"Your husband is right, Bella," said Gertrude. "Now, my friends, I must go. I have some work waiting in my office and two or three appointments to be made." "Do you suppose she'd let us make her the next president of the P. W.'s?" asked Bella, when the mayor left the room. "Bless you, no!" answered Mrs. Bateman. "What would a woman who has been mayor of a city want of our little club-presidency? Let her take the rest she has earned. She needs it; she is looking worn and pale." "No wonder. I wish she would marry some nice man," answered the irrepressible Bella. "There isn't any good enough for her," said Mrs. Mason shortly. "Now, ladies, if there is any business to be done, let's get at it." When Gertrude arrived at her office John Allingham was waiting for her. She had not seen him alone for months, except for the few brief moments when he had been forced to consult her in regard to some detail of his department work. He looked anxiously at her when she entered the room, not dreaming that her heart was leaping in her bosom at sight of him. "I want to see you alone a few minutes," he began. The stenographer rose mechanically and withdrew, closing the door behind her. "See here,--what is this about your retiring from office," he asked. "You mustn't do it." "Mustn't I?" she asked. "By no means," he answered decisively. "You have everything in good running order, your enemies routed, the grafters where they belong, a year of steady improvement under the new order of things,--and the public all with you. It is not right for you to leave now." "Yes, it is," she answered, getting control of herself. "And it is time for you to take my place." "I can't,--I have no desire to be mayor. You have proved your fitness for the post," he went on earnestly. "You have proved what a woman can do. Now keep on." "No," she answered. "I want you to prove what you can do. The committee have asked you to stand?" "Yes,--but then,--you should take another two years to fully establish and carry out the work you have begun. You see I have completely revised my ideas concerning a woman for mayor." "Yes, thank you," she replied. "But, listen. I have, under God, had a successful term; I have been able to put through several changes for the better--with the help of good men like you. I am--yes, I admit it,--I am popular today with the people. But popularity is an uncertain thing, and there is no telling how soon it may wane. I am wise in letting go, while I am on the top-wave. Now, honestly, don't you think so?" "If popularity is all you think of, yes," answered Allingham. "But it isn't."