An American Politician

funnier than the place they live in. But I think they are very nice, too, particularly some of the men. I don't understand the women in the least–they go in awfully for sets, if

ng circles, that go on all their lives. There are sewing circles of old frumps sixty years old who have never been parted since they all went to their first ball together. They sew for the poor; they don't sew so very much, you know; but then they have a tremendous lunch afterwards. I sewed for th

with Mr. Vancouver; but when the day comes, if it has happened to thaw and there is no snow, and he comes in a buggy, you couldn't possibly go with him, because it would be quite too improper. But I mean to, some day, just to see what they will say. I

Parliament at home; but nobody goes into Parliament here, except Mr. Harrington–that is, into Congress, which is the same thing, you know. They say politics in America are not at all fit for gentlemen, and they spend an hour or t

write two letters running, so you must answer at once. And if you should want to travel this winter you

Tho

aid three times that she hoped he would come to America; but America was a long way off, and she very likely reckoned on his laziness and dislike to foreign traveling. It is so easy for a young woman writing from Boston to say to a young man residing in Scotland, "Do come over for a few days"–Surbiton thought it would be a good joke to take her at her word and go. The idea of seeing her again so much sooner than he had expected was certainly uppermost in his mind as he began to make his resolution; but it was sustained and strengthened by a couple of allusions Joe had made to men of her acquaintance in Boston, not to say by the sweeping remark that there were more clever men in Boston society

her own eyes. She felt herself out of her natural element, and the very great admiration she received in society, though pleasant enough in itself, was not to her so entirely satisfactory as it would have been to a woman older or younger than she, or to a more thorough flirt

e the marriage would actually take place was a question she did not care to raise, and if ever Surbiton raised it she repressed him ruthlessly. For the present she would look about the world, seeing she had been transported into a new part of it, and she found it amusing. Only she would like to have a companion to whom she could talk. Ronald would be so convenient,

pected to marry him, and partly because he was so good and so much in love with herself. He would take any amount of trouble for anything she wanted. But John was different. She knew very well that she was thinking much more of him than he of her, if indeed he thought of her at all. But she was a little ashamed of it, and in order to justify herself in her own eyes she was cold and s

d that is a very considerable portion of Boston, as every schoolboy knows. John was standing near the tea-table talking to Mrs. Sam, when Joe entered t

ne anything Miss Thorn resents. I am not sensitive, but it is impossible to mist

r a moment, and the quick smile of ready c

sure you have not of

n. "Besides, I never offend any one, certainly not

large numbers when you do it at all, especially newspaper people.

smiling. "They have most of

rrid paper. You do not suppose I would

mind that in the least. One might almost thi

o very, very far wrong." John's glance followed the direction of her eyes, and he saw Vancouver. He looked steadily at the man's delicate pale features and intellectual head, a

, for John looked so grave that she

n to think it might be

that he differs so much from you

ve articles in question came from the pen of the former. There was a tone of superior wit and a ring

" said John, slowly. "He is not exactly

ohn stood near her, watching the moving crowd. Now and then his eyes rested on Josephine Thorn's graceful figure, and he noticed how her expressive features lighted up in the conversation. John could hear something of t

rned Americ

ot been long about it; but then, you

laces till I have liv

now that you have learned America, of course you believe in us all without

I have in your judgment to believe it. If any one else had sa

eturned Vancouver, with a smile. "But I am tremend

ou are so much flattered at my believing you, you

differ.

prejudices at home. We begin by expecting to be believed, and are

y bad fib to say one's country is the greatest on earth. I am sure you English say it

d Mr. Harrington for instance, each made a point of telling

ight both be wrong," said Va

might be right

conceivable," re

Mr. Harrington.

only a step from her, and joined the two instan

o Mr. Vancouver that, supposing each of you asserted that he was the greatest man o

precedence, Miss Thorn," he answered calmly, "I am sure Vanc

noyed. She had brought

ch is not a fair one. Mr. Harrington means to be the greatest man on ea

was willing to make sure of John herself, if she could, but she was not prepared to allow that privilege to any one else. Accordingly she turned upon Vanc

as illustrations of what you were saying, Miss Thorn," retorted Vancouver, very

l thrusts of a lady's man like Vancouver, did not seem to him of much importance. Joe, however, did not vouchsafe any a

e asked, "or shall we devise something different from the everlasting s

alf of it, you know." She turned to John, and Vancouver moved a

you like Mr. Vancouver? You are great friends

ecause we are not intimate; but we have always been on excelle

, "I fancy he is. You do not

in, and he seemed suddenly absorbed by some thought. "Let us sit down," h

nquisitive," remarked Joe,

you say that

you know, and you never as

hat led up to it, and I supposed from wh

t did you thi

at you wanted to put us into an awkward positio

m not so clever as that. It was pure sill

ll quite unmoved, "then it

ery important. Saul, you know–was not it he?–

which part Vancouver and I played in the bu

have not been successful in my chaff to-day. I should think that in your care

e is generally much simpler than people suppose. It is rather like fighting. The man who hits you

es

I can swear," said John, "and

aid Joe. "You ought to know b

y heart," a

Harrington," said Joe, after a moment's

sive mood during the last week. I h

back? What are the

hn, calmly. "They do

uth–in this

in the Republican press. I undertook to demonstrate that one of the fifteen millions of the 'ablest men in

ikes unpleasant truths. But what do you mean to d

mine; they would make an end of me in a week and quarrel over my bones.

all be," said Joe. "

aughing at us and our politics the day before yesterday, and now you are wishi

with a laugh. "Yes, I fancy I am. I am

ought much about it. But I suppose I sh

king across the room at Sybil Brandon, whose fair

, who was looking

her, over there. I think she is t

hn, "she is ve