th such a text I
certainly should have felt the true inspiration."

"You'll have to claim considerable political foresight, even though you
cast doubt on your eloquence," said Linton, rather sourly. "I'll
confess that I jumped wrong. But I had my interests to protect. Let me
ask you--is General Waymouth offended, very much so, because I withdrew
my support this morning?"

"General Waymouth has not made any comments on the matter in my
hearing."

"I know you can explain to him--"

Harlan broke in, impatiently:

"I am not cheeky enough to advise such a man about picking his political
support. I beg your pardon, Miss Presson!" He bowed. He turned to
Linton. "I hope you won't open this subject with me again, Mr. Linton. I
am so loyal to General Waymouth that you cannot explain satisfactorily
to me any reasons why you should have deserted him to-day! You will see
now why the topic should not be referred to again between us."

Linton bristled.

"If you take such an unjust view of it as that, I certainly feel that
the matter should be referred to again between us--at the proper time!"

"I'd advise you to take my hint," retorted Harlan.

They stared at each other, eye to eye, both plainly wishing with all
heartiness that no feminine presence hampered them.

The girl laughed.

"Coffee and pistols for two! If each other's company makes you so
impolite, I'll be compelled to separate you. Come, Mr. Harlan Thornton,
baron of Fort Canibas, you have volunteered to see me safely home."

He offered his arm, and they followed Mrs. Presson, who had already
started for the carriage. He rode with them to the station, flushed and
silent, and the girl studied his face covertly and with some curiosity.

On the train, in the first of their tete-a-tete, she sounded him
cautiously, trying to discover if his feelings toward Linton were
inspired wholly by political differences. She seemed to suspect there
was something more behind it, even at the risk of flattering herself.
But she had detected certain suggestive symptoms in the demeanor of
Harlan at the breakfast-table that morning. He did not betray himself
under her deft questioning. But he promptly grew amiable, and before the
end of their railroad ride that day she had proved to her own
satisfaction that her ability to interest young men had not been thrown
away upon him. The light in his eyes and the zest of his chatter with
her told their own story. He left her at her home wi