ly
that Lorne had another five years to his credit in the Liberal record of
South Fox. By the time the young fellow had earned them he, the retiring
member, would be quite on the shelf, if in no completer oblivion; he
could not expect much of a voice in any nomination five years hence. He
sighed to think of it.

It was at that point of his meditations that Mr Farquharson met
Squire Ormiston on the steps of the Bank of British North America, an
old-fashioned building with an appearance of dignity and probity, a look
of having been founded long ago upon principles which raised it above
fluctuation, exactly the place in which Mr Farquharson and Squire
Ormiston might be expected to meet. The two men, though politically
opposed, were excellent friends; they greeted cordially.

"So you're ordered out of politics, Farquharson?" said the squire.
"We're all sorry for that, you know."

"I'm afraid so; I'm afraid so. Thanks for your letter--very friendly of
you, squire. I don't like it--no use pretending I do--but it seems I've
got to take a rest if I want to be known as a going concern."

"A fellow with so much influence in committee ought to have more control
of his nerve centres," Ormiston told him. The squire belonged to that
order of elderly gentlemen who will have their little joke. "Well, have
you and Bingham and Horace Williams made up your minds who's to have the
seat?"

Farquharson shook his head. "I only know what I see in the papers," he
said. "The Dominion is away out with Fawkes, and the Express is about as
lukewarm with Carter as he is with federated trade."

"Your Government won't be obliged to you for Carter," said Mr Ormiston;
"a more slack-kneed, double-jointed scoundrel was never offered a
commission in a respectable cause. He'll be the first to rat if things
begin to look queer for this new policy of yours and Wallingham's."

"He hasn't got it yet," Farquharson admitted, "and he won't with my good
will. So you're with us for preference trade, Ormiston?"

"It's a thing I'd like to see. It's a thing I'm sorry we're not in a
position to take up practically ourselves. But you won't get it, you
know. You'll be defeated by the senior partner. It's too much of a
doctrine for the people of England. They're listening to Wallingham
just now because they admire him, but they won't listen to you. I doubt
whether it will ever come to an issue over there. This time next year
Wallingham will be sucking his thumbs an