with which she regarded the dignity of his elective
office. This amused while it appealed to him.

"We are on our way to California to spend the winter," she replied, in
answer to his eager question, "and father proposed stopping here until
after election."

"You come in and out of my life like a comet," he complained
wistfully.

Mrs. Winthrop came in, smiling and charming as ever. She was very
cordial to David, and interested in his campaign, but it seemed to him
that she was a little too gracious, as if she wished to impress him
with the fact that it was a concession to meet him on an equal social
footing. For Mrs. Winthrop was inclined to be of the world, worldly.

"You have arrived at an auspicious time," he assured her. "To-night
the Democrats will have the biggest parade ever scheduled for this
city. Joe calls it the round-up."

"Oh, is Joe here?" asked Carey eagerly.

"Yes; and another friend of yours, Fletcher Wilder."

"I knew that he was here," she said, with an odd little smile.

"We had expected to see him in New York, and were surprised to learn
he was out here," said Mrs. Winthrop.

"He came to help me in my campaign," informed David.

"Fletcher interested in politics! How strange!"

"His interest is purely personal. We were together in South America,
you know."

"I am glad that you have a friend in him," said Mrs. Winthrop affably.
"The parade will pass here, and Fletcher is coming up, of course. Why
not come up, too, if you can spare the time?"

"This is not my night," laughed David. "It's purely and simply a
Democratic night. I shall be pleased to come."

"Bring Joe, too," reminded Carey.

When Mr. Winthrop came in David had no doubt as to the welcome he
received from the head of the family.

"A man's measure of a man," thought David, "is easily taken, and by
natural laws, but oh, for an understanding of the scales by which
women weigh! And yet it is they who hold the balance."

"Fletcher and David and Joe are coming to-night to watch the parade
from here," said Carey.

"You shall all dine with us," said Mr. Winthrop.

"Thank you," replied David, "but--"

"Oh, but you must," insisted Mrs. Winthrop, who always warmly seconded
any proffer of hospitality made by her husband. "Fletcher will dine
with us, of course. We can have a little dinner served here in our
rooms. Write a note to Mr. Forbes, Carey."

The marked difference in type of her three guests as they entered the
sittin