Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/22

 *iticians—I don't use the word statesman any more—all over the State. I squirmed, and the old fellow grinned and told me if at any time I hankered after a foreign mission I could get it. I thanked him and told him I had no fancy to be buried until I was dead, and at last we compromised on his first proposition. I like the life—God knows why. The salary is enough for me to live on and support an invalid sister—all I have in the world. I have sense enough to see that I am better off than if I gave a loose rein to my ambition and was forever chasing rainbows. A man without fortune, who lives upon the hopes of an office which will beggar him if he gets it"

"That's it!" cried Crane, suddenly interrupting, his eyes lighting up with anxiety. "That's it, Thorndyke. I know all about it. I'll tell you the whole story—the story I never even told my wife"

There is something touching and appealing when a man lays bare his wounds and bruises. Thorndyke, without saying a word, gave a look, a slight movement of the head that brought out Crane's story. He told it readily enough—he had