eed he isn't," said Helen, pouting prettily, "and he presumes too
much on Dad's favor. He actually persecutes me with his attentions, but
you know a politician's daughter has to put up with a good deal,
sometimes."

"I don't think you need to suffer much," said Wade, gallantly. "You will
always find admirers enough to stand between you and any trouble you may
have. I rather think there is one of them coming this way at the moment.
I shall certainly take pleasure in recognizing Mr. Moran as an enemy,
but is this likely to be another one?"

"Oh, no," said Helen, laughingly, as an effeminate looking young man
came up, evidently in search of her.

"I beg pardon, Miss Helen," he said, with a bow that seemed to include
Wade, politely enough, in the apology, "But your mother asked me to find
you. She wants you to meet some new guests who have just arrived."

"Oh, bother," said Helen carelessly. "She can look after them for a
while. Tell her I'll be with her by-and-by," and she turned back to
Wade, paying no further attention to the luckless messenger, who
departed, hiding his chagrin as best he could, though not very
successfully.

After he had gone, she said, "No, I don't think Maxwell Frayne is likely
to be an enemy; at least, not one that you need fear. He is a gentleman,
though he is too insipid to interest me."

"And you think Moran is a man to fear," asked Wade, trying to speak
gravely, but showing amusement in spite of himself.

"I don't believe you fear the devil," said Helen, with open admiration,
"but Race Moran can be very dangerous, and I feel sure he will try to
injure you, if he ever finds a chance."

"Well in that case he will at least be interesting," said Wade, lightly.
He would have been amazed if he had realized at the time how prophetic
the girl's words were.

For the moment, however, he had little thought of peril and adventures
to come. The time, the girl and the place, were all at hand, and he
plunged headlong into a complication that kept him for weeks in Chicago,
strongly inclined to stay permanently, yet reluctant to settle in a city
so little to his liking, when the great out-doors was calling to him so
urgently.

While the petals of the passion flower were unfolding so rapidly in the
conservatory, Race Moran had taken the Senator to the latter's private
room where they had had many secret conferences before. He had done the
great man favors in New York where he was a valuable cog in the