"You are not usually so pessimistic, doctor," reproached Winifred. "Well"--Blair's contented philosophy was refreshing--"politicians seldom get more than one-fourth their money's worth, when they use it unlawfully. Three-quarters of it is wasted by giving it to hangers-on." "Public men should be unhampered by demands for spoils." "They invite the demands, Phil," replied the doctor, dryly. "If it were not openly known that a man could get a position as a corporation lawyer, or timekeeper in a big mine, or some other inducement, do you think any would-be senator, for instance, would be troubled by distributing 'spoils of office'?" "He would not be troubled with superfluous votes, either," remarked the judge, caustically. "Oh," cried Winifred, with a vision of what might be, "if only the candidates and the voters could be brought to see that public office is a public trust; that the honor of election is enough!" "That is the way it is in England," answered Danvers. "There, for instance, a man is elected to a city council for his personal fitness and ability to hold office. No questioning of his political affiliations. No perquisites--no privileges. Only the honor of his fellow citizens, which is enough. It is the same in other positions, even in Parliament." "Here comes Mrs. Latimer." Miss Blair rose and advanced to meet her friend. "I see by your eyes, Eva," she said gaily, "that I have to placate you for monopolizing all the men in sight." Mrs. Latimer laughed, and the circle widened to admit her. "You are talking of politics," she accused, lazily. "Either that or of Fort Macleod." "Madam," the doctor affected remorse, "we were talking of politics. But when you burst upon our enchanted vision, as beautiful as when you dazzled us sixteen----" "Oh, don't!" shuddered Eva. "Why--why will men be so exact as to dates? Why not say 'some years ago'?" She looked around rebelliously. "I will not grow old, even if you, dear doctor, have silvery hair, and Arthur's is growing thin, and Mr. Blair--well, I'll admit the years have dealt kindly with Charlie and Mr. Danvers." "And with you, dear," added her husband, loyally. "How do you like my gown?" asked Eva, turning to Miss Blair as the men began to talk of other subjects. "It's lovely! You are so artistic! It must please your husband to have you so perfectly gowned." "Oh, Arthur--as for one's husband, I simply can't imagine dressing for one man." "I can," breathed the girl, her thoughts afield. But the sentiment was lost upon Eva. "If I lived nine miles from nowhere I would dress and walk among the cow corrals or on the range for the cowboys--if there were no other men to admire me!" "You say such dreadful things," Winifred answered, gently, "but I know you do not mean them." "But I do!" wilfully. "I have grown away from the East," the doctor was saying, when the ladies again listened. "I want more room than the crowded cities can give.