"And yet," with quivering voice, "you ask me why I turn Mr. Danvers away! Can't you understand--knowing his love for Judge Latimer? Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do?" she gasped; but soon controlled herself. "And I'm afraid Charlie will vote for Mr. Burroughs because----" "Exactly!" The doctor used the truth unsparingly. "Eva has secured many votes for Burroughs. But we'll hope that Charlie can be held in line. He has promised Danvers to vote for his candidate--the governor." "Oh, but I'm afraid!" wailed the girl. "And if--oh, he would despise us both--we are of the same blood! If it were not for this dreadful contest I might be so happy!" Confession shone in her eyes. "Thank God!" said the old man, reverently. "He has been good to you--both." He kissed the hand that trembled in his. "You have made me happy, too." They sat in silent communion, the old man watching the play of emotion on the girl's sensitive face, now free from the look of anxiety that had been so apparent. "Love is one long heartache," said the girl, plaintively. "Wouldn't you think, doctor, that if a man cared----" "If that isn't just like a woman!" interrupted her companion, thinking he knew what Winifred was trying to say. "Women must have it in words. You want Philip to chatter away like a society man. He will talk fast enough when you quit your foolishness and give him a chance." "I only wanted to say that he is undemonstrative," explained the girl, flaming red. "I should think that if he--oh, but I am glad he does not speak!" she interrupted herself, vehemently, remembering her brother's peril. "He must not speak!" "Don't allow any false pride to come between you," urged the doctor. "Nothing kills a man's love so quickly as indifference, real or feigned." "Do you think so?" She was glad to be impersonal again. "I imagined a little indifference piqued a man to further effort." "The heat of propinquity feeds the flame of love," oracularly. "I do not agree with you there, Doctor. I think men grow tired of women's solicitude and company." "Of their wives?" Winifred nodded.