Hoosier capital, I'll put myself at your disposal. I've been
trying to figure some way of saving the American Republic for the plain
people, and I expect to go out in the campaign this fall and make some
speeches warning all good citizens to be on guard against corporate
greed, invasions of sacred rights, and so on. My way is plain, the duty
clear," he concluded, with a wave of his stick.

"Well," said Sylvia, "if you care enough about it to do that you must
still have a few ideals lying around somewhere."

"I don't know, to be honest about it, that it's so much my ideals as a
wish to help my friend Mr. Bassett win a fight."

"I didn't know that he ever needed help in winning what he really wanted
to win. I have heard of him only as the indomitable leader who wins
whenever it's worth while."

"Well," Dan answered, "he's got a fight on hand that he can't afford to
lose if he means to stay in politics."

"I must learn all about that when I come home. I never saw Mr. Bassett
but once; that was at Waupegan when I was up there with Mrs. Owen nearly
five years ago. He had just come back from the West and spent only a day
at the lake."

"Then you don't really know him?"

"No; they had counted on having him there for the rest of the summer,
but he came one day and left the next. He didn't even see Mrs. Owen; I
remember that she expressed surprise that he had come to the lake and
gone without seeing her."

"He's a busy man and works hard. You were getting acquainted with Marian
about that time?"

"Yes; she was awfully good to me that summer. I liked Mr. Bassett, the
glimpse I had of him; he seemed very interesting--a solid American
character, quiet and forceful."

"Yes, he is that; he's a strong character. He's shown me every
kindness--given me my chance. I should be ashamed of myself if I didn't
feel grateful to him."

They had made the complete circuit of the campus several times and
Sylvia said it was time to go back. The remembrance of Bassett had
turned her thoughts to Marian, and they were still talking of her when
Mrs. Owen greeted them cheerily from the little veranda. They were to
start for Boston in the morning, and Harwood was to stay in Montgomery a
day or two longer on business connected with the estate. "Don't let my
sad philosophy keep you awake, Mr. Harwood!--I've given him all my life
programme, Mrs. Owen. I think it has had a depressing influence on him."

"It's merely that you have roused me to