like he's been picking up--"

But the astonishment in his wife's eyes stopped him. He was revealing
too much of his secret.

"Why, Harlan Thornton went away with him--Thelismer's grandson! Some one
told me who saw them in the carriage together. What do you mean by
Canibas moose?"

"Can't you see that I'm all stirred up by the excitement of this
convention?" he demanded. "I don't know what I'm saying. I'll explain to
you later, Lucretia."

"I think you'd better. Where did General Waymouth go?"

"To the hotel, I suppose."

"No, he's not there. I have telephoned. Luke, we must have him at lunch
with us. It's his place to lunch with us--you're the chairman of the
State Committee! It's a late start for me--and it's your own fault
because it is so. But you must find the General and make him come to
luncheon. I have arranged for the party in the English Room at the
hotel. You _must_ have him there!" She hurried away to where the ladies
were waiting for her.

Presson, the politician's instinct of self-preservation now getting the
better of his rancor, promptly determined that his own interests would
be helped by his wife's luncheon-party, provided the victor could be
cajoled and coralled. He put pride behind him. It was not so easy to do
as much with his shame and the downright fear that assailed him when he
reflected on his plot and its outcome. But he decided that although
little might be gained for him by making up to the victorious General, a
great deal would be surely lost if the antagonism were emphasized.

He put on his hat and hurried to the street. Inquiry at the cab-stand
afforded him the information that General Waymouth and his companion had
not given a definite destination. "But there's the man who took them,"
said the manager. "He's just back. Ask him."

The driver said that he had dropped them at the park, at their request,
and the chairman jumped into the carriage, directing that he be conveyed
to the same place.

He found them sitting democratically on a bench, taking the air.

Without preliminary the chairman extended Mrs. Presson's invitation.
"There will be a very small party of us, and it may save you from the
annoyances of the public rooms," added Chairman Presson, humbly.

The General arose and accepted with cordiality, somewhat to Harlan's
surprise, for his unbending youth could not yet understand how political
hatchets could be buried so quickly.

"I want to congratulate you, General,"