The day passed. When she came home from school she bought an evening paper. She was not surprised to learn that the Senate had rejected Alwyn's nomination; that Samuel Stillings had been nominated and confirmed as Register of the Treasury, and that Mr. Tom Teerswell was to be his assistant. Also the bill reorganizing the school board had passed. She wrote two notes and posted them as she went out to walk.
When she reached home Stillings was there, and they talked earnestly. The bell rang violently. Teerswell rushed in.
"Well, Tom," she responded, giving him a languid hand. Stillings rose and departed. Teerswell nodded and said:
"A fool speech--that speech cost him, I calculate, between twenty-four and forty-eight thousand dollars."
"Possibly he's satisfied with his bargain."
"No," he pressed her, "with your bargain?"
"Is it off?" cried Teerswell delightedly. "Good! It was foolish from the first--that black country--"
"Gently," Miss Wynn checked him. "I'm not yet over the habit."
"Come. See what I've bought. You know I have a salary now." He produced a ring with a small diamond cluster.
"How pretty!" she said, taking it and looking at it. Then she handed it back.
He laughed gayly. "It's yours, Carrie. You're going to marry me."
"Am I? But I've got another ring already," she said.
"I have. This is still another." And uncovering her hand she showed a ring with a large and beautiful diamond.
He rose. "Whose is that?" he demanded apprehensively.
He stared at her helplessly. "I--I--don't understand!" he stammered.
"Well, to be brief, I'm engaged to Mr. Stillings."
"No," she coolly interrupted, "to the Register of the Treasury."
The man was too dumbfounded, too overwhelmed for coherent speech.
"But--but--come; why in God's name--will you throw yourself away on--on such a--you're joking--you--"
She motioned him to a chair. He obeyed like one in a trance.
"Now, Tom, be calm. When I was a baby I loved you, but that is long ago. Today, Tom, you're an insufferable cad and I--well, I'm too much like you to have two of us in the same family."
"But, Stillings!" he burst forth, almost in tears. "The snake--what is he?"
"Nearly as bad as you, I'll admit; but he has four thousand a year and sense enough to keep it. In truth, I need it; for, thanks to your political activity, my own position is gone."