The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10

narration.
 In the second part there are touches which remind one of Robert Louis Stew enson. Not that Disraei has Stevensons S literary genius, but literary genius he certainly had, and that of no mean order, and had he not chosen to make politics the main work of his life, who can tell to what degree of excellence he might have brought it?
 K xR VIVIAN GREY, young gentle MI man of good family and consid- A A erable expectations as to wealth. was one of the "precocious sons of Au- rora' of whom Lord Bacon wrote. Not being yet 21 he scorned Oxford and "knew 1t all.'' He moped in college halls when the great game of life was open before him to play, and he felt his genius burn ing within him. He knew positively his ability to grapple with all great prob lems. He read Plato, the platonists and the neoplatonists; and then sat down to think just what path he should choose to wealth and greatness. He had but to choose-and he decided on politics.
 As he approached his majority he went to work. There was a certain noble mar quis-the Most Noble Sydney, Marquis of Carabas, an old gentleman who had held office and had been turned out of it for utter incompetence in spite of his inter ests'' The Marquis was vain and weak, still imagined himself great man and longed with great longing to play u part once more on the stage of the world. Vivian met him at hts fathers table and decided to use him What he needed at first, he Said. was the aanis Of some great noble, and that nobleniab's inter ests" ffgs'
 His keen, confident. ill-tTained mind soon made itself master of the weak in tellect of the Marquis and he received an invitation to the noblemans seat, Chateau Desir, where a large company was as sembled and where the Marquis daily con- suited with my young friend, MT. Grey --one of the most remarkable young men l have ever met" 5.s
 q consider it remarkably fortunate that we have met" his lordship would add, especially just at this time when so many important political changes are impending. Really his advice Is of the utmost importance.' Thus did thei Mar quis vapor while some of his guests-po- 1itical soreheads like himself, collected at the suggestion of Vivian-wondered; and Mrs. Felix Lorraine, his lordship's sister in-law, looked keenly at the young man and saw through him like a book
 Mrs. Lorrane's Husband was on q mis- sion to Patagonia or somewhere else. He was the black sheep of the family. The lady was under the especial protection of the Marquis, over whom she exercised d sway as powerful as she chose to make it.
 Vivian bewildered and fascinated the company assembled at the castle. He fiattered openly and shamelessy, and talked brilliantly, inventing quotations from the classics and from political speeches, and manufacturing historical precedents in a reckless manner.
 MT. Grey said Mrs. Lorraine T con- graduate you on your reception here You see we make you quite one of the family. Ca0ts, 1t is a fine evening, let us enjoy the moo9light from the terrace. Do you know" she continued as they walked along q am glad you came down here l feel that we shall be great friends Have. you a friend, MT. Grey?' Vivian tried to keep pace with the willy woman in sentiment and fine phrases but soon was 1oundering quite bewildered in the tangle of her apparent sentimentality frankness and changing moods. In ten minutes she had brought the boy to the verge of declaration. Then she checked him and, turning serious, said: Do you know. l think your plan excellent.
 My plan, madam"
 Yes. The Marquis has told me all have no head for politics, but If cannot assist you in managing the nation. per haps 1 can assist you in managing the family. My services are at your com mand There, l pledge my troth. Do you think it a pretty hand?"
 After two weeks at Chateau Desir it was all arranged. The lords and gentle men out of office were to form third party. In solemn conclave they pledged themselves to each other. And who is to be the leader?" asked one The Mar ouis threw out his chest. Each other mo- ble lord at the table did the same It was a crisis.
 cidedly.
 The silence of great astonishment fell upon the company. MT. Cleveland was an ex-minister of state who once had swayed the destinies of the nation. soured with public life. he had retired to a sinecure in Wales and refused even to visit the capital Almost his last public act had been to score the Marquis of Car abas and his fellow incompetents-espe cially the Marquis, most mercilessly in the House.
 Now I have done it." thought Vivian, after the conference had broken up, 'but I suppose this Cleveland is but a man after all" And he posted away for the statesman's Welsh retreat.
 Vivian succeeded. The mature and ex- perienced statesman fell a prey to the wiles of the daring and brilliant boy. Power once tasted, the taste is never en- tirely out of the mouth. Cleveland came hack with Vivian to Chateau Desir.
 If was reconciliation all around. Cleve- land gave up his Welsh sinecure. and one