Tom Bannister was on his feet in a moment--it was an appealing look from Phyllis that inspired him--and once more his genial voice rang out clear and strong. “Fellow-citizens,” he said, “I have a motion to make. Hear me.” He waved his right hand to command silence, then proceeded: “Mr. President, I withdraw my name from this convention, and move that the nomination of Colonel Mobley Sommerton be made unanimous by acclamation. I have no right to this nomination, and nothing, save a matter greater than life or death to me, could have induced me to steal it as I this day have done. Colonel Sommerton knows why I did it. He gave his word of honor that he would cease all objections to giving his daughter to me in marriage, and that furthermore he would deed Sommerton Place to us as a wedding present, if I beat him for the nomination. Mr. President and fellow-citizens, do you blame me for memorizing his speech? That magnificent speech meant to me the most beautiful wife in America, and the handsomest estate in this noble county.” If Tom Bannister had been boisterously applauded before this, it was as nothing beside the noise which followed when Colonel Mobley Sommerton was declared the unanimous nominee of the convention. Meantime, Phyllis had hurried to the carriage and been driven home: she dared not stay and let the crowd gaze at her after that bold confession of Tom's. The cheering for the nominee was yet at its flood when Bannister leaped at Colonel Sommerton and grasped his hand. The old gentleman was flushed and smiling, as became a politician so wonderfully favored. It was a moment never to be forgotten by either of the men. “I cordially congratulate you, Colonel Sommerton, on your nomination,” said Tom, with great feeling, “and you may count on my hearty support.” “If I don't have to support you, and pay your office rent in the bargain, all the rest of my life, I miss my guess, you young scamp!” growled the Colonel, in a major key. “Be off with you!” Tom moved away to let the Colonel's friends crowd up and shake hands with him; but the delighted youth could not withhold a Parthian shaft. As he retreated he said, “Oh, Colonel, don't bother about my support; Sommerton Plantation will be ample for that!” “Hit do beat all thunder how dese white men syfoogles eroun' in politics,” old Barnaby thought to himself. Then he rattled the coins in his two pockets. The contributions of Colonel Sommerton chinked on the left, those of Tom Bannister and Phyllis rang on the right. “Blame this here ole chile's eyes,” he went on, “but 'twar a close shabe! Seem lak I's kinder holdin' de balernce ob power. I use my inflooence fer bofe ob 'em--yah, yah, yah-r-r! an' hit did look lak I's gwine ter balernce fings up tell I 'lee' 'em bofe ter oncet right dar! Bofe of 'em got de nomination--yah, yah, yah-r-r! But I say 'rah fo' little Miss Phyllis! She de one 'at know how to pull de right string--yah, yah, yah-r-r!”