p by the former proprietor of the "Guardian" to undermine the
prestige of the Great Express Company had been ruthlessly exposed, and
the candidate on learning it HIMSELF for the first time, withdrew his
name from the canvass, as became a high-toned gentleman. Public
opinion, ignoring Lacy Bassett completely, unhesitatingly denounced
Captain Jim.

During this period I had paid but little heed to Lacy Bassett's social
movements, or the successes which would naturally attend such a
character with the susceptible sex. I had heard that he was engaged to
Polly Baxter, but that they had quarrelled in consequence of his
flirtations with others, especially a Mrs. Sweeny, a profusely
ornamented but reputationless widow. Captain Jim had often alluded
with a certain respectful pride and delicacy to Polly's ardent
appreciation of his friend, and had more than half hinted with the same
reverential mystery to their matrimonial union later, and his intention
of "doing the square thing" for the young couple. But it was presently
noticed that these allusions became less frequent during Lacy's amorous
aberrations, and an occasional depression and unusual reticence marked
Captain Jim's manner when the subject was discussed in his presence.
He seemed to endeavor to make up for his friend's defection by a kind
of personal homage to Polly, and not unfrequently accompanied her to
church or to singing-class. I have a vivid recollection of meeting him
one afternoon crossing the fields with her, and looking into her face
with that same wistful, absorbed, and uneasy canine expression that I
had hitherto supposed he had reserved for Lacy alone. I do not know
whether Polly was averse to the speechless devotion of these yearning
brown eyes; her manner was animated and the pretty cheek that was
nearest me mantled as I passed; but I was struck for the first time
with the idea that Captain Jim loved her! I was surprised to have that
fancy corroborated in the remark of another wayfarer whom I met, to the
effect, "That now that Bassett was out o' the running it looked ez if
Captain Jim was makin' up for time!" Was it possible that Captain Jim
had always loved her? I did not at first know whether to be pained or
pleased for his sake. But I concluded that whether the unworthy
Bassett had at last found a RIVAL in Captain Jim or in the girl
herself, it was a displacement that was for Captain Jim's welfare. But
as I was about leaving Gilead for a mont