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Mr Easterly sat in Mrs Vanderpool's apart tea His hostess was saying rather carelessly: "Do you know, Mr Vanderpool has developed a quite unaccountable liking for the idea of being Ambassador to France?"

"Dearhied, but--"

"What are the difficulties?" Mrs Vanderpool interrupted

"Well, first and foreht that a foregone conclusion"

"It was But do you know that we're encountering opposition from the most unexpected source?"

The lady was receptive, and the speaker concluded: "The Negroes"

"The Negroes!"

"Yes There are five hundred thousand or more black voters in pivotal Northern States, you know, and they're in revolt In a close election the Negroes of New York, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois choose the President"

"What's the matter?"

"Well, business interests have driven our party to roes and lynched a few The darkies say we've deserted thehed

"What extraordinary penetration," she cried

"At any rate," said Mr Easterly, drily, "Mr Vanderpool's first step toward Paris lies in getting the Northern Negroes to vote the Republican ticket After that the way is clear"

Mrs Vanderpool mused

"I don't suppose you know any one who is acquainted with any number of these Northern darkies?" continued Mr Easterly

"Not on -list," said Mrs Vanderpool, and then she addedclerk in the Treasury Department named Alho has brains He's just fro--see here"

Mr Easterly read an account of the speech at the Bethel Literary

"We'll look this young man up," he decided; "he may help Of course, Mrs Vanderpool, we'll probably e can buy these Negroes off with a little money and a few small offices; then if you will use your influence for the part with the Southerners, I can confidently predict froht years' sojourn in Paris"

Mrs Vanderpool smiled and called her maid as Mr Easterly went

"Zora!" She had to call twice, for Zora, idened eyes, was reading the Washington Post

Meantime in the office of Senator S his way, several n comgers," the chairman had asked; "howus," announced a , but a new set, and I don't understand them; I don't knohat they represent, nor just how influential they are"