Coleman walked the floor for a moment, in an uneasy frame of mind. He was yet in doubt how far he should trust her. At last he said: “You came near making trouble once, without knowing it; and I had better tell you that Elwell has a divorced wife living, and he does not care to have it known; so you will have to be a little careful.” Lettie nodded again. It was a matter of indifference to her, and she was not likely to concern herself about it. She did all that was required of her, and did it well, proving herself an invaluable ally. Yet she had no interest in it at all. It was simply the excitement that she craved. She could never become close friends with Fanny. She could find nothing congenial in that shallow nature. As for Elwell, they avoided each other tacitly, and the only one she cared for at all was Mr. Morain. They became close friends, and old Pat would have sworn by her. She had many chances for doing good. There was no limit placed on the amount of money she spent, and she loved charity for its own sake. So she stayed through the short but exciting campaign, quiet and helpful, often shielding Fanny from the effects of her many blunders, and making friends of all she met. She was there and received the telegram that notified the waiting family that the first step had been accomplished, and James Elwell had been nominated to represent that district in the National Congress, and the excitement engendered in the little town by the news was almost bewildering. It was the first time in the history of the place that one of its citizens had been honored by a nomination to any Federal office, and the town went almost crazy over it. Banners with mottoes more or less appropriate were stretched across the one business street, from almost every building, and flags, also covered with mottoes, were raised wherever a pole could be found able to bear one. The mottoes were almost as varied in wording as were the banners in shape and size, but “Elwell and Reform” predominated over all the others. No one had any idea of the particular “reform” that he was expected to bring about; but he had been nominated as a “reform” candidate by a “reform” convention, and therefore the mottoes must be appropriate. There was no doubt of his election; even the adherents of the rival candidate, who was also for “reform,” were disposed to hedge on the congressional ticket, in order, probably, to be on the winning side.