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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work
+
+Author: Edith Van Dyne
+
+Release Date: August 3, 2004 [EBook #13110]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+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 York
+apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take
+notice."
+
+"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 your
+own pretty phiz."
+
+"Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh
+plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you
+flatter 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 a
+burr 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 to
+talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing
+as 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 right
+there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it
+again."
+
+"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 in
+for?"
+
+"For--for--let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of
+Representatives from the Eighth District."
+
+"He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's
+a 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't
+like 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's
+difficulties; "and--"
+
+"And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the
+Major. "It's a way these bad men have."
+
+Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him
+gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was
+concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous
+of the boy.
+
+"I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he
+surely 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, Uncle
+John."
+
+The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute
+of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she
+had interested him in Kenneth's troubles.
+
+"Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in
+politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes--me own an'
+the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that
+I've not run for anything since--except th' street-car."
+
+"But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his
+hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American
+should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has
+such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of
+his district."
+
+"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I
+were 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 else
+would call so early."
+
+"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and
+then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager
+faces 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 I
+couldn't wait a minute!"
+
+"Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle
+John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and
+bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning
+change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on
+straight."
+
+"This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had
+a 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. The
+three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their
+eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his
+position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning
+sunlight.
+
+Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's
+apartment, 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 only
+returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but
+there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she
+was 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's
+father was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of those geniuses
+who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around
+them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after
+Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under
+his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest.
+
+Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character
+wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression
+she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a
+quieter 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 her
+manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous
+and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her
+friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as
+to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves.
+
+Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed
+great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was
+always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends
+as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl
+intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark
+eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose
+fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John
+Merrick.
+
+But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after all
+the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a
+subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing
+blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she
+was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she
+was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so
+absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts.
+
+"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major
+to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is
+possible 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 would
+be 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 his
+life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get
+him to withdraw?"
+
+"He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would
+take 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 accept
+his 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 some
+one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes.
+
+"And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their
+uncle 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 the
+last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the
+way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and
+energy. 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 depraved
+eggs, 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 tremendous
+power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need
+to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There
+are 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 Uncle
+John.
+
+"You're going on, then?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly.
+
+"So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support
+as much as anything else, just now."
+
+"He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said
+Louise. "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. "The
+Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for
+him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any
+time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District
+Election 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," replied
+Beth. "Aren't we, girls?"
+
+"We are!"
+
+"All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go
+home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you."
+
+"That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't
+suspect 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 petticoat
+platform, and hire your services."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE ARTIST
+
+
+To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample
+grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless
+delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times
+dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better
+have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate.
+
+The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and
+surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it
+from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in
+the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity
+considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class.
+
+This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter
+until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated
+him 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 only
+as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the
+charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had
+bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt
+merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she
+had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the
+boy was born.
+
+She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown
+him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the
+great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those
+quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The
+neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced
+the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable
+companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in
+order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery
+and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him
+out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable
+talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he
+had long loved to do in secret.
+
+Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his
+condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it
+was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of
+her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property
+reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf
+and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy
+inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most
+cordial friendship existing between them all.
+
+Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable
+wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune
+or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful
+friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of
+his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an
+interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life
+brighter and happier.
+
+When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his
+guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and
+henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service.
+
+They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures
+of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost
+living 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, a
+generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the
+girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for
+their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have
+done.
+
+This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will
+presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he
+declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in
+their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their
+interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified
+but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much
+as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial
+affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased.
+
+So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous
+trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and
+afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing
+between the young people was more firmly cemented than before.
+
+In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he
+devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made
+abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and
+reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his
+condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for
+social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood
+if left much to himself.
+
+Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the
+Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from
+his friends.
+
+Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens.
+
+Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his
+majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered
+his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have
+retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age
+sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced
+as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown
+accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the
+management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and
+bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once.
+
+The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived
+this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his
+young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of
+business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive
+interests understandingly and wisely.
+
+The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for
+the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is
+not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades
+and rocky glens to add to its charm.
+
+From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which
+tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and
+there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of
+an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places
+when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for
+years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly
+thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so
+one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a
+preliminary visit.
+
+The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as
+he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not
+have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with
+them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be
+interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had
+become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with
+the people who lived around him.
+
+One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The
+neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many
+both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force
+themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their
+community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them.
+
+Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions
+widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and
+declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a
+"namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had
+occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted
+that he might develop into "quite a man" in time.
+
+Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his
+neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving
+along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was
+very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of
+treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer
+received with real gratitude.
+
+This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he
+was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country
+road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream.
+
+Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to
+inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment.
+Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was
+the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was
+ruined--only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the
+observer.
+
+At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a
+desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he
+remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as
+pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had
+ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the
+spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him
+in the face.
+
+This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned
+to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man
+with 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 farm
+the 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 the
+letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared.
+
+"I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git
+into trouble with the sign-painter."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come
+along. 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 up
+their 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 ride
+up 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 the
+beast was very lame. Finally he remarked:
+
+"Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like
+enough 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. What
+on 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 men
+guv th' painter, too," he hazarded.
+
+"Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly.
+
+One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved
+to eliminate those ugly signs.
+
+He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at
+the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he
+might not have to face the signs again.
+
+But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and
+barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not
+appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more
+picturesque 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 the
+old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be
+done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed
+to 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 of
+Elmhurst."
+
+"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 want
+something to occupy myself--something really difficult, so that I may
+test my own powers."
+
+"But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If
+you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your
+mind."
+
+"No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to
+flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the
+desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of
+exterminating them."
+
+"True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't
+be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of
+the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more
+signs 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 make
+their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are
+their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their
+products."
+
+"Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker
+to 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 that
+the 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 for
+locations--"
+
+"Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!"
+
+"But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our
+farmers 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 they
+can 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 to
+stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it
+misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an
+interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would
+effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would
+cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in
+experience.
+
+After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would
+relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars
+each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take
+their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and
+early next morning started for the glen with what he called his
+"eliminators."
+
+These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and
+gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer,
+came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of
+three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement
+made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully,
+assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick
+splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock,
+and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost
+disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of
+the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the
+injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance
+of the scrubbing brushes.
+
+But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor
+and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had
+vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and
+turned his attention to extending the campaign.
+
+On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man
+named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a
+tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no
+money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his
+barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the
+entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many
+coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation.
+
+By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against
+advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was
+the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were
+intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly
+that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent
+medicines and questionable soaps.
+
+But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused
+point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements.
+Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction
+to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several
+varieties of pickles.
+
+Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became
+indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took
+a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the
+neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night,
+where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to
+win them over to his way of thinking.
+
+The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so
+much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist
+as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of
+Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to
+overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon.
+Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his
+presence to the assemblage.
+
+Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of
+exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a
+breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure
+space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly
+helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable
+Erastus, would protest against the inevitable.
+
+What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was
+coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this
+afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a
+favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone
+that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible.
+
+Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political
+one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took
+the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening.
+
+The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose
+they prepared to listen in respectful silence.
+
+Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but
+young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the
+opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his
+first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his
+views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk
+back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them.
+So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free
+from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring
+commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had
+been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed
+the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former
+beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer
+marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them
+to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community.
+
+When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for
+the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well.
+
+Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy
+in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes.
+
+He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's
+aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic
+community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of
+bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated
+Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this
+breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength
+to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going
+and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity
+wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic
+notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to
+be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the
+things they needed in daily life.
+
+If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might
+find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But
+this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance.
+What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that
+he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved
+their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political
+questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth
+and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had
+captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to
+Elmhurst.
+
+"This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's
+an 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 the
+youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle."
+
+"But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested
+Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment.
+
+"Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps
+that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other
+way to serve the community."
+
+"I can't do better than to make it clean--to do away with these
+disreputable 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. Only
+his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that
+it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so
+ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might
+have done better.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP
+
+
+"This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two
+after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast
+table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was
+in his mail.
+
+"What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of
+abstraction.
+
+"An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries.
+It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern
+politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened
+republic?"
+
+Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit
+and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old
+state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this.
+
+"Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed
+the 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 boy
+at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up
+became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he
+ran last term for State Representative from this district and was
+elected by a mighty small majority."
+
+"Why small?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But
+Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his
+party vote."
+
+"Who's Thompson?"
+
+"The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and
+measures."
+
+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 ever
+since 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's
+district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the
+district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to
+the 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 duty
+to prevent him from representing us."
+
+The young man nodded somewhat dreamily.
+
+"Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It
+doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else."
+
+"Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to
+protect 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 clear
+conscience, 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 willing
+to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits
+his 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 the
+positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for
+our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our
+interests by watching one another."
+
+"What is your preference, sir?"
+
+"I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which
+hasn't been often."
+
+"Then I will be a Republican."
+
+"Very good."
+
+"I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no
+convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on
+the--on _our_ side?"
+
+"I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held
+for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming
+forward."
+
+"Didn't you say the district was Republican?"
+
+"Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be
+terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice."
+
+"That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with
+conviction.
+
+"Unless--"
+
+"Unless what, sir?"
+
+"Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in
+local politics ourselves, my lad."
+
+Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the
+window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the
+room without a word.
+
+For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing.
+
+"Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing
+right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his
+fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be
+of great benefit to him."
+
+Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden
+saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner.
+
+For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson
+casually introduced it.
+
+"A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display
+of 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 had
+advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he
+himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity.
+
+"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he
+said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man
+who will pass it."
+
+"I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only
+one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the
+votes to carry such a unique measure through."
+
+"And who is that, sir?"
+
+"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the
+county."
+
+"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 objectionable
+signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of
+the 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 too
+self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of
+mankind 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 your
+existence."
+
+Kenneth frowned.
+
+"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for
+Hopkins 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 believed
+I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it."
+
+"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his
+easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll
+outclass 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 threw
+themselves into the contest with energy and determination.
+
+Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next
+fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative
+district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst,
+now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for
+the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose
+him.
+
+It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy
+Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office
+would be elected to succeed himself.
+
+So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and
+was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went
+home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and
+more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat.
+
+The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his
+pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent.
+Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last
+campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know
+little 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 his
+usual vigor.
+
+It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in
+November.
+
+
+
+
+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 that
+blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his
+feet enormous.
+
+To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat
+morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he
+had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings.
+He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous
+than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize
+this as was Mr. Watson himself.
+
+Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his
+neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being
+unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things
+of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his
+present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to
+be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an
+indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly.
+
+It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a
+wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics
+can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was
+aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the
+position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were
+afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for
+Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination
+of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed
+Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock.
+Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican
+vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to
+win enough of them to his side to win.
+
+He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew
+that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when
+Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt
+that "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, Hopkins
+would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already
+raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and
+Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of
+the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him.
+
+He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to
+sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken
+off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer
+because the man had a sign out.
+
+Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The
+Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus
+Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising."
+
+These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were
+many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon
+realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful
+aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign
+was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense.
+
+At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a
+telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon
+train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the
+prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some
+of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the
+drag.
+
+"Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to
+Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief."
+
+The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in
+failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the
+game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed
+through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve.
+
+But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove
+to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of
+life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag
+at the station when the noon train drew in.
+
+And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of
+dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with
+Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for
+the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom.
+
+"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager
+delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has
+our rooms aired?"
+
+"And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when
+you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for
+a 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 not
+beamed with so much animation for months.
+
+The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the
+five 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 years
+ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room,
+as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and
+chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and
+admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old
+Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get
+settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various
+explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into
+the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk
+over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly
+turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined.
+
+It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that
+evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable
+as he had ever been in his life.
+
+But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they
+grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in
+the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked
+gravely 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--it
+wouldn'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 the
+recollection 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, much
+less beforehand."
+
+He looked at her fixedly.
+
+"I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had
+expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed
+at 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 show
+to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought
+about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely
+no 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 we
+girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on
+earth," 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 that
+they 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--and
+I appreciate it all--very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the
+case 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," he
+replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth
+visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock
+covered 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 spaces
+and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest
+the 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 people
+were not with him."
+
+"Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at
+this baring of his terrible experiences.
+
+"Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could
+see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings
+which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the
+fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has
+been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries
+or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have
+become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less
+unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is
+destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country
+scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it."
+
+"And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a
+bitter laugh.
+
+"But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought
+not 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 passed
+prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his
+opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against
+him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the
+trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their
+premises."
+
+Patsy nodded gravely.
+
+"We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious
+than 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 all
+I'm worth."
+
+"It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth.
+
+"I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine
+show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent
+than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they
+will support Kenneth loyally."
+
+"Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with
+decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers.
+Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be
+happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details
+will 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 is
+your district?"
+
+"It includes parts of three counties--Monroe, Washington and Jackson
+Counties."
+
+"What county is this?"
+
+"Monroe."
+
+"Any cities?"
+
+"No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just
+across 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 them
+to 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," declared
+Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every
+direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a
+way to win."
+
+The young man frowned.
+
+"I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of
+buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!"
+
+"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work
+on 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 the
+voters."
+
+"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 small
+farms 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 elect
+Kenneth?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all
+laughed.
+
+"Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be
+amused.
+
+"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 the
+day.
+
+"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and
+perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for
+luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some
+of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight
+along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit
+every 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 to
+talk to their wives."
+
+"Wives don't vote, Patsy."
+
+"They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a
+laugh. "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 are
+Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity
+department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I
+want 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 the
+girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when
+the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once
+entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect
+of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible
+speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and
+argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom
+failed to interest her listeners.
+
+Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and
+during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle
+in regard to "ways and means."
+
+"This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going
+to 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 about
+spending Kenneth's money?"
+
+"I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track
+of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we
+fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful
+income that is swamping me."
+
+This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant
+bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises
+for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was
+growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself
+possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business
+and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least
+annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take
+care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his
+brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that
+accumulated.
+
+Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men
+accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of
+deserving 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 signature
+on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr.
+Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal
+expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much
+headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more
+than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as
+he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of
+designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload
+his surplus.
+
+So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique
+political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that
+would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did
+not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to
+attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer
+defeat if he could help it.
+
+The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they
+drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to
+town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of
+the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in
+the village.
+
+Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and
+engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election.
+
+"It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are
+close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes
+count, too."
+
+"I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted
+there."
+
+So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her
+mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat
+appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its
+plate-glass window.
+
+"Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window.
+
+The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out
+of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had
+known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before,
+and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was
+no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect
+of business relations with this famous personage.
+
+The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern
+and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern
+conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his
+private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct
+connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other
+facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had
+remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans.
+
+He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his
+intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes
+for Member of the Legislature.
+
+The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young
+Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but
+this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances.
+
+"The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this
+time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on
+personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still
+too early to direct popular opinion against them."
+
+"Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle
+John.
+
+"Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins
+forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend
+cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action."
+
+"He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to
+win 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 this
+draft 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 distance
+telephone?"
+
+"Of course, sir."
+
+Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and
+this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business
+in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted
+directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces
+secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were
+contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always
+inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign
+when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate
+was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely
+necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or
+destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of
+the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle
+John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were
+merely in the business to make money.
+
+Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone
+within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with
+the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the
+receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm.
+With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and
+Mr. 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 on
+deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his
+arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of
+the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans.
+
+Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle
+John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to
+Charley Briggs, the editor.
+
+Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that
+stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides
+editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with
+his 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 my
+bank."
+
+The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with
+his 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 newspaper
+man. Then he said:
+
+"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs."
+
+"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is
+really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we
+consider 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 to
+get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is
+enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend
+more 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 of
+us--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support him
+instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't
+care whether he gets it or not."
+
+"Is that true?"
+
+"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against
+advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there
+isn'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. "It
+is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to
+protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow.
+Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes
+that much away from your newspapers?"
+
+"Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked
+at it that way before."
+
+"Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you
+two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if
+he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra."
+
+"Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the
+evidence of his ears.
+
+"I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your
+two-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 that
+extra five hundred!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+PATSY MAKES PROGRESS
+
+
+Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a
+deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of
+Forbes for Representative.
+
+"He's no politician at all--just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a
+dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed
+moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the
+advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and
+liver-pills."
+
+"He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called
+themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as
+Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he
+died.
+
+"I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be
+badly beaten."
+
+"I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really
+delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such
+things."
+
+"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 the
+store.
+
+"You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His
+people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a
+Republican."
+
+"Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you
+think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in
+a 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. On
+the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws
+that 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 you
+spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've
+examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and
+attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but
+against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring
+spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I
+suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of
+that, and said the same thing."
+
+"Why--ahem!--yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are
+often 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 himself
+changing 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 ever
+given much of it back."
+
+"That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and
+I keep the finest line ever brought to this town."
+
+"Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to
+purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out
+to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a
+little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would
+know 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'll
+find," he said.
+
+"The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will
+they be?"
+
+"Why, the very best--these imported perfectos, you know--are worth six
+dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little
+cheaper--"
+
+"Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you
+know. And fifty--why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a
+hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons."
+
+"Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is
+well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if
+he gave Hopkins a hard fight."
+
+"I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to
+be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the
+better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you
+won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is
+not 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 can
+depend on me."
+
+"And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll
+call in, now and then, and settle for them."
+
+I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but
+she 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. Forbes
+to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until
+they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act
+in good faith.
+
+So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and
+seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And
+her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness
+she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed.
+
+When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in
+Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something
+to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the
+cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle
+John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked
+politics with him while he smoked it.
+
+Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first
+rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky
+and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last
+election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had
+no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And
+there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support
+Hopkins.
+
+So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of
+ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly
+that 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, "and
+this 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 to
+whoever 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 a
+boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and
+I haven't got no use for him, neither."
+
+Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her
+purchases, and went into the hardware store.
+
+Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed
+in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the
+hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most
+important people in the neighborhood--those it would be desirable to win
+for 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, the
+hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy
+him."
+
+"Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise.
+
+"No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful
+merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a
+high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a
+mortgage 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, whether
+he believes in him or not."
+
+"I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't
+have 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 nomination
+when 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 Hopkins
+he's bound to carry many Republicans with him."
+
+But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be
+influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much
+amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican
+candidate.
+
+"I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to
+make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help
+you."
+
+As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really
+hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was
+satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the
+mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a
+mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and
+agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war
+into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district.
+
+Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews
+with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew
+nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all
+his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the
+tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different
+types of character she encountered.
+
+Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She
+sat 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 for
+a 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 do
+with politics."
+
+"No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we
+need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the
+most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his
+vote."
+
+"Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the
+woman.
+
+"It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied
+Louise, 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 want
+to win this election."
+
+"But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I
+don't believe Dan does."
+
+"You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a
+pretty 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. Erastus
+Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for
+either one or the other of them."
+
+"Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em
+talkin' together the other day."
+
+"But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is
+very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it
+means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is
+elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins."
+
+"I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let
+much get away from him."
+
+"You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without
+being told."
+
+"Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan."
+
+"Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the
+tousled 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 always
+listens 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 more
+remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took
+her leave.
+
+"Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were
+jogging 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. Simmons
+will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them
+both outrageously; but that will do no harm."
+
+And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was
+around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked
+his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a
+great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he
+favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr.
+Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared
+outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have
+been.
+
+When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was
+enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to
+tell 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 plenty
+of seed, some of it is bound to sprout."
+
+"We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied
+that 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 tomorrow
+morning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED
+
+
+The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for
+several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a
+thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully.
+
+Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the
+Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular
+walk-over."
+
+"Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much
+political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon.
+
+"Young feller named Forbes--a boy, sir--with no notion about the game at
+all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have
+him run against me."
+
+"What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator.
+
+"Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants
+to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is."
+
+"Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is
+unpopular?"
+
+"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 one
+usually."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins.
+
+"Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the
+country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you
+know that?"
+
+"No!" said Hopkins.
+
+"Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but
+in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort
+very hard to combat."
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the
+fool notion."
+
+"Then perhaps the people don't understand it."
+
+"Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the
+recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't
+come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate
+that ever ran for office."
+
+Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been
+successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he
+decided 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 house
+for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across
+the village streets bearing the words: "_Vote for Forbes--the People's
+Champion!_"
+
+"Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring
+open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a
+puzzled air and went home.
+
+Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was
+getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity
+of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although
+there 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 was
+out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the
+fun."
+
+"What girls' meeting?"
+
+"The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town
+hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the
+farm 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 exasperated
+Hopkins.
+
+"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 to
+work."
+
+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 New
+York to git him elected."
+
+"What are they like?"
+
+"They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty
+sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and
+there'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. What
+do the boys say?"
+
+"Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess
+your game is up."
+
+He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling
+character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the
+thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared.
+
+Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment
+uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys,
+and the _Herald_ heretofore had always supported him; yet here across
+the first page were big black letters saying: _"Vote for Forbes!"_ And
+the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and
+declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins.
+
+"I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to
+make 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 in
+the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven
+papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to
+look serious. And he had only been absent a week!
+
+He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before
+him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had
+only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of
+contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he
+must talk with "the boys" at once.
+
+So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham
+was first on his route and he entered the drug store.
+
+"Hullo, Jim."
+
+"Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite
+druggist.
+
+"Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging
+for 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 run
+for 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 interested
+in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a
+prescription to fill."
+
+Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had
+changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he
+could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later.
+
+Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked
+in.
+
+"Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been
+going 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't
+do--it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What
+right 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 "And
+that 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. Anger
+gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of
+Thompson 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't
+you--when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!"
+
+"You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every
+minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a
+dog's life. But I'm through with you now--for good and all."
+
+Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's
+office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments.
+
+"Hello, Archie."
+
+"Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a
+big fight on our hands, I can tell you."
+
+"Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief
+at 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 some
+shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us
+up 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 just
+laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently
+ladies. 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 what
+Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they
+swear 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 to
+meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman
+wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the
+city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and
+left."
+
+"That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to
+spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a
+cent it counts, I can tell you."
+
+"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're
+back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys
+are out for Forbes already."
+
+Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts.
+
+"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up
+Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's
+certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught
+in 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 win
+votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet."
+
+"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight
+campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones
+that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea
+something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company
+to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind
+you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the
+farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's
+that for a checkmate?"
+
+"That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk
+about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night
+one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being
+converted, 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 them
+started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the
+dentist.
+
+"Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order
+for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the
+district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we
+won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of
+girls."
+
+Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the
+situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it.
+
+He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go
+over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the
+country, and spend the day talking with the farmers.
+
+But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was
+located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each
+side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and
+overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted
+brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia.
+
+There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs
+were already starting out and driving briskly away in different
+directions.
+
+Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men
+who 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 turned
+into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking
+with 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 hundred
+big 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 or
+money. 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 is
+only our second day and we're pretty busy."
+
+"Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his
+buggy. "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 by
+that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight
+against 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 town
+for this sign-painting gang."
+
+But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters
+were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided
+to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important
+town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's
+horse and buggy.
+
+He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him
+that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed.
+The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he
+hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town.
+
+A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with
+their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a
+weather-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," he
+observed.
+
+"No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our
+firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the
+district."
+
+"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 spaces
+now, 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 then
+he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a
+neigh 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 was
+working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign
+letters and "editorials."
+
+At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three
+girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of
+their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any
+active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned,
+where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his
+earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and
+enthusiasm counted much in his favor.
+
+He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to
+meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that
+this 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 was
+mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that
+they would long remember.
+
+Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but
+Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover.
+
+The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance
+to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day
+as would have been done with horses.
+
+But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all
+plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many
+rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was
+asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and
+once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her
+automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often
+told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than
+mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to
+cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained
+a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work
+immensely.
+
+While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James
+came 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, his
+hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were
+covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent
+from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the
+eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading
+look 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 pleasant
+voice. "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 run
+the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell
+advised 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 with
+delicate 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 to
+be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her
+cry 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 to
+whatever 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' the
+hardest," he began.
+
+"Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped
+short and seemed unable to proceed.
+
+"They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this
+election, 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," he
+persisted.
+
+"Well, Mr. Rogers?"
+
+"Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell
+thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'."
+
+The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and
+refreshing.
+
+"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' she
+knew 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 of
+the fun this queer individual might yet furnish.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my
+questions?"
+
+"I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice
+trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way
+without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote
+fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being
+wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye
+ever hear o' Lucy?"
+
+"No, Mr. Rogers."
+
+"Lucy's our girl--the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty
+girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits
+my 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 land
+ain'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 caught
+Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be
+earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to
+Elmwood. 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's
+mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was
+gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after
+they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er
+three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd
+hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She
+jes' _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 hev
+th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we
+didn'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 always
+loved 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 private
+lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the
+mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about
+Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to
+jail, 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've
+got 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 all
+mighty 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' got
+a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but
+it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill
+fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was
+near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they
+let 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 fer
+him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did
+it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom
+meant 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. She
+said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live
+herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we
+could. 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 were
+full of tears and his lips trembling.
+
+"Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know
+where to look fer her; our girl--our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her
+head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this
+in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy."
+
+Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers
+earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the
+tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more
+pathetic 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't
+do much but cry. It's hard, sir--I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd
+sich 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 next
+week, they say."
+
+"And where do you live, Rogers?"
+
+"Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place--Nell says I've
+always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired
+men painted all the front o' my fence--painted it white--not only where
+th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but
+they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money
+thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a
+shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint
+when 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 here
+today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do
+it."
+
+"Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get
+another nohow."
+
+"Did you walk here?" asked Beth.
+
+"Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find
+Lucy. I don' mind the walking much."
+
+There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the
+boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her
+purse.
+
+"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 around
+and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty
+dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just
+help 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," he
+observed, in a low voice.
+
+'"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we
+mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell
+me, 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 she
+tall?"
+
+"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 old
+Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James
+and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me
+you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts."
+
+"Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if
+you object to this plan--"
+
+"I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find
+her 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 smart
+top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder
+and thanksgiving.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE FORGED CHECK
+
+
+Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of
+old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and
+questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check.
+
+It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade
+fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his
+rash act.
+
+"But it was a generous act, too," said Beth.
+
+"I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a
+deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not
+doubt 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 this
+boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an
+unjust demand."
+
+"He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he
+didn't stop to count the cost."
+
+"That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is
+never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer
+the penalty."
+
+"Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim
+of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom.
+But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be
+made."
+
+"We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision.
+
+So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took
+one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of
+locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles
+away, 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 was
+the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his
+mood 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 be
+bothered this way, anyhow."
+
+"I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the
+Republican 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 just
+stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something
+awful!"
+
+"May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such
+a 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 week
+because 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 nearly
+crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is
+Gates' 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 came
+forward 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. Forbes
+of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is--"
+
+"Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he
+stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us
+alone, please, Mr. Markham?"
+
+"Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to
+regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception
+room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells."
+
+Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and
+retreated 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 seems
+you have forged a check."
+
+"Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to
+confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and
+I'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, an
+intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of
+sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse
+material but well brushed and cared for.
+
+Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he
+was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression.
+
+"We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are
+interested 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'm
+glad 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've
+saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before
+I'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 had
+to stand by Lucy--she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't
+say 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. Rogers
+had 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 energetic
+and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she
+tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers
+wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the
+place went to rack and ruin."
+
+"I understand now," said Beth.
+
+"Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old
+Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must
+be 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 make
+evident.
+
+"Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to
+sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I
+was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the
+signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them
+a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have
+destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only
+discharged 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, they
+say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the
+case."
+
+"Do you know where Lucy is?"
+
+"She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she
+came here to see me--right after my arrest."
+
+They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for
+him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth.
+
+"I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can
+do 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, and
+escort them to the office.
+
+"Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a
+natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation
+and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my
+day. 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, perhaps
+the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed
+a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated
+from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great
+that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth
+and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters
+he 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 had
+sent in.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the
+manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been
+here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may
+as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and
+have 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 young
+Gates."
+
+"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 responsible
+for 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," said
+Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your
+devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it
+would 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 the
+delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the
+prosecution."
+
+"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 a
+business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer
+the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss
+and are paid for your annoyance."
+
+"You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn
+over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings."
+
+Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that
+would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young
+Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the
+manager 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 forged
+check 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 to
+withdraw the prosecution.
+
+Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the
+manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a
+grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face.
+
+"Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this
+young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He
+might 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 a
+thousand years!"
+
+Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and
+saying happily:
+
+"I'm so glad, Ken--so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and
+despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must
+find 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 were
+stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She
+wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore
+traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to
+efface.
+
+Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to
+listen.
+
+"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 advanced
+into the room.
+
+"Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The
+woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves
+over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to
+know her visitors' sex so accurately.
+
+"Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are
+one 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 speaking
+with so much refinement and gracious ease.
+
+"You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders
+me helpless, as you may see."
+
+"We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We
+have 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 buggy
+doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now
+that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor
+girl 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 tears
+streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with
+grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her
+position. Will told you, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a
+desperate 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 has
+been 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 really
+bad, 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 future
+before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his
+life 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 day
+is long. But she is very sensitive--she inherited that from me, I
+think--and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and
+rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in.
+Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for
+us, 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 am
+not mad. I have never been mad."
+
+"Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an
+idea 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 unjust
+accusation."
+
+"The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you
+let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my
+dear, 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 and
+with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl
+I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and
+social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young
+man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he
+loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a
+sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any
+slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me
+to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My
+father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself
+chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed
+on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west
+and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I
+was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I
+heard 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 the
+country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at
+this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the
+future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder
+of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past
+behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful
+wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and
+it was not until after we were married some time that my husband
+realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he
+lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came--our
+Lucy--Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old
+passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer
+together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a
+disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't
+always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But
+he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment
+broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of
+energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident
+to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am
+helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him
+to 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 life
+that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and
+not know what has become of her--whether she is living miserably or
+lying at the bottom of the river--it is this that is driving me
+distracted."
+
+Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had
+finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for
+the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and
+educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many
+afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting
+mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still
+devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his.
+
+The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they
+could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of
+her 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; but
+it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is--she was
+eighteen, 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're
+going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your
+daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the
+search to us."
+
+The woman sighed.
+
+"Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest
+till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But
+sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she
+suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when
+despair and disappointment fills it."
+
+"I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom
+Gates is now free, and can begin life anew."
+
+"His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with
+conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been
+guilty 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 he
+loved."
+
+"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 able
+to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I
+expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable
+home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do
+that, I assure you."
+
+Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and
+relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible
+and to look on the bright side of life.
+
+"I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how
+grateful 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 the
+girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and
+grateful."
+
+"I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too
+much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve
+him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I
+thought of it."
+
+They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus
+Hopkins 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 the
+boy'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 of
+Mrs. 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 the
+Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy
+Rogers?"
+
+"N-no. She _was_ laughing, Ken, I noticed it."
+
+"And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl
+with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another
+thing."
+
+"What, Ken?"
+
+"Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced."
+
+"That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been
+mistaken," she added, with a sigh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+BETH MEETS A REBUFF
+
+
+The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that
+he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his
+political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well
+as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative
+was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could
+find 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 with
+an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might
+be necessary.
+
+He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted
+their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head
+was managing their affairs.
+
+One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen
+around 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 about
+a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by
+six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a
+plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl
+politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting
+fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the
+breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent.
+
+But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made
+the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the
+district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm
+and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes.
+This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be
+strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or
+another 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 Democratic
+strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson
+Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican,
+and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican
+majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the
+State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man
+named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the
+Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be
+elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect
+Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for
+the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic
+Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was
+considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary
+was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The
+office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum
+Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the
+annoyance of earning it.
+
+Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented
+readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal,
+was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth
+Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever
+arrangement 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 to
+politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than
+Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend
+Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth
+discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins
+had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the
+Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning
+the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the
+coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and
+diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the
+young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the
+occupants 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 in
+the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house.
+
+Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political
+League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which
+were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the
+attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr.
+Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and
+wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will
+that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were
+enlisted.
+
+Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the
+preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony
+as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to
+entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but
+substantial repast was to be served.
+
+The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could
+desire.
+
+By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and
+children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first
+occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given
+at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the
+neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager
+to attend and enjoy the novel event.
+
+The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese
+lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of
+lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children,
+and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the
+comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the
+scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely
+decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs
+provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls
+were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fete.
+
+"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her
+cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one
+or two more maids?"
+
+Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha
+was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and
+her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made
+her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the
+young 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 too
+tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I
+hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a
+headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But
+she didn't seem very sick to me."
+
+"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is
+served," 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 the
+door, a sweet, quiet voice said:
+
+"Come in."
+
+The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing
+before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--the
+girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers.
+
+For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with
+composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in
+the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with
+white apron and cap.
+
+"I--I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness
+to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?"
+
+The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then
+she 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 why
+haven't I seen you here before?"
+
+"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a
+pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I
+attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But
+one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I
+recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins."
+
+"You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is
+your home?"
+
+For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze
+wandered 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 answer
+it?"
+
+"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 the
+lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper
+attention."
+
+Eliza Parsons shook her head.
+
+"I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, in
+some 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 not
+she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had
+stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving.
+
+But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly
+amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--the
+handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in
+natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither
+independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and
+calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought
+to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to
+the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any
+evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin
+fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the
+quiet 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 to
+her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her
+breath.
+
+"I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in
+this 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 clicked
+in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to
+where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of
+visitors.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE BOOMERANG
+
+
+The lawn fete was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was
+proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the
+words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE."
+
+Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies
+and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly
+unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of
+their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely.
+
+The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that
+the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a
+throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into
+service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant
+and satisfactory manner.
+
+After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the
+band.
+
+Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not
+very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be
+generally understood.
+
+She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important
+because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers
+and townsmen alike.
+
+"We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that
+we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and
+overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they
+had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and
+sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to
+buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers
+were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue.
+Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the
+people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to
+avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads
+to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But
+this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform
+meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the
+signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much
+more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you
+will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and
+that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many
+other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to
+confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only
+legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and
+he 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. He
+modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature
+could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do
+so. That was what a Representative was for--to represent his people. It
+was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only
+his own interests through the position of power to which the people had
+appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign
+because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had
+become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that
+he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for
+their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their
+Representative.
+
+During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her
+sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the
+half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as
+watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had
+been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and
+with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the
+enemy.
+
+Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her
+discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the
+festivities were ended.
+
+It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and
+they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the
+royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the
+girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more
+kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever
+before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the
+great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together.
+
+When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth
+together and told them of her discovery of the spy.
+
+Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and
+have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little
+head counselled caution in handling the matter.
+
+"Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more
+real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous
+Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over
+carefully before we act."
+
+"There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm
+interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong
+in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some
+romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd
+like to study her a little."
+
+"It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for
+there 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 mere
+coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not
+resemble her mother at all."
+
+"Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to
+keep 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 to
+watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most
+she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no
+great harm in that."
+
+So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's
+suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr.
+Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the
+maid calmly returned and went to her room.
+
+The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district
+which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent
+had gained from the lawn fete 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, is
+trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by
+depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising
+signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify
+their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore
+they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for
+Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers
+of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting
+to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in
+this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is
+willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may
+select, to settle this argument in joint debate."
+
+The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer
+had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the
+Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to
+whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community.
+
+The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the
+opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less
+interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other
+with unusual earnestness.
+
+Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been
+accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and
+leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he
+remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting
+before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the
+operation.
+
+He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth
+Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in
+the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for
+Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was
+personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins.
+
+Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of
+his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The
+newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the
+game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of
+communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps
+of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling
+in 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 "petticoat
+government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more
+boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These
+frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make
+your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are
+themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his
+vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his
+girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home
+darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing
+their music-lessons."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If
+I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman
+who attended the fete is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of
+them will resent this foolish circular."
+
+"I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure
+this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in
+the game."
+
+But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not
+at all offended.
+
+"One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson,
+gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than
+pitch."
+
+"I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit
+respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them
+of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a
+business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating
+the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever
+been before," he concluded.
+
+And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one
+of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness
+and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had
+remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide
+influence 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 to
+Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom
+appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes.
+
+Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain
+during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library.
+
+Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates
+they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care
+and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was
+changed 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 a
+wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do
+you think she can be, sir?"
+
+His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully
+appealing.
+
+"I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?"
+
+"Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every
+town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a
+train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money--and I've asked at all the
+stations. And--and--along the river they say no girl answering her
+description has been seen."
+
+"It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded
+the youth with silent sympathy.
+
+"If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young
+Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and
+retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone
+the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and
+didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And
+from 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. Did
+she 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 white
+collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother
+is 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. And
+it's all my fault--all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her
+mad, 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 loved
+a criminal."
+
+"It was for her sake."
+
+"That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her
+innocence."
+
+"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 well
+as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded."
+
+"You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish
+and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy
+mad."
+
+"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 her
+to see you in this condition?"
+
+"Can she be found, sir, do you think?"
+
+"We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it
+seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest
+detectives 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," said
+Tom, 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. So
+far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any
+man 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 your
+trouble 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 to
+work."
+
+"I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in
+this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of
+Lucy'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. "Would
+you like to be my secretary?"
+
+"Me, Mr. Forbes--me!"
+
+"Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if
+you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course."
+
+Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he
+tried hard to control himself.
+
+"You--you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I--I've
+been 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 recovered
+his composure.
+
+"I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can
+keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir."
+
+"We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just
+now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry
+about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am
+confident 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 had
+discussed 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, and
+when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means
+of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable
+Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent
+issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading
+statements 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 regained
+consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had
+been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's
+secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet
+thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he
+could 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 just
+gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she
+heard a wild, impassioned cry:
+
+"Lucy!"
+
+Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to
+see a strange tableau.
+
+Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza
+Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own
+chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood
+motionless, 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 be
+Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why
+I 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_ be
+Lucy! 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 of
+scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my
+way and let me go to my work."
+
+Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to
+sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain.
+
+When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long
+breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at
+the 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 comprehended
+her 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 here
+at 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't
+be 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--she
+couldn'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 expression
+of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my
+Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I--I'm sure I was
+mistaken."
+
+Beth sighed. She was disappointed.
+
+"I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so
+much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite
+myself, 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, that
+likeness, Miss DeGraf."
+
+"I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own
+apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even
+deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+SIGNS OF THE TIMES
+
+
+"If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said
+Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor.
+
+But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing
+her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the
+young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took
+occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the
+conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally
+and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her
+frivolous mind.
+
+But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she
+were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's
+life, 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 tried
+to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl
+kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in
+the 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 in
+a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him
+willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to
+town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion
+of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was
+plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees;
+and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory
+manner.
+
+Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle
+John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take
+place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins
+had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the
+Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay
+all 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 two
+days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had
+spread far and wide.
+
+The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the
+girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a
+conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much
+worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been
+sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins
+and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied
+that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused
+to make a public announcement to that effect.
+
+The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way
+counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had
+influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes
+that 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 of
+success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been
+aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a
+hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more
+discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's
+expenses have been very little."
+
+"I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the
+voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they
+vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest
+representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them
+to their own devices."
+
+The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave
+faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr.
+Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give
+Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and
+his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction.
+
+As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud
+cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in
+which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He
+met 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 you
+before, somewheres, haven't I?"
+
+"You have, sir."
+
+"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the
+Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that
+blocked 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 and
+entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he
+would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the
+first opportunity.
+
+The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the
+fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they
+had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins
+party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been
+placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and
+between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group
+of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended,
+reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed
+throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the
+appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon
+which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some
+costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others
+soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were
+seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of
+advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly
+that these were the "Signs of the Times."
+
+Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He
+believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and
+to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his
+arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements
+of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well
+represented.
+
+After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make
+the first argument and was greeted with cheers.
+
+"We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you
+musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic
+views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to
+an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have
+escaped our attention.
+
+"This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has
+progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and
+glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the
+people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and
+expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most
+intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in
+any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to
+denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who
+dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they
+have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do
+these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life
+that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?"
+
+The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience
+was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be
+heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the
+oration.
+
+"I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he
+is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the
+young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle,
+and--"
+
+Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal
+attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth
+and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were
+now 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 the
+speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large
+income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand,
+seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the
+last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and
+this 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 business
+is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd.
+Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his
+property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections
+would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be
+that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil--if evil can attach
+to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either
+investment or labor in return."
+
+After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced
+that "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 very
+effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered
+than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and
+quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position.
+
+"The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of
+your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding
+fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just
+and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on
+the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be
+placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three
+thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the
+farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is
+quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of
+Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth
+district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven
+millions, five-hundred thousand dollars."
+
+A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it
+had subsided.
+
+"This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling
+aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in
+this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out
+you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred
+dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy
+district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr.
+Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three
+thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five
+years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of
+that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the
+income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred
+farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and
+dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by
+twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of
+thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and
+buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that
+the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about
+one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant
+that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another.
+
+"But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this
+one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it.
+For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend
+yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to
+promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and
+fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I
+ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the
+flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the
+highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any
+more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may
+as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see
+illustrated before you."
+
+At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely
+covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The
+orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following
+ditty:
+
+  "Teas and soaps,
+  Pills and dopes,
+We all must advertise.
+  Copper cents,
+  Not common sense.
+Are the things we prize.
+  We confess
+  Such a dress
+Isn't quite becoming,
+  But we suppose
+  Hopkins knows
+This keeps business humming."
+
+As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said:
+
+"To the encroaching advertiser these signs of
+the times are considered legitimate. There is no
+respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's
+part. Once they used only the newspapers, the
+legitimate channels for advertising. Then they
+began painting their advertising on your fences.
+When the farmers protested against this the advertisers
+gave them a few pennies as a sop to
+quiet them. After this they gave you small sums
+to paint the broad sides of your barns, your
+board fences, and to place signs in your field. If
+you allowed them to do so they would paint signs
+on the dresses of your children and wives, so
+callous are they to all decency and so regardless
+of private rights. Look on this picture, my
+friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this--or this?"
+
+At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted
+slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown
+of spotless white.
+
+The surprise was so complete that the audience
+cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes
+before silence was restored. Then the children
+sang another verse, as follows:
+
+  "Now it is clear
+  That we appear
+Just as we should be;
+  We are seen
+  Sweet and clean
+From corruption free:
+  We're the signs
+  Of the times--
+Fair as heaven's orbs.
+  If we look good,
+  Then all men should
+Vote for Kenneth Forbes!"
+
+The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried
+to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the
+object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes!
+Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he
+left the meeting in disgust.
+
+This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that
+the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was
+wasting his time in addressing them.
+
+After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more
+enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and
+the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result
+of the "joint debate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A CLEW AT LAST
+
+
+The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows
+facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days
+before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were
+not all able to take their meals at the same time.
+
+It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the
+young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person
+present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid
+any attention to the chatter around him.
+
+As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face
+and 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 from
+her face. "Even now I--I can't believe I'm mistaken."
+
+She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped
+with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in
+such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair.
+
+"Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with
+sober earnestness--with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head
+presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of
+manner.
+
+"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 of
+Eliza'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 Lucy
+Rogers."
+
+"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 burned
+yourself 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 her
+eating.
+
+Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next
+told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that
+Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold
+and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes
+laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same
+eyes.
+
+"Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the
+unconscious 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 a
+dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly
+broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the
+loss of the ring, a valuable diamond--I--I got into trouble, and Lucy
+was 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. We
+haven'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. That
+is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came
+here."
+
+"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 sugar
+and 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 himself
+away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into
+conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence.
+Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the
+room--a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken
+identity.
+
+In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be
+Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw
+her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that
+she could not be.
+
+While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a
+man 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 and
+gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely
+seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he
+disliked 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 who
+called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to
+talk 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 question
+the 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 living
+image of Lucy Rogers."
+
+"You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his
+gaze still out of the window.
+
+"But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical
+with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was
+a 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 making
+candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar
+on 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--and
+perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the
+circumstances."
+
+"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't
+Lucy."
+
+"Who is Eliza Parsons?"
+
+"She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at
+Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that
+coincidence 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 the
+landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing
+circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the
+polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the
+following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last
+important rally of the campaign.
+
+At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls
+greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed
+Kenneth 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, who
+begged 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 own
+house," replied the detective.
+
+"Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth.
+
+"Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl--one of your maids--who so strongly
+resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing
+girl."
+
+"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 confused
+him."
+
+"I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really
+bewildering. It's only her manner that is different."
+
+"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her
+resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy,
+but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like
+her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with
+Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at
+Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact
+with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen
+room."
+
+Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how
+they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins.
+
+The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised
+that he had not been informed of this before.
+
+"Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not
+possible they could be the same."
+
+"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke.
+
+"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in
+life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she
+discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she
+worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became
+insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful
+deed. 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 look
+at 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 is
+not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her
+tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any
+deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief
+Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully
+self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking
+all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two
+girls 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," he
+said, quietly.
+
+For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly,
+inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their
+diverse acceptance of his statement.
+
+"In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such
+absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no
+ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which
+covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused
+by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact
+that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many
+surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and
+becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I
+imagine 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 where
+every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind."
+
+There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were
+so 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 permanent
+insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first
+business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this
+conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have
+been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my
+observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the
+personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to
+do. 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 the
+library.
+
+She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and
+shrewd but kindly eyes.
+
+"Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza
+Parsons?"
+
+"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 in
+Elmwood."
+
+"Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth.
+
+"Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is
+Phibbs."
+
+"What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?"
+
+"It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a
+place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen
+maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she
+been doing anything wrong?"
+
+"No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss
+Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe."
+
+"Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had
+retired.
+
+"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 expert
+physician--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 the
+limit to save her."
+
+Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and
+Tom Gates with visible anxiety.
+
+"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to
+relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To
+accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter
+of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly
+interested 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 any
+further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden."
+
+"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John
+would do that."
+
+"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to
+any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the
+detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting
+mystery, and we'll see it through to the end."
+
+"Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of
+farewell.
+
+"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 the
+chief business of detectives is to make mistakes."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS
+
+
+The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It
+was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the
+outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided,
+to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who
+had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to
+save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his
+possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp
+tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The
+Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly
+excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators
+considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end
+up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an
+appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided
+as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary
+Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than
+acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she
+would drive them both to the poor-house.
+
+The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if
+he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate
+rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave,
+contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing
+to relieve her hard lot.
+
+She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the
+many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during
+the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used
+the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did
+not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually
+busy in the kitchen.
+
+On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she
+finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the
+sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in
+the 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 or
+I wouldn't disturb you."
+
+"Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing
+is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace."
+
+"It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the
+sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political
+campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole
+thing myself."
+
+"Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work
+makin' an honest living?"
+
+"Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly.
+
+"I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes
+can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for
+rascality!"
+
+"Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a
+sigh.
+
+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 on
+business."
+
+She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into
+silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and
+watched her work.
+
+His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to
+having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On
+occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and
+this 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," ventured
+the caller, presently.
+
+"What makes you think that?" she demanded.
+
+"A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social
+gadder," he observed.
+
+"You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was
+like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the
+time, this house would go to rack an' ruin."
+
+"Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be
+housekeepers."
+
+"Not for a minute," she affirmed.
+
+There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy
+seemed established between the two.
+
+"What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she
+threaded 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 up
+to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!"
+
+Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at
+him 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 a
+pretty slick one, he is!"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a
+thought 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. "I
+suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to
+the 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 Miss
+Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even
+then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug
+out, and I told Nancy then--Nancy's young Miss Squiers--that I'd always
+had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle
+and they found it after she was gone."
+
+"Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with
+admiration at Mrs. Hopkins.
+
+"That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came
+here 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. She
+laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in
+these 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 silly
+smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her
+in politics."
+
+"Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I
+heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha."
+
+"Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what
+Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But
+how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden
+suspicion.
+
+"Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential
+men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew
+about her."
+
+"He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she
+came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a
+ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she
+tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the
+square. 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 and
+crop, 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 drives
+over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her
+report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my
+notion."
+
+"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 poor
+gossiping 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 of
+waiting."
+
+"Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get
+back 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 his
+leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins
+remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name.
+
+"But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's
+politicians, 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 Kenneth
+he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons.
+
+"I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would
+make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that
+would seem accidental, and not startle her."
+
+"That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with
+a 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 of
+wits 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," she
+replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in
+conversation."
+
+"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 and
+chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen
+hedges.
+
+"One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the
+housekeeper.
+
+"But I wish Eliza to go."
+
+"Very well, Miss Louise."
+
+From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave
+the 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 the
+same 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 I
+would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great
+assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?"
+
+"Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been
+near 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 since
+his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you
+care for them?"
+
+"I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were
+approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one
+or 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 the
+detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which
+blinded 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. "Will
+you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?"
+
+The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her
+hand 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 brother
+Harry, 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't
+that 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 eyes
+with 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 of
+memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time,
+but for days she could remember nothing of her former life--not even her
+own 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 basket
+and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her
+eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his
+gaze.
+
+"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 anyone
+know 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 Eliza
+Parsons. You--you want to ruin me!"
+
+From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with
+high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path
+in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around
+wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and
+gently took Eliza's hand in her own.
+
+"Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in
+her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid
+of him."
+
+"I--I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and
+a 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 a
+smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without
+waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in
+her own, along the path.
+
+Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when
+Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she
+grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm.
+
+Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly
+and 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're
+pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and
+whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be
+your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all
+I can."
+
+This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed
+somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked
+at the other girl with a softened expression.
+
+"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I
+need 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 I
+don'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 and
+added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a
+shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is
+no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented."
+
+"I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have
+a name, so you took that one."
+
+"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all
+so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In
+the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have a
+feeling 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, the
+expressive 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. The
+sun 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 in
+my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the
+road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been
+in the place before.
+
+"The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to
+sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I
+came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so
+early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the
+chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered
+the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the
+kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was
+not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear
+my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She
+grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me
+by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I
+invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into
+my 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, greatly
+interested in this terse relation.
+
+"I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied
+Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face
+reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one
+of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years
+of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I
+cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside
+of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must
+have read; I can write, sing and sew--I sew remarkably well, and must
+have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet
+I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is
+unknown 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 was
+a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He
+began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into
+my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my
+voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said
+anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was
+light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at
+all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and
+are content to sing and be happy.
+
+"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided
+to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what
+they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of
+mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr.
+Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to
+realize was necessary to me.
+
+"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a
+thought 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; I
+loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--and
+that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man
+Hopkins 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 I
+may 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 to
+influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what
+is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to
+do 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 called
+me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at
+first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But
+then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his
+Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had
+discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't
+know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm
+afraid of Lucy."
+
+"Why, dear?"
+
+"I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking
+whenever 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't
+bear it! I don't want to know her."
+
+The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the
+workings 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 who
+frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place
+where 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 horror
+that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of
+course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I
+don'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 the
+other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think
+all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little
+while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll
+send 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 stood
+open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a
+shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and
+Louise'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 the
+beautiful Eliza and whispered:
+
+"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be true
+friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I
+will protect you."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own
+room 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 John
+and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that
+had been said.
+
+"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it
+all?"
+
+"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 suffered
+a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to
+telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to
+go 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 the
+future 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 throbbing
+toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to
+bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached
+harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity.
+So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as
+an 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 the
+fact.
+
+To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did
+not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her,
+but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her
+to drive to town and see a dentist.
+
+"Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will
+know what to do."
+
+So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this
+Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl
+ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the
+hardware store.
+
+The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the
+offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door
+of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter
+or not.
+
+The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a
+thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr.
+Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the
+partition, 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 incriminate
+myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both
+of us."
+
+"Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done
+every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the
+political 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, and
+they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to
+the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and
+win out."
+
+Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all
+forgotten.
+
+"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 loft
+over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds
+'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all
+this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully.
+
+"And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked
+Dr. Squiers.
+
+"They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according
+to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's
+getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're
+beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have
+got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say
+Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these
+sixty-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 was
+thinking.
+
+"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 city
+girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble."
+
+"You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on
+that."
+
+"If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't
+beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the
+boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their
+eye-teeth in politics."
+
+"There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed
+the dentist, gloomily.
+
+"There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of
+a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks
+fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd
+risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?"
+
+"Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me
+in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus
+Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been
+Sheriff."
+
+"You're well paid for that, Doc."
+
+"And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I
+won'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 you
+can 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 trouble
+with 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's
+all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc."
+
+Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly
+as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with
+the 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're
+defeated 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 it
+four 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 the
+floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent
+danger 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 man
+asked, 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 need
+it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's
+leg."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+PRICKING A BUBBLE.
+
+
+When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the
+conversation 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 a
+trick 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, and
+if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would
+surely 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 that
+such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send
+both 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 political
+career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I
+can."
+
+"Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you
+had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never
+dare vote them."
+
+"How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to
+talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth.
+
+"That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining
+the manager to abandon the plot."
+
+"I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to
+manage 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 Lucy
+Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother
+found 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 back
+that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to
+prosecute the man."
+
+"It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a
+pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing
+ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated."
+
+"He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have
+eighteen 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 then
+don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers--three of the nicest
+and cleverest girls in existence!"
+
+"You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and
+take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls."
+
+"That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you
+arrived."
+
+Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more
+pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy
+friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and
+carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political
+career was assured.
+
+Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the
+specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train
+Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in
+the 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 readily
+agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost
+he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before
+the hour for closing.
+
+The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the
+manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him.
+
+"You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I
+can't attend to you now."
+
+"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business
+won'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 himself
+in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers
+has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the
+books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and
+are 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 the
+stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke.
+
+"That isn't criminal, sir."
+
+"No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said
+the detective, blandly.
+
+"But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I
+shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers."
+
+"This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no
+attempt made to vote them."
+
+"I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for
+warning 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 you
+discovered all this?" he added.
+
+"I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure
+of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen
+lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless
+and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will
+be."
+
+The manager was thoughtful.
+
+"This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help
+me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins
+and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow."
+
+This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse
+without question.
+
+"You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes
+seemed 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 along
+with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir."
+
+"Good day, Mr. Burke."
+
+When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few
+moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said:
+
+"Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want
+to have a word with them."
+
+The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to
+stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping
+themselves 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 vote
+for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result
+in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've
+been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes
+is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So
+every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for
+Kenneth 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 a
+right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the
+polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested."
+
+This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new
+hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it
+was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with
+satisfaction.
+
+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 of
+experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to
+meet 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 of
+Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending
+difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to
+dismiss his men without delay.
+
+"Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What
+can I do for you, sir?"
+
+"Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing
+I'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 John
+with a chuckle.
+
+Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his
+wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack
+than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied:
+
+"Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely
+trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather
+flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That
+is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found
+her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be--ah--inventive."
+
+"Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be
+a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a
+politician; 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 upright
+life."
+
+"I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to
+encourage false registration."
+
+"Sir!"
+
+"Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently.
+
+Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control
+his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance
+shot, so he must be thrown off the scent.
+
+"You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time
+to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good
+many 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. Politicians
+sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you
+couldn'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 this
+innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and
+continued:
+
+"I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is
+trying 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 was
+another chance shot.
+
+"Yes; about sixty-six mill hands."
+
+The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some
+knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to
+do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything
+he 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 expecting
+me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers
+probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for
+Hopkins."
+
+"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 has
+registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're
+prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for
+yourself."
+
+"If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences.
+I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand
+dealing."
+
+"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-five
+hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet."
+
+The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had
+walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and
+seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant
+smile as he drove away.
+
+Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle
+John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than
+the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and
+another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the
+sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened,
+but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who
+had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself
+arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed
+it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good
+behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the
+Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the
+dentist lost nothing by the exposure.
+
+It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that
+evening.
+
+"You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon
+to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we
+pricked it--it disappeared."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW
+
+
+Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air
+that betokened the approach of winter.
+
+Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different
+polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each
+place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths
+were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of
+comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district.
+
+"You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer
+to 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 caught
+by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've
+got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?"
+
+Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile
+covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were
+greeted with cordial cheers.
+
+Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much
+to 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; so
+each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright
+rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's
+office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been
+trapped in a criminal undertaking.
+
+As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any
+gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's
+reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures
+bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that
+the eye was badly injured.
+
+The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning
+with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that
+this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at
+home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her
+only defence.
+
+The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview
+telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially
+charmed 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 and
+irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that
+you'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 full
+vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been
+decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group
+assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns
+would never arrive.
+
+The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the
+vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass.
+
+The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over
+the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood,
+and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report
+from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three
+votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a
+startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in
+Washington 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 eat
+anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could
+not leave the telephone.
+
+It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to
+respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in
+rapidly, 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 I
+wonder how our Committee was so badly informed."
+
+"You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about
+how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going
+to 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 a
+canvass."
+
+By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County
+included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and
+eight for Hopkins--a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome.
+Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight
+gain 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 the
+thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for
+we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're
+tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning."
+
+But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory
+would 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 and
+eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears."
+
+"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what
+happens. 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 he
+held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to
+the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had
+happened.
+
+"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 four
+hundred!"
+
+They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took
+the 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 were
+bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and
+remarked:
+
+"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you
+see."
+
+"And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile.
+
+"That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the
+fight was Patsy's sore tooth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE AWAKENING
+
+
+James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the
+noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst.
+
+Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a
+distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young
+ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first
+glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke
+rather doubtfully of the case in hand.
+
+"These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two
+of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but
+recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory
+is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of
+Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must
+trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The
+case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make
+an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed."
+
+"We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act
+as 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?" he
+asked.
+
+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 unconscious
+without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you
+suggest 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 a
+powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at
+hand?"
+
+"Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New
+York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy."
+
+"Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be
+careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose
+yourself."
+
+Louise laughed.
+
+"I'll be careful, sir," she promised.
+
+The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every
+arrangement was complete.
+
+Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then
+she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to
+sit 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 as
+ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do.
+
+"Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very
+bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and
+amuse me."
+
+Eliza laughed.
+
+"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse
+you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult."
+
+But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which
+Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so
+before 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 conversation
+or 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 drink
+lemonade."
+
+"Then have one of these sandwiches?"
+
+"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise."
+
+Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by
+Dr. 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 from
+the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very
+nice."
+
+Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon.
+Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their
+eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again
+Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection.
+
+Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared
+in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual
+bait.
+
+Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation,
+relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the
+first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins.
+
+Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her
+chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in
+her 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 a
+knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two
+servants.
+
+The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of
+her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction.
+
+"There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle--no attempt to
+evade unconsciousness?" he asked.
+
+"None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep
+before 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 to
+complete our arrangements."
+
+"Won't she waken?" asked Louise.
+
+"Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete
+restoration 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 woman
+gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the
+story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at
+Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that
+Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a
+peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former
+life.
+
+Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her
+joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the
+fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain
+in her humble home.
+
+Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of
+complete recovery that had come under his observation.
+
+"I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have
+reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally
+confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not
+know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the
+roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as
+regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a
+recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present
+plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have
+rendered 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 she
+was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental
+faculties to resume their normal functions."
+
+Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the
+physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement,
+and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt
+decided 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, accompanying
+the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had
+sent with her.
+
+The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone
+except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst.
+
+The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old
+Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in
+the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly
+ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his
+remarkable case.
+
+Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the
+breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the
+fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and
+then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation
+by the window.
+
+"All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in
+spite 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 to
+them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it
+was not very long.
+
+Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the
+room.
+
+"Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her
+voice. 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 to
+catch the early train."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne
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