onspicuously connected with them. I
have been conscious for some time that it would suit her admirably to
have me round off my professional career as Speaker of the National
House of Representatives or Minister to the Court of St. James.

"Josephine," I said, in a tone of despair, "have I not explained to you
time and time again that Members of Congress are the Representatives
from the several States who are sent to Washington? How could the
Governor, who is a State officer, or the Mayor, who is a municipal
officer, have anything to do with the nomination of a Member of the
National House of Representatives? Only think, dear, what you are
saying."

Probably Josephine would have evinced more contrition in tribute to
this harangue had not her ears been fascinated by my reference to the
Capital of our country.

"It _was_ stupid of me, Fred. Do you mean to tell me, dear, they are
going to send you to Washington? That would be perfectly delightful."

"I merely have been asked to accept the nomination for Congress in the
Fourth District," I answered, dryly.

"And what did you tell them?"

"I said I would think it over."

"You must accept. Of course you will accept? It would be splendid,
Fred. I would a great deal rather have you in Congress than go on our
trip to Japan. I have often thought I should like to pass a winter in
Washington."

By dint of economy and some shrewd investments I had managed to save up
a vacation fund of more than normal size, by means of which Josephine
and I were proposing to enjoy a jaunt to Japan. We had been looking
forward to this excursion, which I felt that we had fairly earned by
strict devotion to home and business ties for a long period of years.

"The district is hopelessly Republican, in the first place, my dear,
and I, as you know, am a Democrat."

Josephine looked grave for a moment. "But a great many Republicans
would vote for you, Fred. Oh, I am sure they would!" she added,
eagerly, impressed by the plausibility of the idea. "Harry Bolles is a
Republican, and I am certain he would vote for you; so would Dr.
Meredith and Sam Bangs."

"They are three out of several thousand voters in the district,
Josephine. You argue like the committee which waited upon me."

"They said a great many Republicans would vote for you, didn't they?
And they thought you would be elected?"

"They were kind enough to state that I had a good fighting chance;
which means, my dear, th