announced day after to-morrow."

"Oh!" exclaimed she, her eyes lighting up.

He went on to explain. "As you know, the President didn't want to
give it to me. But I succeeded in drawing him into a position
where he either had to give it to me or seem to be retiring me
because I had so vigorously attacked the big rascals he's
suspected of being privately more than half in sympathy with."

"She'll be delighted!" exclaimed Margaret.

"And you?" he asked with awkward wistfulness.

"I?" said she blushing and dropping her glance. "Is it necessary
for you to ask?"

She went back to the elevator still more out of humor with
herself. She had begun their married life with what was very
nearly a--well, it certainly was an evasion; for she cared nothing
about his political career, so soon to end. However, she was glad
of the appointment, because the news of it would be useful in
calming and reconciling her grandmother. Just as her spirits began
to rise it flashed into her mind: "Why, that's how it happens I'm
married! If he hadn't been successful in getting the office he
wouldn't have come....He maneuvered the President into a position
where he had to give him what he wanted. Then he came here and
maneuvered me into a position where _I_ had to give him what he
wanted. Always his 'game!' No sincerity or directness anywhere in
him, and very little real courage." Here she stopped short in the