Certain terms she employed in addressing what she feared were only his mortal remains caused him to prick up his ears. He certainly was one of the meanest of men. "Dear," she sobbed, "I--I have l-loved you ever since your lithographs were displayed during the election! Only speak to me! Only open those beloved eyes! I don't care whether they are near-sighted! Oh, please, please wake up!" she cried brokenly. "I'll give you back your papers. What do I care about that old bill? I'm p-perfectly willing to do all those things! Oh, oh, oh! How conscience does make Haus-fraus of us all!" His meanness now became contemptible; he felt her trembling hands on his brow; the fragrant, tearful face nearer, nearer, until her hot, flushed cheeks and quivering lips touched his. And yet, incredible as it seems, and to the everlasting shame of all his sex, he kept eyes and mouth shut until a lively knocking on the door brought him bolt upright. She uttered a little cry and shrank away from him on her knees, the tears glimmering in her startled and wide open eyes. "Good heavens, darling!" he said seriously; "how on earth are we going to explain this?" They scrambled hastily to their feet and gazed at each other while kicks and blows began to rain on the door. "I believe it's Dill," he whispered; "and I seem to hear the Mayor's voice, too." "Help! Help! For heaven's sake!" screamed the Mayor, "let us in, George! There's a mob of suffragettes coming up the stairs!" The Governor unlocked the door and jerked it open, just as several unusually beautiful girls seized Mr. Dill and the Military Secretary. The Mayor, however, rushed blindly into the room, his turban-swirl was over one eye, his skirt was missing, his apron hung by one pin. He ran headlong for a sofa and tried to scramble under it, but lovely and vigorous arms seized his shins and drew him triumphantly forth. "Hurrah!" they cried delightedly, "we have carried the entire ticket!" "Hurrah!" echoed a sweet but tremulous voice, and a firm young arm was slipped through the Governor's. He turned to meet her beautiful, level gaze. "Check!" she said. "Make it check-mate," he said steadily. "Mate _you_?" "Will you?" She bent her superb head a moment, then lifted her splendid eyes to his. "Of course I will," she said, as steadily as her quickening heart permitted. "Why do you suppose I ran after you?" "Why?" whispered that infatuated man. "Because," she said, naively, "I was afraid some other girl would get you. . . . A girl never can be sure what another girl might do to a man. . . . And I wanted you for myself." "Thank God," he said, "that six-foot Professor Challis will never get me, anyway." She bent her adorable face close to his. "Your excellency," she murmured, "_I_ am Professor Challis!" At that instant a pretty and excited suffragette dashed up the stairs and saluted.