rch and the law allowed him but one, he must more
drastically monogamize his heart and this he found enormously difficult.
It was the poet's triangle with the two dear charmers over again.

One blowy night in late February, West passed by the brown stone palace
which Miss Avery's open-handed papa, from Mauch Chunk, occupied on a
three years' lease with privilege of buying; and repaired to the more
modest establishment where dwelt Miss Weyland and her mother. The
reformatory issue was then at the touch. The bill had come out of
committee with a six-and-six vote; rumor had it that it would be called
up in the House within the week; and it now appeared as though a push of
a feather's weight might settle its fate either way. Sharlee and West
spoke first of this. She was eagerly interested, and praised him warmly
for the interest and valuable help of the _Post_. Her confidence was
unshaken that the bill would go through, though by a narrow margin.

"The opposition is of the deadliest sort," she admitted, "because it is
silent. It is silent because it knows that its only argument--all this
economy talk--is utterly insincere. But Mr. Dayne knows where the
opposition is--and the way he goes after it! Never believe any more that
ministers can't lobby!"

"Probably the root of the whole matter," offered West, easing himself
back into his chair, "is that the machine fellows want this particular
hundred thousand dollars in their business."

"Isn't it horrid that men can be so utterly selfish? You don't think
they will really venture to do that?"

"I honestly don't know. You see I have turned it all over to Queed, and
I confess I haven't studied it with anything like the care he has."

Sharlee, who was never too engrossed in mere subjects to notice people's
tones, said at once: "Oh, I am sure they won't dare do it," and
immediately changed the subject. "You are going to the German, of
course?"

"Oh, surely, unless the office pinches me."

"You mustn't let it pinch you--the last of the year, heigho! Did you
hear about Robert Byrd and Miss--no, I won't give you her name--and the
visiting girl?"

"Never a word."

"She's a thoroughly nice girl, but--well, not pretty, I should say, and
I don't think she has had much fun here. Beverley and Robert Byrd were
here the other night. Why _will_ they hunt in pairs, do you know? I told
Beverley that he positively must take this girl to the German. He
quarreled and complained a good dea