d hardly ask."

"I know. And I know that he sacrifices something in getting out of it at
this time. He is a clean man, and though his name has been connected
with the interest, that has been all. One could hardly imagine him
standing behind a bar."

"He said something like that in his own defense. Let me see--he said the
national politics was the great mother of all lesser political plays,
and that at such elections he had cast his vote just as you and your
preacher have always done. Therefore, as you were temperance men, so he
was a temperance man. How was that for argument?"

Judge Thorn laughed.

"Well, I should not wonder if he were as much of a temperance man as
some other folks, after all."

"The more shame for the 'other folks,'" said Jean, a touch of sternness
in her voice.

"Have it that way if you wish, but to the original question. I am in no
hurry for you to marry, but I suppose you will some time, and Allison is
a square man. What he has done in this business move he has done not
because he has changed his views on some matters, but all for the love
of a woman, and that means much, my girl, these days of fortune hunters
and deceivers."

"All for the love of a woman," Jean repeated softly to herself. "That is
what he said."

They were both silent a few seconds.

"You have not answered my question, Jean."

"Ah! I forgot, father. You asked me why I could not promise to be the
wife of Mr. Allison. I will tell you, as I told him, and I think you
will understand as he did.

"If I ever have a husband, he must do right from an honest conviction of
right, and because humanity and justice and God demand the right, and
never for the 'love of a woman,' although that is a beautiful
temptation."

Judge Thorn looked inquiringly at his daughter, and she continued:

"He was not prepared for this, I think, but he understood what I meant,
and said that I asked of him the impossible; that it was impossible for
him to see the liquor traffic in the light that I do.

"But I am sure, father, that the underlying principle of my idea is
right, and God makes it possible for all men to see the right, if they
seek to."

Jean had risen and stood before her father, her face aglow and her eyes
shining.

This mood passed shortly, and she returned to her chair. She clasped her
hands behind her head and began again softly, as if speaking to herself:

"And then--then he sat down in a chair by the window, with his face