t back to his chair, and sat down in it. He wrinkled his
brows and took a long survey of his embarrassed caller.

"I'm afraid I spoke of the case of our mutual friend Presson in rather
harsh terms. It would not work like that. Of course, he would bow to the
inevitable if such a law were passed. But if it becomes a personal
matter in any respect, Mr. Thornton, do you believe that any member of
Presson's family would be offended if Presson were made to obey the
law?"

"Well, if he persisted against the new law, it would be a pretty hard
position for any fair person to defend," admitted the young man.

"I think we may depend on it that this young person, admittedly
'fair'--at my age I can be allowed to bestow that compliment--will
respect your integrity. I do not command you to do the service--I cannot
do that. But I shall be disappointed if you allow personal reasons to
interfere with your public duties. I have depended on you to do it. I
have only a few that I can trust."

At that instant, in the presence of this man who had sacrificed so much,
Harlan felt that his own interests were too petty for consideration.

He put the document into his pocket.

"Forgive me for hesitating, Governor Waymouth. I'm afraid I'll never
make a very good public servant. But I'll try to hold my eyes straight
ahead after this."

"Keep the paper in your pocket. Think it all over. You're at the place
every man reaches. What you want to do and what you ought to do split
very sharply sometimes. I'll let you decide. I have no more to say."

Harlan walked back to the hotel, trying to adjust himself to this new
phase of the question. Once more he had been called upon to lead the
charge of the forlorn hope. He had not the same thrill of zealous
loyalty as before. He was a little hurt because the Governor had made
the affairs of his heart of so small importance. An old man's austerity
could not understand, perhaps, but nevertheless Harlan felt that he was
entitled to some consideration. He had not acquired an old man's calm
poise--he was not entirely willing to put politics ahead of everything
else, now that he found there were so many other things in life. Was it
not true that the mass preferred to pay court to high ideals in the
abstract, and bitterly resented any attempt by sincere individuals to
enforce the actual? He understood rather vaguely that he would be
applauded by the radicals--he had met their leaders and did not like
them--he w