tify himself even before this sinner, because
his dead brother and his sister-in-law had been too severe on his former
occupations to recognize the virtues which Arthur complimented.

"Whatever I have been," said the Senator, pressing the hand which still
held his, "I was never less than a square man."

"That's easy to believe, uncle, and I'll willingly punch the head of the
first man that denies it."

"Same old spirit," said the delighted Senator. "Why, you little rogue,
d'ye remember when you used to go round gettin' all the pictures o' me
in me fightin' days, an' makin' your dear mother mad by threatenin' to
go into the ring yourself? Why; you had your own fightin' gear, gloves
an' clubs an' all that, an' you trained young Everard in the business,
till his old ... his father put a head ... put a stop to it."

"Fine boy, that Louis, but I never thought he'd turn to the Church."

"He never had any thin' else in him," said the Senator earnestly. "It
was born in him as fightin' an' general wildness was born in you an' me.
Look into his face an' you'll see it. Fine? The boy hasn't his like in
the city or the land. I'll back him for any sum--I'll stand to it that
he'll be archbishop some day."

"Which I'll never be," said Arthur with a grin.

"Every man in his place, Artie. I've brought you yours, if you want to
take it. How would politics in New York suit you?"

"I'm ripe for anything with fun in it."

"Then you won't find fault, Artie, if I ask how things stood with
you--you see it's this way, Artie----"

"Now, hold on, old man," said Arthur. "If you are going to get
embarrassed in trying to do something for me, then I withdraw. Speak
right out what you have to say, and leave me to make any reply that
suits me."

"Then, if you'll pardon me, did you leave things in Californy straight
an' square, so that nothin' could be said about you in the papers as to
your record?"

"Straight as a die, uncle."

"An' would you take the position of secretary to the chief an' so get
acquainted with everything an' everybody?"

"On the spot, and thank you, if you can wait till I am able to move
about decently."

"Then it's done, an' I'm the proudest man in the state to see another
Dillon enterin'----"

"The ring," said Arthur.

"No, the arena of politics," corrected the Senator. "An' I can tell from
your talk that you have education an' sand. In time we'll make you mayor
of the town."

When he was going after a most