istinguished by a gentle courtesy for
and towards women. What, then, would he say to this wild
proposition of a few so-called 'progressive' women to put his
daughter in the mayoral chair of Roma? Verily he would turn in
his grave. Neither can we believe that this movement has the
sanction of one who was so near and dear to the late senator's
heart, nor that Miss Van Deusen herself has given her consent to
let her name be used as candidate for the highest office in the
city."

A third paper announced:

"It is not to be wondered at that the women of Roma, casting
around them to view the kind of men who occupy high seats in Roma
politics, should say 'we will have none of them' and should
desire to enforce a little petticoat government themselves. Roma
has long been proud of its homes, its wives, its mothers and its
housekeepers. Perhaps it would be for the public good, were we to
set a few of these model housewives to cleaning up City Hall. Let
them go ahead and elect a woman-mayor. Then let her proceed to
eject the money-changers from the temple. Perhaps the women can
do it. Certainly we men cannot,--or do not."

Gertrude Van Deusen read these articles during the hour after breakfast
when a woman loves to "drop down" for a little in her library, with her
feet to the fire, as if to gather her forces for the day.

"It is what I must expect, I suppose," she said to the cousin who shared
her home. "Man's favorite method of defeating a candidate from time
immemorial has been to villify him in the newspapers. What can a mere
woman expect?"

"Well, it all adds to the gaiety of politics," returned her cousin.
"What shall you do about it?"

"Nothing. At least, I don't know. I have already sent for Bailey. He
will advise me. He knows all the ins and outs of politics."

"And he's secretary of the Union Club, isn't he?" asked the cousin. "At
least, he was. Although that isn't a political club, still its influence
would be worth a great deal."

"If we can get it," added Gertrude.

Bailey Armstrong was her second cousin and since the Senator's death had
acted as adviser to Miss Van Deusen whenever she could be imagined to
need advice. He was a rising lawyer with considerable political
influence, and, what cheered the two women most this morning, he was a
thorough feminist.

Senator Van Deusen had been dead only three years. He had left a large
fortune