was human. Somehow, too, the name sounded familiar.

"Who's Jim Daly, Joe?"

"He's the boss of the Ninth Ward."

"The Daly who has just been elected alderman?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Then Mary understood. "Really, Joe!" she said in the stage whisper
necessary to the situation.

"Maybe she's going to be married after Easter," the guileless prattler
continued, to make his confidence complete.

"Then you and Frank would lose her." This was the answer which rose to
Mary's lips, partly prompted, doubtless, by her own instinctive
aversion to the match.

The suggestion of another loss worked upon Joe's susceptible feelings.
Evidently he had not taken this side of the matter into consideration,
and he put up one of his hands to his eyes. Fortunately the bell for
the opening of the session broke in upon the conversation, and not
only diverted him, but relegated the whole subject to the background
for the time being. Nevertheless, the thought of it continued in
Mary's mind as she sat listening to the exercises. How could an
attractive girl like this take a fancy to such a trickster? It seemed
totally incompatible with the teacher's other qualities, for in her
attitude toward her pupils she appeared discerning and conscientious.