n, "I have a home and a mother now," and the fact made even the
dirty town in which he lived seem like a paradise. He was glad, too,
to take business friends to his new home, and noticed with the keenest
pleasure that they regarded his mother with cordiality and respect. So
great was the change that came over him that for a time he grew
careless about discovering the man who had caused such a dark shadow to
fall upon her life long years before. It seemed for a time as though
the past were obliterated, and that he had begun a new chapter of his
life. His business prospered, and all anxiety in that direction seemed
to be removed far from him.

In spite of all this, however, there was still a dull ache in his
heart, a feeling that something was wanting in his life. He had not
forgotten Mary Bolitho. He knew he never should. Never since the day
after the election had he seen her in Brunford, and he often wondered
what this might mean. Whether Ned Wilson ever saw her or not he had no
idea, but, from the fact that Ned was often away from home, he feared
that such was the case. Never, since he had discovered who was
responsible for the circular issued at the time of the election, had he
made any remarks about it. It was never referred to even between
himself and his partner. Paul remembered it, however, and there were
those in the town who, when they learnt the truth, said one to another,
"Ay, Stepaside will pay Wilson out for that! He's noan the chap to let
a thing like that bide!"

Mr. Bolitho himself had visited the town only once since the election.
He had on this occasion accompanied a Cabinet Minister, who spoke on
the political situation, in the biggest hall in the town--but Paul had
not gone to hear him. He heard that the new Member was not accompanied
by his daughter, and then all interest in his visit had ceased. And so
the months passed away, until more than a year had elapsed since the
counting of the votes in the Town Hall.

Meanwhile, Paul constantly appeared in the town with his mother, and to
his delight she received invitations from some of the most important
people in Brunford. Not that she accepted these invitations, but
Paul's joy was very great, nevertheless, because he saw it gave her
satisfaction, and because he felt that it eased the burden of her life.

To Ned Wilson he never spoke. They met in various ways and at various
places, but they ignored each other completely. This was natu