s seemed probable, arising out of the Moneida charges that
might affect the central organization of the party in South Fox to an
extent wholly out of proportion with the mere necessity of a second
election. Bingham talked it over with Horace Williams, and both of
them with Farquharson; they were all there to urge the desirability of
"sawing off" upon Lorne when he found them at headquarters. Their most
potent argument was, of course, the Squire and the immediate dismissal
that awaited him under the law if undue influence were proved against
him. Other considerations found the newly elected member for South
Fox obstinate and troublesome, but to that he was bound to listen, and
before that he finally withdrew his objections. The election would
come on again, as happened commonly enough. Bingham could point to
the opening, in a few days, of a big flour-milling industry across
the river, which would help; operations on the Drill Hall and
the Post-Office would be hurried on at once, and the local party
organization would be thoroughly overhauled. Bingham had good reason for
believing that they could entirely regain their lost ground, and at the
same time dissipate the dangerous impression that South Fox was being
undermined. Their candidate gave a reluctant ear to it all, and in the
end agreed to everything.

So that Chief Joseph Fry--the White Clam Shell of his own lost
fires--was never allowed the chance of making good the election losses
of that year, as he had confidently expected to do when the charge came
on; nor was it given to any of the Yellow Dogs and Red Feathers of Mr
Cruickshank's citation to boast at the tribal dog-feasts of the future,
of the occasion on which they had bested "de boss." Neither was any
further part in public affairs, except by way of jocular reference,
assigned to Finnigan's cat. The proceedings of the court abruptly
terminated, the judges reported the desirability of a second contest,
and the public accepted with a wink. The wink in any form was hateful to
Lorne Murchison, but he had not to encounter it long.

The young man had changed in none of the aspects he presented to his
fellow-citizens since the beginning of the campaign. In the public eye
he wore the same virtues as he wore the same clothes; he summed up even
a greater measure of success; his popularity was unimpaired. He went as
keenly about the business of life, handling its details with the same
capable old drawl. Only his mother