o the bar in this state I'm going to make you my law partner.
Hold on! I'm doing you no especial favor--I'm putting into my office a
man who had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the unholy clutch
of plunderers who have had this state by the throat for a quarter of a
century. I'm simply grabbing you before somebody else gets you. I expect
to be governor of this state, and I want my law business looked after
by a man who is able to keep up the reputation of the firm. But first of
all, my boy, you and I are going back to your home. I think you'll find
me a fairly good lawyer in straightening out tangles. I'll know just how
to talk to those folks out there. And then you're coming back here with
me and face this state as yourself and help me fight the legislation
we want put through to enactment--and be damned to 'em!" He put his arm
about the young man's shoulders and drew him to his feet. "It has been
a hard day for you, my boy. There are some hard things ahead of you. You
must go to bed. The morning will bring comfort and good counsel."

But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him gently
and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big vestibule.

"You're home, my boy--right here--you're home here from this time on!
This is your other home until your father needs you more than I do.
I have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without
realizing just what was the matter with me."

"After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done,"
expostulated Bristol.

"Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common
sense."

Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him.

"I'm not going to talk to you any more to-night," stated the host,
when they were on the upper landing. "It will all seem different in the
morning. It's going to be all right after this, Thornton. I'm sorry I
haven't a wife. A woman understands how to listen to troubles better
than a man. Is your mother alive?"

"No, Mr. Converse."

"I might have known that. You would not have allowed a mother to
suffer--your folly would never have gone so far. You would have been
home long before this. Ah, well, my boy, some woman will know how to
comfort you some day for all you have endured. Good night!"

The young man knew that Zelie Dionne had been right in what she said; he
did not require the added opinion of the state's most eminent lawyer.

XXXII

THE DEBT

Colonel