tee saw to it that Nelson and Henty were refunded their expenses
from Victoria to Halifax.

The hour was late before the evening session adjourned. A. P.
delivered a farewell address, in which he declared he was "not cut out
for office work," and Sam Robb convinced the assembly that he was the
man for the office they had conferred upon him.

Evan cut his closing sentences short. As the orchestra played "God
Save the King" he looked down into the audience and saw someone pushing
toward the platform. It was the Bonehead.

"Hey," said Perry, beckoning to Evan, "I want to speak to you." He
dragged his yielding victim to a corner. "This union'll just about
bring my salary up to the marriage mark. Fine, ain't it? I suppose
you know that Frank and I are----"

"No, I didn't know," replied Evan, coldly. Then, absently, "Did you
bring her down with you?"

"Sure. I've been working in Orangeville; she came down on the late
afternoon train and I met her on the way. Why don't you congratulate
me?"

Nelson acted as though he had not heard. "Where is she?" he asked.

"Oh, she beat it with a friend just before the thing was dismissed.
She's staying with her cousin on Jarvis Street. We're going back
together on the morning train."

Never in his life had Perry been so objectionable to Nelson as he was
during those few minutes. The egotism of him to aspire to Frankie's
love! And yet there came to Evan the stinging realization that he,
himself, had failed to cherish that love. It was not the Bonehead's
fault that he was engaged to her--who could blame him? That was a
matter for Frankie to decide, and apparently she had decided.

Evan had no heart for further handshakes. He sought out Robb and
taking him by the arm left Massey Hall by the stage entrance. Rain had
fallen in torrents and the gutters were full of water, but the sky had
cleared, and the air was fresh and cool.

"Let's walk home," said Robb, "I'm all worked up; this thing has taken
away my breath--I need the air."

Evan did not smile; he walked along in silence.

"What's the matter, old man?" asked his friend when they had reached
University Avenue; "has something disappointed you?"

"No," said Evan, ashamed of his moodiness, "I was just thinking of one
night similar to this when I was on the cash-book. Doesn't it seem a
long time ago, Sam?"

Robb took a deep breath at the word "Sam."

"Old friend," he said, vibrantly, "you can't understand w