Then Angus’s wife said he was safe enough.  Billy Batters had come and got him the night before.  At the mention of Billy Batters there was a sound of suppressed mirth all along the line.  Mrs. Angus’s sister fairly shrieked.  “Billy Batters!  Don’t you know he has turned Conservative!—­he’s working tooth and nail for Brown.”  Mrs. Angus called Angus excitedly.  Everybody talked at once; somebody laughed; one or two swore.  Mrs. Porter told Milt Kennedy’s wife she’d caught her eavesdropping this time sure.  She’d know her cackle any place, and Milt’s wife told Mrs. Porter to shut up—­she needn’t talk about eavesdroppers,—­good land! and Mrs. Porter told Mrs. Milt she should try something for that voice of hers, and recommended machine oil, and Central rang in and told them they’d all have their ’phones taken out if they didn’t stop quarreling; and John Thomas, in the hay-mow, slept on, as peacefully as an innocent babe!

In the committee rooms, Jack’s disappearance was excitedly discussed.  The Conservatives were not sure that Bill Batters was not giving them the double cross—­once a Grit, always a Grit!  Angus was threatening to have him arrested for abduction—­he had beguiled John Thomas from the home of his friends, and then carelessly lost him.

William Batters realized that he had lost favor in both places, and anxiously longed for a sight of John Thomas’s red face, vote or no vote.

At four o’clock John Thomas awoke much refreshed, but very hungry.  He went into the house in search of something to eat.  Milton and his wife had gone into town many hours before, but he found what he wanted, and was going back to the hay-mow to finish his sleep, just as Billy Adams was going home after having cast his vote.

Billy Adams seized him eagerly, and rapidly drove back to town.  Jack’s vote would yet be saved to the party!

It was with pardonable pride that Billy Adams reined in his foaming team, and rushed John Thomas into the polling booth, where he was greeted with loud cheers.  Nobody dare ask him where he had been—­time was too precious.  Milton Kennedy, scrutineer, lifted his eyebrows as per agreement.  Jack replied with a petulant shrug of his good shoulder and passed in to the inner chamber.

The Conservatives were sure they had him.  The Liberals were sure, too.  Mrs. Angus was sure Jack would vote right after the way she had reasoned with him and showed him!

When the ballots were counted, there were several spoiled ones, of course.  But there was one that was rather unique.  After the name of Thomas Brown, there was written in lead pencil, “None of yer business!” which might have indicated a preference for the other name of John Hastings, only for the fact that opposite his name was the curt remark, “None of yer business, either!”

Some thought the ballot was John Thomas Green’s.

THE WAY OF THE WEST