.

Rann gave an ugly little sneer, his cheek purpling. "I may not be
governor, but I made you so," he retorted.

"Your mistake, my dear Major, was that you neglected to create him in
your own likeness," put in Galt coolly.

"By the people's will I am governor, and governor I'll be," said
Nicholas grimly; "as for this bill you speak of, I might have saved you
the trouble of working for your pitiable majority. Since you have seen
fit to deride my motive, it is sufficient for me to say that the measure
will not become a law over my opposition, and I shall oppose it to the
death."

Rann was shaking on his short legs and his hands were trembling. "So you
defy me, do you, Governor?" he demanded.

"Defy you?" the governor laughed shortly, "I don't trouble to defy you.
I laugh at you--the whole lot of you who come to cozen me with party
promises. So long as I spoke your speech and did your bidding I might
have the senatorship for the asking. I was honest Nick Burr, though I
might belie my convictions at every step. So long as I wore the collar
of your machine upon my neck my honesty was the hall-mark of the party.
Where is my honesty, the first instant that I dare to stand against you?
Defy you? Pshaw! You aren't worth defying!"

"Hold on!" said Galt hastily. "Nick, for God's sake, leave our friend
alone. You're both good fellows--too good to quarrel--"

"Oh, there's no use," protested Rann, wiping his flaming brow. "I've
offered a dozen compromises--but compromise I won't without that bill.
Bear witness that I've upheld him from the start. I'd have run him for
the presidency itself if I'd had the power, and when I ask a little
friendly return he talks about his damned duty. But I tell you, he's
signed his own warrant. He's as dead in this State as if his grave was
dug. He's held his last office in the Democratic Party."

"I shall certainly not owe my second to you," responded the governor;
then he looked vacantly before him. "I have the pleasure to wish you
good morning," he said.

When Rann had gone, and the door had slammed after him, Galt turned,
with a laugh.

"Shake!" he exclaimed, and as Nicholas grasped his hand, added lightly,
"My dear friend, you may as well have a quiet conscience, since you'll
never have the senatorship."

Nicholas drew his hand away impatiently. "I'm not beaten yet," he said.
"I'll fight and I'll win, or my name's not Burr! Do you think I'm afraid
of a sneak like that? Why, he offered