nd the
druggist who had furnished the liquor.

The story exploded like a bomb shell in the camp of the progressives.
Rawson tried at once without success to get Jeff on the telephone. He
was not at the office, nor had he reached his rooms at all after leaving
the _World_ building on the previous night. None of his friends had seen
or heard of him.

The afternoon papers had a sensation of their own. Jefferson Farnum had
left Verden secretly without leaving an address. Evidently he had been
given a hint of the exposure that was to be made of his life and had
decamped rather than face the charges.

Rumor had a hundred tales to tell. The waverers at the State House chose
to believe that Jeff had sold them out and fled with his price. It was
impossible to deny the stories of his immorality, since it happened that
Sam Miller, the only man who knew the whole story, was far up in the
mountains arranging for a shipment of Rocky Mountain sheep to the
state museum. Farnum's friends could only affirm their faith in him
or surrender. Some gave way, some stood firm. The lobbyists and the
opposition went about with confident, "I-told-you-so" smiles writ large
on their faces. Within a few days it became apparent that the reform
bill would be defeated in the senate. Its fate had been so long tied
up with the people's belief in Jeff that with his collapse the general
opinion condemned it to defeat. Its friends hung back, unwilling to risk
a vote as yet.

The situation called for a leader and developed one. James Farnum
stepped into the breach and took command. In a ringing speech he called
for a new alignment. He would yield to none in the devotion he had given
to House Bill Number 33. But it needed no prophet to see that now
this amendment was doomed. Better half a loaf than no bread. He was a
practical man and wanted to see practical results. Rather than see
the will of the people frustrated he felt that House Bill I7 should
be passed. While not an ideal bill it was far better than none. The
principle of direct legislation at least would be established.

H. B. No. I7 was brought hurriedly out of committee. It had been
introduced as a substitute measure to defeat the real reform. According
to its provision legislation could be initiated by the people, but
to make it valid as a law the legislature had to approve any bill so
passed. The people could advise. They could not compel.

The speech of the speaker of the House precipitated