n his mind to explain
matters to his family by saying that, as he had now entered politics and
would necessarily have a great many callers to entertain, he thought it
best to make his headquarters with Aunt Ella until the campaign was
over.

Accordingly, the ninth of September saw them located at Mt Vernon
Street. On the very day of their arrival, proof of the remaining
stories and a large instalment of Blennerhassett reached them, with a
note from Ernst:

"Please rush. Press is waiting."

Miss Very's assistance was now absolutely necessary, but when Quincy
asked Leopold for her address, he was surprised at the reply he
received.

"I haven't seen her," said Leopold, "since we came back from Old Orchard
together. In fact, since that time, our relations, for some reason or
other, have undergone a great change. However, I think I can help you
out. I don't believe in keeping a good friend like you, Quincy, in
suspense, so I will tell you the truth. I am married. My wife is fully
as competent to assist Mrs. Sawyer as Miss Very would have been. She is
in the library now at work. I will go and ask her."

He entered the room, closing the door behind him. Quincy threw himself
rather discontentedly into a chair. He fancied he heard laughing in the
next room, but he knew Alice would be disappointed, and he himself felt
in no mood for laughter.

Leopold opened the library door. "Quincy, I've induced her to undertake
the task," he said. "Do spare a moment from your work, Mrs. Ernst; I
wish to introduce to you Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer, the husband of the
author of that coming literary sensation, Blennerhassett. Mr. Sawyer,"
he continued, "allow me to present you to my wife, Mrs. Rosa Ernst." And
as he said this, Leopold and Rosa stood side by side in the doorway.

"When did you do it?" finally ejaculated Quincy, rushing forward and
grasping each by the hand. "Leopold, I owe you one." And then they all
laughed together.

By some means, Dr. Culver said by the liberal use of money, Barker
Dalton secured the regular nomination from Quincy's party. The latter
kept his word and entered the field as an independent candidate. A hot
contest followed. The papers were full of the speeches of the opposing
candidates, and incidents connected with their lives. But in none
relating to Quincy was a word said about his marriage, and the fact was
evidently unknown, except to a limited few. When the polls closed on
election day and the vote w