"As, in the days of the Cæsars, all roads led to Rome, so would we be glad to feel that" (in the days of the Villars) "all roads centered here.

"We are proud of the beauty and prosperity of Capitol City. May I be pardoned saying it, but having had a modest share in its growth," (Tremendous applause, in which the ladies in the balcony joined. Such public spirit!) "if I may be pardoned its mention, we will not rest until we have made this city the beautiful and attractive fireside of a great and glorious State." (Cheers).

"Fellow citizens: Four years ago we found a condition of things not likely to occur again,—that is, we found our opponents in power." (A voice, "Bully," followed by long continued applause),

"Four years ago, the skeletons of crime and disorder were in our midst, the wolf of hunger was at our door. To-day huts have been transformed into palaces, and the blue flag never before waved over such a happy and contented people.." (Applause and waving of flags.)

"Again we are called upon to decide whether a government of the people shall perish from the earth. "Fellow-citizens, this is the first gun of the cam

paign."

"Does he mean himself?" Ilva whispered. "What a dear little pop!" The gravity of the box was disturbed.

"Fellow citizens, I belong to this party because it is the party of brains, not boodle." ("Good! Good.") "I belong to this party because it is the party of sobriety."

"Sho-do-I," was the exclamation of a blear-eyed man near the door.

"-the party of honesty and reform."

"Amen," said the preacher with the irreproachable conscience and necktie.

"I belong to this party because it is the friend of the laborer." (A voice, "Three cheers for Mayor Villars, the friend of the workingman," and they were given with a will.)

"Like an eternal, divine fire his cause is burning in our hearts." ("A well-rounded sentence," the Thespian whispered to Oliver).

"I belong to this party because it is the party of Jones," turning to the picture on the wall, "and Johnson (applause and cheers), of Smith (applause), and Green." (Applause, lasting several minutes, on this mention of the Governor's name).

"He is sure of re-election," the Thespian whispered with a sly wink.

"I belong to this party because it is the friend of Ireland, and beneath its banners all foreigners are free." (Loud applause).

"Irishmen of America!

Our hearts bleed for your country and your cause!" (A voice, "I'm wid ye," laughter and cheers).

"To that great jury, the people, on the ides of next November, we submit our cause. If you ask where our party stands, I answer, where it has always stood. If you ask where it has always stood, I answer, where it will stand forever." (Applause).

"Here we plant our standard! Here we nail our colors! Upon this rock we will build! 'And the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.' applause).

"My countrymen!

(Thundering

In the name of Capitol City, I

thank you for this honor, which is hers, not mine.

"Pardon Capitol City, if she speaks too long."

If the convention is not a success, it certainly is not because it was not opened with what the circus bills called a "classic pageant."

Then men cheered, ladies waved handkerchiefs, the band struck up "Hail to the Chief," and it really did seem that the political pot was boiling; but so were the dinner pots, and even Mr. Villars had fallen into the habit of nourishing his body with food; so, after the appointment of committees, a recess was taken.

"What did you think of the speech?" Ilva remarked, as they arose.

"It was a great effort," the Thespian remarked, and then winked toward Oliver as though he wished to be interpreted literally.

"Sound," Mr. Wines replied, but whether he meant that it was a sound speech or nothing but sound, could not be told from his smiling face.

"Are you coming this afternoon?" Oliver whispered to Ilva.

"I guess not. What will they do?"

"Elect the delegates to the national convention." "No, I am not coming; are you?"

"I think not. I am going to the circus this afternoon with my mother."

"I am going to-night with my father."

As he left her at her carriage, she said with a pleasant, submissive smile:

"You must call soon," adding, with flippant, provoking laughter, "and tell me how you trod on the Daily Tribune."

CHAPTER XIV.

"Masking the business from the common eye.

-MACBETH.

In the afternoon Oliver attended the circus with his mother. In the evening he was to go with Pearl. The sun was low, and its red light was glittering against the house-tops, as their carriage left the house. The streets were filled with all classes of people, the street cars were loaded, and all moving in one direction, toward the circus. Everything had a holiday appearance, and seemed to combine the solemnity of a Sunday evening with the hurry of business.

"There is one consolation, Pearl," Oliver said; "the winter is about over and there can't be many more parties and balls. You can't imagine what a pleasure it is to-night to just sit here with you and rest."

She laughed at his ambiguous candor. "You mean, rest your mind," she said.

"Well, that is not uncomplimentary. It is just what we do, isn't it? We never yet made an effort to entertain one another, and that is the best way to be truly entertaining. We are always happy together because we never take pains to be happy."

"Yes," she answered in that dreamy voice and those broken images which had become so familiar to him. "One can't arrange for happiness beforehand, or leave an order for it as for a suit of clothes. It never seems

to be what we ordered. But how often when we least expect it we are so easily made so very happy! We may search for happiness and strive for it, thinking at times that it is almost within our grasp. We may

chase it like our shadow, but, though the sun is shining brightly, we can never catch it. But if we think only of our life's work and go right along in that, it will follow us always."

"You have changed my ideas about a great many questions," said Oliver, "although I never quite knew when you did it or how you did it. You seem to shed your good influence like sunshine."

"And you shed your compliments like moonshine." "Yes; reflected light. My words only reflect your goodness."

She hardly heard his reply, for her mind was recurring to what he had said of her influence over him. How easily his nature was affected! And she wondered sadly how far he might be led to yield to influences destructive of all true purpose in life.

Inside the tent they were happy in the thought that they were alone and were to have a glorious time together; but they were soon besieged by Mrs. Snyder.

"My dear Miss Whitford, I am delighted that you have not yet purchased seats. This is Cousin Allie. I suppose, Mr. Oliver, that you are acquainted with my cousin." Oliver was not.

"Is that so? I thought you knew all the prominent politicians. Cousin Allie is a member of the State committee.'

Cousin Allie handled his watch chain. "My name is Whitbeck," he said abruptly, as though he did not care to be "Cousin Allie" to everybody beneath the canopy.