Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/199

Rh sitting on the front benches twisted round and glared angrily at Watson and Windsor. Bruce Watson accepted the challenge of this glare, and rose.

"Mr. President," he said, in a pacific voice, "I should like to say that Francis Stoddard is a friend of mine. I've known him and liked him for a long time, and personally I should be glad to see him in the society. But I can't help thinking that Albree would be the better man of the two, and that his election would be for the better interests of the Pen and Ink. He'd do more to liven things up than Stoddard would. I hate, for personal reasons, to be opposing Stoddard, but that's the way I feel."

"Mr. President," said Belmont quickly, "I move another ballot be taken on both candidates."

The motion was carried without debate. This time Albree received nine blackballs—more than half of the total number of votes cast. Windsor and Watson looked grim. The ballot-box was passed for votes upon Stoddard's name. He received, as before, two blackballs.