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