You've been very patient, Davey, but do try again. Every one is down
on him now but father and you and me. Aunt M'ri has let the Judge
prejudice her; Joe hasn't a particle of patience with him, and he
can't understand how I can have any, but you do, Davey. You understand
everything."

They sat in silence, watching the stars pierce vividly through the
blackness of the sky, and presently his thoughts strayed from Jud and
from his fair young sister. In fancy he saw the queenly carriage of an
imperious little head, the mystery lurking in a pair of purple eyes,
and heard the cadence in an exquisite voice.

The next morning he began the fight, and there was an incessant
cannonade from start to finish against the upstart boy nominee, who
proved to be an adversary of unremitting activity, the tact and
experience of Knowles making a fortified intrenchment for him. All of
David's friends rallied strongly to his support. Hume came from
Washington, Joe from the ranch, and Wilder from the East, his father
having a branch concern in the state.

Through the long, hot summer the warfare waged, and by mid-autumn it
seemed a neck and neck contest--a contest so susceptible that the
merest breath might turn the tide at any moment. The week before the
election found David still resolute, grim, and determined. Instead of
being discouraged by adverse attacks he had gained new vigor from
each downthrow. All forces rendezvoused at the largest city in the
state for the final engagement.

Three days before election he received a note in a handwriting that
had become familiar to him during the past year. With a rush of
surprise and pleasure he noted the city postmark. The note was very
brief, merely mentioning the hotel at which they were stopping and
asking him to call if he could spare a few moments from his campaign
work.

In an incredibly short time after the receipt of this note he was at
the hotel, awaiting an answer to his card. He was shown to the sitting
room of the suite, and Carey opened the door to admit him. This was
not the little princess of his dreams, nor the charming young girl who
had talked so ingenuously with him before the Braden fireside. This
was a woman, stately yet gracious, vigorous yet exquisite.

"I am glad we came home in time to see you elected," she said. "It is
a great honor, David, to be the governor of your state."

There was a shade of deference in her manner to him which he realized
was due to the awe