session meeting and objected to having the
dinner in the schoolroom, as it was not a religious gathering.

But Lawyer Ed met and overcame every difficulty. He laughed and
cajoled the opera house party into giving way. He forced the programme
committee to put Mr. McPherson down for one of the chief addresses of
welcome at the banquet, and the objections ceased. He called up his
friend Father Tracy on the telephone and bade him see that his flock
did their duty in the matter, and he took the Methodist minister's wife
and the Anglican clergyman's daughter and Mrs. Captain Willoughby all
down town together for ice cream, and there was no more trouble.

"Women are ticklish things to handle, Rod," he said, wiping his
perspiring forehead when all was harmony again. "The only wise way for
a man to act is to get married and hand over all such manoeuvres to his
wife. See that you get one as soon as possible."

"I've heard something somewhere regarding the advantage of example over
precept," said Roderick gravely.

"Hold your tongue," said his chief severely. "If I wish to serve you
as a terrible warning, to be avoided, instead of an example to be
followed, you ought to be grateful in any case."

He strode away swinging his cane and whistling and Roderick watched him
with affectionate eyes. He was wondering, as all the town wondered,
except a couple of his nearest friends who knew, why Lawyer Ed had
never married. And he was thinking of a pair of soft blue eyes that
had not grown any kinder to him as the months had passed. He went back
to his work, the solace for all his troubles. He was taking no part in
the preparations for the Old Boys' celebration, and was looking forward
to the date with small pleasure. For that was the day she would likely
be leaving for her summer vacation. And who knew whether she would
come back or not? So he watched Lawyer Ed's joyous prep