f Grey Town. This was Councillor Garnett, and
he was not above the suspicion that he made use of his privileges to
further his own ends. Apart from this, he was at once narrow-minded and
obstinate. For such men as he Denis Quirk had no mercy.

The council of Grey Town was not unlike other municipal councils--its
members honest for the greater part, but many of them men who followed
old traditions, and believed that quiet things should not be moved. For
many years they had lived under a system of accepting the imperfect, and
never attempting to make it more perfect. Of these easy-going,
self-satisfied gentlemen Councillor Garnett was the chief.

This special meeting of the council had been summoned to consider the
condition of the roads in the town. Year after year the council had
spent less money on the roads than they deserved, and year after year
the roads had degenerated. At this time they were deplorable, and Denis
Quirk had compelled his fellow-councillors to take action. After a drive
around the town, they met to discuss ways and means, and then occurred a
scene that was the first skirmish in a fierce campaign.

At this time Denis Quirk stood practically alone. Opposed to him was a
body of resolute Conservatives; between the two factions, a few who
hesitated, favouring Denis Quirk rather than Councillor Garnett. The
debate began gently, but it ended in such a storm as the municipal
council chamber had never witnessed before.

The mayor, a kindly man, was at his wits' end to keep the peace. Again
and again he called the two parties to order, until finally the meeting
broke up, Denis Quirk having been defeated.

But he was the last man to accept defeat. From the municipal chambers he
hurried round the town to convene an indignation meeting for the
following week. Meanwhile he laid his case before the public in the
columns of "The Mercury." This accomplished, he turned home to "Layton."

Councillor Garnett was hand in glove with Ebenezer Brown, and the latter
was, above all things, a good hater. He had little cause to love Denis
Quirk, and he possessed not a little power in the town, gained by
illicit means. In those days there were factions in Grey Town, as there
always will be where progress confronts stagnation. The skirmishes and
battles were fought over mere trifles, but they were fought none the
less bitterly for that reason. Day after day Denis Quirk found himself
defeated; yet day after day he gained str