l be the millennium, and
having no windmills and evils left to fight, we minute visibilities will
welcome deindividualization. Then, no doubt, there will be a grand final
battle between the great body of good thus formed, and the evil cast
out, but roaming space and joining forces. If we do our best here we
shall win, and be happy ever after. There is no question, that if you
follow your higher instincts you are happier in the long run than if you
fall a slave to your base and mean; and that, to my mind, is the proof
that the highest instincts are meant to be followed to some greater
end."

"Hm. I have heard a good many theories, first and last, and that sounds
as plausible as any."

"All this is very casually related to American politics, except that we
had better clean up when the opportunity is vouchsafed us; for nothing
degrades human nature nor retards civilization so much as politics gone
altogether wrong. As far as you are concerned, although it was
understood that the compact was to end with my citizenship, I have no
thought of ending it unless the conditions I hope for shall crystallize
meanwhile. If it seems best to keep the Democratic party unsplit I shall
do your canvassing and speaking, for it will make me known, and give me
the opportunity to inculcate the principles I purpose to advocate. If
you ignore them when you are in office, so much the worse for you, and
better for me; for, as I have told you more than once, the moment I am
in power I shall devote my energies to pulling you and your like down
and out. But I should advise you to join the third party if it arises."

"No doubt I might, if it were strong enough," said Colton, frankly. "I
don't propose to play any losing game, and if the Democratic party goes
by the board, T. R. Colton doesn't follow. And if a third party came in
to stay it would have to have a boss--"

"Not your sort."

"Oh, well, time enough." Colton's ill-humor was now somnolent under some
two pounds of peanuts. He rose and shook hands with Gwynne. "Glad to see
you looking so well--you're some heavier than when you came to
California, by-the-way, and it suits you first rate. Be sure you call on
my wife the first time you come to town."

He declined Gwynne's invitation to dinner, and drove off, looking
slothful and amiable once more. But what went on behind that mask,
within that long ill-built cranium, Gwynne had never pretended to guess.
Nor, to-day, did he care.

*