time I
marries--eh?--O yes, but the present Mis' Leggett can't las' much
longeh, seh. I mistakened myseff when I aspoused her. I'm a man o' rich
an' abundant natu'e an' ought to a-got a spouse consistent with my joys
an' destinies. I may have to make a sawt o' Emp'ess Josephine o' her--ef
she lives.

"Y'ought to see the nex' one!--Seh?--Engaged?--No, not yit; she as shy
as a crow an'--ezac'ly the same colo'!--I'm done with light-complected
women, seh.--But y'ought to see this-yeh one!--Shy as a pa't'idge! But
I'm hot on her trail. She put_tend_ to be tarrible shocked--well, o'
co'se thass right!--Hid away in the hills--at Rosemont. But I kin git
her on a day's notice. All I got to espress myself is--Majo' Gyarnit,
seh!--Ef you continues faw twenty-fo' hours mo' to harbor the girl
Johanna, otherwise Miss Wisdom, the Black Diana an' sim'lar names, I
shall imbibe it my jewty to the gen'l welfare an' public progress to
renovate yo' rememb'ance of a vas'ly diff'ent an' mo' financial matteh,
as per my letteh to you of sich a date about seven year' ago an' not
an's'd yit, _an' tell what I know about you_. Thass all I'll say. Thass
all I haf to say! An' mebbe I won't haf to say that. Faw I'm tryin' love
lettehs on her; wrote the fus' one this evenin'; on'y got two mo' to
write. My third inevasively fetches 'em down the tree, seh!"

The lobbyist revived the subject of politics, the publican went after
hot water for a punch, and the eavesdroppers slipped away.

Early the following week Mr. Leggett reclined in his seat in the House
of Representatives. His boots were on his desk, and he tapped them with
his sword-cane while he waited to back up with his vote a certain bet of
the Friday night before. A speaker of his own party was alluding to him
as the father of free schools in Blackland and Clear water; but he was
used to this and only closed his eyes. A page brought his mail. It was
small. One letter was perfumed. He opened it and sat transfixed with
surprise, and a-tremble between vanity and doubt, desire and
trepidation. He bent his beaded eyes close over the sweet thing and read
its first page again and again. It might--it _might_ be an imposture;
but it had come in a Rosemont envelope, and it was signed Johanna
Wisdom.

The House began to vote. He answered to his name; the bill passed, his
bet was won. Adjournment followed. He hurried out and away, and down in
a suburban lane entered his snug, though humble, "bo'd'n' hous