"
"A gang of hoodlums," he protested. "Anything may happen on election
night to an opposition newspaper. The Southern men who formed that mob
will never give this administration trouble----"
"I'm so anxious to meet your brother," Betty interrupted. "Why doesn't
he come?"
"He's in the Senate Chamber for the ceremonies. He'll join us before the
procession gets here."
"He's as handsome as everybody says?" she asked naively.
"I'll admit he's a good-looking fellow if he is my brother."
"And vain?"
"As a peacock----"
"Conceited?"
"Very."
"And a woman hater!"
"Far from it--he's easy. He may not think so, but between us he's an
easy mark. I've always been afraid he'll make a fool of himself and
marry without the consent of his younger brother. He's a great care to
me."
The brown eyes twinkled:
"You love him very much?"
Ned Vaughan nodded his dark head slowly:
"Yes. We've quarrelled every day since the election."
"Over politics?"
"What else?"
"Love, perhaps."
The dark eyes met hers.
"No, he hasn't seen you yet----"
Betty's laugh was genial and contagious.
He had meant to be serious and hoped that she would give him the opening
he'd been sparring for. But she refused the challenge with such
amusement he was piqued.
"You're from Missouri, but you're a true Southerner, Mr.
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