AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK

BY

EDITH VAN DYNE

1909

LIST OF CHAPTERS

I MISS DOYLE INTERFERES

II THE ARTIST

III DON QUIXOTE

IV KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP

V PLANNING THE WORK

VI A GOOD START

VII PATSY MAKES PROGRESS

VIII THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED

IX OL' WILL ROGERS

X THE FORGED CHECK

XI A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

XII BETH MEETS A REBUFF

XIII THE BOOMERANG

XIV LUCY'S GHOST

XV SIGNS OF THE TIMES

XVI A CLEW AT LAST

XVII MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS

XVIII ELIZA PARSONS

XIX PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING

XX PRICKING A BUBBLE

XXI THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW

XXII THE AWAKENING

CHAPTER I

MISS DOYLE INTERFERES

"Daddy, " said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New Yorkapartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and takenotice. "

"My dear Patsy, " was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an'taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's yourown pretty phiz. "

"Major, " remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a freshplate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that youflatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. She's too red and freckled. "

Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. 

"That comes from living on your old farm at Millville, " she retorted. "We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like aburr to a kitten. "

"Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy, " advised the Major, composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. Who's it from?"

"Kenneth. "

"Aha! An' how is our lad?"

"Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want totalk to you and Uncle John about, " she replied, her happy face growingas serious as it could ever become. 

"Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. 

"Out of what?"

"His trouble. "

"It seems not. Listen--"

"Oh, tell us about it, lassie, " said the Major. "If I judge rightthere's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read itagain. "

"But every word is important, " declared Patsy, turning the letter over, "--except the last page, " with a swift flush. 

Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. 

"Then read us the last page, my dear. "

"I'll tell you about it, " said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. Kenneth has gone into politics!"

"More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. 

"I can't imagine it in Kenneth, " said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he infor?"

"For--for--let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House ofRepresentatives from the Eighth District. "

"He's flying high, for a fledgling, " observed the Major. "But Kenneth'sa bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down. "

Patsy shook her head. 

"He's afraid not, " she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn'tlike to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him. "

Uncle John pushed back his chair. 

"Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?"

"He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district, "explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend'sdifficulties; "and--"

"And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated, " added theMajor. "It's a way these bad men have. "

Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded himgratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth wasconcerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealousof the boy. 

"I think, " said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for hesurely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, UncleJohn. "

The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destituteof a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew shehad interested him in Kenneth's troubles. 

"Once, " said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was inpolitics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes--me own an'the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating thatI've not run for anything since--except th' street-car. "

"But it's a big game, " said Uncle John, standing at the window with hishands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good Americanshould take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who hassuch large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs ofhis district. "

"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle, " declared the girl. "If Iwere a man I'd--I'd--be President!"

"An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. "But luckily ye'll be no president--unless it's of a woman's club. "

"There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one elsewould call so early. "

"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora, " added her father, listening; andthen the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eagerfaces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. 

"Oh, Louise, " cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?"

"I've got a letter from Kenneth, " was the answer, "and I'm so excited Icouldn't wait a minute!"

"Imagine Louise being excited, " said Beth, calmly, as she kissed UncleJohn and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed andbounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightningchange' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not onstraight. "

"This bids fair to be a strenuous day, " observed the Major. "Patsy's hada letter from the boy, herself. "

"Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?"

"She knows sixty pages about it, " replied Major Doyle. 

"Well, then, what's to be done?"

The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. Thethree cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned theireager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained hisposition at the window as if determined to shut out the morningsunlight. 

Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy'sapartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had onlyreturned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, butthere was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that shewas happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth'sfather was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of those geniuseswho live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world aroundthem. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only afterUncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "underhis wing, " as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. 

Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's characterwonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depressionshe was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in aquieter and more self-possessed way. 

Louise was the eldest--a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable"air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and hermanner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolousand designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in herfriendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex asto be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. 

Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessedgreat depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and wasalways afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friendsas easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girlintimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great darkeyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whosefortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle JohnMerrick. 

But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after allthe general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was asubtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancingblue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; shewas not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But shewas winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and soabsolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. 

"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle, " declared the Majorto Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it ispossible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. 

"Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. 

"We don't vote in Ken's district, " remarked the Major, "or there wouldbe six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!"

"Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin hislife, " said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we gethim to withdraw?"

"He might be suddenly called to Europe, " suggested Louise. "That wouldtake him away from the place and give him a change of scene. "

Patsy shook her head. 

"Kenneth isn't a coward, " she said. "He won't run away. He must accepthis defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?"

Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. 

"What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. 

"He says so himself, " answered Patsy. 

"He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him, "added Louise. 

"Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?"

"That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to someone or go wild, " said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. 

"And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired theiruncle sternly. 

"We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. "What can we do?"

"Go to work!" said Uncle John. 

"How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. 

"Politics is a game, " declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until thelast card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as theway you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness andenergy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?"

"Oh, Uncle John!"

The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. 

"Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depravedeggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!"

"I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any, " declared Patsy, stoutly. 

"Go on, Uncle John, " said Beth, encouragingly. 

"Women in politics, " observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendouspower. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll needto do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. Thereare a hundred ways to do that. "

"Mention a few, " proposed the Major. 

"I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground, " answered UncleJohn. 

"You're going on, then?"

"Yes. "

"I'll go with you, " said Patsy promptly. 

"So will I, " said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and supportas much as anything else, just now. "

"He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable, " saidLouise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up. "

By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. 

"Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first, " he said. "TheMajor's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary forhim to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose anytime, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth DistrictElection the eighth of November. "

"I can go any time, and so can Beth, " said Louise. 

"All I need is the blue stockings, " laughed Patsy. 

"It won't be play. This means work, " said Uncle John seriously. 

"Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work, " repliedBeth. "Aren't we, girls?"

"We are!"

"All right, " said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Gohome, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you. "

"That bad man 'd better look out, " chuckled the Major. "He doesn'tsuspect that an army of invasion is coming. "

"Daddy, " cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business. "

"If you win, " said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoatplatform, and hire your services. "

CHAPTER II

THE ARTIST

To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its amplegrounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endlessdelight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at timesdreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could betterhave appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. 

The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, andsurrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated itfrom its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate inthe county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinityconsidered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. 

This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matteruntil he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolatedhim and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. 

The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but onlyas a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted thecharge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who hadbequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's auntmerely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom shehad been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before theboy was born. 

She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shownhim any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of thegreat house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in thosequarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. Theneglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influencedthe youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeablecompanion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst inorder to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheeryand wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew himout of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkabletalent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something hehad long loved to do in secret. 

Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed hiscondition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and itwas discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one ofher nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the propertyreverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGrafand Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boyinherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the mostcordial friendship existing between them all. 

Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerablewealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortuneor decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpfulfriend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend ofhis uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken aninterest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his lifebrighter and happier. 

When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed hisguardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law andhenceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. 

They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the picturesof the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremostliving artists of the old world. 

It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing"Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, agenerous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken thegirls "under his wing, " as he expressed it, and had really provided fortheir worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could havedone. 

This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader willpresently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will, " as hedeclared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found intheir society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to theirinterests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignifiedbut agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as muchas the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financialaffairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. 

So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventuroustrip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, andafterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existingbetween the young people was more firmly cemented than before. 

In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where hedevoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had madeabroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe andreading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in hiscondition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed forsocial intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to broodif left much to himself. 

Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in theAdirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom fromhis friends. 

Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. 

Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained hismajority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson renderedhis accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then haveretired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of agesounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperiencedas it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grownaccustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in themanagement of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed andbewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. 

The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceivedthis clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with hisyoung friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements ofbusiness as would enable him in time to attend to his extensiveinterests understandingly and wisely. 

The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, forthe farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it isnot a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland gladesand rocky glens to add to its charm. 

From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams whichtumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, andthere are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye ofan artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way placeswhen a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them foryears. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenlythought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; soone morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place apreliminary visit. 

The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly ashe passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could nothave named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse withthem. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to beinterested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he hadbecome master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance withthe people who lived around him. 

One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. Theneighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were manyboth shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not forcethemselves upon the society of the one really rich man in theircommunity, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. 

Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinionswidely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" anddeclared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a"namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who hadoccasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hintedthat he might develop into "quite a man" in time. 

Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of hisneighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was drivingalong the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived wasvery lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method oftreatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmerreceived with real gratitude. 

This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and hewas actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the countryroad wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. 

Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come toinspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, wasthe advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene wasruined--only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of theobserver. 

At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such adesecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then heremembered another place further along the glen which was almost aspretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser hadruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to thespot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared himin the face. 

This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turnedto resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the manwith the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. 

"Can you tell me, " Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?"

"Why, I do, " replied the man, reining up. 

"And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?"demanded the boy angrily. 

"O' course, " replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farmthe rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, each. "

Kenneth groaned. 

"I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off theletters and restore the scene to its original beauty, " he declared. 

"I'm willin', " was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd gitinto trouble with the sign-painter. "

"Who is he?"

"Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll comealong. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin'spot cash fer th' privilege. "

"Oh, I see. "

"Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint uptheir ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?"

"Yes. "

"Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest rideup t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name. "

"All right. Come along, " said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. 

The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for thebeast was very lame. Finally he remarked:

"Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, likeenough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too. "

"I don't mind, " was the response. 

The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. Whaton earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, and be willing to pay for having them erased?

"Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine menguv th' painter, too, " he hazarded. 

"Like enough, " said Kenneth, grimly. 

One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolvedto eliminate those ugly signs. 

He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk atthe farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that hemight not have to face the signs again. 

But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences andbarns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did notappear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the morepicturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. 

CHAPTER III

DON QUIXOTE

When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked theold gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could bedone. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreedto help him. 

"If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising, " he remarked, "you'll find your hands full. "

Kenneth looked up smiling. 

"Thank you, " he said. 

"For what?"

"For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction. "

Again the lawyer laughed. 

"What is your idea?" he asked. 

"To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood ofElmhurst. "

"It's a Titan's task, Ken. "

"So much the better. "

The lawyer grew thoughtful. 

"I believe it's impossible, " he ventured. 

"Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I wantsomething to occupy myself--something really difficult, so that I maytest my own powers. "

"But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. Ifyou want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy yourmind. "

"No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs toflaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at thedesecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task ofexterminating them. "

"True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can'tbe done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks ofthe glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint moresigns on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much. "

"I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country. "

"Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries maketheir fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts aretheir strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell theirproducts. "

"Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap makerto flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?"

"The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long thatthe manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them. "

"Nor I, at present. But there must be a way. "

"Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally forlocations--"

"Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!"

"But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate ourfarmers get large sums from them. "

"And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms. "

Mr. Watson smiled. 

"They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but theycan use the money the signs bring them. "

"They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, decent fellows. "

"They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better. "

"So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, for I mean to get them to help me. "

"You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid. "

"Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them. "

But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire tostifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed itmisdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take aninterest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs wouldeffect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It wouldcost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth inexperience. 

After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He wouldrelinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollarseach, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to taketheir place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded andearly next morning started for the glen with what he called his"eliminators. "

These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine andgasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession ofthree crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreementmade with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thicksplashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almostdisappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth ofthe glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see theinjunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defianceof the scrubbing brushes. 

But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in laborand material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they hadvanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction andturned his attention to extending the campaign. 

On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a mannamed Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side atobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received nomoney for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved hisbarn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint theentire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took manycoats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. 

By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst againstadvertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and wasthe subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them wereintelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged franklythat it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patentmedicines and questionable soaps. 

But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refusedpoint-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinctionto have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or severalvarieties of pickles. 

Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon becameindignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he tooka hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of theneighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor towin them over to his way of thinking. 

The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not somuch because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artistas because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master ofElmhurst "lecture at 'em. " So they filled the little room tooverflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent hispresence to the assemblage. 

Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk ofexterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in abreakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could securespace. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctlyhelpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the HonorableErastus, would protest against the inevitable. 

What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he wascoming forward for re-election in November, and believed that thisafforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make afavorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyonethat arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. 

Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a politicalone, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson tookthe platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. 

The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rosethey prepared to listen in respectful silence. 

Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; butyoung Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at theopposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was hisfirst public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with hisviews, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talkback, " as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and freefrom the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaringcommercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he hadbeen able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemedthe glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its formerbeauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longermarred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to themto help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. 

When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly forthe reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. 

Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathyin the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. 

He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man'saristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democraticcommunity of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands ofbushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebratedEagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold thisbreakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strengthto harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community goingand coming. " What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commoditywherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocraticnotion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers tobe reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of thethings they needed in daily life. 

If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he mightfind some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. Butthis, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact thathe had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deservedtheir suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss politicalquestions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kennethand Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus hadcaptured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned toElmhurst. 

"This man Hopkins, " said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He'san impertinent meddler. "

"He ruined any good effect my speech might have created, " said Kenneth, gloomily. 

"Give it up, my boy, " advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on theyouth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle. "

"But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten, " protestedKenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. 

"Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhapsthat rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some otherway to serve the community. "

"I can't do better than to make it clean--to do away with thesedisreputable signs, " said the boy, stubbornly. 

"You made a fine speech, " declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. "I am very proud of you, my lad. "

Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Onlyhis pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now thatit was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been soineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker mighthave done better. 

CHAPTER IV

KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP

"This man Hopkins gets on my nerves, " said Mr. Watson, a week or twoafter the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfasttable opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which wasin his mail. 

"What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit ofabstraction. 

"An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modernpolitics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightenedrepublic?"

Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spiritand enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his oldstate of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. 

"Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district, " observedthe old gentleman, with sudden energy. 

The boy looked at him. 

"Who is Hopkins?" he asked. 

"His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boyat the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew upbecame a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally heran last term for State Representative from this district and waselected by a mighty small majority. "

"Why small?" asked Kenneth. 

"Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. ButThompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win hisparty vote. "

"Who's Thompson?"

"The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights andmeasures. "

The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. 

"Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. 

"I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man eversince he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting. "

"Never mind him. We've done with him. "

Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. 

"I wonder if we have?" he said. 

"Why not, sir?"

"Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins'sdistrict. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in thedistrict, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go tothe State Legislature and make laws for you to obey. "

"Well?"

"Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our dutyto prevent him from representing us. "

The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. 

"Some of these country yokels must represent us, " he observed. "Itdoesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else. "

"Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community toprotect its interests, " added the lawyer. 

"Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, irritably. 

"Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clearconscience, I've nothing to say. "

For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked:

"Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?"

"He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willingto vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefitshis constituents or not. "

"Oh. Is he singular in this?"

"By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics. "

Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. 

"Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?"

The old gentleman laughed outright. 

"Don't you know, Ken?"

"No, sir, I haven't asked myself before. "

"Then I advise you to be a Republican. "

"Why?"

"Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly. "

"What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?"

"There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are thepositive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity forour nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard ourinterests by watching one another. "

"What is your preference, sir?"

"I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, whichhasn't been often. "

"Then I will be a Republican. "

"Very good. "

"I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have noconvictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus onthe--on _our_ side?"

"I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be heldfor two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about comingforward. "

"Didn't you say the district was Republican?"

"Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to beterrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice. "

"That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins, " declared Kenneth, withconviction. 

"Unless--"

"Unless what, sir?"

"Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand inlocal politics ourselves, my lad. "

Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to thewindow and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left theroom without a word. 

For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. 

"Perhaps I'm inviting trouble, " he murmured; "but I am sure I am doingright. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of hisfellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will beof great benefit to him. "

Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the gardensaw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. 

For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watsoncasually introduced it. 

"A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the displayof all advertising signs in public places in this county, " he suggested. 

The boy looked at him eagerly. 

"Are you sure?" he asked. 

"I am positive, " was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege. "

"And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?"

"No; we couldn't trust him. "

"Then what do you propose?"

"I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know. "

Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he hadadvanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that hehimself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. 

"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing, " hesaid. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the manwho will pass it. "

"I thought as much, " the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's onlyone man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win thevotes to carry such a unique measure through. "

"And who is that, sir?"

"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in thecounty. "

"Me, sir?"

"You're the man. "

"A State Representative?"

"It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionablesigns prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition ofthe farmers. And that isn't all. "

"What's the rest, Mr. Watson?"

"You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been tooself-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study ofmankind is man. ' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of yourexistence. "

Kenneth frowned. 

"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, forHopkins won't give up his job if he can help it. "

The boy brightened again. 

"I like a good fight, " he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believedI could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it. "

"I'll answer for that, " retorted the old man, highly pleased with hiseasy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'lloutclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, too. "

So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threwthemselves into the contest with energy and determination. 

Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the nextfortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislativedistrict. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked forthe nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to opposehim. 

It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdyRepublican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the officewould be elected to succeed himself. 

So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, andwas warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he wenthome the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older andmore discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. 

The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in hispompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the lastcampaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could knowlittle of political intrigue. 

"He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid, "Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. 

But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with hisusual vigor. 

It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early inNovember. 

CHAPTER V

PLANNING THE WORK

The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. 

He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes thatblinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and hisfeet enormous. 

To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coatmorning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; hehad a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperousthan refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognizethis as was Mr. Watson himself. 

Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by hisneighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and beingunscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller thingsof a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to hispresent affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough tobe caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had anindefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. 

It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent awealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politicscan show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins wasaggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped theposition of Democratic leader in his community and the others wereafraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated forRepresentative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nominationof Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owedHopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republicanvote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed towin enough of them to his side to win. 

He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knewthat he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but whenKenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he feltthat "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk. "Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkinswould have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had alreadyraised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, andHopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because ofthe ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. 

He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy tosign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be takenoff the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocerbecause the man had a sign out. 

Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "TheSigns of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. ErastusHopkins, the man who believes in advertising. "

These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There weremany good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soonrealized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthfulaspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaignwas hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. 

At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received atelegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noontrain. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at theprospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, someof them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for thedrag. 

"Now then, the election can go to blazes, " said Kenneth, cheerfully, toMr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief. "

The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted infailure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in thegame. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passedthrough, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. 

But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might proveto be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness oflife at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the dragat the station when the noon train drew in. 

And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy ofdainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, withUncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks forthe baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. 

"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eagerdelight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha hasour rooms aired?"

"And it's a long visit, too, " added Uncle John, "as you'll believe whenyou see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared fora tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes. "

But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had notbeamed with so much animation for months. 

The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove thefive miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. 

The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two yearsago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig andchickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited andadmired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with oldMartha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and getsettled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these variousexplorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered intothe library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talkover their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitlyturned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. 

It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner thatevening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociableas he had ever been in his life. 

But when they were all assembled in the long living room where theygrouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place inthe demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, lookedgravely at the boy and asked:

"How goes the campaign, Ken?"

"Wh--what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. 

"Why, this election business. Tell us about it, " said Patsy. 

"Some other time, girls, " answered the boy, red and distressed. "It--itwouldn't interest you a bit. "

"Why not?" asked Louise, softly. 

"Because it doesn't interest me, " he replied. 

"Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. 

"I'm sure of defeat, if you must know, " he declared, scowling at therecollection of his predicament. 

"You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. 

"What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. 

"Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, muchless beforehand. "

He looked at her fixedly. 

"I'm not brave, my dear, " he replied, more gently than they hadexpected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughedat and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and--and it hurts me. I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any showto win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly broughtabout myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutelyno hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth. "

"We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For wegirls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason onearth, " declared Patsy. 

"_What! You_ electioneer?"--a slight smile curled his lips. 

"Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work. "

"And to win, " added Beth, quietly. 

"And to put you in the Legislature where you belong, " declared Louise. 

Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. 

"Talk to them, Uncle John, " he begged. 

"I have, " said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me thatthey mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. You're as good as elected. "

Ken's eyes filled. 

"You're all very kind, sir, " he said, "as you were bound to be. And--andI appreciate it all--very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that thecase is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done. "

"How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. 

"I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it, " hereplied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kennethvisited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rockcovered with an advertising sign. "

"How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. 

"There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spacesand then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detestthe unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, and he began a war of extermination against them. "

"Quite right, " said Patsy, nodding energetically. 

"But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the peoplewere not with him. "

"Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning atthis baring of his terrible experiences. 

"Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and couldsee no harm in them, " replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildingswhich face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and thefences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board hasbeen built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceriesor tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes havebecome mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or lessunscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness isdestroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving countryscenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it. "

"And so ran my head against a stone wall, " added the young man, with abitter laugh. 

"But you were quite right, " said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things oughtnot to be permitted. "

"The people think differently, " he replied. 

"Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking, "announced Louise. 

"In three weeks?"

"That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. 

"Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passedprohibiting such signs, " explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, hisopponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment againsthim. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose thetrifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on theirpremises. "

Patsy nodded gravely. 

"We will change all that, " she said. "The thing is really more seriousthan we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?"

"I'll bet on your trio, Patsy, " replied her uncle. "But I won't bet allI'm worth. "

"It's all foolishness, " declared Kenneth. 

"I do not think so, " said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fineshow to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligentthan you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking theywill support Kenneth loyally. "

"Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking, " said Patsy, withdecision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and behappy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the detailswill be arranged for you. "

"Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. 

"I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them. "

"But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves!I've had a taste of that medicine, myself. "

"We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!"exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big isyour district?"

"It includes parts of three counties--Monroe, Washington and JacksonCounties. "

"What county is this?"

"Monroe. "

"Any cities?"

"No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, justacross the border in Washington County, is the biggest village. "

"Have you an automobile?"

"No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer themto machines. "

"How much money are you prepared to spend?"

"How much--what's that?" he asked, bewildered. 

"You can't win a political election without spending money, " declaredPatsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in everydirection. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in away to win. "

The young man frowned. 

"I don't mind spending money, Patsy, " he said, "but I don't approve ofbuying votes, and I won't allow it, either!"

"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to workon a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money. "

"Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt thevoters. "

"Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?"

Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. 

"About twelve hundred acres, " said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into smallfarms which are let out on shares. "

"How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?"proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. 

"Perhaps thirty or forty. "

"And what is the total vote of the district?"

"Thirty-five hundred. "

Patsy gasped. 

"So many?"

"Fully that many, " said Mr. Watson, smiling. 

"Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to electKenneth?"

"Exactly. "

The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they alllaughed. 

"Suppose you resign as campaign managers, " said Kenneth, beginning to beamused. 

"Oh, no! It's--it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?"

"It's child's play, " observed Louise, languidly. 

The boy was astonished. 

"Very well, " said he. "Try it and see. "

"Of course, " said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work. "

CHAPTER VI

A GOOD START

At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for theday. 

"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village, " she said, "andperhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back forluncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit someof the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straightalong, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visitevery farm-house on the way. "

"The farmers will all be busy in the fields, " said Kenneth. 

"Louise doesn't care about the farmers, " retorted Patsy. "She's going totalk to their wives. "

"Wives don't vote, Patsy. "

"They tell their husbands how to vote, though, " declared Louise, with alaugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men. "

"What am I to do?" asked Beth. 

"You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them areRepublican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicitydepartment. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. Iwant to get a circular letter to every voter in the district. "

"All right, " said Beth. "I know what you want. "

There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and thegirls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished whenthe two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at onceentered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospectof visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausiblespeeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk andargue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldomfailed to interest her listeners. 

Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, andduring the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd unclein regard to "ways and means. "

"This thing requires prompt action, Patsy, " he said, "and if we're goingto do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale. "

"True, " she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful aboutspending Kenneth's money?"

"I'll be your temporary banker, " said the old gentleman, "and keep trackof the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if wefail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadfulincome that is swamping me. "

This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constantbugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprisesfor many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune wasgrowing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himselfpossessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active businessand invested his millions in ways that would cause him the leastannoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could takecare of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for hisbrother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money thataccumulated. 

Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly menaccomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens ofdeserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business;dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signatureon checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personalexpenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make muchheadway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him morethan to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering, " ashe quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey ofdesigning people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unloadhis surplus. 

So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this uniquepolitical campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things thatwould open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He didnot confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces toattempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to sufferdefeat if he could help it. 

The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when theydrove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come totown for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure ofthe two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement inthe village. 

Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, andengage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. 

"It's important to win these people, " she declared, "because they areclose to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votescount, too. "

"I'll run over to the bank, " said Uncle John, "and get acquaintedthere. "

So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon hermission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neatappearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on itsplate-glass window. 

"Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. 

The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came outof his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He hadknown Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there wasno need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospectof business relations with this famous personage. 

The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modernand imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modernconveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In hisprivate office were local and long distance telephones, a directconnection with the telegraph operator at the station, and otherfacilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John hadremembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. 

He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly hisintention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbesfor Member of the Legislature. 

The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. YoungForbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; butthis anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. 

"The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at thistime, " he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers onpersonal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is stilltoo early to direct popular opinion against them. "

"Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked UncleJohn. 

"Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkinsforced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friendcannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action. "

"He doesn't wish to avoid them, " was the quiet reply. "We're going towin on that issue or not at all. "

"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir. "

"May I count on your assistance?"

"In every way. "

"Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put thisdraft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter. "

"Ah, I begin to understand. But--"

"You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distancetelephone?"

"Of course, sir. "

Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, andthis enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign businessin this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracteddirectly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spacessecured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs werecontracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces alwaysinserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any signwhen certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebatewas allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutelynecessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings ordestruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements ofthe owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which UncleJohn had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters weremerely in the business to make money. 

Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephonewithin half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked withthe convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up thereceiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, andMr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was ondeposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude hisarrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation ofthe big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. 

Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took UncleJohn across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him toCharley Briggs, the editor. 

Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair thatstuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besidesediting it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, withhis bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. 

"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley, " said the banker. "Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of mybank. "

The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor withhis apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. 

Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaperman. Then he said:

"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs. "

"That's a mistake, sir, " replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ isreally independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side weconsider the most deserving of support. "

"You're supporting Hopkins just now. "

"Only mildly; only mildly, sir. "

"What is he paying you?"

"Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought toget a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty isenough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spendmore than he's obliged to. "

"Why does he plan on your support?"

"He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one ofus--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support himinstead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don'tcare whether he gets it or not. "

"Is that true?"

"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead againstadvertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, thereisn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year. "

"You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs, " said Uncle John. "Itis because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants toprotect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takesthat much away from your newspapers?"

"Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never lookedat it that way before. "

"Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give youtwo hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and ifhe's elected I'll give you five hundred extra. "

"Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe theevidence of his ears. 

"I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for yourtwo-fifty in advance. "

The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. 

"And now, " said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes. "

"I will, sir, " said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win thatextra five hundred!"

CHAPTER VII

PATSY MAKES PROGRESS

Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was adeep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought ofForbes for Representative. 

"He's no politician at all--just an aristocrat, " declared Latham, adapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxedmoustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped theadvertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers andliver-pills. "

"He's my cousin, " said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they calledthemselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, asPatsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when hedied. 

"I'm sorry for that, miss, " replied the druggist. "He's going to bebadly beaten. "

"I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is reallydelightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting suchthings. "

"Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes, " replied Latham, graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction. "

"I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it. "

Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in thestore. 

"You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. Hispeople are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's aRepublican. "

"Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't youthink it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, ina case like this?"

"Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?"

"He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. Onthe contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing lawsthat will benefit his district. "

"And Hopkins?"

"Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. 

"Yes, miss; I do. " And Latham frowned a little. 

"As regards the advertising signs, " continued the girl, "I've heard youspoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I'veexamined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat andattractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, butagainst putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaringspots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. Isuppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought ofthat, and said the same thing. "

"Why--ahem!--yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs areoften out of place, and--and inharmonious. "

"To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign. "

"In that way, yes; of course, " said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himselfchanging front so suddenly. 

"Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town, " remarked Patsy, examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's evergiven much of it back. "

"That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, andI keep the finest line ever brought to this town. "

"Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me topurchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them outto your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show alittle cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you wouldknow just the people to give them to. "

Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. 

"I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'llfind, " he said. 

"The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham, " said the girl. "How much willthey be?"

"Why, the very best--these imported perfectos, you know--are worth sixdollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a littlecheaper--"

"Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, youknow. And fifty--why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for ahundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons. "

"Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes iswell liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised ifhe gave Hopkins a hard fight. "

"I'll tell you a secret, " said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound tobe elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and thebetter element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, youwon't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight isnot against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes. "

"Oh, I'll fix that, Miss--"

"Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin. "

"I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You candepend on me. "

"And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'llcall in, now and then, and settle for them. "

I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; butshe wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbesto give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them untilthey were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to actin good faith. 

So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases andseeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. Andher shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weaknessshe discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. 

When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, inElmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get somethingto eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised thecooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and UncleJohn bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talkedpolitics with him while he smoked it. 

Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her firstrebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lankyand evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the lastelection, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson hadno desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. Andthere were other reasons that made it necessary for him to supportHopkins. 

So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot ofribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainlythat her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show, " and that he was glad of it. 

"The young fool had no business to monkey with politics, " he added, "andthis will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie. "

"It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie, " declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs towhoever gets the votes. "

"Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't. "

"Can't he learn?" asked the girl. 

"No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when aboy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; andI haven't got no use for him, neither. "

Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up herpurchases, and went into the hardware store. 

Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believedin him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with thehardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the mostimportant people in the neighborhood--those it would be desirable to winfor their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said:

"Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him. "

"Thompson is really a good Republican, " replied Mr. Andrews, thehardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defyhim. "

"Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. 

"No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successfulmerchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at ahigh rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds amortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whetherhe believes in him or not. "

"I think I understand him now, " said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn'thave been so disagreeable. "

"He's a disagreeable man at any time, " returned Mr. Andrews. 

"Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. 

"Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nominationwhen he pretended to run against Hopkins--for it was only a pretense. You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkinshe's bound to carry many Republicans with him. "

But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might beinfluenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed muchamused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republicancandidate. 

"I do not think we can win, " he said, as she left him; "but we ought tomake a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to helpyou. "

As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of reallyhard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she wassatisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of themortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made amental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, andagreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the warinto this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. 

Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviewswith the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knewnearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here allhis life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at thetact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely differenttypes of character she encountered. 

Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. Shesat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, and said:

"I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running fora political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him. "

"Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to dowith politics. "

"No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where weneed your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of themost important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win hisvote. "

"Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field, " replied thewoman. 

"It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me, " repliedLouise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear--"

"He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan, " interrupted Mrs. Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. 

"Perhaps not, " agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we wantto win this election. "

"But I don't know nothin' about it, " protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' Idon't believe Dan does. "

"You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons, " replied the girl. "What apretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so. "

"Why?" was the pointed query. 

"Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins--Mr. ErastusHopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote foreither one or the other of them. "

"Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus, " said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'emtalkin' together the other day. "

"But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes isvery anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected itmeans lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins iselected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins. "

"I guess you're right about that, " laughed the woman. "'Rast don't letmuch get away from him. "

"You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact withoutbeing told. "

"Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan. "

"Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting thetousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady. "

"I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do, " said Mrs. Simmons, thoughtfully. 

"I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man alwayslistens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins. "

"Oh, I'll do what I kin, " was the ready promise, and after a few moreremarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise tookher leave. 

"Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they werejogging on to the next homestead. 

"I really can't say, my dear, " replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully;"but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmonswill probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered themboth outrageously; but that will do no harm. "

And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself wasaround the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise askedhis advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended agreat deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side hefavored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declaredoutright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might havebeen. 

When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise wasenthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales totell of her experiences. 

"How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. 

"I can't say, " she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plentyof seed, some of it is bound to sprout. "

"We can tell better after election, " said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfiedthat this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results. "

"So am I, " returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, Louise?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrowmorning. "

CHAPTER VIII

THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED

The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital forseveral days, looking after various matters of business; for he was athrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. 

Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, theHonorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regularwalk-over. "

"Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of muchpolitical experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. 

"Young feller named Forbes--a boy, sir--with no notion about the game atall. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to havehim run against me. "

"What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. 

"Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wantsto have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is. "

"Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue isunpopular?"

"That's what it is. It'll kill his chances--if he ever had any. "

"Strange, " mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning oneusually. "

"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. 

"Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout thecountry, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't youknow that?"

"No!" said Hopkins. 

"Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, butin a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sortvery hard to combat. "

"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin thefool notion. "

"Then perhaps the people don't understand it. "

"Forbes has given up already, " continued Hopkins, laughing at therecollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won'tcome out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidatethat ever ran for office. "

Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had beensuccessful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and hedecided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. 

He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his housefor breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung acrossthe village streets bearing the words: "_Vote for Forbes--the People'sChampion!_"

"Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staringopen-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with apuzzled air and went home. 

Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, wasgetting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperityof her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death, " althoughthere were no children to care for. 

"When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. 

"I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town wasout to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch thefun. "

"What girls' meeting?"

"The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the townhall, an' all three of the girls made speeches. "

"What about?"

"About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify thefarm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an'three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. An--"

"You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperatedHopkins. 

"Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin'licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got towork. "

Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. 

"Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of'em. "

"Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from NewYork to git him elected. "

"What are they like?"

"They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mightysharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night andthere'll be another at the town hall next week. "

"Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o'girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. Whatdo the boys say?"

"Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guessyour game is up. "

He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startlingcharacter. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet thething might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. 

Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next momentuttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, and the _Herald_ heretofore had always supported him; yet here acrossthe first page were big black letters saying: _"Vote for Forbes!"_ Andthe columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes anddeclaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. 

"I must see Briggs, " muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' tomake me put up that hundred--an' I guess I'll have to do it. "

He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk inthe sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the sevenpapers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began tolook serious. And he had only been absent a week!

He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it beforehim. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery hadonly dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways ofcontesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that hemust talk with "the boys" at once. 

So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Lathamwas first on his route and he entered the drug store. 

"Hullo, Jim. "

"Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the politedruggist. 

"Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are pluggingfor Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know. "

"Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics. "

"But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a runfor our money. "

"Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, and especially in a case like this. "

"Why not?"

"Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interestedin this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got aprescription to fill. "

Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham hadchanged front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and hecould find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. 

Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walkedin. 

"Look here, " said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's beengoing on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?"

Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. 

"Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?"

"Yes--to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won'tdo--it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. Whatright have these girls to interfere in a game like this?"

"Oh, shut up, 'Rast. "

"Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, eh?"

"I'm a Republication, 'Rast. "

"So you are, " said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "Andthat mortgage is two months overdue. "

"Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, Hopkins--interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy. "

Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Angergave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance ofThompson carefully. 

"Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?"

"None of your business. I raised it. "

"Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain'tyou--when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!"

"You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me everyminute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me adog's life. But I'm through with you now--for good and all. "

Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist'soffice Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. 

"Hello, Archie. "

"Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having abig fight on our hands, I can tell you. "

"Tell me more, " said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of reliefat finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?"

"An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's someshrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed usup in our coffins with such business-like celerity. "

"Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What _can_ they do? Pah!Girls!"

"Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I justlaughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidentlyladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell whatForbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and theyswear he'll do it. "

"Never mind, " said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again. "

"But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers'wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is tomeet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every womanwants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from thecity, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right andleft. "

"That's bad, " said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much tospend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend acent it counts, I can tell you. "

"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you'reback, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boysare out for Forbes already. "

Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. 

"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought upThompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing'scertain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caughtin a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect. "

"I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to winvotes; but they don't know the inside deals yet. "

"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylightcampaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the onesthat count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an ideasomething might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food companyto let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mindyou! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of thefarmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How'sthat for a checkmate?"

"That's fine, " replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talkabout this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last nightone of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were beingconverted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns. "

"That's all humbug!"

"I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get themstarted a certain way and you can't head them off, " observed thedentist. 

"Then we must start them our way, " declared Hopkins. "I've got the orderfor these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over thedistrict in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight wewon't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel ofgirls. "

Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out thesituation and his "fighting blood was up, " as he expressed it. 

He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would goover to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into thecountry, and spend the day talking with the farmers. 

But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery waslocated he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining eachside of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers andoveralls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assortedbrushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. 

There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigswere already starting out and driving briskly away in differentdirections. 

Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled menwho was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired:

"Who are you fellows?"

"Sign painters, " answered the man, with an amused look. 

"Who do you work for?"

"The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland. "

"Oh, I see, " replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?"

"Pretty big, sir. "

"Who's your foreman?"

"Smith. He's in the livery office. "

Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turnedinto the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talkingwith the proprietor. 

"Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. 

"Yes. "

"Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?"

"Yes. "

"Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundredbig signs painted mighty quick. "

"Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks. "

"It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?"

"We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love ormoney. Had to send to Chicago for some of these. "

"Rush job?"

"Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This isonly our second day and we're pretty busy. "

"Wait a minute, " called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to hisbuggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?"

"A man named Merrick. "

Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. 

"Merrick--Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser bythat name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fightagainst Forbes. "

He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. 

"Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in townfor this sign-painting gang. "

But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painterswere doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decidedto drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that importanttown. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor'shorse and buggy. 

He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck himthat there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that hehadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. 

A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who withtheir huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of aweather-worn fence with white paint. 

Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. 

"You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started, " heobserved. 

"No, " replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for ourfirm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in thedistrict. "

"Paint 'em out!"

"Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them. "

"But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?"

"They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spacesnow, and we're working for John Merrick. "

"Who's he?"

"Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst. "

Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And thenhe cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave aneigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. 

CHAPTER IX

OL' WILL ROGERS

Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth wasworking at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaignletters and "editorials. "

At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his threegirl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud oftheir talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from anyactive work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with hisearnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth andenthusiasm counted much in his favor. 

He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club tomeet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him thatthis was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather wasmild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way thatthey would long remember. 

Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, butBeth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. 

The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistanceto the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a dayas would have been done with horses. 

But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not allplain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with manyrebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise wasasked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, andonce a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented herautomobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was oftentold in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business thanmixing up in politics, " and she was sensitive enough once or twice tocry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintaineda cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their workimmensely. 

While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon Jamescame to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies. "

"Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. 

"Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, please, " said the girl. 

So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, hishat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks werecovered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bentfrom hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet theeyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleadinglook that affected her strangely. 

"Afternoon, miss, " he said, in a hesitating voice. "I--I'm Rogers, miss;ol' Will Rogers. I--I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before. "

"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers, " replied the girl in her pleasantvoice. "Have you come to see me about the election?"

"It's--it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I runthe chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nelladvised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright, ' says Nell. 'Don't beat about the bush, ' says she. 'Go right to th' point an'they'll say yes or no. "

Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush withdelicate strokes. 

"Ye mustn't mind me, miss, " said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. "I'm--I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used tobe. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made hercry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin. "

Beth was really interested now. 

"Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers, " she said, "and I'll listen towhatever you have to say. "

He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. 

"'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' thehardest, " he began. 

"Go on, " said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stoppedshort and seemed unable to proceed. 

"They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on thiselection, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like, " he said, in an altered tone. 

"It costs a little to run a political campaign, " acknowledged Beth. 

"They say money's bein' poured out liken water--to git votes, " hepersisted. 

"Well, Mr. Rogers?"

"Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nellthought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'. "

The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual andrefreshing. 

"Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. 

He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. 

"That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask, " he said, finally, "an' sheknew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss. "

He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any ofthe fun this queer individual might yet furnish. 

"Sit down, Mr. Rogers, " she said, "and tell me why you can't answer myquestions?"

"I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all, " said he, his voicetrembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my waywithout. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'votefer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's beingwasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad. "

"Why?"

"Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did yeever hear o' Lucy?"

"No, Mr. Rogers. "

"Lucy's our girl--the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a prettygirl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spiritsmy Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays. "

"Yes. Go on. "

"Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my landain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin'to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caughtLucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to beearnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over toElmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an'kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got. "

He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. 

Beth tried to help the old man. 

"And then?" she asked, softly. 

"Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc'smother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it wasgone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' afterthey'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'erthree days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'dhev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. Shejes' _couldn't_ do sech a thing, natcherly. "

"I know, " said Beth, sympathetically. 

"So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hevth' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' wedidn't hev neither of 'em. "

"Of course not. "

"Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, an'--"

"Who is Tom?"

"Thet's Tom Gates, him thet--but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom alwaysloved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t'Fairview--the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things. "

"I know. "

"He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took privatelessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at themill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd aboutLucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' tojail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit. ''Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I'vegot it, Lucy, ' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it. ' Well o' course, miss, that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was allmighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars. "

"It was very fortunate, " said Beth, filling in another pause. 

"The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' gota receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, butit had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the millfer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy wasnear frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' theylet her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th'check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt ferhim to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he didit, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tommeant thet--ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an'raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. Shesaid she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to liveherself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as wecould. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow. "

"Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes werefull of tears and his lips trembling. 

"Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even knowwhere to look fer her; our girl--our poor Lucy. She ain't right in herhead, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like thisin th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy. "

Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogersearnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep thetears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even morepathetic than his words. 

"Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?"

"We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don'tdo much but cry. It's hard, sir--I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'dsich high sperrits, onct. "

"Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. 

"He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till nextweek, they say. "

"And where do you live, Rogers?"

"Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place--Nell says I'vealways bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hiredmen painted all the front o' my fence--painted it white--not only whereth' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, butthey jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' moneythet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's ashame, ' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paintwhen it might save our poor crazy child. ' I hope it ain't wrong, sir;but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come heretoday. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to doit. "

"Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. 

"Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't getanother nohow. "

"Did you walk here?" asked Beth. 

"Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to findLucy. I don' mind the walking much. "

There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at theboy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out herpurse. 

"I want to hire your services to help us in the election, " she said, briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive aroundand talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twentydollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; justhelp us as much as you can. "

The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. 

"Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent, " heobserved, in a low voice. 

'"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story wemean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tellme, what is Lucy like?"

"She's like Nell used to be. "

"But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is shetall?"

"Middlin', miss. "

"Light or dark?"

"Heh?"

"Is her hair light or dark colored?"

"Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss. "

"Well, is she stout or thin?"

"I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss. "

"How old is Lucy?"

"Jes' turned eighteen, miss. "

"Never mind, Beth, " interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from oldWill's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call Jamesand have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to meyou're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts. "

"Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But ifyou object to this plan--"

"I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to findher than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome. "

So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smarttop-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonderand thanksgiving. 

CHAPTER X

THE FORGED CHECK

Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John ofold Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library andquestioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. 

It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates badefair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of hisrash act. 

"But it was a generous act, too, " said Beth. 

"I can't see it in that light, " said the old lawyer. "It was adeliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do notdoubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So thisboy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay anunjust demand. "

"He was soft-hearted and impetuous, " said Beth; "and, being in love, hedidn't stop to count the cost. "

"That is no excuse, my dear, " declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there isnever an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must sufferthe penalty. "

"Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. 

"If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victimof the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could bemade. "

"We're going to try it, anyhow, " was the prompt decision. 

So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth tookone of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort oflocomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve milesaway, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. 

They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who wasthe jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but hismood was distinctly unsociable. 

"Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. 

"We wish to talk with him, " answered Kenneth. 

"Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't bebothered this way, anyhow. "

"I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on theRepublican ticket, " said Kenneth, quietly. 

"Oh, say! that's different, " observed Markham, altering his demeanor. "You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've juststopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves somethingawful!"

"May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. 

"Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how sucha little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, please. "

They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. 

"Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last weekbecause Doc said it would kill me if I didn't, " remarked the jailer, leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearlycrazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This isGates' cell--the best in the shop. "

He unlocked the door, and called:

"Here's visitors, Tom. "

"Thank you, Mr. Markham, " replied a quiet voice, as a young man cameforward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?"

"Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever, " replied the jailer, gloomily. 

"Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in. "

"I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o'livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbesof Elmhurst, an' the young lady is--"

"Miss DeGraf, " said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as hestood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave usalone, please, Mr. Markham?"

"Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according toregulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any receptionroom in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells. "

Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, andretreated along the passage. 

"Sit down, please, " said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. "There's a bench here. "

"We've come to inquire about your case, Gates, " said Kenneth. "It seemsyou have forged a check. "

"Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not toconfess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, andI'm willing to stand the consequences. "

"Why did you do it?" asked Beth. 

He was silent and turned his face away. 

A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, anintelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was ofsturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarsematerial but well brushed and cared for. 

Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that hewas ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. 

"We have heard something of your story, " said Kenneth, "and areinterested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly. "

"Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. 

"No. "

"Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'mglad I did. "

"You have made her still more unhappy, " said Beth, gently. 

"Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I'vesaved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me beforeI've served my term, and--and take up with some other young fellow. "

"Would you like that?" asked Beth. 

"No, indeed, " he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I hadto stand by Lucy--she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don'tsay I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again. "

"Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. 

"No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogershad her accident. "

"Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. 

"Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind. "

"Her husband didn't tell us that, " said the girl. 

"He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energeticand sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning shetried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogerswouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and theplace went to rack and ruin. "

"I understand now, " said Beth. 

"Lucy could have looked after her mother, " said young Bates, "but oldWill was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something mustbe done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about. "

He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to makeevident. 

"Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. 

"That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed tosign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. Iwas bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge thesignature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved thema heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would havedestroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He onlydischarged the man who was responsible for the fire. "

"How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. 

"It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, theysay. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on thecase. "

"Do you know where Lucy is?"

"She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day shecame here to see me--right after my arrest. "

They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better forhim to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. 

"I'm going to see Mr. Marshall, " said Kenneth, "and discover what I cando to assist you. "

"Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself. "

They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, andescort them to the office. 

"Tom's a very decent lad, " remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't anatural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptationand is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in myday. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?"

"No, Mr. Markham. "

"Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's--it's_awful_, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition. "

The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhapsthe busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employeda large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separatedfrom the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so greatthat one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kennethand Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the lettershe had dictated for the noon mail. 

So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. Marshall's private office. 

He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. 

"Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth hadsent in. 

"Yes, sir. "

"I've been bothered already over your election campaign, " resumed themanager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has beenhere twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You mayas well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, andhave no sympathy with your side. "

"That doesn't interest me, especially, sir, " answered Kenneth, smiling. "I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about youngGates. "

"Oh. Well, sir, what about him?"

"I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution. "

"He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal. "

"I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsiblefor his folly. "

"He stole my money. "

"It is true, Mr. Marshall. "

"And he deserves a term in state's prison. "

"I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him, " saidKenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of yourdevoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him itwould be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now. "

"In what way, Mr. Forbes?"

"I'll make your money loss good. "

"It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance. "

"I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for thedelivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of theprosecution. "

"And the costs?"

"I'll pay all the costs besides. "

"You're foolish. Why should you do all this?"

"I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from abusiness standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still sufferthe loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your lossand are paid for your annoyance. "

"You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turnover to you the forged check and quash further proceedings. "

Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition thatwould endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help youngGates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but themanager was as cold as an icicle. 

Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. 

"Pay it, Ken, " she whispered. 

"Very well, Mr. Marshall, " said he, "I accept your terms. "

The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forgedcheck from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him towithdraw the prosecution. 

Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and themanager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was agrim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. 

"Of all the easy marks I ever encountered, " muttered Mr. Marshall, "thisyoung Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. Hemight have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in athousand years!"

Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him andsaying happily:

"I'm so glad, Ken--so glad! And to think we can save all that misery anddespair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we mustfind the girl. "

"Yes, " replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy. "

CHAPTER XI

A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet werestretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. Shewore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face boretraces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly toefface. 

Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side tolisten. 

"Come in, sir, " she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, miss. "

So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advancedinto the room. 

"Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. Thewoman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curvesover her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able toknow her visitors' sex so accurately. 

"Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers, " said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you areone of the young ladies from Elmhurst--perhaps the one Will talked to. "

"You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf. "

"And your companion--is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. 

"Yes, madam, " replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speakingwith so much refinement and gracious ease. 

"You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction rendersme helpless, as you may see. "

"We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers, " said Beth. "Wehave come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter. "

"Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggydoing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long nowthat I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poorgirl has not--is not--"

Her voice broke. 

"Oh, you don't fear _that_, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. 

"I fear anything--everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tearsstreaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic withgrief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of herposition. Will told you, didn't he?"

"Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't adesperate condition, by any means. "

"With poor Tom in prison for years--and just for trying to help her. "

"Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more, " said Beth quietly. "He hasbeen released. "

"Released! When?"

"Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free. "

The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked:

"You have done this, Mr. Forbes?"

"Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not reallybad, and--"

"Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, Mr. Forbes--he is, indeed!"

"I think so, " said Kenneth. 

"If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright futurebefore him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined hislife for her sake. "

"Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. 

"She must have been, " said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the dayis long. But she is very sensitive--she inherited that from me, Ithink--and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved andrambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message forus, which was unlike her--and we've never heard a word of her since. The--the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. At times in my life it has almost drawn _me_ into its depths--and I amnot mad. I have never been mad. "

"Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers, " said Beth. "Somehow, I have anidea this trouble will all turn out well in the end. "

"Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. 

"Yes. It all came about through such a little thing--merely an unjustaccusation. "

"The little things are the ones that ruin lives, " she said. "Will youlet me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, mydear, that I feel you ought to know. "

"I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me, " said Beth, simply. 

"I am the wife of a poor farmer, " began the woman, speaking softly andwith some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girlI was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth andsocial standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a youngman who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one heloved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have asensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to anyslight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for meto remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. Myfather was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himselfchosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passedon long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came westand secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time Iwas quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. Iheard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. 

"At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of thecountry lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and atthis period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and thefuture contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainderof my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the pastbehind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithfulwife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, andit was not until after we were married some time that my husbandrealized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then helost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came--ourLucy--Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the oldpassionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closertogether, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was adisappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn'talways been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. Buthe lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointmentbroke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack ofenergy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accidentto my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I amhelpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg himto work the farm and try to earn some money. 

"I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my lifethat I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear andnot know what has become of her--whether she is living miserably orlying at the bottom of the river--it is this that is driving medistracted. "

Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers hadfinished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy forthe poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful andeducated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so manyafflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fittingmate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was stilldevoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. 

The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way theycould assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become ofher child. 

"Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. 

"She is--she was very like me when I was young, " replied the woman. "There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; butit was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is--she waseighteen, and a well-developed young woman. "

"I've been looking at the picture, " said Kenneth. 

"And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers, " said Beth, pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We'regoing right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace yourdaughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave thesearch to us. "

The woman sighed. 

"Will believes she is alive, too, " she said. "He can't sleep or resttill he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. Butsometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what shesuffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living whendespair and disappointment fills it. "

"I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy, " protested Beth. "TomGates is now free, and can begin life anew. "

"His trouble will follow him everywhere, " said Mrs. Rogers, withconviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has beenguilty of forgery?"

"I think I shall give him employment, " replied Kenneth. 

"You, Mr. Forbes!"

"Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl heloved. "

"But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. 

"The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose, " he answered. "I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be ableto live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as Iexpect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortablehome. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to dothat, I assure you. "

Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy andrelief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possibleand to look on the bright side of life. 

"I can't thank you, " she said, "so I won't try. You must know howgrateful we are to you. "

As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. 

"It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ, " said thegirl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true andgrateful. "

"I really need him, Beth, " said the boy. "There is getting to be toomuch correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relievehim of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad Ithought of it. "

They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable ErastusHopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to theboy's arm. 

"Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?"

"Yes; it's my respected adversary. "

"But the girl! It's Lucy--I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image ofMrs. Rogers! Stop--stop--and let's go back!"

"Nonsense, Beth, " said the boy. "It can't be. "

"But it is. I'm sure it is!"

"I saw the girl, " he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with theHonorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted LucyRogers?"

"N-no. She _was_ laughing, Ken, I noticed it. "

"And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girlwith dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's anotherthing. "

"What, Ken?"

"Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced. "

"That's true, " answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have beenmistaken, " she added, with a sigh. 

CHAPTER XII

BETH MEETS A REBUFF

The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize thathe had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant hispolitical ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so wellas the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representativewas to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he couldfind means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign withan equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as mightbe necessary. 

He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admittedtheir shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced headwas managing their affairs. 

One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmenaround him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, to see what was still to be accomplished. 

This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only abouta hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican bysix hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by aplurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girlpoliticians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in paintingfences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in thebreezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. 

But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who madethe canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout thedistrict, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarmand faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must bestrengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way oranother secured from the opposition. 

The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democraticstrongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and JeffersonCounties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republicanmajority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to theState Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A mannamed Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, theDemocratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to beelected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to electHopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote forthe Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the DemocraticRepresentative. This "trading votes, " which was often done, wasconsidered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessarywas to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. Theoffice of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sumHopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all theannoyance of earning it. 

Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consentedreadily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter KennethForbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this cleverarrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. 

But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances, " or"monkeying with fate, " as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known topoliticians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better thanHopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friendMarshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Bethdiscovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkinshad picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of theElmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerningthe movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of thecoming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous anddiverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when theyoung people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who theoccupants of the other vehicle were. 

He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend inthe path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. 

Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's PoliticalLeague, an organization she had herself founded, the members of whichwere wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by theattention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization andwished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-willthat they would work earnestly for the cause in which they wereenlisted. 

Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in thepreparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmonyas it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed toentertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty butsubstantial repast was to be served. 

The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart coulddesire. 

By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women andchildren, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the firstoccasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been givenat Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where theneighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eagerto attend and enjoy the novel event. 

The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japaneselanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks oflemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after thecomfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon thescene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profuselydecorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairsprovided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girlswere delighted, foreseeing great success for their f�te. 

"We ought to have more attendants, Beth, " said Louise, approaching hercousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare oneor two more maids?"

Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Marthawas old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active andher long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst madeher a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of theyoung ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, and Beth was her especial favorite. 

So she greeted the girl cordially, and said:

"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are tootottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl Ihired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had aheadache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. Butshe didn't seem very sick to me. "

"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon isserved, " said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her. "

"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room. "

The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon thedoor, a sweet, quiet voice said:

"Come in. "

The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standingbefore her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--thegirl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. 

For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her withcomposure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed inthe regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown withwhite apron and cap. 

"I--I beg your pardon, " said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likenessto Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?"

The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Thenshe gave a little laugh, and replied:

"No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons. "

"But it can't be, " protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and whyhaven't I seen you here before?"

"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst, " replied Eliza, in apleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. Iattend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. Butone can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so Irecognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins. "

"You speak like an educated person, " said Beth, wonderingly. "Where isyour home?"

For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gazewandered from the face of her visitor. 

"Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. 

"It is very simple and natural, " persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answerit?"

"Excuse me, please. I--I am not well today. I have a headache. "

She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, rocked slowly back and forth. 

"I'm sorry, " said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on thelawn. There are so many people that we can't give them properattention. "

Eliza Parsons shook her head. 

"I am not able, " she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, insome way, and I--I can't bear them. You must excuse me. "

Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or notshe was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she hadstumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. 

But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildlyamused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--thehandsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her innatural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neitherindependent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure andcalm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she oughtto go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered tothe maid's hands. However her features and form might repress anyevidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thinfingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied thequiet smile upon the face above them. 

"I wish, " said Beth, slowly, "I knew you. "

A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly toher feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch herbreath. 

"I wish I knew myself, " she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me inthis manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, or must I go away to escape you?"

"I will go, " said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. 

Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clickedin the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back towhere her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng ofvisitors. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE BOOMERANG

The lawn f�te was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife wasproud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L. , " and thewords: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE. "

Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jelliesand mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were whollyunknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard oftheir inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. 

The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact thatthe staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such athrong, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters intoservice, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundantand satisfactory manner. 

After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by theband. 

Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was notvery strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to begenerally understood. 

She called attention to the fact that this campaign was importantbecause it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmersand townsmen alike. 

"We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs, " she said, "thatwe failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold andoverpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, theyhad crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns andsheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us tobuy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturerswere anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet thepeople tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way toavoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteadsto their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. Butthis was because the farmers did not understand how much this reformmeant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all thesigns in this section at our own expense, that you might see how muchmore beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of youwill ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, andthat the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce manyother places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced toconfine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their onlylegitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, andhe will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do. "

Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. Hemodestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislaturecould accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to doso. That was what a Representative was for--to represent his people. Itwas folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote onlyhis own interests through the position of power to which the people hadappointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaignbecause he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he hadbecome interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so thathe could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses fortheir children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as theirRepresentative. 

During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and hersharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind thehalf-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well aswatching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl hadbeen laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, andwith sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of theenemy. 

Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have herdischarged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until thefestivities were ended. 

It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, andthey drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over theroyal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for thegirls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were morekindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had everbefore been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and thegreat and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. 

When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kennethtogether and told them of her discovery of the spy. 

Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha andhave the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise littlehead counselled caution in handling the matter. 

"Now that we know her secret, " she said, "the girl cannot cause us morereal harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulousHopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it overcarefully before we act. "

"There's another thing, " said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'minterested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrongin suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely someromance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'dlike to study her a little. "

"It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers, " observed Kenneth, "forthere is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl. "

"Except her looks, " added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers. "

"That isn't important, " replied Louise. "It is probably a merecoincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may notresemble her mother at all. "

"Mrs. Rogers claims she does, " said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish tokeep this girl at the house, where I can study her character. "

"Then keep her, my dear, " decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men towatch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The mostshe can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's nogreat harm in that. "

So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth'ssuspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then themaid calmly returned and went to her room. 

The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the districtwhich were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponenthad gained from the lawn f�te of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, istrying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers bydepriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertisingsigns. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautifytheir homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Thereforethey are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins forRepresentative. " Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmersof the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amountingto several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended inthis way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins iswilling to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he mayselect, to settle this argument in joint debate. "

The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmerhad received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at theFairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as towhether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. 

The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of theopposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or lessinterested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the otherwith unusual earnestness. 

Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had beenaccepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it andleave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But heremembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meetingbefore the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat theoperation. 

He was much incensed against the girls who were working for KennethForbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor inthe campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, forUncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he waspersonally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. 

Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice ofhis friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics. " Thenewspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in thegame, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method ofcommunicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corpsof distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwellingin the district. 

His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoatgovernment, " and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with moreboldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "Thesefrizzle-headed females, " continued the circular, "are trying to makeyour wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they arethemselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence hisvote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows hisgirlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at homedarning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicingtheir music-lessons. "

"Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "IfI'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every womanwho attended the f�te is now linked with us as an ally, and every one ofthem will resent this foolish circular. "

"I'm sorry, " said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endurethis. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand inthe game. "

But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were notat all offended. 

"One cannot touch pitch without being defiled, " said Mr. Watson, gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more thanpitch. "

"I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeitrespect and admiration, " asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse themof boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in abusiness-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educatingthe voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've everbeen before, " he concluded. 

And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any oneof the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentlenessand good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It hadremained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wideinfluence in determining the issue of the campaign. 

CHAPTER XIV

LUCY'S GHOST

Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come toElmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tomappeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. 

Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remainduring the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. 

Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gatesthey had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with careand anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance waschanged to one careless and untidy. 

Kenneth scrutinized him closely. 

"What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. 

"I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept awink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where doyou think she can be, sir?"

His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifullyappealing. 

"I don't know, " answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?"

"Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in everytown, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take atrain, because poor Lucy hadn't any money--and I've asked at all thestations. And--and--along the river they say no girl answering herdescription has been seen. "

"It's strange, " remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regardedthe youth with silent sympathy. 

"If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is, " went on youngGates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy andretiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyonethe least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, anddidn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. Andfrom the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost. "

"One would think, " observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Didshe take any clothing with her?"

"Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl. "

"What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. 

"It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a whitecollar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her motheris blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely. "

"Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. 

"Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. Andit's all my fault--all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove hermad, instead!"

"You might have known that, " declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loveda criminal. "

"It was for her sake. "

"That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved herinnocence. "

"They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her. "

"They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion. "

"The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers. "

"I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as wellas criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded. "

"You are right, sir, " replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolishand criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucymad. "

"See here, " said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want herto see you in this condition?"

"Can she be found, sir, do you think?"

"We are trying to find her, " replied Kenneth. "You have failed, itseems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverestdetectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days. "

"Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!"

"It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers, " saidTom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy. "

"Yes; he makes a report to me every evening, " remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. Sofar there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what anyman can do, Burke will do. "

"I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. 

"Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to yourtrouble in this foolish manner. "

"I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for. "

"There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go towork. "

"I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself inthis neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known ofLucy's fate. But I'll do something--any kind of work--if I can get it. "

"I need someone to assist me in my correspondence, " said Kenneth. "Wouldyou like to be my secretary?"

"Me, Mr. Forbes--me!"

"Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more ifyou serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course. "

Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although hetried hard to control himself. 

"You--you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes, " he said, penitently; "I--I'vebeen without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left. "

"Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest. " He turned to Beth. "Will you see Martha, " he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?"

She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recoveredhis composure. 

"I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes, " he said, "and I cankeep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir. "

"We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom, " replied Kenneth, kindly. "Justnow you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worryabout Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I amconfident he will be able to trace the girl in time. "

"Thank you, sir. "

Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls haddiscussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, andwhen Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some meansof scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The HonorableErastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominentissue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleadingstatements made in his last hand-bill. 

Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regainedconsciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he hadbeen guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes'ssecretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yetthoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that hecould obtain all the sleep that he needed then. 

So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. 

It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had justgone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door sheheard a wild, impassioned cry:

"Lucy!"

Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time tosee a strange tableau. 

Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward ElizaParsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her ownchamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stoodmotionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. 

"Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. 

"To begin with, " said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to beEliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see whyI should know you, " she added, with a light laugh. 

Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. 

"You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet--and yet--oh, you _must_ beLucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear--I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, Lucy!"

"It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man, " said the girl, a touch ofscorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of myway and let me go to my work. "

Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her tosweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. 

When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a longbreath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring atthe place where the girl had disappeared. 

"I overheard, " said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?"

He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehendedher words. 

"Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. 

He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. 

"Either it was Lucy or her ghost, " he muttered. 

"Eliza Parsons is no ghost, " declared Beth. "She's one of the maids hereat Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again. "

"Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. 

"No; only a few days. "

"Oh!"

"When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers, "continued the girl. 

"But she's so different, " said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn'tbe so--so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, miss. "

"She may be acting, " suggested Beth. 

But he shook his head gloomily. 

"No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she--shecouldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expressionof her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that myLucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I--I'm sure I wasmistaken. "

Beth sighed. She was disappointed. 

"I suppose, " continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and somuch, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quitemyself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. What did you say her name was?"

"Eliza Parsons. "

"Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?"

"He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present. "

"Then I'll go back to my room. It--it was a great shock to me, thatlikeness, Miss DeGraf. "

"I can well believe it, " said Beth; and then she went to her ownapartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had evendeceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. 

CHAPTER XV

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

"If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning, " saidBeth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. 

But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuingher duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore theyoung man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth tookoccasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to theconclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturallyand was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in herfrivolous mind. 

But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if shewere but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl'slife, brief as it had been. 

Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. 

As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he triedto avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girlkept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied inthe library. 

Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services ina variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made himwilling to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often totown because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsionof those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird. " But there wasplenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees;and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactorymanner. 

Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and UncleJohn, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to takeplace in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkinshad thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, theRepublican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and payall the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for twodays, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate hadspread far and wide. 

The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then thegirls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend aconference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were muchworried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had beensprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkinsand Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he deniedthat the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refusedto make a public announcement to that effect. 

The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that waycounted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills hadinfluenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputesthat were not of benefit to the Republican party. 

"As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass, " said Mr. Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances ofsuccess are smaller than if no interest in the election had beenaroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be ahard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the morediscouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins'sexpenses have been very little. "

"I do not mind that, " said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that thevoters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if theyvote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honestrepresentation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave themto their own devices. "

The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather gravefaces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would giveHopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, andhis greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. 

As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loudcheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, inwhich he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. Hemet Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins. "

"Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met youbefore, somewheres, haven't I?"

"You have, sir. "

"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here, " continued theRepresentative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd thatblocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. Girls all well, I hope?"

There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled andentered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that hewould take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at thefirst opportunity. 

The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "thefun. " Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements theyhad devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkinsparty, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had beenplaced. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, andbetween the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a groupof fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, reading: "The Signs of the Times, " a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employedthroughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was theappearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, uponwhich a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Somecostumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, otherssoaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they wereseated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass ofadvertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainlythat these were the "Signs of the Times. "

Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. Hebelieved some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him andto disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched hisarguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisementsof well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was wellrepresented. 

After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to makethe first argument and was greeted with cheers. 

"We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends, " he began; "but youmusn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erraticviews and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated toan appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might haveescaped our attention. 

"This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country hasprogressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great andglorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that thepeople I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, andexpect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the mostintelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found inany like district in the United States. (Cheers. ) Who, then, dares todenounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, whodares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs theyhave permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would dothese things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in lifethat he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?"

The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audiencewas silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to beheard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed theoration. 

"I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen, " said he, "but that heis misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due theyoung man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, and--"

Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personalattacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kennethand his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who werenow well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group;and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. Hopkins had employed. 

"I have already called your attention in my circulars, " resumed thespeaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of largeincome to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in thelast five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; andthis handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose businessis the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon hisproperty; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sectionswould get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would bethat much out of pocket without suppressing the evil--if evil can attachto an industry that pays you good money without requiring eitherinvestment or labor in return. "

After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announcedthat "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent, "and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of"his extraordinary prejudices. "

Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not veryeffective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheeredthan Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded andquite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. 

"The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy ofyour consideration, " he began, quietly. "It is only by understandingfully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a justand impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs onthe ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to beplaced upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that threethousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid thefarmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It isquite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department ofAgriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighthdistrict in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is elevenmillions, five-hundred thousand dollars. "

A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until ithad subsided. 

"This seems surprising, at first, " he said, "and proves how startlingaggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years inthis estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it outyou will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundreddollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthydistrict; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received threethousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last fiveyears for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth ofthat sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as theincome to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundredfarmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, anddividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents bytwenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average ofthirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences andbuildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find thatthe money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to aboutone-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificantthat it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. 

"But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for thisone-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lendyourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property topromote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns andfences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when Iride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing theflaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured thehighways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns anymore than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you mayas well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you seeillustrated before you. "

At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquelycovered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. Theorchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the followingditty:

 "Teas and soaps, Pills and dopes, We all must advertise. Copper cents, Not common sense. Are the things we prize. We confess Such a dressIsn't quite becoming, But we suppose Hopkins knowsThis keeps business humming. "

As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said:

"To the encroaching advertiser these signs ofthe times are considered legitimate. There is norespect for personal privacy on the advertiser'spart. Once they used only the newspapers, thelegitimate channels for advertising. Then theybegan painting their advertising on your fences. When the farmers protested against this the advertisersgave them a few pennies as a sop toquiet them. After this they gave you small sumsto paint the broad sides of your barns, yourboard fences, and to place signs in your field. Ifyou allowed them to do so they would paint signson the dresses of your children and wives, socallous are they to all decency and so regardlessof private rights. Look on this picture, myfriends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this--or this?"

At the word each child pulled away the sign-paintedslip and stood arrayed in a pretty gownof spotless white. 

The surprise was so complete that the audiencecheered, shouted and laughed for several minutesbefore silence was restored. Then the childrensang another verse, as follows:

 "Now it is clear That we appearJust as we should be; We are seen Sweet and cleanFrom corruption free: We're the signs Of the times--Fair as heaven's orbs. If we look good, Then all men shouldVote for Kenneth Forbes!"

The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He triedto make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by theobject lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes!Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that heleft the meeting in disgust. 

This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed thatthe meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he waswasting his time in addressing them. 

After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created moreenthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, andthe Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the resultof the "joint debate. "

CHAPTER XVI

A CLEW AT LAST

The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windowsfacing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two daysbefore he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants werenot all able to take their meals at the same time. 

It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that theyoung man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other personpresent was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paidany attention to the chatter around him. 

As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's faceand then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said:

"Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy. "

"You--you're very like her, " stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes fromher face. "Even now I--I can't believe I'm mistaken. "

She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stoppedwith her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was insuch sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. 

"Sit down, please, " she said, slowly. And then she studied his face withsober earnestness--with almost wistful longing. But she shook her headpresently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness ofmanner. 

"It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over. "

"Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him ofEliza's coming to Elmhurst. 

"Only a short time. And you?"

"Two days, " said he. "But where did you live before you came here?"

She shook her head. 

"I wish you would answer me, " he begged. "I have a reason for asking. "

"What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. 

"Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and LucyRogers. "

"Indeed?"

"Will you show me your left arm?"

"No. "

She was again studying his face. 

"If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there--a scar where you burnedyourself years ago. "

She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said:

"I have no scar on my left arm. "

"Will you prove it?"

"No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?"

"Tom Gates. "

She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. 

"I have never heard of you, " she declared, positively, and resumed hereating. 

Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the nexttold himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms thatLucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was boldand unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyeslaughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the sameeyes. 

"Let me tell you about my lost Lucy, " he said, with a glance at theunconscious Donald. 

"Go ahead, if it will relieve you, " she answered, demurely. 

"She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for adentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearlybroke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good theloss of the ring, a valuable diamond--I--I got into trouble, and Lucywas so shocked and distressed that she--she lost her head--became mad, you know--and left home during the night without a word to any one. Wehaven't been able to find her since. "

"That's too bad, " remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. 

"About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst, "continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. Thatis why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you camehere. "

"Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. "Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity;and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugarand try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you. "

Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himselfaway from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her intoconversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left theroom--a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistakenidentity. 

In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not beLucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he sawher. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized thatshe could not be. 

While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview aman was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. 

He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face andgray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcelyseemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that hedisliked to attract notice. 

"Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. 

"Yes, " was the quiet reply. 

Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective whocalled every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious totalk with him. So he ventured to say:

"It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?"

The man nodded, and looked out of the window. 

"I'm Tom Gates, sir. "

"Yes; I know. "

"You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. 

"No; I've heard of you. That's all. "

Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to questionthe detective. 

"Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?"

"Not yet. "

"Is there no trace of her at all?"

"A slight trace--nothing worth mentioning, " said Mr. Burke. 

For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said:

"I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday. "

"Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. 

"There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the livingimage of Lucy Rogers. "

"You ought to be able to identify her, " suggested the detective, hisgaze still out of the window. 

"But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identicalwith Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there wasa scar on her left arm; but she refused. "

"Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?"

"Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were makingcandy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scaron her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives. "

"It is well to know that, " said Mr. Burke. 

"This girl, " continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and--andperfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under thecircumstances. "

"Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. 

"Yes, sir. "

"And are still unable to decide who she is?"

"That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn'tLucy. "

"Who is Eliza Parsons?"

"She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived atElmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's thatcoincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses. "

"Who hires the servants here?"

"I don't know, sir. "

Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to thelandscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressingcirculars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at thepolling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on thefollowing Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the lastimportant rally of the campaign. 

At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girlsgreatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followedKenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. 

Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, whobegged to remain during the interview. 

"We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke, " said the boy;"so you may speak freely. Is there any news?"

"Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your ownhouse, " replied the detective. 

"Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. 

"Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl--one of your maids--who so stronglyresembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missinggirl. "

"I know, " said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confusedhim. "

"I've seen her since, " remarked Tom, "and the likeness is reallybewildering. It's only her manner that is different. "

"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at herresemblance to Mrs. Rogers, " announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly likeher in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy withMr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed atElmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contactwith the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linenroom. "

Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and howthey had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. 

The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprisedthat he had not been informed of this before. 

"Of course, " said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is notpossible they could be the same. "

"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. 

"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience inlife. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when shediscovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, sheworried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she becameinsane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadfuldeed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now lookat Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza isnot demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of hertender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while anydeceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in griefEliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fullyself-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Takingall these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the twogirls in any way--save the coincidence of personal resemblance. "

Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. 

"Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers, " hesaid, quietly. 

For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to theirdiverse acceptance of his statement. 

"In pursuance of the task set me, " began Mr. Burke, "I had met with suchabsolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect noordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, whichcovers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, causedby shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the factthat the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish manysurprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, andbecomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. Iimagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers. "

"Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive _me_, sir?" asked Tom, reproachfully. 

"I am sure she doesn't know who you are, " answered the detective, positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances whereevery recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind. "

There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions wereso astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. 

Then Louise asked:

"Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?"

"Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanentinsanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our firstbusiness must be to assure ourselves that we are right in thisconjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I havebeen taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under myobservation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove thepersonality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what todo. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?"

"Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids. "

"Will you send for her, please?"

Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered thelibrary. 

She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face andshrewd but kindly eyes. 

"Martha, " said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, ElizaParsons?"

"Yes, sir, " she replied, apparently surprised at the question. 

"This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you. "

"Yes, Master Kenneth. "

"Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. 

Martha reflected. 

"I do not think she did, sir. "

"Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. Burke. 

"Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives inElmwood. "

"Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. 

"Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name isPhibbs. "

"What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?"

"It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had aplace for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linenmaid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has shebeen doing anything wrong?"

"No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, MissPhibbs, " said the detective. "That is all, I believe. "

"Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper hadretired. 

"Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first. "

"Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. 

"I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission. "

"Certainly, sir, " said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?"

"Just as soon as I have accomplished anything. "

"Would you like a horse or an automobile?"

"Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient. "

Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked:

"How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?"

"In what way?"

"In expending money. "

"Will any large expenditure be required?"

"I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expertphysician--a specialist in brain diseases. "

"Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. 

"Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to thelimit to save her. "

Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly andTom Gates with visible anxiety. 

"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order torelieve the anxiety of her blind mother, " said young Forbes. "Toaccomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matterof fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularlyinterested in her. "

"I am, " declared Beth. 

"And I!"

"And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. 

"I think, " said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, "that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter. "

"Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. 

"Therefore, " continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake anyfurther expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden. "

"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle Johnwould do that. "

"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go toany expense you deem advisable, " continued Mr. Merrick, turning to thedetective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interestingmystery, and we'll see it through to the end. "

"Very good, sir, " said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod offarewell. 

"Somehow, " said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man. "

"Why, he's a detective, " replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and thechief business of detectives is to make mistakes. "

CHAPTER XVII

MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS

The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. Itwas a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at theoutskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, whohad risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, tosave his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of hispossessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharptongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. TheHonorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costlyexcesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislatorsconsidered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his endup. " Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up anappearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoidedas much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. MaryHopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused thanacceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or shewould drive them both to the poor-house. 

The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, ifhe would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their faterather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothingto relieve her hard lot. 

She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of themany who came to the house to see and consult with her husband duringthe tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins usedthe sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this didnot materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usuallybusy in the kitchen. 

On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and shefinished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in thesitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen inthe town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. 

So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. 

"Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. 

"Yes. What do you want?"

"Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important orI wouldn't disturb you. "

"Well, then; come in, " she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thingis nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace. "

"It is rather imposing on you, " remarked the man, following her to thesitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A politicalcampaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the wholething myself. "

"Then why don't you chuck it, " she retorted, scornfully, "and go to workmakin' an honest living?"

"Oh, this is honest enough, " he said, mildly. 

"I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votescan't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name forrascality!"

"Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right, " he said, with asigh. 

She looked at him sharply. 

"You don't belong in Elmwood. "

"No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband onbusiness. "

She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed intosilence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair andwatched her work. 

His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse tohaving him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. Onoccasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; andthis visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. 

"You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like, " venturedthe caller, presently. 

"What makes you think that?" she demanded. 

"A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a socialgadder, " he observed. 

"You're right about that, " she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I waslike them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all thetime, this house would go to rack an' ruin. "

"Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never behousekeepers. "

"Not for a minute, " she affirmed. 

There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathyseemed established between the two. 

"What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as shethreaded new cotton into her needle. 

"I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow. "

"Has he?"

"Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's upto all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!"

Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked athim curiously. 

"What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. 

"At--at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's apretty slick one, he is!"

"What do you mean?"

"Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd athought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?"

"I don't see anything mighty funny about that, " declared Mrs. Hopkins, contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble. "

"Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. 

"Yes, indeed, " said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "Isuspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came tothe house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please. "

"Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. Hopkins?"

"Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around MissSquiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, eventhen. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dugout, and I told Nancy then--Nancy's young Miss Squiers--that I'd alwayshad my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantleand they found it after she was gone. "

"Well, well! I didn't know that about her, " said the man, looking withadmiration at Mrs. Hopkins. 

"That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she camehere bright and early one morning and asked for work. "

"Oh, she came here, did she?"

"While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an'she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. Shelaughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger inthese parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's. "

"What was her name then?" asked the man. 

"I think it was Rosie--or Lucy, or something--. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such sillysmiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for herin politics. "

"Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. Iheard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha. "

"Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch whatForbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. Buthow'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with suddensuspicion. 

"Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidentialmen. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knewabout her. "

"He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when shecame here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and aready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what shetells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on thesquare. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did. "

"I don't either, " declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out. "

"That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck andcrop, if he ain't careful. "

"Is the girl Eliza much use to him?"

"I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drivesover two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get herreport. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to mynotion. "

"Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins. "

"Thank goodness for that!" she replied. 

The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poorgossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said:

"I guess your husband's going to be late. "

"Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell ofwaiting. "

"Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to getback to Fairview tonight, you know. "

"Do as you please, " she answered carelessly. 

So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took hisleave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkinsremembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. 

"But it don't matter, " she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast'spoliticians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved. "

CHAPTER XVIII

ELIZA PARSONS

On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kennethhe wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. 

"I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it wouldmake her suspicious, " he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way thatwould seem accidental, and not startle her. "

"That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke, " said the boy, witha smile. 

"Why, I think not, " declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy. "

"That's the woman of it, sir, " laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question ofwits her sex has the advantage of us. "

"What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. 

"I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers, " shereplied; "and you can wander around there and engage her inconversation. "

"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?"

"I'll see, sir. "

She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses andchrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreenhedges. 

"One of the other maids will know the garden better, " suggested thehousekeeper. 

"But I wish Eliza to go. "

"Very well, Miss Louise. "

From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leavethe house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward thesame place. 

"Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge, " she said, and turned away. 

"Wait a moment, please, " he said, detaining her. "On second thought Iwould like you to come with me, for your tact may be of greatassistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?"

"Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely beennear her since she came here. "

"You are willing to come?"

"I shall be glad to. "

"The poet Saxe, " said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, "has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although sincehis death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do youcare for them?"

"I don't know Saxe very well, " she answered, observing that they wereapproaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But oneor two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory. "

Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. 

"The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning, " remarked thedetective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that whichblinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?"

"Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Willyou cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?"

The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from herhand he said:

"Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?"

"Yes, sir, " she replied, carelessly. 

"Don't you remember me, Eliza?"

She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly:

"No, sir. "

"I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brotherHarry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?"

The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. 

"Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, Mr. Burke. "

"Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn'tthat correct, Eliza?"

"Yes, sir--no! I--I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. 

"Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange. "

The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyeswith a gesture of bewilderment. 

"I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother, " said Mr. Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse ofmemory at times, " he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, but for days she could remember nothing of her former life--not even herown name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?"

She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice:

"Let me go! Please let me go!"

"In a moment, Eliza. "

Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basketand scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into hereyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by hisgaze. 

"Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. 

"Yes, " she whispered. 

"Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyoneknow of your trouble?"

Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. 

"You're trying to trap me, " she panted. "You know my name is not ElizaParsons. You--you want to ruin me!"

From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, withhigh hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the pathin front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked aroundwildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward andgently took Eliza's hand in her own. 

"Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you, " she said inher sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraidof him. "

"I--I'm not afraid, " said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner anda toss of her head. 

The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. 

"Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with asmile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear, " and withoutwaiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped inher own, along the path. 

Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but whenLouise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase shegrew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. 

Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietlyand said to her companion with a cheerful smile:

"Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, dear, and I'll sit here. "

Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. 

"You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you'repretty, " announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, andwhether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to beyour friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you allI can. "

This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxedsomewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and lookedat the other girl with a softened expression. 

"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me, " she replied, "but Ineed a friend--indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!"

"I'm sure you do. "

"At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, and let no one suspect. But--I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and Idon't know what to do next. "

"Of course not. Tell me about it, dear. "

"I can't; for I don't know, myself. " She leaned forward in her chair andadded, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man, " with ashudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there isno Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented. "

"I think I understand, " said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to havea name, so you took that one. "

"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it allso carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. Inthe main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have afeeling I was not happy before--before--"

"Before what, dear?"

The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. 

"Before I lost my memory. "

For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, theexpressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. 

"Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. 

"Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. Thesun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money inmy pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along theroad. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never beenin the place before. 

"The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried tosing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye Icame to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet soearly. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of thechimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I enteredthe yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in thekitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She wasnot very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hearmy own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. Shegrudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling meby some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that Iinvented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped intomy head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since. "

"Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatlyinterested in this terse relation. 

"I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning, " repliedEliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange facereflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance, " she added, with oneof her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty yearsof age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. Icannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outsideof my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I musthave read; I can write, sing and sew--I sew remarkably well, and musthave once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yetI cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country isunknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life. "

"How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. 

"I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who wasa Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. Hebegan to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came intomy head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear myvoice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I saidanything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart waslight and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities atall. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze andare content to sing and be happy. 

"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decidedto use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him whatthey said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit ofmischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge torealize was necessary to me. 

"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not athought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; Iloved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--andthat was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The manHopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that Imay once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, if I wanted anything and could take it. "

"Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. 

"It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems toinfluence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and whatis bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely todo evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, to worry me. 

"Then I met a young man here--he says his name is Tom Gates--who calledme his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him atfirst, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. Butthen he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said hisLucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I haddiscovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don'tknow anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'mafraid of Lucy. "

"Why, dear?"

"I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinkingwhenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?"

"Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. 

"No--no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I--I can'tbear it! I don't want to know her. "

The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at theworkings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. 

"What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. 

"I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons--always. I'd like to get away from_her_--far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy whofrightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some placewhere no one will ever be able to trace me?"

"Do you think you would be happy then?"

"I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horrorthat this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, ofcourse, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; Idon't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?"

She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and theother girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll thinkall this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a littlewhile and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'llsend for you, and we'll talk it over together. "

"Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. 

Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stoodopen, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now ashadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, andLouise's quick eyes caught it. 

"I promise to keep your secret, dear, " she said earnestly. 

The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed thebeautiful Eliza and whispered:

"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be truefriends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and Iwill protect you. "

"Thank you, Miss Louise, " said Eliza, and then she went away to her ownroom in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. 

When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle Johnand Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all thathad been said. 

"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of itall?"

"It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough, " said Kenneth. 

Louise looked at Mr. Burke. 

"It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation, "stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffereda strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is totelegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl togo away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure. "

"Oh, no!" cried the girls. 

"She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself, "said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in thefuture as Lucy Rogers. "

Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. 

"Please wire for the specialist at once, " said Uncle John. 

CHAPTER XIX

PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING

Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbingtoothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard tobear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth achedharder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache asan intimate companion. 

She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling thefact. 

To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy didnot possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered herto drive to town and see a dentist. 

"Have it pulled, or filled, or something, " he said. "The dentist willknow what to do. "

So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock thisMonday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girlran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over thehardware store. 

The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having theoffending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The doorof Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enteror not. 

The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by athin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind thepartition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. 

Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. 

"But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that, "Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. 

"That's true enough, " answered the dentist, more calmly. 

"Then you've got the registration books in your possession. "

"I admit that, " was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminatemyself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for bothof us. "

"Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are doneevery day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of thepolitical game. "

"I'm afraid, 'Rast, " said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid. "

"What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, andthey'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names tothe registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition andwin out. "

Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was allforgotten. 

"Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. 

"They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar. "

"Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. 

"Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loftover the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for allthis expense, " acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. 

"And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" askedDr. Squiers. 

"They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and accordingto our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That'sgetting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we'rebeaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could havegot me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. SayForbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; thesesixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk. "

When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers wasthinking. 

"I simply _must_ have those votes, Doc, " resumed the Representative. "It's the only way I can win. "

"You've made a bungle of the whole campaign, " said Squiers, bitterly. 

"That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal citygirls came down here and stirred up all the trouble. "

"You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you onthat. "

"If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain'tbeaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick theboarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut theireye-teeth in politics. "

"There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration, " observedthe dentist, gloomily. 

"There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost ofa chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerksfixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'drisk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?"

"Look here, 'Rast, " said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of mein this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect ErastusHopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have beenSheriff. "

"You're well paid for that, Doc. "

"And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. Iwon't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact. "

Mr. Hopkins coughed. 

"How much, Doc?" he inquired. 

The dentist was silent. 

"State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than youcan help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already. "

"I don't want your money, " growled Squiers. 

"Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The troublewith you is, you'll want too much. "

Squiers laughed bitterly. 

"Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. 

"Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall'sall right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc. "

Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madlyas the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected withthe throbbing--only joy. 

"It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast, " said the dentist. 

"What! In addition to all other expenses?"

"Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you'redefeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it. "

"It's too much, Doc. On my word it is. "

"It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand. "

"Doc!"

"If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make itfour thousand, " cried the dentist, with exasperation. 

"Say twenty-five hundred, Doc. "

"Right on the nail. Give me your check here--this minute. "

"And you'll enter the names in the books?"

"Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?"

"Yes; in my pocket, " said Mr. Hopkins. 

"Then make out your check and I'll get the books. "

There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping thefloor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminentdanger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, engaged in rumination. 

Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. 

"Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!"

He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the manasked, with a grin:

"Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?"

"Did what hurt, James?"

"The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy. "

"The tooth wasn't pulled, " answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't needit, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus'sleg. "

CHAPTER XX

PRICKING A BUBBLE. 

When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related theconversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. 

"It isn't a very nice thing to do--listening to a private conversation, "said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such atrick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping. "

"I think you were justified, " declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face;"for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, andif a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth wouldsurely have been defeated. "

"And we'd never have known how it happened, " declared Uncle John. 

"But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, anxiously. 

"I think so, " said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying thatsuch a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will sendboth Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, the manager of the mill, will go with them. "

"Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. 

"Nor do I, " added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my politicalcareer to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if Ican. "

"Perhaps it may be quietly arranged, " said the lawyer. "If they knew youhad discovered the false registration of these men, they would neverdare vote them. "

"How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill totalk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. 

"That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determiningthe manager to abandon the plot. "

"I'll go and see Hopkins myself, " announced Uncle John. "I know how tomanage men of his sort. "

"Very good, " approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers. "

"If you do, " said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that LucyRogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his motherfound it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it. "

"I'll do that, " replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars backthat Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not toprosecute the man. "

"It looks as if we were going to win the election, " said Uncle John in apleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffingballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated. "

"He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers. " said Patsy, gaily. "We haveeighteen sure majority, and perhaps more. "

"It's likely to be more, " predicted Uncle John. 

"I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken, " said Louise. 

"Not yet, cousin, " he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and thendon't congratulate me, but the campaign managers--three of the nicestand cleverest girls in existence!"

"You're right, my boy, " declared Uncle John. "If you pull through andtake your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls. "

"That is true, " smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when youarrived. "

Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but morepleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boyfriend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative andcarry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his politicalcareer was assured. 

Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, thespecialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon trainWednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and inthe meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, to see that she did not run away. 

"I'll attend to that, " said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, and I'll take care of her. "

"Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. 

"No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?"

"Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote, " declared Patsy. "I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority. "

When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readilyagreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be losthe was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just beforethe hour for closing. 

The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and themanager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. 

"You will have to come around Wednesday, " said Marshall, fussily. "Ican't attend to you now. "

"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, " replied the detective, "but my businesswon't wait until Wednesday. "

"What is it about, sir?"

"About the election. "

"Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me, " said Mr. Marshall, turning away. 

"Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail. "

Marshall gave him a quick look. 

"Who are you, sir?" he asked. 

"John Burke, a detective. "

The manager hesitated a moment. 

"Come in, Mr. Burke, " he said. 

"I represent the Forbes interests, " said the detective, seating himselfin the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiershas permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on thebooks. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you andare now working at this mill. "

"This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. 

"Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in thestock-room of the mill, " added Mr. Burke. 

"That isn't criminal, sir. "

"No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far, " saidthe detective, blandly. 

"But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, Ishall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers. "

"This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be noattempt made to vote them. "

"I am quite sure of it, " was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes forwarning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here. "

"Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how youdiscovered all this?" he added. 

"I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposureof the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seenlots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too recklessand foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he willbe. "

The manager was thoughtful. 

"This is all news to me, " he declared. "I needed these extra men to helpme fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkinsand Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow. "

This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excusewithout question. 

"You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbesseemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted. "

"Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me. "

"You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get alongwith, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir. "

"Good day, Mr. Burke. "

When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a fewmoments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said:

"Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I wantto have a word with them. "

The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning tostream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, groupingthemselves in the big yard. 

Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. 

"Boys, " he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to votefor Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would resultin more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I'vebeen watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbesis a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. Soevery man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting forKenneth Forbes. "

There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued:

"Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have aright to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from thepolls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested. "

This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the newhands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that itwas a "square deal all 'round, " as one of them remarked withsatisfaction. 

Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. 

The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund ofexperience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted tomeet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. 

So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his"office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers"in their duties at the polls. 

At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend ofKenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pendingdifficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested todismiss his men without delay. 

"Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe, " began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "Whatcan I do for you, sir?"

"Considerable, if you're disposed, " answered the other. "For one thingI'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you. "

"Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. 

"Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, will you?"

"Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, indignantly. 

"By no means. I thought you were through with the girl, " said Uncle Johnwith a chuckle. 

Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of hiswicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attackthan this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied:

"Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merelytrying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is ratherflighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. Thatis all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have foundher, I regret to say, inclined at times to be--ah--inventive. "

"Perhaps that's so, " remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to bea good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for apolitician; but that's an excusable fault. "

"I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick, " said Erastus, straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an uprightlife. "

"I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, toencourage false registration. "

"Sir!"

"Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. 

Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to controlhis nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chanceshot, so he must be thrown off the scent. 

"You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no timeto listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a goodmany details yet to arrange. "

"No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicianssometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, youcouldn't possibly go crooked. "

Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath thisinnuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile andcontinued:

"I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes istrying to get elected himself, and you can't both win. "

"Oh, yes; Forbes, " said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. "A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim. "

"Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. 

"Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome. "

"What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?"

Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. 

"About sixty-six, " he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this wasanother chance shot. 

"Yes; about sixty-six mill hands. "

The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had someknowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what todo, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anythinghe would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. So he ignored the speech, merely saying:

"Anything else, sir?"

"No, " replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expectingme. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiersprobably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote forHopkins. "

"Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. "That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it. "

"Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers hasregistered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you'reprepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all foryourself. "

"If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhanddealing. "

"Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?"

"Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered. "

"I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-fivehundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet. "

The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John hadwalked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, andseeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasantsmile as he drove away. 

Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when UncleJohn picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more thanthe other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers andanother incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as thesixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man whohad led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himselfarrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signedit, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending goodbehavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew theRepresentative could not get the money away from him, so after all thedentist lost nothing by the exposure. 

It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst thatevening. 

"You see, " explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloonto us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as wepricked it--it disappeared. "

CHAPTER XXI

THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW

Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the airthat betokened the approach of winter. 

Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the differentpolling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at eachplace, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These boothswere decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal ofcomment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. 

"You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away, " remarked one farmerto another. "'Rast is too close-fisted. "

"Why, as fer that, " was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. You know that as well as I do. "

"S'pose it is, " said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caughtby a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we'vegot to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?"

Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobilecovered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they weregreeted with cordial cheers. 

Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so muchto his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. 

Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; soeach one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downrightrascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers'soffice and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having beentrapped in a criminal undertaking. 

As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of anygentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other'sreproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gesturesbumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force thatthe eye was badly injured. 

The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morningwith the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing thatthis unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained athome all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was heronly defence. 

The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairviewtelling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especiallycharmed with the manager's brief reply:

"Don't be alarmed. We're not _all_ fools!"

"I guess, 'Rast, " remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged andirritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "thatyou're 'bout at the end of your rope. "

"You wait, " said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet. "

The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A fullvote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had beendecided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the groupassembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returnswould never arrive. 

The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what thevote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. 

The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen overthe estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a reportfrom Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-threevotes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was astartling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct inWashington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. 

The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. 

The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eatanything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and couldnot leave the telephone. 

It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first torespond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come inrapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. 

"It looks, " said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and Iwonder how our Committee was so badly informed. "

"You see, " said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth abouthow they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're goingto vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of acanvass. "

By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson Countyincluded in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred andeight for Hopkins--a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slightgain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. 

"Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview, " announced Kenneth, "but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as thething stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, forwe've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you'retired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning. "

But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victorywould have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. 

"Telephone, sir, " said Tom Gates. 

Kenneth picked up the receiver. 

"Here's Dupree, " he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred andeleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears. "

"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, whathappens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if--"

"Wait a minute, " said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!"

They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as heheld the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around tothe expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what hadhappened. 

"Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority, "announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly fourhundred!"

They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and tookthe boy's hand. 

"That means we've won--and won in a walk, " said the little man. "Kenneth, we congratulate you. "

Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes werebright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh andremarked:

"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, yousee. "

"And the best campaign managers, " added Uncle John, with a proud smile. 

"That may be true, " admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won thefight was Patsy's sore tooth. "

CHAPTER XXII

THE AWAKENING

James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at thenoon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. 

Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and adistinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the youngladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the firstglance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spokerather doubtfully of the case in hand. 

"These cases are not so rare as you might suppose, " he said; "yet no twoof them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; butrecovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memoryis absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me ofLucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we musttrust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. Thecase is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to makean experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed. "

"We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir, " said Uncle John. "Actas you think best. "

"I thank you, " replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. "Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" heasked. 

Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. 

"Will you assist me?" asked the physician. 

"Willingly, sir. "

"I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconsciouswithout her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can yousuggest a way to do this?"

Louise tried to think. 

"What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. 

"There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer apowerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons athand?"

"Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from NewYork. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy. "

"Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must becareful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the doseyourself. "

Louise laughed. 

"I'll be careful, sir, " she promised. 

The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour everyarrangement was complete. 

Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Thenshe summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons tosit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. 

The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless asever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. 

"Just sit down and keep me company, dear, " replied Louise. "I'm not verybad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me andamuse me. "

Eliza laughed. 

"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned, " she said. "But to amuseyou, Miss Louise, may be more difficult. "

But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in whichEliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or sobefore Louise made any move to consummate her plot. 

"I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes, "Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversationor movements. "

"You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected, " replied Louise. Then she said, carelessly:

"Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?"

"No, thank you, " she replied, shaking her head. "I never drinklemonade. "

"Then have one of these sandwiches?"

"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise. "

Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" byDr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. 

"But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy. "

"I don't seem to care for it, " said Eliza carelessly. 

"Just one piece, to please me, " coaxed Louise, and selected a piece fromthe box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort verynice. "

Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing theireagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them againEliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. 

Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been preparedin several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectualbait. 

Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when thefirst returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. 

Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of herchair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct inher ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. 

Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and aknock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and twoservants. 

The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids ofher eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. 

"There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle--no attempt toevade unconsciousness?" he asked. 

"None at all, sir, " replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleepbefore she realized it. "

"Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home tocomplete our arrangements. "

"Won't she waken?" asked Louise. 

"Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a completerestoration of her memory. "

Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind womangently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related thestory of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids atElmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion thatEliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from apeculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her formerlife. 

Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and herjoy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by thefear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remainin her humble home. 

Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances ofcomplete recovery that had come under his observation. 

"I am adopting heroic methods in this case, " said he, "but I havereasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentallyconfused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do notknow, but it could not have been long before she lay down by theroadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank asregards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect arecovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at presentplunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that haverendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which shewas formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mentalfaculties to resume their normal functions. "

Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in thephysician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoytdecided to give him a quieting potion. 

Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. 

In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanyingthe unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise hadsent with her. 

The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyoneexcept Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. 

The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and oldWill, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge inthe little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was whollyignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in hisremarkable case. 

Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared thebreakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and thefragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup andthen stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observationby the window. 

"All right, Nell, " muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, inspite of himself. 

Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. 

"Lucy! Lucy!" she called. 

"Yes!" came a faint reply. 

"Breakfast is ready!"

Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed tothem an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew itwas not very long. 

Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into theroom. 

"Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in hervoice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. 

The doctor looked at his watch. 

"I must be going, " he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me tocatch the early train. "

THE END