"I should say you certainly would help him to be a popular Senator," he declared, emphatically, failing to notice that Hope Georgia was somewhat annoyed at the enthusiasm displayed over her elder sister. In fact, Hope Georgia was suffering a partial, if not total, eclipse. "I'm leaving it to Mr. Haines to put down the things I ought to say," broke in the Senator. "He knows." "Yes, he knows everything about Washington, Carolina," exclaimed Hope Georgia, spiritedly. The older girl spoke eagerly. "I wish you'd interview me, Mr. Haines. Ask me how I like Washington. I feel as though I must tell some one just how much I do like it! It is too wonderful!" "I'd like mighty well to interview you, Miss Langdon," enthusiastically exclaimed Haines. "I hope you will some time, Mr. Haines," remarked Carolina, as she said good-by. Watching her as she turned away, Haines saw her extend a warm greeting to Congressman Charles Norton, who had advanced toward the group. [Illustration: "STRANGE HOW THE LANGDONS TREAT HIM AS A FRIEND."] "Strange how the Langdons treat him as a friend--intimate one, too," he thought. "What if they should learn of Norton's questionable operations at the Capitol; of his connection with two unsavory 'deals,' one of which resulted in an amendment to the pure food law so that manufacturers of a valueless 'consumption cure' could continue to mislead the victims of the 'white plague'; Norton, who had uttered an epigram now celebrated in the tap-rooms of Washington, 'The paths of glory lead but to the graft.'" "Miss Langdon is very beautiful and attractive, sir," said Haines, resuming with the Senator. "Yes," drawled the Mississippian. "Girls in the South generally are." "Well, I must be going. I'll think about your secretaryship, Senator Langdon. Perhaps I can find some one." "Wish you'd think about it for yourself," observed the Senator, while Hope Georgia again nodded approval. "It would be a hard job. There are so many matters of political detail about which I am sadly inexperienced that really most of the work would fall on the secretary." Bud Haines paused. Again he thought over Langdon's offer. Its genuineness appealed to him. Suddenly there dawned on him an idea of just what it might mean to be associated with this honest old citizen who had asked for his help--who needed it, as Haines knew only too well. He would be the Senator's guide and confidant--his adviser in big matters. Why, he would practically be United States Senator himself. He knew the "inside" as few others in Washington. Here was a chance to match his wit against that of Peabody, the boss of the Senate; a chance to spoil some of the dishonest schemes of those who were adroitly "playing the game." He could bother, too, the intriguing members of the "third house," as the lobbyists are called.