“Will you have the morning papers, sir?”

“What’s the use?” Warrington shrugged indifferently.

“The majority was only six hundred and eighty-two, sir.”

“Then we had them mightily scared for a time.  Odd that the ’phone did not wake me up.”

“I took it off the hook, sir, at midnight.  I knew it would disturb you.”

“Go down town and bring me up the sailing-lists and a few cabin-plans for ships bound for Japan.  I intend to start for that country just as soon as I can dispose of the horses.”

“Shall you need me, sir?”

“I couldn’t get along without you, James.”

“Thank you, sir.  Breakfast is served, sir, if you wish it.”

The telephone rang.  The valet raised his eyebrows inquiringly.

“I’ll answer it,” said Warrington.  “Who is it?  Jordan?  Oh!  You can say that I put up the best fight I knew how. ...  No.  Say nothing about the influence of the strike.  Let it stand as it is. ...  My plans?  You may say that I shall sail in a few days for Japan. ...  Oh, yes!  This is my home.  I shall return in the spring.  Change of scene, that’s all.  Good-by.”

The defeated candidate ate a respectable breakfast, after which he put his affairs in order.  Trunks were brought down from the store-room, and cases and steamer-rolls.  Warrington always traveled comfortably.  He left the packing in charge of the valet.

A ten-o’clock edition of the Telegraph was being hawked outside, but Warrington had seen all he wanted of newspapers.  By noon he had found a purchaser for his stable.  The old housekeeper and her husband were to remain in care of the house.  They were the only beings that loved him, now that the aunt was gone.  Heigh-ho!

He declined lunch.  He answered no more calls on the telephone.  When Senator Henderson called the interview was pleasant but short.

“We’ll try you again,” said the senator genially.

“I’ll think it over,” replied Warrington.

“You’ll win next time; you’ll be stronger two years hence.  You made a great fight.  Bennington lost the fight for you.  If he hadn’t been your friend—­”

“I had rather have John Bennington my friend than be president,” laughing.

“There were six thousand-odd labor votes against you, and yet Donnelly’s majority was only six hundred and eighty-two.  Hope you’ll enjoy your trip to Japan.  But McQuade’s back again!” discouraged.

“Senator, if he acts nasty in any way, go to him personally and tell him that upon application at the bank you will open my deposit box.  He’ll understand; he’ll be as docile as a lamb.  And thank all the boys for their good work.  I appreciate the honor that has been done me.  To have been a candidate is something.”

By three o’clock Warrington found time to sit down at his desk to write three letters.  One was addressed to McQuade, another to John, Hotel de la Syrene, Sorrento, Italy.  The third he began after some deliberation: