lemented his unfinished sentence,--"but they have no business here,
just the same. It is no place for women."

He displayed none of the sense of awkwardness he felt, however, when he
entered the Mayor's office and bade her good-morning.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, taking the seat close to her desk.

"I sent for you," returned Miss Van Deusen, "because I am in special
need of good, reliable men. Mr. Armstrong thinks you might be willing to
help us in the struggle to get our city government on the right basis."

"I have already told you, I think," answered Allingham, with a slight
sense of reserve, "that you can depend upon me."

"Yes, I know," said the Mayor; "I am proving it by now offering you the
position of street commissioner. Will you take it?"

Allingham was distinctly taken by surprise. He had not expected--had he
deserved?--a prominent place in the city government. He was not sure
that he wanted it.

"Perhaps you would like a day to consider the proposition," she went on,
divining his hesitation. "And won't you talk with Mr. Armstrong about
it? He knows as well as anybody what the work of the street department
is going to involve. Can you think this over and let me know tomorrow?"

"I thank you for the honor you do me, anyway," answered he, rising to
go, "and I will talk with Mr. Armstrong as you suggest. Of course you
know, Miss Van Deusen, we all want to uphold your work, now."

"Yes, yes, I believe so," she returned seriously. "And, Mr. Allingham,
it is because I want some thorough work done in the street
department--by a fearless, trustworthy official, that I sent for you."

"Thank you," said Allingham--and went down stairs in a tumult. Had he a
right to such treatment? Had he not done everything in his power to
prevent her election? Had he not used pen and tongue in all bitterness
against her? And here she was, offering him one of the "plums" of the
municipal pudding, just as if he had been her devoted henchman. But
stay,--was she doing this to win him over, to make him come out before
the public as her supporter? What would people say?

No. He would go over to his office and write a letter, declining the
offer. A very polite letter it should be, acknowledging her
distinguished kindness in offering him so responsible a post on her
corps of working officials; but his private affairs--his law practice,
the work of the Municipal League, his health, all combined to make it
impossible for him t