s' room for the good-night
call; but the talk was wholly of Judge Latimer's interests.

"I'm afraid that Arthur will have a hard pull," regretted the old
friend, "but we will do all we can for him. I've had a telegram calling
me back to Fort Benton, and must leave on the midnight train."

Danvers walked to the little depot, a mile from the city proper, with
his friend, and after the train pulled out he again thought of Winifred.

As he passed, on his way back to town, the huge piles of loose rock that
the miners had left in their sluicing for gold in bygone days, his
thoughts followed the girl back into the long years since he had first
met her on the _Far West_--a child eager for sympathy. It was odd that
he had never seen her in all that time--the years when he had
unconsciously longed for friendship, and the sight of a woman's face--a
white face. The rings from his cigar melted around him, softening his
face until it took on the boyish fairness of youth.

[Illustration]

Chapter IV

The State Republican Convention

The evening before the convention found Judge Latimer at the club in
conference with his friends. His nomination seemed doubtful, yet there
was a possibility that he might win, and Danvers was working hard and
hopefully.

The Honorable William Moore had arrived from Butte that day, and as he
greeted various members of the club, watched for a chance to approach
Judge Latimer.

"What are the prospects?" he inquired, after a chat on politics in
general. "I calculate you'll need the support of Silver Bow County, and
we'd like to help you out."

"Of course, I shall be glad of your support," responded Latimer, who
knew it would be impossible to win without this important section of
Montana.

"Very well. What can you do for us--that is, for Burroughs?"

The judge moved uneasily. "It doesn't seem to me that I can do very much
for a man who has practically the whole State at his command."

"You know what we want!" scowlingly.

"I shall have no influence."

"Bah! What's the use talking? He'll make it worth your while. Get
Danvers to vote for Burroughs when it comes time to elect United States
senator. He never will unless you can persuade him. You know his feeling
toward Burroughs, although Bob's been a good husband and father. And
there's Charlie Blair, get him pledged and he'll be elected; and----"

"Hold on, Moore!" Latimer's voice trembled with anger. "Why should you
oppose me? Haven