st now," suggested the General.
"You are angry, and I've told you many times in past years that your
judgment is not good when you are angry. But this is no place for
talking these matters!"

The curious had already begun to throng about them. General Waymouth was
a marked figure in a gathering. It had not become a matter of general
knowledge that he was attending the convention. He had not appeared
frequently in public since his retirement, and men were glad to see him.
The early buzz that greeted his first appearance in the hall grew louder
and louder, and swelled into an uproar as delegates turned in larger
numbers and recognized him.

The vast body of the auditorium was crowded with men. Posts supporting
huge placards indicated the division of delegates into counties. The
General's own county was nearest the door by which he had entered. At a
call from some one these delegates climbed upon their settees. They gave
three cheers for him. It was a spontaneous tribute to the one great man
of the State--their county's favorite son.

The word passed rapidly. Other counties came to their feet. The band was
playing, the early enthusiasm of the day was fresh, men had not had
opportunity to exercise their voices till then, and as the General
passed down the side aisle of the hall he was cheered by every
delegation. Harlan followed him closely, and the Duke was at their
heels. Every man in the hall saw the little group. It seemed eminently
fit that Thelismer Thornton should escort General Waymouth. But the Duke
did not realize that the General was shrewdly using that opportunity of
displaying Thornton, the elder, in his retinue. The accident fitted with
some plans of his own.

Spurred by the excitement of that tumultuous moment, Harlan could not
restrain a bit of a boast.

"How do you like the sound of that, grandfather?" he flung over his
shoulder.

"There's no politics in that, you young fool. A hoorah isn't a
nomination."

But he could not hide from himself the plain fact that Varden Waymouth
was a tremendously strong figure in State affairs.

There was sincerity behind that outburst. Eyes glistened. Faces glowed
with admiration and respect. The Duke wondered bitterly how much of that
extraordinary tribute was inspired by the publicity work for which the
State Committee had spent its good money.

The General led the way in at the side door that admitted to the stage.
He was on familiar ground. Behind the stage t