An American Politician

of dress when asked to dinner, and did not bet that he would ride his horse into the smoking-room of the Somerset Club, the gossip soon lost ground against the list of his good qualities. M

solemn farewell, in which he would bid her be happy in her own way, in a tone of semi-paternal benevolence, after which he would give her his blessing, and bid farewell to the pomps and vanities of society. He would naturally retire gloomily from the gay world, and end his miserable existence in the approved Guy Livingstone fashion of life, between cavendish tobacco, deep drinking, and high play. Joe would then repent of the ruin she had caused, and that would be a great satisfaction. There was once a little boy in Boston whose hands were very cold as he went to school. But he b

seen Joe again. The ravages of drink would not be perceptible so soon, after all. He changed his

eat effort, for she was anxious to help Joe as much as possible in her difficulties. She talked to Ronald with a vivacity that was unusu

is tongue was unloosed. He was grateful after a time, and he was also flattered. Besides, he could not help noticing that his new acquaintance was extremely beautiful. His conscience smote him as he realized that he was thinking of her a

d when they left him at his hotel, a proceeding against which he vehemently protested on the scor

"I will present you to Mrs. Wyndham. Nine hundred

easure–thanks,

ld dear," said

ul tone of voice, as he raised his

rently in very

" she said. "We will manage it very

, you know," Joe answered. But she was thoug

ing the day, and in the evening Joe went to her party as she had intended; but neither Sybil nor John Harrington were there. Sy

. "I wanted to tell you how much we like your cousin, Mr. Surb

de paler. "I am so glad you li

enthusiastically. "And he is so natural,

her eyebrows a little, but

"I always forget you are not one

she was in such good spirits that she said what came uppermo

to-morrow night?" asked Mrs. Wy

Joe, "but I have to di

nd exquisite as ever, ca

Mrs. Wyndham?" he inqui

ibal is taking care of me,"

an I get you?" he a

passed through Joe's mind. It struck her that, considering the situation of affairs, it would be unwise to break off her acquaintance with Vancouver at the present time. Her first honest impulse was to cut him and never speak to him again. But it was better to act with more deliberation. In the first place, there might be more to be learnt w

instantly disappeared; but even in the moment before he departed to execute her command

ite the man is

hat Joe had discovered in him the writer of the article, still less could he have guessed that Joe had told John, and that Jo

d just brought Joe some salad. The usual struggle began be

ad of you thanking me," said Vancouver,

pper you ever saw?" remarked M

g her salad and lookin

ay. I was so glad when you condescended

so answered Joe'

ronged with people. There is a de

d Joe to Biggielow. Then turning to Vancouv

m sure there is none, except that you would of course alway

a little proudly, "you are quite right about tha

gain," sai

horn," suggested Mr. Biggielow. "No? Ther

arrington?" said Vancouver in a l

d the glass– thanks." Mr. Bonamy Biggielow was obliged

ning. Harrington will make a fi

nt yourself, doubtl

of course. I tak

tence by heart. "Then you will have a glorious o

, "I would rather see Harrington senator than so

rhaps, that some man of your own party may be

see, politics are such a dirty b

g to know her, and he could tell when some sharp thrust was comin

emark about extinguishing bribery and corruption was a piece of gro

t difference," a

erence? Be

tics is not clean, and saying that all pu

ting now?" asked

submissively. "If it is not a rude ques

es of Joe's figure, and had the double merit of accentuating its symmetry, and of so leading the eye as to make her height seem greater than it really was. Cut

erent from everybody else. I admire Eastern things so much, an

ike it," said Jo

trying a new subject. "I hear there is to be a dinner for him to-

se'?" inquire

e Englishmen," said Vancouver at random

all

lishmen for the sake of being liked by one English

all

. Do you not

at same angry flush that had of late so often shown itself began to rise slowly

"I trust that some day you will let

his wretch, whom she despised. She turned her

at Pocock Vancouver might make love to her that she had sent away Bonamy Biggielow, the harmless little poet. She wished him back again,

r some one. He bowed and stared a little at seeing Joe on Vancouver's arm, but she gave him a look of such earnest entreaty that he turned and followed her at a distance to see what would happen. Seein

th a sigh of relief. "I thought

common knowledge of a secret will

ohn. "Not that it can make any difference to you," he add

, I began by meaning to cut him, and then I th

, I would not for all the world have you take a part in

a part already," sai

ope you will not think any more about it,

ds if they do not take a part

had grown to like Josephine of late, and he was grateful to her for her friendship. Her m

heartily for your friendship. But I think you were very wise not to cut Vancouver, and I hope you will not

!" she e

per to abuse me, and that if Vancouver had not written the article, the e

ery one that he has the greatest respect for you, and then he does

y to win an election nowa

otly. "But I dare say it is very silly of me,"

ouver," said John. "The man may do me harm, but as I never expected his friendship or help, he

t help expecting men who have the reputati

opinions, and a perfect right to express

and takes no active part in politics. I think that writing violent articles in a newspaper is a very active part indeed. And he should not go about saying that he has the highest reverence for a man, and t

John, who was very much amused, "I am afraid I must agree wi

end him?" asked Joe,

very likely do in his place. There are things done every day, all over the world, quite as bad as that, and no one takes m

ve a very exalted idea

aid John, "and it is as well to be pr

u know," said Joe, looking thoughtfully into

injure me?" asked John, mu

cked herself suddenly. "I do no

you think, if you will te

presentiment that you will not

eed. Bu

too calm. You are not enough of a pa

he imagined Joe possessed. He had long regarded Mrs. Wyndham as a woman of fine sense and judgment, and had often asked her opinion on important quest

y," said Joe, seeing that

thinking, Miss Th

may be righ

erhaps the best definition of the fact that I

ing is just what it ought to be. But

" added John, and the look of stron

things what they should be. That is

nectady, who had been conversing for a couple o

Joe, rousing herself

ght at Mrs. Wyndham's dinner?

fused. Go

r hands were cold and she trembled from head to foot. And when at last she

can be so heartless?" s