"I infer," said the smart girl, with the "American dip," as she felt the young man's arm encircle her waist, "I infer that you are a Protectionist."

"Wrong," said the ardent swain, as he reached for a kiss from her tempting lips; "I am a Freetrader."

"Very free," she remarked, dodging behind her fan. "By-the-way, have you passed the language test?"

"I love you," he cried passionately.

"Good," said the girl; "you'll pass, I think."

"Then, it is to be Federation?" he asked, earnestly.

"One moment," she said. "You are out of order. Put your tie straight, you careless boy. There are the state rights to be considered."

"There is but one state worth considering," he assured her, "the married state."

"Perhaps," she admitted; "but tell me, do you believe in party goverment?"

"Um - well - a little perhaps," he said, hesitatingly. "But do not think," he hastened to add, "that because I am in a conservatory I am necessarily a conservative."

"Then you are?"

"Liberal," he cried, raining kisses on her upturned face.

"That's easy," said the maid; "but, remember, I am a revenue tariffist. There are the estimates to be considered."

"I have two thousand a year and a motor car," he annouced.

"Fifty per cent. ad valorem," she replied, promptly. "Now, about late sittings?'

"You shall have none, dear," he said, tenderly, as he grently drew her to him, her head upon his shoulder. "I shall resign from the club at once."

"Then I move" - she began.

"Ah, don't," he pleaded; "it's so nice and comfy like this. By-the-way, have you any preference for unionists?"

"I think," she said, "that I should like our own rector, as well as any one."

"Good. A prime minister," he agreed. "Then we shall have the union label prepared in" -

"Give note," she cried.

"A week," he suggested.

"Six months," she amended.

"A month," he compromised.

"You are trying to rush the measure through," she complained; "let us adjourn the debate. Of course, mother will live with us."

"Don't you think," he insiniuated, "that we could manage very well without a Speaker."

"Impossible," she said; "it would be unconstitutional. And now I want you to promise me that you will always be faithful to your hustings pledges, and that no other girl will ever come between" -

"Darling," he whispered; "darling, I promise that there will never, never be a division belle," and he imprinted an ardent kiss upon her ruby lips.

"To be taken as printed," she remarked, sweetly.

"And return to the printer?" he sugegsted.

She caught the speaker's eye and smiled divinely.

"Then the bill is carried," she whispered, softly.

"And the coo," he added sentimentally. "Let us apply the closure."

"My Elected Candidate!" she sighed.

"My Beloved Constituent!" he murmured.

Left sitting.

"C.J.D."
The Gadfly, 7 March 1906, p6