EVERETT WHARTON.

On that same day Lopez dined with his friend Everett Wharton at a
new club, called the Progress, of which they were both members.
The Progress was certainly a new club, having as yet been open
hardly more than three years; but still it was old enough to have
seen many of the hopes of its early youth become dim with age and
inaction. For the Progress had intended to do great things for
the Liberal Party,--or rather for political liberality in
general,--and had in truth done little or nothing. It had been
got up with considerable enthusiasm, and for a while certain
fiery politicians had believed that through the instrumentality
of this institution men of genius and spirit, and natural power,
but without wealth,--meaning always themselves,--would be
supplied with sure seats in Parliament and a probably share in
the Government. But no such results had been achieved. There
had been a want of something,--some deficiency felt but not yet
defined,--which had hitherto been fatal. The young men said it
was because no old stager who knew the way of pulling the wires
would come forward and put the club in the proper groove. The
old men said it was because the young men were pretentious
puppies. It was, however, not to be doubted that the party of
Progress had become slack, and that the Liberal politicians of
the country, although a special new club had been opened for the
furtherance of their views, were not at present making much way.
'What we want is organization,' said one of the leading young
men. But the organization was not as yet forthcoming.

The club, nevertheless, went on its way, like other clubs, and