"I will inquire into the condition of politics in this district，Mr.Boglin，and try to determine which candidate is the most deserving.Having reached a decision，the Millville Tribune will espouse the cause of the best man—if it mentions local politics at all."The Hon.Ojoy gave a dissatis？ed grunt.
"That means，in plain words，"he suggested，"that you'll give Kleppish a chance to bid against me.But I need this paper，and I'm willin'to pay a big price for it.Let Kleppish go，and we'll make our dickera right now，on a lib'ral basis.It's the only way you can make your paper pay.I've got money，Miss Doyle.I own six farms near Hooker's Falls，which is in this county，and six hundred acres of good pine forest，and I'm director in the Bank of Huntingdon，with plenty of money out on interest.Also I own half the stock in the new paper mill at Royal—""You do？"she exclaimed."I thought Mr.Skeelty—""Skeelty's the head man，of course，"he said."He cameto me about the mill proposition and I went in with him.I own all the forest around Royal.Bein'manager，and knowin'the business，Skeelty stood out for fifty—one shares of stock，which is the controllin'interest；but I own all the rest，and the mill's makin'good money.People don't know I'm in that deal，and of course this is all con？dential and not to be talked about.""Very well，sir.But I fear you have mistaken the character ofour paper，"said Patsy quietly."We are quite independent，Mr.
Boglin，and intend to remain so—even if we can't make the paper pay.In other words，the Millville Daily Tribune can't be bought."He stared in amazement；then scratched his ear with apuzzled air.
"Such talk as that means somethin'，"he asserted，gropinglya，"but what it means，blamed if I know！Newspapers never turn money down unless they're a'ready bought，or have got a grouchb of their own…Say！"he suddenly cried，as an inspiration struck him，"you ain't got anything agin the mill at Royal，or agin Skeelty，have you ？""I have，sir！"declared Patsy，raising her head to frown discouragingly upon the Honer'ble Ojoy."Mr.Skeelty is acting in a very disagreeable manner.He has not only boycotted our paper and refused to pay for the subions he engaged，but I understand he is encouraging his workmen to annoy the Millville people，and especially this printing of？ce.""Well—durn—Skeelty！"ejaculated Mr.Boglin，greatlydiscomposed by this statement."But I'll fix all that，Miss Doyle，"he added，eagerly."Skeelty's my partner and he's gotto do what I say or I'll make trouble for him.You dicker with me for the support of your paper and I'll guarantee a hundred subions from Royal and get you an apology from Skeelty and a promise he'll behave an'keep his men to home.And all that's outside the price I'll agree to pay."Patsy's eyes were full of scorn.
"I won't dicker with you an instant，"she ？rmly declared."I don't know Colonel Kleppish，or what his character is，but I'm very sure he's the better man and that the people have made no mistake in electing him in your place.No respectable candidate for of？ce would attempt to buy the support of a newspaper，and I advise you to change the wording on your card.Instead of 'Honorable'it should read 'Dishonorable'Ojoy Boglin.Good day，sir！"Mr.Boglin's face turned white with rage.He half rose from his seat，but sat down again with a viciousa snarlb.
"I've coaxed，so far，young woman，"he said grimly，"but I guess it's time I showed my hand.You'll either run this paper in my interest or I'll push Skeelty on to make the town too hot to hold you.I've got power in this county，even if I ain't senator，and you'll feel that power if you dare oppose me.Take your choice，girl—either to make good money out o'this campaign，or be run out of town，neck an'crop ！It's up to you to decide.""In thirty seconds，"said Patsy，her face as white as wasBoglin's，"I shall ring this bell to summon my men to throw you out."The Honer'ble Ojoy slowly rose and put on his hat."Look out ！"he said warningly.
"I will，"snapped Patsy.
"This ain't the end of it，girl！""There are ten seconds left，"she said.
He picked up his card，turned his back and walked out，leaving his opponent trembling betwixta agitationb and righteous indignation.A few moments later Bob West came in and looked at the girl editor curiously.
"Ojoy Boglin has been here，"he said.
"The Honer'ble Ojoy，if you please，"answered Patsy，with a laugh that bordered on hysteriac.
The hardware man nodded，his eyes reading her face.
"You were quite right to turn him down，"he asserted.
"It was the only thing to do，"responded the girl，wondering how he knew.
"But Boglin is a dangerous man，"resumed West."Lookout for him.Miss Doyle.""Yes；he told me to do that，and I will，"said she，more quietly."He is Skeelty's partner.""And you're not afraid of him ？""Why should I be，Mr.West ？"He smiled.
"I'm justice of the peace here.If there's a hint of atrouble from Boglin or Skeelty，come directly to me.""Thank you，Mr.West.I will."With this he nodded cheerfully and went away.