had come to Paul before, again made
their appeal to him.

"Paul," said old Abel Bowyer, "now is thy chance. Thou'lt be Member
for Brunford after all. Thou art noan a Lancashire lad, but we're
proud on thee all the same. Thou hast made thy money in Brunford, and
all thy interests are here, and while I don't agree with you in all
your views, you're our lad! Thou mun go to Parliament. Wilt a' fight?"

"Yes," said Paul, "I will. But who have I got to fight against?"

"I don't know yet, but that'll noan matter. If you had been treated
fairly last time you'd have got in, and this time there'll be no doubt
about it. I'm not sure but what it'll be the better for thee, too.
Thou'lt be the talk of the country. At a General Election individuals
are noan taken notice of. It's just a fight for the party, and when
every borough has its election, particular cases are taken no notice
of. But at by-elections the chap that gets in makes a bit of a stir.
Anyhow, we can set to work."

"Yes," said Paul. "We must set to work, and we must arrange our
committees right away."

"I hear," went on old Abel, "that Bolitho's coming here to say
'Good-bye' to us. You see, he's noan taken on the job of judge yet,
and until he does he'll be free to speak for his party. So I'm told
that he's just coming to pay us a last visit, in order to advise the
people to accept a sort of nominee of his as his successor. 'Appen
thou'lt see him then."

During the last few weeks Paul had been expecting to hear that Mary
Bolitho had come to pay her promised visit to Howden Clough, but no
news of her had arrived. Presently, however, gossip had it that both
the new-made judge and his daughter were to be guests at Howden Clough
when his opponent made his first appearance. A few days later huge
placards were posted over the town to the effect that the Honourable
Stephen Boston would speak in the Industrial Hall, and that the chair
would be taken by Mr. Bolitho.

"Would you like to go and hear him?" asked Paul of his mother.

"Hear who?" she asked.

"Why, the man who beat me at the last election," said Paul. "You see,
he's coming to take the chair for the new candidate."

"No," she replied. "I've no interest in him. I should like to see
her, though."

"I am afraid there's no chance of that," said Paul. "Unless you happen
to be in town when she's driving round."

"I'll see her somehow. And, my boy, I'll bring you both together!"
And ther