Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/138

 *mittee-room plumb oppersite Number Five, Beaconsfield Villas," was Joe's sour comment.

At that moment the all-embracing eye of a relentless housewife swooped down upon a card lying innocently on the linoleum. It had been flung there by the recent visitor. Eliza picked it up and read:

___________________________
 * Vote for Maclean, thus:  |
 * X |
 * ___________________________|
 * X |
 * ___________________________|
 * ___________________________|

On the back of the card was a portrait of Sir Dugald Maclean, M.P.

Eliza gazed at it in astonishment mingled with awe.

"I am bound to say he is a better-favored jockey than when he came a-courting our Harriet. Look, Joe!"

With scornful vehemence, Joe declined the invitation.

Eliza was sternly advised to tear up the card, but instead she chose to set it on the chimney-piece. The rash act was too much for her lord. Once more he rose from his chair, tore the card into little pieces and flung them into a grate artistically decorated with colored paper.

"You are jealous!" said Eliza, laughing.

"Of the likes of him! Holy smoke! But if you think we are going to have such trash in the same room as the Marquis, you make an error."

The words had hardly been uttered when shouts yet more piercing came from the street. Eliza made a hasty return to the window.

"Come and look, Joe!" she cried breathlessly. "Here