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 *tion," but it did not materially affect the fact that he was the whole proposition in his own State.

Thorndyke looked full into the deep, calm eyes of the rugged old man before him, and could not forbear laughing; but there was not the glimmer of a twinkle in them. Presently the old man said, coolly:

"Suppose I should tell you that I may retire at the end of my term, two years from now?"

"I should wish to believe anything you say, my dear Senator, but I am afraid I couldn't believe that."

"What a fellow you are! But let me tell you—mind, this is a confidence between gentlemen—my retirement is not impossible. You know my daughter, my little Letty"

As Senator Standiford spoke the name his face softened, and a passion of parental love shone in his deep-set eyes.

"She is a very remarkable girl, Mr. Thorndyke, very remarkable; and she loves her old father better than he deserves. I have as good sons as any man ever had—but that daughter left me by my dead wife is worth to me everything else on