at a bit of duck, said that he hadn't the least idea.

"So modest--so modest! He said that the city needed a young progressive
man of the better class and the highest character, and that man
was--you. No other, by your leave! The Mayoralty, the Governorship, the
Senate waiting behind that, perhaps--who knows? Is it wise to bottle
one's self up in the blind alley of the college?"

Thus Delilah: to which Samson replied that a modern college is by no
means a blind alley; that from the presidential retreat he would keep a
close eye upon the march of affairs, doubtless doing his share toward
moulding public opinion through contributions to the _Post_ and the
reviews; that, in fact, public life had long had an appeal for him, and
that if at any time a cry arose in the land for him to come forward ...

"For a public career," said Delilah, with a sigh, "I should think you
had far rather be editor of the _Post_, for example, than head of this
college."

Samson made an engaging reply that had to do with Colonel Cowles. The
talk ran off into other channels, but somehow Delilah's remark stuck in
the young man's head.

Soul is not all that flows at the Thursday German, and it has frequently
been noticed that the dance becomes gayest after supper. But it
becomes, too, sadly brief, and _Home Sweet Home_ falls all too soon upon
the enthralled ear. Now began the movement toward that place, be it
never so humble, like which there is none; and amid the throng gathered
in the vestibule before the cloak-rooms, West again found himself face
to face with Miss Weyland with whom he had stepped many a measure that
evening.

"I've been thinking about it lots, President West," said she; "it grows
better all the time. Won't you please teach all your boys to be very
good, and to work hard, and never to grow up to make trouble for the
State Department of Charities."

She had on a carriage-robe of light blue, collared and edged with white
fur, and her arms were as full of red roses as arms could be.

"But if I do that too well," said he, "what would become of you? Blaines
College shall never blot out the Department of Charities. I nearly
forgot a bit of news. Gloomy news. The _Post_ is going to fire your
little Doctor."

"Ah--_no!_"

"It looks that way. The directors will take it up definitely in April.
Colonel Cowles is going to recommend it. He says the Doc has more
learning than society requires."

"But don't you think his articles gi