onging past recognized him, and he was not
accosted.

He caught fragments of talk. It was evident that the rumor concerning
Spinney had found as many disbelievers as believers. Some charged that
the story was started simply for the purpose of hurting the reform
candidate by decrying his strength and inducing the wavering
opportunists to come over to the winning side. Others said a trade had
been effected, and that the story of it had leaked out prematurely. At
any rate, the buzz of gossip showed that the situation was badly mixed.

Linton came alone. He had left the Duke and the chairman in conference.
He took Harlan by the arm, and walked to the end of the corridor. They
were alone there.

"Of course you know how I came to be in on the Waymouth side," he began,
promptly. "Once I was in I didn't propose to quit so long as there was
any hope. I did what mighty few young men in politics would do, Mr.
Thornton--I stood out last night against Presson and your grandfather
when they dropped the General. I just say that to show you I'm not a
cur. But it's hopeless. The thing has turned completely over."

"You're going to desert the General?"

"It isn't desertion. That isn't a word that belongs in this situation.
General Waymouth will not call it that after I've talked with him."

Harlan did not speak. At the breakfast-table he had been ashamed of that
little gnawing feeling of rancor when he looked across at the young
couple who seemed so wholly contented with their conversation. Now he
indulged himself. He began to hate this young man cordially. He excused
the feeling, on the ground that it was proper resentment on behalf of
the General.

"I don't want you to think that I'm disloyal or a deserter in this
matter, Mr. Thornton. But I'm going to the next legislature, and I'm
interested in certain measures that will help this State if they're
adopted. I can't help General Waymouth now; you can't help him. He has
no one behind him, as the thing has turned."

"He's got the square deal behind him!"

"Meaning nothing in a political mix-up such as this is. I can't afford
to dump all my future overboard and kill myself for the next legislature
by an absolutely useless and quixotic splurge in to-day's convention.
The General has made no canvass--he isn't even very much interested
personally in the affair. I hope I stand straight with you now. I'm
going up and tell the General exactly how I feel about the thing. I
advise you t