o do the same. You'll be very foolish to butt your head
against every political influence in this State that counts for
anything. I told your grandfather--"

"I don't want your advice in politics," blazed Harlan, letting his
grudge have rein, "and I don't thank you to tell me how to get along
with my own grandfather!"

He hoped that young Mr. Linton would resent that manner of speech.

Young Mr. Linton, as stalwart as he, raised his black eyebrows, pursed
his lips, and was not daunted by the outburst.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Thornton," he said, "but I fear you did not have
enough sleep last night."

He started for General Waymouth's room, and Harlan followed him. There
seemed to be no other haven for the latter just then. He was hung
between the political sky and earth. He had no hope left that the
General could prevail over the conditions that had so suddenly presented
themselves. But his loyalty was not shaken. Now it had become
unreasoning loyalty, dogged determination to stick to his choice; and as
he looked at Linton's back preceding him along the corridor, he was more
firmly determined than ever. Suddenly he was glad of the fact that this
young man was on the other side, and he did not stop to analyze why he
was glad it was so.

General Waymouth's parlor was crowded with men. The size of that levee
astonished the two new arrivals. The General was not in sight. He was
closeted with some one in the bedroom. Harlan and Linton noted that the
men in the parlor did not wear the demeanor of ordinary visitors calling
to pay their respects to a "has been." Some of them were talking eagerly
in bunches, some were waiting--all were serious and anxious.

General Waymouth, coming to his bedroom door to usher out three men and
admit others, saw his young lieutenants. He called them to him. He was
straighter. He was stern. Fires within had given his eyes the flash of
youth. All his usual gentle pensiveness was gone.

"My boys," he said, earnestly, "a week ago I didn't think I wanted to be
Governor of this State again. But I want that office now with the whole
strength of my soul. The devil is running our State to-day through his
agents. I've got a duty to perform. I haven't time now to tell you what
I've discovered since you left my room. I want you to--"

"I ask your pardon for interrupting, General," said Linton, manfully,
"but I want to be as square with you as I can. Interests that belong to
others will suffer if I