ad probed the scheme and
understood the stubbornness of the opposition. He was ready to act now.

"Sylvester, you're a constable of this town. Take those fifty woodsmen
over there as a special posse. I'm going to stand here at the foot of
these stairs, and see to it that this caucus isn't packed. If you see
hand laid on me or on a respectable voter going up these stairs, you
pile in with those men. Go ahead up, boys, one and all!" He stepped
between the deputies and beckoned to the voters. He stood there like a
lighthouse marking safe channel. He challenged both the sheriff and the
minister with his gaze. "We've got peace in stock and fight on tap,
gentlemen," he declared. "Full assortment, and no trouble to show
goods."

The village loyalists trooped forward promptly and flocked up. The
deputies made no effort to stop them. Niles did not issue orders.
Threats and badges might cow voters. But he knew woodsmen. He was not
prepared to fight fifty of them.

The opposition hurried up also. Men streamed past on both sides of the
old man, looming there in his wrinkled suit of crash.

"Let 'em go. We've got him licked in the caucus anyway," growled Niles
to one of his deputies. "The back districts are here two to one against
his village crowd."

Chairman Presson stood at one side and waited. Harlan Thornton came to
him, leading his horse through the crowd.

"You have influence with my grandfather, Mr. Presson. You have told me
yourself that it's folly to try to send me to the legislature. I'm not
fitted for such duties. I am interested only in our business. You have
had a chance to talk with him since you left the house. Haven't you made
him change his mind?"

"I don't know," confessed Mr. Presson. "He's got my opinion, but he
doesn't seem to think it's worth much."

"Well, there's only one thing to do." stated Harlan, resolutely. "I'll
stand up here and let the voters of this district know how I feel about
it. I've got my own rights in this thing, grandfather or no
grandfather."

"Harlan, my boy!" The State chairman laid his hand protestingly on the
young man's arm. "You've got my sympathy in regard to your going to the
legislature in this fashion. But let me say something to you. Thelismer
Thornton is standing here to-day putting up as pretty a political fight
as I ever looked on. I hope he'll change his mind about sending you.
I'll talk with him again. But if you lift one finger now when he's got
his back agains