d Lorne, "when he sees that the British
manufacturer can't possibly get the better of men on the spot, who know
to a nut the local requirements."

To which she had responded, "Oh, Lorne, don't begin THAT again," and he
had gone away hot-foot for the first step of preparation.

"It's exactly what I should have expected," said Hesketh, when she told
him. "Murchison is the very man they want. He's cut out for a political
success. I saw that when he was in England."

"You haven't been very long in the country, Mr Hesketh, or we shouldn't
hear you saying that," said Mr Milburn, amicably. "It's a very
remarkable thing with us, a political party putting forward so young a
man. Now with you I expect a young fellow might get in on his rank
or his wealth--your principle of nonpayment of members confines your
selection more or less. I don't say you're not right, but over here we
do pay, you see, and it makes a lot of difference in the competition. It
isn't a greater honour, but it's more sought for. I expect there'll be a
good many sore heads over this business."

"It's all the more creditable to Murchison," said Hesketh.

"Of course it is--a great feather in his cap. Oh, I don't say young
Murchison isn't a rising fellow, but it's foolishness for his party--I
can't think who is responsible for it. However, they've got a pretty
foolish platform just now--they couldn't win this seat on it with any
man. A lesson will be good for them."

"Father, don't you think Lorne will get in?" asked Dora, in a tone of
injury and slight resentment.

"Not by a handful," said her father. "Mr Walter Winter will represent
South Fox in the next session of Parliament, if you ask my opinion."

"But, Father," returned his daughter with an outraged inflection,
"you'll vote for Lorne?"

A smile went round the table, discreetest in Mrs Milburn.

"I'm afraid not," said Mr Milburn, "I'm afraid not. Sorry to disoblige,
but principles are principles."

Dora perceptibly pouted. Mrs Milburn created a diversion with green-gage
preserves. Under cover of it Hesketh asked, "Is he a great friend of
yours?"

"One of my very greatest," Dora replied. "I know he'll expect Father to
vote for him. It makes it awfully embarrassing for me."

"Oh, I fancy he'll understand!" said Hesketh, easily. "Political
convictions are serious things, you know. Friendship isn't supposed to
interfere with them. I wonder," he went on, meditatively, "whether I
could be of any us