the "Blue Mass" mine rolled into Chicago, Wiles was already walking the
streets of the national capital. Nevertheless, he had time en route
to sink in the waters of the North Platte, with many expressions of
disgust, the little black portmanteau belonging to Thatcher, containing
his dressing case, a few unimportant letters, and an extra shirt, to
wonder why simple men did not travel with their important documents
and valuables, and to set on foot some prudent and cautious inquiries
regarding his own lost carpet bag and its important contents.
But for these trifles he had every reason to be satisfied with the
progress of his plans. "It's all right," said Mrs. Hopkinson merrily;
"while you and Gashwiler have been working with your 'stock,' and
treating the whole world as if it could be bribed, I've done more with
that earnest, self-believing, self-deceiving, and perfectly pathetic
Roscommon than all you fellows put together. Why, I've told his pitiful
story, and drawn tears from the eyes of Senators and Cabinet Ministers.
More than that, I've introduced him into society, put him in a dress
coat,--such a figure!--and you know how the best folk worship everything
that is outre as the sincere thing. I've made him a complete success.
Why, only the other night, when Senator Misnancy and Judge Fitzdawdle
were here, after making him tell his story,--which you know I think he
really believes,--I sang 'There came to the beach a poor Exile of Erin,'
and my husband told me afterwards it was worth at least a dozen votes."
"But about this rival of yours,--this niece of Garcia's?"
"Another of your blunders; you men know nothing of women. Firstly, she's
a swarthy little brunette, with dots for eyes; and strides like a man,
dresses like a dowdy, don't wear stays, and has no style. Then, she's a
single woman, and alone; and, although she affects to be an artist, and
has Bohemian ways, don't you see she can't go into society without a
chaperon or somebody to go with her? Nonsense."
"But," persisted Wiles, "she must have some power; there's Judge Mason
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