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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28820-8.txt b/28820-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9359c08 --- /dev/null +++ b/28820-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12719 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Counsel for the Defense, by Leroy Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Counsel for the Defense + +Author: Leroy Scott + +Illustrator: Charles M. Chapman + +Release Date: May 15, 2009 [EBook #28820] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + Counsel for the Defense + + By + + Leroy Scott + + Author of + + "The Shears of Destiny," "To Him That Hath," + "The Walking Delegate" + + Frontispiece by + Charles M. Chapman + + GARDEN CITY NEW YORK + DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY + 1912 + + + + + _Copyright, 1911, 1912, by_ + LEROY SCOTT + + _All rights reserved, including that of + translation into foreign languages, + including the Scandinavian_ + + + + +[Illustration: "THRILLING WITH AN UNEXPECTED HOPE, KATHERINE ROSE AND +TRIED TO KEEP HERSELF BEFORE THE EYES OF DOCTOR SHERMAN LIKE AN +ACCUSING CONSCIENCE"] + + + + + TO + HELEN + + + + +PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS + +KATHERINE WEST. + +DR. DAVID WEST, her father. + +ARNOLD BRUCE, editor of the _Express_. + +HARRISON BLAKE, ex-lieutenant-governor. + +MRS. BLAKE, his mother. + +"BLIND CHARLIE" PECK, a political boss. + +HOSEA HOLLINGSWORTH, an old attorney. + +BILLY HARPER, reporter on the _Express_. + +THE REVEREND DR. SHERMAN, of the Wabash Avenue Church. + +MRS. SHERMAN, his wife. + +MRS. RACHEL GRAY, Katherine's aunt. + +ROGER KENNEDY, prosecuting attorney. + +JUDGE KELLOG. + +MR. BROWN, of the National Electric & Water Company. + +MR. MANNING, a detective. + +ELIJAH STONE, a detective. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. Westville Prepares to Celebrate 3 + II. The Bubble Reputation 15 + III. Katherine Comes Home 30 + IV. Doctor West's Lawyer 49 + V. Katherine Prepares for Battle 63 + VI. The Lady Lawyer 80 + VII. The Mask Falls 98 + VIII. The Editor of the _Express_ 116 + IX. The Price of a Man 131 + X. Sunset at The Sycamores 146 + XI. The Trial 158 + XII. Opportunity Knocks at Bruce's Door 172 + XIII. The Deserter 191 + XIV. The Night Watch 212 + XV. Politics Make Strange Bedfellows 226 + XVI. Through The Storm 240 + XVII. The Cup of Bliss 250 + XVIII. The Candidate and the Tiger 264 + XIX. When Greek Meets Greek 276 + XX. A Spectre Comes to Town 295 + XXI. Bruce to the Front 311 + XXII. The Last Stand 328 + XXIII. At Elsie's Bedside 346 + XXIV. Billy Harper Writes a Story 368 + XXV. Katherine Faces the Enemy 388 + XXVI. An Idol's Fall 403 + XXVII. The End of The Beginning 418 + + + + +COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WESTVILLE PREPARES TO CELEBRATE + + +The room was thick with dust and draped with ancient cobwebs. In one +corner dismally reposed a literary junk heap--old magazines, +broken-backed works of reference, novels once unanimously read but now +unanimously forgotten. The desk was a helter-skelter of papers. One of +the two chairs had its burst cane seat mended by an atlas of the +world; and wherever any of the floor peered dimly through the general +débris it showed a complexion of dark and ineradicable greasiness. +Altogether, it was a room hopelessly unfit for human habitation; which +is perhaps but an indirect manner of stating that it was the office of +the editor of a successful newspaper. + +Before a typewriter at a small table sat a bare-armed, solitary man. +He was twenty-eight or thirty, abundantly endowed with bone and +muscle, and with a face----But not to soil this early page with +abusive terms, it will be sufficient to remark that whatever the +Divine Sculptor had carved his countenance to portray, plainly there +had been no thought of re-beautifying the earth with an Apollo. He was +constructed not for grace, but powerful, tireless action; and there +was something absurdly disproportionate between the small machine and +the broad and hairy hands which so heavily belaboured its ladylike +keys. + +It was a custom with Bruce to write the big local news story of the +day himself, a feature that had proved a stimulant to his paper's +circulation and prestige. To-morrow was to be one of the proudest days +of Westville's history, for to-morrow was the formal opening of the +city's greatest municipal enterprise, its thoroughly modern +water-works; and it was an extensive and vivid account of the next +day's programme that the editor was pounding so rapidly out of his +machine for that afternoon's issue of the _Express_. Now and then, as +he paused an instant to shape an effective sentence in his mind, he +glanced through the open window beside him across Main Street to +where, against the front of the old Court House, a group of +shirt-sleeved workmen were hanging their country's colours about a +speakers' stand; then his big, blunt fingers thumped swiftly on. + +He had jerked out the final sheet, and had begun to revise his story, +making corrections with a very black pencil and in a very large hand, +when there sauntered in from the general editorial room a pale, slight +young man of twenty-five. The newcomer had a reckless air, a humorous +twist to the left corner of his mouth, and a negligent smartness in +his dress which plainly had its origin elsewhere than in Westville. + +The editor did not raise his eyes. + +"In a minute, Billy," he said shortly. + +"Nothing to hurry about, Arn," drawled the other. + +The young fellow drew forward the atlas-bottomed chair, leisurely +enthroned himself upon the nations of the earth, crossed his feet upon +the window-sill, and lit a cigarette. About his lounging form there +was a latent energy like that of a relaxed cat. He gazed rather +languidly over at the Square, its sides abustle with excited +preparation. Across the fronts of stores bunting was being tacked; +from upper windows crisp cotton flags were being unscrolled. As for +the Court House yard itself, to-day its elm-shaded spaces were +lifeless save for the workmen about the stand, a litigant or two going +up the walk, and an occasional frock-coated lawyer, his vest +democratically unbuttoned to the warm May air. But to-morrow---- + +The young fellow had turned his head slowly toward the editor's copy, +and, as though reading, he began in an emotional, declamatory voice: + +"To-morrow the classic shades of Court House Square will teem with a +tumultuous throng. In the emblazoned speakers' stand the Westville +Brass Band, in their new uniforms, glittering like so many grand +marshals of the empire, will trumpet forth triumphant music fit to +burst; and aloft from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory----" + +"Go to hell!" interrupted Bruce, eyes still racing through his copy. + +"And down from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory," continued +Billy, with a rising quaver in his voice, "Mr. Harrison Blake, +Westville's favourite son; the Reverend Doctor Sherman, president of +the Voters' Union, and the Honourable Hiram Cogshell, Calloway +County's able-bodiest orator, will pour forth prodigal and perfervid +eloquence upon the populace below. And Dr. David West, he who has +directed this magnificent work from its birth unto the present, he who +has laid upon the sacred altar of his city's welfare a matchless +devotion and a lifetime's store of scientific knowledge, he who----" + +"See here, young fellow!" The editor slammed down the last sheet of +his revised story, and turned upon his assistant a square, bony, +aggressive face that gave a sense of having been modelled by a +clinched fist, and of still glowering at the blow. He had gray eyes +that gleamed dogmatically from behind thick glasses, and hair that +brush could not subdue. "See here, Billy Harper, will you please go to +hell!" + +"Sure; follow you anywhere, Arn," returned Billy pleasantly, holding +out his cigarette case. + +"You little Chicago alley cat, you!" growled Bruce. He took a +cigarette, broke it open and poured the tobacco into a black pipe, +which he lit. "Well--turn up anything?" + +"Governor can't come," replied the reporter, lighting a fresh +cigarette. + +"Hard luck. But we'll have the crowd anyhow. Blake tell you anything +else?" + +"He didn't tell me that. His stenographer did; she'd opened the +Governor's telegram. Blake's in Indianapolis to-day--looking after his +chances for the Senate, I suppose." + +"See Doctor West?" + +"Went to his house first. But as usual he wouldn't say a thing. That +old boy is certainly the mildest mannered hero of the day I ever went +up against. The way he does dodge the spot-light!--it's enough to make +one of your prima donna politicians die of heart failure. To do a +great piece of work, and then be as modest about it as he is--well, +Arn, I sure am for that old doc!" + +"Huh!" grunted the editor. + +"When it comes time to hang the laurel wreath upon his brow to-morrow +I'll bet you and your spavined old Arrangements Committee will have to +push him on to the stand by the scruff of his neck." + +"Did you get him to promise to sit for a new picture?" + +"Yes. And you ought to raise me ten a week for doing it. He didn't +want his picture printed; and if we did print it, he thought that +prehistoric thing of the eighties we've got was good enough." + +"Well, be sure you get that photo, if you have to use chloroform. I +saw him go into the Court House a little while ago. Better catch him +as he comes out and lead him over to Dodson's gallery." + +"All right." The young fellow recrossed his feet upon the window-sill. +"But, Arn," he drawled, "this certainly is a slow old burg you've +dragged me down into. If one of your leading citizens wants to catch +the seven-thirty to Indianapolis to-morrow morning, I suppose he sets +his alarm to go off day before yesterday." + +"What's soured on your stomach now?" demanded the editor. + +"Oh, the way it took this suburb of Nowhere thirty years to wake up to +Doctor West! Every time I see him I feel sore for hours afterward at +how this darned place has treated the old boy. If your six-cylinder, +sixty-horse power, seven-passenger tongues hadn't remembered that his +grandfather had founded Westville, I bet you'd have talked him out of +the town long ago." + +"The town didn't understand him." + +"I should say it didn't!" agreed the reporter. + +"And I guess you don't understand the town," said the editor, a little +sharply. "Young man, you've never lived in a small place." + +"Till this, Chicago was my smallest--the gods be praised!" + +"Well, it's the same in your old smokestack of the universe as it is +here!" retorted Bruce. "If you go after the dollar, you're sane. If +you don't, you're cracked. Doctor West started off like a winner, so +they say; looked like he was going to get a corner on all the patients +of Westville. Then, when he stopped practising----" + +"You never told me what made him stop." + +"His wife's death--from typhoid; I barely remember that. When he +stopped practising and began his scientific work, the town thought +he'd lost his head." + +"And yet two years ago the town was glad enough to get him to take +charge of installing its new water system!" + +"That's how it discovered he was somebody. When the city began to look +around for an expert, it found no one they could get had a tenth of +his knowledge of water supply." + +"That's the way with your self-worshipping cross-roads towns! You +raise a genius--laugh at him, pity his family--till you learn how the +outside world respects him. Then--hurrah! Strike up the band, boys! +When I think how that old party has been quietly studying typhoid +fever and water supply all these years, with you bunch of hayseeds +looking down on him as a crank--I get so blamed sore at the place that +I wish I'd chucked your letter into the waste-basket when you wrote me +to come!" + +"It may have been a dub of a town, Billy, but it'll be the best place +in Indiana before we get through with it," returned the editor +confidently. "But whom else did you see?" + +"Ran into the Honourable Hiram Cogshell on Main Street, and he slipped +me this precious gem." Billy handed Bruce a packet of typewritten +sheets. "Carbon of his to-morrow's speech. He gave it to me, he said, +to save us the trouble of taking it down. The Honourable Hiram is +certainly one citizen who'll never go broke buying himself a bushel to +hide his light under!" + +The editor glanced at a page or two of it with wearied irritation, +then tossed it back. + +"Guess we'll have to print it. But weed out some of his flowers of +rhetoric." + +"Pressed flowers," amended Billy. "Swipe the Honourable Hiram's copy +of 'Bartlett's Quotations' and that tremendous orator would have +nothing left but his gestures." + +"How about the grand jury, Billy?" pursued the editor. "Anything doing +there?" + +"Farmer down in Buck Creek Township indicted for kidnapping his +neighbour's pigs," drawled the reporter. "Infants snatched away while +fond mother slept. Very pathetic. Also that second-story man was +indicted that stole Alderman Big Bill Perkins's clothes. Remember it, +don't you? Big Bill's clothes had so much diameter that the poor, +hard-working thief couldn't sell the fruits of his industry. Pathos +there also. Guess I can spin the two out for a column." + +"Spin 'em out for about three lines," returned Bruce in his abrupt +manner. "No room for your funny stuff to-day, Billy; the celebration +crowds everything else out. Write that about the Governor, and then +help Stevens with the telegraph--and see that it's carved down to the +bone." He picked up the typewritten sheets he had finished revising, +and let out a sharp growl of "Copy!" + +"That's your celebration story, isn't it?" asked the reporter. + +"Yes." And Bruce held it out to the "devil" who had appeared through +the doorway from the depths below. + +"Wait a bit with it, Arn. The prosecuting attorney stopped me as I was +leaving, and asked me to have you step over to the Court House for a +minute." + +"What's Kennedy want?" + +"Something about the celebration, he said. I guess he wants to talk +with you about some further details of the programme." + +"Why the deuce didn't he come over here then?" growled Bruce. "I'm as +busy as he is!" + +"He said he couldn't leave." + +"Couldn't leave?" said Bruce, with a snap of his heavy jaw. "Well, +neither can I!" + +"You mean you won't go?" + +"That's what I mean! I'll go to the very gates of hell to get a good +piece of news, but when it comes to general affairs the politicians, +business men, and the etceteras of this town have got to understand +that there's just as much reason for their coming to me as for my +going to them. I'm as important as any of them." + +"So-ho, we're on our high horse, are we?" + +"You bet we are, my son! And that's where you've got to be if you want +this town to respect you." + +"All right. She's a great nag, if you can keep your saddle. But I +guess I'd better tell Kennedy you're not coming." + +Without rising, Billy leaned back and took up Bruce's desk telephone, +and soon was talking to the prosecuting attorney. After a moment he +held out the instrument to the editor. + +"Kennedy wants to speak with you," he said. + +Bruce took the 'phone. + +"Hello, that you Kennedy?... No, I can't come--too busy. Suppose you +run over here.... Got some people there? Well, bring 'em along.... Why +can't they come? Who are they?... Can't you tell me what the situation +is?... All right, then; in a couple of minutes." + +Bruce hung up the receiver and arose. + +"So you're going after all?" asked Billy. + +"Guess I'd better," returned the editor, putting on his coat and hat. +"Kennedy says something big has just broken loose. Sounds queer. +Wonder what the dickens it can be." And he started out. + +"But how about your celebration story?" queried Billy. "Want it to go +down?" + +Bruce looked at his watch. + +"Two hours till press time; I guess it can wait." And taking the story +back from the boy he tossed it upon his desk. + +He stepped out into the local room, which showed the same kindly +tolerance of dirt as did his private office. At a long table two young +men sat before typewriters, and in a corner a third young man was +taking the clicking dictation of a telegraph sounder. + +"Remember, boys, keep everything but the celebration down to bones!" +Bruce called out. And with that he passed out of the office and down +the stairway to the street. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE BUBBLE REPUTATION + + +Despite its thirty thousand population--"Forty thousand, and growing, +sir!" loyally declared those disinterested citizens engaged in the +sale of remote fields of ragweed as building lots--Westville was still +but half-evolved from its earlier state of an overgrown country town. +It was as yet semi-pastoral, semi-urban. Automobiles and farm wagons +locked hubs in brotherly embrace upon its highways; cowhide boots and +patent leather shared its sidewalks. There was a stockbroker's office +that was thoroughly metropolitan in the facilities it afforded the +élite for relieving themselves of the tribulation of riches; and +adjoining it was Simpson Brothers & Company, wherein hick'ry-shirted +gentlemen bartered for threshing machines, hayrakes, axle grease, and +such like baubles of Arcadian pastime. + +There were three topics on which one could always start an argument in +Westville--politics, religion, and the editor of the _Express_. A +year before Arnold Bruce, who had left Westville at eighteen and whom +the town had vaguely heard of as a newspaper man in Chicago and New +York but whom it had not seen since, had returned home and taken +charge of the _Express_, which had been willed him by the late editor, +his uncle. The _Express_, which had been a slippered, dozing, senile +sheet under old Jimmie Bruce, burst suddenly into a volcanic youth. +The new editor used huge, vociferous headlines instead of the mere +whispering, timorous types of his uncle; he wrote a rousing, +rough-and-ready English; occasionally he placed an important +editorial, set up in heavy-faced type and enclosed in a black border, +in the very centre of his first page; and from the very start he had +had the hardihood to attack the "established order" at several points +and to preach unorthodox political doctrines. The wealthiest citizens +were outraged, and hotly denounced Bruce as a "yellow journalist" and +a "red-mouthed demagogue." It was commonly held by the better element +that his ultra-democracy was merely a mask, a pose, an advertising +scheme, to gather in the gullible subscriber and to force himself +sensationally into the public eye. + +But despite all hostile criticism of the paper, people read the +_Express_--many staid ones surreptitiously--for it had a snap, a go, a +tang, that at times almost took the breath. And despite the estimate +of its editor as a charlatan, the people had yielded to that +aggressive personage a rank of high importance in their midst. + +Bruce stepped forth from his stairway, crossed Main Street, and strode +up the shady Court House walk. On the left side of the walk, a-tiptoe +in an arid fountain, was poised a gracious nymph of cast-iron, so +chastely garbed as to bring to the cheek of elderly innocence no +faintest flush. On the walk's right side stood a rigid statue, +suggesting tetanus in the model, of the city's founder, Col. Davy +West, wearing a coonskin cap and leaning with conscious dignity upon a +long deer rifle. + +Bruce entered the dingy Court House, mounted a foot-worn wooden +stairway, browned with the ambrosial extract of two generations of +tobacco-chewing litigants, and passed into a damp and gloomy chamber. +This room was the office of the prosecuting attorney of Calloway +County. That the incumbent might not become too depressed by his +environment, the walls were cheered up by a steel engraving of Daniel +Webster, frowning with multitudinous thought, and by a crackled map of +Indiana--the latter dotted by industrious flies with myriad nameless +cities. + +Three men arose from about the flat-topped desk in the centre of the +room, the prosecutor, the Reverend Doctor Sherman, and a rather +smartly dressed man whom Bruce remembered to have seen once or twice +but whom he did not know. With the first two the editor shook hands, +and the third was introduced to him as Mr. Marcy, the agent of the +Acme Filter Company, which had installed the filtering plant of the +new water-works. + +Bruce turned in his brusque manner to the prosecuting attorney. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Suppose we all sit down first," suggested the prosecutor. + +They did so, and Kennedy regarded Bruce with a solemn, weighty stare. +He was a lank, lantern-jawed, frock-coated gentleman of thirty-five, +with an upward rolling forelock and an Adam's-apple that throbbed in +his throat like a petrified pulse. He was climbing the political +ladder, and he was carefully schooling himself into that dignity and +poise and appearance of importance which should distinguish the +deportment of the public man. + +"Well, what is it?" demanded Bruce shortly. "About the water-works?" + +"Yes," responded Kennedy. "The water-works, Mr. Bruce, is, I hardly +need say, a source of pride to us all. To you especially it has had a +large significance. You have made it a theme for a continuous +agitation in your paper. You have argued and urged that, since the +city's new water-works promised to be such a great success, Westville +should not halt with this one municipal enterprise, but should refuse +the new franchise the street railway company is going to apply for, +take over the railway, run it as a municipal----" + +"Yes, yes," interrupted Bruce impatiently. "But who's dead? Who wants +the line of march changed to go by his grocery store?" + +"What I was saying was merely to recall how very important the +water-works has been to us," the prosecutor returned, with increased +solemnity. He paused, and having gained that heightened stage effect +of a well-managed silence, he continued: "Mr. Bruce, something very +serious has occurred." + +For all its ostentation the prosecutor's manner was genuinely +impressive. Bruce looked quickly at the other two men. The agent was +ill at ease, the minister pale and agitated. + +"Come," cried Bruce, "out with what you've got to tell me!" + +"It is a matter of the very first importance," returned the +prosecutor, who was posing for a prominent place in the _Express's_ +account of this affair--for however much the public men of Westville +affected to look down upon the _Express_, they secretly preferred its +superior presentment of their doings. "Doctor Sherman, in his +capacity of president of the Voters' Union, has just brought before me +some most distressing, most astounding evidence. It is evidence upon +which I must act both as a public official and as a member of the +Arrangements Committee, and evidence which concerns you both as a +committeeman and as an editor. It is painful to me to break----" + +"Let's have it from first hands," interrupted Bruce, irritated by the +verbal excelsior which the prosecutor so deliberately unwrapped from +about his fact. + +He turned to the minister, a slender man of hardly more than thirty, +with a high brow, the wide, sensitive mouth of the born orator, +fervently bright eyes, and the pallor of the devoted student--a face +that instantly explained why, though so young, he was Westville's most +popular divine. + +"What's it about, Doctor Sherman?" the editor asked. "Who's the man?" + +There was no posing here for Bruce's typewriter. The minister's +concern was deep and sincere. + +"About the water-works, as Mr. Kennedy has said," he answered in a +voice that trembled with agitation. "There has been some--some crooked +work." + +"Crooked work?" ejaculated the editor, staring at the minister. +"Crooked work?" + +"Yes." + +"You are certain of what you say?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you have evidence?" + +"I am sorry--but--but I have." + +The editor was leaning forward, his nostrils dilated, his eyes +gleaming sharply behind their thick glasses. + +"Who's mixed up in it? Who's the man?" + +The minister's hands were tightly interlocked. For an instant he +seemed unable to speak. + +"Who's the man?" repeated Bruce. + +The minister swallowed. + +"Doctor West," he said. + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Doctor West?" he cried. "The superintendent of the water-works?" + +"Yes." + +If the editor's concern for the city's welfare was merely a political +and business pose, if he was merely an actor, at least he acted his +part well. "My God!" he breathed, and stood with eyes fixed upon the +young minister. Then suddenly he sat down again, his thick brows drew +together, and his heavy jaws set. + +"Let's have the whole story," he snapped out. "From the very +beginning." + +"I cannot tell you how distressed I am by what I have just been forced +to do," began the young clergyman. "I have always esteemed Doctor +West most highly, and my wife and his daughter have been the closest +friends since girlhood. To make my part in this affair clear, I must +recall to you that of late the chief attention of the Voters' Union +has naturally been devoted to the water-works. I never imagined that +anything was wrong. But, speaking frankly, after the event, I must say +that Doctor West's position was such as made it a simple matter for +him to defraud the city should he so desire." + +"You mean because the council invested him with so much authority?" +demanded Bruce. + +"Yes. As I have said, I regarded Doctor West above all suspicion. But +a short time ago some matters--I need not detail them--aroused in me +the fear that Doctor West was using his office for--for----" + +"For graft?" supplied Bruce. + +The minister inclined his head. + +"Later, only a few weeks ago, a more definite fear came to me," he +continued in his low, pained voice. "It happens that I have known Mr. +Marcy here for years; we were friends in college, though we had lost +track of one another till his business brought him here. A few small +circumstances--my suspicion was already on the alert--made me guess +that Mr. Marcy was about to give Doctor West a bribe for having +awarded the filter contract to his company. I got Mr. Marcy +alone--taxed him with his intention--worked upon his conscience----" + +"Mr. Marcy has stated," the prosecutor interrupted to explain, "that +Doctor Sherman always had great influence over him." + +Mr. Marcy corroborated this with a nod. + +"At length Mr. Marcy confessed," Doctor Sherman went on. "He had +arranged to give Doctor West a certain sum of money immediately after +the filtering plant had been approved and payment had been made to the +company. After this confession I hesitated long upon what I should do. +On the one hand, I shrank from disgracing Doctor West. On the other, I +had a duty to the city. After a long struggle I decided that my +responsibility to the people of Westville should overbalance any +feeling I might have for any single individual." + +"That was the only decision," said Bruce. "Go on!" + +"But at the same time, to protect Doctor West's reputation, I decided +to take no one into my plan; should his integrity reassert itself at +the last moment and cause him to refuse the bribe, the whole matter +would then remain locked up in my heart. I arranged with Mr. Marcy +that he should carry out his agreement with Doctor West. Day before +yesterday, as you know, the council, on Doctor West's recommendation, +formally approved the filtering plant, and yesterday a draft was sent +to the company. Mr. Marcy was to call at Doctor West's home this +morning to conclude their secret bargain. Just before the appointed +hour I dropped in on Doctor West, and was there when Mr. Marcy called. +I said I would wait to finish my talk with Doctor West till they were +through their business, took a book, and went into an adjoining room. +I could see the two men through the partly opened door. After some +talk, Mr. Marcy drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to +Doctor West, saying in a low voice, 'Here is that money we spoke +about.'" + +"And he took it?" Bruce interrupted. + +"Doctor West slipped the envelope unopened into his pocket, and +replied, 'Thank you very much; it will come in very handy just now.'" + +"My God!" breathed the editor. + +"Though I had suspected Doctor West, I sat there stunned," the +minister continued. "But after a minute or two I slipped out by +another door. I returned with a policeman, and found Doctor West still +with Mr. Marcy. The policeman arrested Doctor West, and found the +envelope upon his person. In it was two thousand dollars." + +"Now, what do you think of that?" Kennedy demanded of the editor. +"Won't the town be thunderstruck!" + +Bruce turned to the agent, who had sat through the recital, a mere +corroborative presence. + +"And this is all true?" + +"That is exactly the way it happened," replied Mr. Marcy. + +Bruce looked back at the minister. + +"But didn't he have anything to say for himself?" + +"I can answer that," put in Kennedy. "I had him in here before I sent +him over to the jail. He admits practically every point that Doctor +Sherman has made. The only thing he says for himself is that he never +thought the money Mr. Marcy gave him was intended for a bribe." + +Bruce stood up, his face hard and glowering, and his fist crashed +explosively down upon the table. + +"Of all the damned flimsy defenses that ever a man made, that's the +limit!" + +"It certainly won't go down with the people of Westville," commented +the prosecutor. "And I can see the smile of the jury when he produces +that defense in court." + +"I should say they would smile!" cried Bruce. "But what was his +motive?" + +"That's plain enough," answered the prosecutor. "We both know, Mr. +Bruce, that he has earned hardly anything from the practice of +medicine since we were boys. His salary as superintendent of the +water-works was much less than he has been spending. His property is +mortgaged practically to its full value. Everything has gone on those +experiments of his. It's simply a case of a man being in a tight fix +for money." + +Bruce was striding up and down the room, scowling and staring fiercely +at the worn linoleum that carpeted the prosecutor's office. + +"I thought you'd take it rather hard," said Kennedy, a little slyly. +"It sort of puts a spoke in that general municipal ownership scheme of +yours--eh?" + +Bruce paused belligerently before the prosecutor. + +"See here, Kennedy," he snapped out. "Because a man you've banked on +is a crook, does that prove a principle is wrong?" + +"Oh, I guess not," Kennedy had to admit. + +"Well, suppose you cut out that kind of talk then. But what are you +going to do about the doctor?" + +"The grand jury is in session. I'm going straight before it with the +evidence. An hour from now and Doctor West will be indicted." + +"And what about to-morrow's show?" + +"What do you think we ought to do?" + +"What ought we to do!" Again the editor's fist crashed upon the desk. +"The celebration was half in Doctor West's honour. Do we want to meet +and hurrah for the man that sold us out? As for the water-works, it +looks as if, for all we know, he might have bought us a lot of old +junk. Do we want to hold a jubilee over a junk pile? You ask what we +ought to do. God, man, there's only one thing to do, and that's to +call the whole damned performance off!" + +"That's my opinion," said the prosecutor. "What do you think, Doctor +Sherman?" + +The young minister wiped his pale face. + +"It's a most miserable affair. I'm sick because of the part I've been +forced to play--I'm sorry for Doctor West--and I'm particularly sorry +for his daughter--but I do not see that any other course would be +possible." + +"I suppose we ought to consult Mr. Blake," said Kennedy. + +"He's not in town," returned Bruce. "And we don't need to consult him. +We three are a majority of the committee. The matter has to be settled +at once. And it's settled all right!" + +The editor jerked out his watch, glanced at it, then reached for his +hat. + +"I'll have this on the street in an hour--and if this town doesn't go +wild, then I don't know Westville!" + +He was making for the door, when the newspaper man in him recalled a +new detail of his story. He turned back. + +"How about this daughter of Doctor West?" he asked. + +The prosecutor looked at the minister. + +"Was she coming home for the celebration, do you know?" + +"Yes. She wrote Mrs. Sherman she was leaving New York this morning and +would get in here to-morrow on the Limited." + +"What's she like?" asked Bruce. + +"Haven't you seen her?" asked Kennedy. + +"She hasn't been home since I came back to Westville. When I left here +she was a tomboy--mostly legs and freckles." + +The prosecutor's lean face crinkled with a smile. + +"I guess you'll find she's grown right smart since then. She went to +one of those colleges back East; Vassar, I think it was. She got hold +of some of those new-fangled ideas the women in the East are crazy +over now--about going out in the world for themselves, and----" + +"Idiots--all of them!" snapped Bruce. + +"After she graduated, she studied law. When she was back home two +years ago she asked me what chance a woman would have to practise law +in Westville. A woman lawyer in Westville--oh, Lord!" + +The prosecutor leaned back and laughed at the excruciating humour of +the idea. + +"Oh, I know the kind!" Bruce's lips curled with contempt. +"Loud-voiced--aggressive--bony--perfect frights." + +"Let me suggest," put in Doctor Sherman, "that Miss West does not +belong in that classification." + +"Yes, I guess you're a little wrong about Katherine West," smiled +Kennedy. + +Bruce waved his hand peremptorily. "They're all the same! But what's +she doing in New York? Practising law?" + +"No. She's working for an organization something like Doctor +Sherman's--The Municipal League, I think she called it." + +"Huh!" grunted Bruce. "Well, whatever she's like, it's a pretty mess +she's coming back into!" + +With that the editor pulled his hat tightly down upon his forehead and +strode out of the Court House and past the speakers' stand, across +whose front twin flags were being leisurely festooned. Back in his own +office he picked up the story he had finished an hour before. With a +sneer he tore it across and trampled it under foot. Then, jerking a +chair forward to his typewriter, his brow dark, his jaw set, he began +to thump fiercely upon the keys. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +KATHERINE COMES HOME + + +Next morning when the Limited slowed down beside the old frame +station--a new one of brick was rising across the tracks--a young +woman descended from a Pullman at the front of the train. She was +lithe and graceful, rather tall and slender, and was dressed with +effective simplicity in a blue tailored suit and a tan straw hat with +a single blue quill. Her face was flushed, and there glowed an +expectant brightness in her brown eyes, as though happiness and +affection were upon the point of bubbling over. + +Standing beside her suit-case, she eagerly scanned the figures about +the station. Three or four swagger young drummers had scrambled off +the smoker, and these ambassadors of fashion as many hotel bus drivers +were inviting with importunate hospitality to honour their respective +board and bed. There was the shirt-sleeved figure of Jim Ludlow, +ticket agent and tenor of the Presbyterian choir. And leaning +cross-legged beneath the station eaves, giving the effect of +supporting the low roof, were half a dozen slowly masticating, soberly +contemplative gentlemen--loose-jointed caryatides, whose lank +sculpture forms the sole and invariable ornamentation of the façades +of all Western stations. But nowhere did the young woman's expectant +eyes alight upon the person whom they sought. + +The joyous response to welcome, which had plainly trembled at the tips +of her being, subsided, and in disappointment she picked up her bag +and was starting for a street car, when up the long, broad platform +there came hurrying a short-legged little man, with a bloodshot, +watery eye. He paused hesitant at a couple of yards, smiled +tentatively, and the remnant of an old glove fumbled the brim of a +rumpled, semi-bald object that in its distant youth had probably been +a silk hat. + +The young woman smiled back and held out her hand. + +"How do you do, Mr. Huggins." + +"How de do, Miss Katherine," he stammered. + +"Have you seen father anywhere?" she asked anxiously. + +"No. Your aunt just sent me word I was to meet you and fetch you home. +She couldn't leave Doctor West." + +"Is father ill?" she cried. + +The old cabman fumbled his ancient headgear. + +"No--he ain't--he ain't exactly sick. He's just porely. I guess it's +only--only a bad headache." + +He hastily picked up her suit-case and led her past the sidling +admiration of the drummers, those sovereign critics of Western +femininity, to the back of the station where stood a tottering surrey +and a dingy gray nag, far gone in years, that leaned upon its shafts +as though on crutches. Katherine clambered in, and the drooping animal +doddered along a street thickly overhung with the exuberant May-green +of maples. + +She gazed with ardent eyes at the familiar frame cottages, in some of +which had lived school and high-school friends, sitting comfortably +back amid their little squares of close-cropped lawn. She liked New +York with that adoptive liking one acquires for the place one chooses +from among all others for the passing of one's life; but her affection +remained warm and steadfast with this old town of her girlhood. + +"Oh, but it feels good to be back in Westville again!" she cried to +the cabman. + +"I reckon it must. I guess it's all of two years sence you been home." + +"Two years, yes. It's going to be a great celebration this afternoon, +isn't it?" + +"Yes'm--very big"--and he hastily struck the ancient steed. "Get-ep +there, Jenny!" + +Mr. Huggins's mare turned off Station Avenue, and Katharine excitedly +stared ahead beneath the wide-boughed maples for the first glimpse of +her home. At length it came into view--one of those big, square, +old-fashioned wooden houses, built with no perceptible architectural +idea beyond commodious shelter. She had thought her father might +possibly stumble out to greet her, but no one stood waiting at the +paling gate. + +She sprang lightly from the carriage as it drew up beside the curb, +and leaving Mr. Huggins to follow with her bag she hurried up the +brick-paved path to the house. As she crossed the porch, a slight, +gray, Quakerish little lady, with a white kerchief folded across her +breast, pushed open the screen door. Her Katherine gathered into her +arms and kissed repeatedly. + +"I'm so glad to see you, auntie!" she cried. "How are you?" + +"Very well," the old woman answered in a thin, tremulous voice. "How +is thee?" + +"Me? Oh, you know nothing's ever wrong with me!" She laughed in her +buoyant young strength. "But you, auntie?" She grew serious. "You look +very tired--and very, very worn and worried. But I suppose it's the +strain of father's headache--poor father! How is he?" + +"I--I think he's feeling some better," the old woman faltered. "He's +still lying down." + +They had entered the big, airy sitting-room. Katherine's hat and coat +went flying upon the couch. + +"Now, before I so much as ask you a question, or tell you a thing, +Aunt Rachel, I'm going up to see dear old father." + +She made for the stairway, but her aunt caught her arm in +consternation. + +"Wait, Katherine! Thee musn't see him yet." + +"Why, what's the matter?" Katherine asked in surprise. + +"It--it would be better for him if thee didn't disturb him." + +"But, auntie--you know no one can soothe him as I can when he has a +headache!" + +"But he's asleep just now. He didn't sleep a minute all night." + +"Then of course I'll wait." Katherine turned back. "Has he suffered +much----" + +She broke off. Her aunt was gazing at her in wide-eyed, helpless +misery. + +"Why--why--what's the matter, auntie?" + +Her aunt did not answer her. + +"Tell me! What is it? What's wrong?" + +Still the old woman did not speak. + +"Something has happened to father!" cried Katherine. She clutched her +aunt's thin shoulders. "Has something happened to father?" + +The old woman trembled all over, and tears started from her mild eyes. + +"Yes," she quavered. + +"But what is it?" Katherine asked frantically. "Is he very sick?" + +"It's--it's worse than that." + +"Please! What is it then?" + +"I haven't the heart to tell thee," she said piteously, and she sank +into a chair and covered her face. + +Katherine caught her arm and fairly shook her in the intensity of her +demand. + +"Tell me! I can't stand this another instant!" + +"There--there isn't going to be any celebration." + +"No celebration?" + +"Yesterday--thy father--was arrested." + +"Arrested!" + +"And indicted for accepting a bribe." + +Katherine shrank back. + +"Oh!" she whispered. "Oh!" Then her slender body tensed, and her dark +eyes flashed fire. "Father accept a bribe! It's a lie! A lie!" + +"It hardly seems true to me, either." + +"It's a lie!" repeated Katherine. "But is he--is he locked up?" + +"They let me go his bail." + +Again Katherine caught her aunt's arm. + +"Come--tell me all about it!" + +"Please don't make me. I--I can't." + +"But I must know!" + +"It's in the newspapers--they're on the centre-table." + +Katherine turned to the table and seized a paper. At sight of the +sheet she had picked up, the old woman hurried across to her in +dismay. + +"Don't read that _Express_!" she cried, and she sought to draw the +paper from Katherine's hands. "Read the _Clarion_. It's ever so much +kinder." + +But Katherine had already seen the headline that ran across the top of +the _Express_. It staggered her. She gasped at the blow, but she held +on to the paper. + +"I'll read the worst they have to say," she said. + +Her aunt dropped into a chair and covered her eyes to avoid sight of +the girl's suffering. The story, in its elements, was a commonplace to +Katherine; in her work with the Municipal League she had every few +days met with just such a tale as this. But that which is a +commonplace when strangers are involved, becomes a tragedy when loved +ones are its actors. So, as she read the old, old story, Katherine +trembled as with mortal pain. + +But sickening as was the story in itself, it was made even more +agonizing to her by the manner of the _Express's_ telling. Bruce's +typewriter had never been more impassioned. The story was in +heavy-faced type, the lines two columns wide; and in a "box" in the +very centre of the first page was an editorial denouncing Doctor West +and demanding for him such severe punishment as would make future +traitors forever fear to sell their city. Article and editorial were +rousing and vivid, brilliant and bitter--as mercilessly stinging as a +salted whip-lash cutting into bare flesh. + +Katherine writhed with the pain of it. "Oh!" she cried. "It's brutal! +Brutal! Who could have had the heart to write like that about father?" + +"The editor, Arnold Bruce," answered her aunt. + +"Oh, he's a brute! If I could tell him to his face----" Her whole +slender being flamed with anger and hatred, and she crushed the paper +in a fierce hand and flung it to the floor. + +Then, slowly, her face faded to an ashen gray. She steadied herself on +the back of a chair and stared in desperate, fearful supplication at +the bowed figure of the older woman. + +"Auntie?" she breathed. + +"Yes?" + +"Auntie"--eyes and voice were pleading--"auntie, the--the things--this +paper says--they never happened, did they?" + +The old head nodded. + +"Oh! oh!" she gasped. She wavered, sank stricken into a chair, and +buried her face in her arms. "Poor father!" she moaned brokenly. "Poor +father!" + +There was silence for a moment, then the old woman rose and gently put +a hand upon the quivering young shoulder. + +"Don't, dear! Even if it did happen, I can't believe it. Thy +father----" + +At that moment, overhead, there was a soft noise, as of feet placed +upon the floor. Katherine sprang up. + +"Father!" she breathed. There began a restless, slippered pacing. +"Father!" she repeated, and sprang for the stairway and rapidly ran +up. + +At her father's door she paused, hand over her heart. She feared to +enter to her father--feared lest she should find his head bowed in +acknowledged shame. But she summoned her strength and noiselessly +opened the door. It was a large room, a hybrid of bedroom and study, +whose drawn shades had dimmed the brilliant morning into twilight. An +open side door gave a glimpse of glass jars, bellying retorts and +other paraphernalia of the laboratory. + +Walking down the room was a tall, stooping, white-haired figure in a +quilted dressing-gown. He reached the end of the room, turned about, +then sighted her in the doorway. + +"Katherine!" he cried with quavering joy, and started toward her; but +he came abruptly to a pause, hesitating, accused man that he was, to +make advances. + +Her sickening fear was for the instant swept away by a rising flood of +love. She sprang forward and threw her arms about his neck. + +"Father!" she sobbed. "Oh, father!" + +She felt his tears upon her forehead, felt his body quiver, and felt +his hand gently stroke her back. + +"You've heard--then?" he asked, at length. + +"Yes--from the papers." + +He held her close, but for a moment did not speak. + +"It isn't a--a very happy celebration--I've prepared for you." + +She could only cry convulsively, "Poor father!" + +"You never dreamt," he quavered, "your old father--could do a thing +like this--did you?" + +She did not answer. She trembled a moment longer on his shoulder; +then, slowly and with fear, she lifted her head and gazed into his +face. The face was worn--she thrilled with pain to see how sadly worn +it was!--but though tear-wet and working with emotion, it met her look +with steadiness. It was the same simple, kindly, open face that she +had known since childhood. + +There was a sudden wild leaping within her. She clutched his +shoulders, and her voice rang out in joyous conviction: + +"Father--you are not guilty!" + +"You believe in me, then?" + +"You are not guilty!" she cried with mounting joy. + +He smiled faintly. + +"Why, of course not, my child." + +"Oh, father!" And again she caught him in a close embrace. + +After a moment she leaned back in his arms. + +"I'm so happy--so happy! Forgive me, daddy dear, that I could doubt +you even for a minute." + +"How could you help it? They say the evidence against me is very +strong." + +"I should have believed you innocent against all the evidence in the +world! And I do, and shall--no matter what they may say!" + +"Bless you, Katherine!" + +"But come--tell me how it all came about. But, first, let's brighten +up the room a little." + +So great was her relief that her spirits had risen as though some +positive blessing had befallen her. She crossed lightly to the big bay +window, raised the shades and threw up the sashes. The sunlight +slanted down into the room and lay in a dazzling yellow square upon +the floor. The soft breeze sighed through the two tall pines without +and bore into them the perfumed freshness of the spring. + +"There now, isn't that better?" she said, smiling brightly. + +"That's just what your home-coming has done for me," he said +gratefully--"let in the sunlight." + +"Come, come--don't try to turn the head of your offspring with +flattery! Now, sir, sit down," and she pointed to a chair at his desk, +which stood within the bay window. + +"First,"--with his gentle smile--"if I may, I'd like to take a look at +my daughter." + +"I suppose a father's wish is a daughter's command," she complained. +"So go ahead." + +He moved to the window, so that the light fell full upon her, and for +a long moment gazed into her face. The brow was low and broad. Over +the white temples the heavy dark hair waved softly down, to be +fastened in a simple knot low upon the neck, showing in its full +beauty the rare modelling of her head. The eyes were a rich, warm, +luminous brown, fringed with long lashes, and in them lurked all +manner of fathomless mysteries. The mouth was soft, yet full and +firm--a real mouth, such as Nature bestows upon her real women. It was +a face of freshness and youth and humour, and now was tremulous with a +smiling, tear-wet tenderness. + +"I think," said her father, slowly and softly, "that my daughter is +very beautiful." + +"There--enough of your blarney!" She flushed with pleasure, and +pressed her fresh cheek against his withered one. "You dear old +father, you!" + +She drew him to his desk, which was strewn with a half-finished +manuscript on the typhoid bacillus, and upon which stood a faded +photograph of a young woman, near Katherine's years and made in her +image, dressed in the tight-fitting "basque" of the early eighties. +Westville knew that Doctor West had loved his wife dearly, but the +town had never surmised a tenth of the grief that had closed darkly in +upon him when typhoid fever had carried her away while her young +womanhood was in its freshest bloom. + +Katherine pressed him down into his chair at the desk, sat down in one +beside it, and took his hand. + +"Now, father, tell me just how things stand." + +"You know everything already," said he. + +"Not everything. I know the charges of the other side, and I know your +innocence. But I do not know your explanation of the affair." + +He ran his free hand through his silver hair, and his face grew +troubled. + +"My explanation agrees with what you have read, except that I did not +know I was being bribed." + +"H'm!" Her brow wrinkled thoughtfully and she was silent for a moment. +"Suppose we go back to the very beginning, father, and run over the +whole affair. Try to remember. In the early stages of negotiations, +did the agent say anything to you about money?" + +He did not speak for a minute or more. + +"Now that I think it over, he did say something about its being worth +my while if his filter was accepted." + +"That was an overture to bribe you. And what did you say to him?" + +"I don't remember. You see, at the time, his offer, if it was one, did +not make any impression on me. I believe I didn't say anything to him +at all." + +"But you approved his filter?" + +"Yes." + +"Mr. Marcy says in the _Express_, and you admit it, that he offered +you a bribe. You approved his filter. On the face of it, speaking +legally, that looks bad, father." + +"But how could I honestly keep from approving his filter, when it was +the very best on the market for our water?" demanded Doctor West. + +"Then how did you come to accept that money?" + +The old man's face cleared. + +"I can explain that easily. Some time ago the agent said something +about the Acme Filter Company wishing to make a little donation to our +hospital. I'm one of the directors, you know. So, when he handed me +that envelope, I supposed it was the contribution to the +hospital--perhaps twenty-five or fifty dollars." + +"And that is all?" + +"That's the whole truth. But when I explained the matter to the +prosecuting attorney, he just smiled." + +"I know it's the truth, because you say it." She affectionately patted +the hand that she held. "But, again speaking legally, it wouldn't +sound very plausible to an outsider. But how do you explain the +situation?" + +"I think the whole affair must be just a mistake." + +"Possibly. But if so, you'll have to be able to prove it." She thought +a space. "Could it be that this is a manufactured charge?" + +Doctor West's eyes widened with amazement. + +"Why, of course not! You have forgotten that the man who makes the +charge is Mr. Sherman. You surely do not think he would let himself be +involved in anything that he did not believe to be in the highest +degree honourable?" + +"I do not know him very well. During the four years he has been here, +I have met him only a few times." + +"But you know what your dearest friend thinks of him." + +"Yes, I know Elsie considers her husband to be an ecclesiastical Sir +Galahad. And I must admit that he has seemed to me the highest type of +the modern young minister." + +"Then you agree with me, that Mr. Sherman is thoroughly honest in this +affair? That his only motive is a sense of public duty?" + +"Yes. I cannot conceive of him knowingly doing a wrong." + +"That's what has forced me to think it's only just a mistake," said +her father. + +"You may be right." She considered the idea. "But what does your +lawyer say?" + +His pale cheeks flushed. + +"I have no lawyer," he said slowly. + +"I see. You were waiting to consult me about whom to retain." + +He shook his head. + +"Then you have approached some one?" + +"I have spoken to Hopkins, and Williams, and Freeman. They all----" He +hesitated. + +"Yes?" + +"They all said they could not take my case." + +"Could not take your case!" she cried. "Why not?" + +"They made different excuses. But their excuses were not their real +reason." + +"And what was that?" + +The old man flushed yet more painfully. + +"I guess you do not fully realize the situation, Katherine. I don't +need to tell you that a wave of popular feeling against political +corruption is sweeping across the country. This is the first big case +that has come out in Westville, and the city is stirred up over this +as it hasn't been stirred in years. The way the _Express_----You saw +the _Express_?" + +Her hands instinctively clenched. + +"It was awful! Awful!" + +"The way the _Express_ has handled it has especially--well, you +see----" + +"You mean those lawyers are afraid to take the case?" + +Doctor West nodded. + +Katherine's dark eyes glowed with wrath. + +"Did you try any one else?" + +"Mr. Green came to see me. But----" + +"Of course not! It would kill your case to have a shyster represent +you." She gripped his hand, and her voice rang out: "Father, I'm glad +those men refused you. We're going to get for you the biggest man, the +biggest lawyer, in Westville." + +"You mean Mr. Blake?" + +"Yes, Mr. Blake." + +"I thought of him at first, of course. But I--well, I hesitated to +approach him." + +"Hesitated? Why?" + +"Well, you see," he stammered, "I remembered about your refusing him, +and I felt----" + +"That would never make any difference to him," she cried. "He's too +much of a gentleman. Besides, that was five years ago, and he has +forgotten it." + +"Then you think he'll take the case?" + +"Of course, he'll take it! He'll take it because he's a big man, and +because you need him, and because he's no coward. And with the biggest +man in Westville on your side, you'll see how public opinion will +right-about face!" + +She sprang up, aglow with energy. "I'm going to see him this minute! +With his help, we'll have this matter cleared up before you know it, +and"--smiling lightly--"just you see, daddy, all Westville will be out +there in the front yard, tramping over Aunt Rachel's sweet williams, +begging to be allowed to come and kiss your hand!" + +He kissed her own. He rose, and a smile broke through the clouds of +his face. + +"You've been home only an hour, and I feel that a thousand years have +been lifted off me." + +"That's right--and just keep on feeling a thousand years younger." +She smiled caressingly, and began to twist a finger in a buttonhole of +his coat. "U'm--don't you think, daddy, that such a very young +gentleman as you are, such a regular roaring young blade, +might--u'm--might----" + +"Might what, my dear?" + +"Might----" She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. + +A hand went to his throat. + +"Eh, why, is this one----" + +"I'm afraid it is, daddy--very!" + +"We've been so upset I guess your aunt must have forgotten to put out +a clean one for me." + +"And I suppose it never occurred to the profound scientific intellect +that it was possible for one to pull out a drawer and take out a +collar for one's self." She crossed to the bureau and came back with a +clean collar. "Now, sir--up with your chin!" With quick hands she +replaced the offending collar with the fresh one, tied the tie and +gave it a perfecting little pat. "There--that's better! And now I must +be off. I'll send around a few policemen to keep the crowds off Aunt +Rachel's flower-beds." + +And pressing on his pale cheek another kiss, and smiling at him from +the door, she hurried out. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DOCTOR WEST'S LAWYER + + +Katherine's refusal of Harrison Blake's unforeseen proposal, during +the summer she had graduated from Vassar, had, until the present hour, +been the most painful experience of her life. + +Ever since that far-away autumn of her fourteenth year when Blake had +led an at-first forlorn crusade against "Blind Charlie" Peck and swept +that apparently unconquerable autocrat and his corrupt machine from +power, she had admired Blake as the ideal public man. He had seemed so +fine, so big already, and loomed so large in promise--it was the fall +following his proposal that he was elected lieutenant-governor--that +it had been a humiliation to her that she, so insignificant, so +unworthy, could not give him that intractable passion, love. But +though he had gone very pale at her stammered answer, he had borne his +disappointment like a gallant gentleman; and in the years since then +he had acquitted himself to perfection in that most difficult of +rôles, the lover who must be content to be mere friend. + +Katherine still retained her girlish admiration of Mr. Blake. Despite +his having been so conspicuous at the forefront of public affairs, no +scandal had ever soiled his name. His rectitude, so said people whose +memories ran back a generation, was due mainly to fine qualities +inherited from his mother, for his father had been a good-natured, +hearty, popular politician with no discoverable bias toward +over-scrupulosity. In fact, twenty years ago there had been a great +to-do touching the voting, through a plan of the elder Blake's +devising, of a gang of negroes half a dozen times down in a +river-front ward. But his party had rushed loyally to his rescue, and +had vindicated him by sending him to Congress; and his sudden death on +the day after taking his seat had at the time abashed all accusation, +and had suffused his memory with a romantic afterglow of sentiment. + +Blake lived alone with his mother in a house adjoining the Wests', +and a few moments after Katherine had left her father she turned into +the Blakes' yard. The house stood far back in a spacious lawn, shady +with broad maples and aspiring pines, and set here and there with +shrubs and flower-beds and a fountain whose misty spray hung a golden +aureole upon the sunlight. It was quite worthy of Westville's most +distinguished citizen--a big, roomy house of brick, its sterner lines +all softened with cool ivy, and with a wide piazza crossing its entire +front and embracing its two sides. + +The hour was that at which Westville arose from its accustomed mid-day +dinner--which was the reason Katherine was calling at Blake's home +instead of going downtown to his office. She was informed that he was +in. Telling the maid she would await him in his library, where she +knew he received all clients who called on business at his home, she +ascended the well-remembered stairway and entered a large, light room +with walls booked to the ceiling. + +Despite her declaration to her father that that old love episode +had been long forgotten by Mr. Blake, at this moment it was not +forgotten by her. She could not subdue a fluttering agitation over +the circumstance that she was about to appeal for succour to a man +she had once refused. + +She had but a moment to wait. Blake's tall, straight figure entered +and strode rapidly across the room, his right hand outstretched. + +"What--you, Katherine! I'm so glad to see you!" + +She had risen. "And I to see you, Mr. Blake." For all he had once +vowed himself her lover, she had never overcome her girlhood awe of +him sufficiently to use the more familiar "Harrison." + +"I knew you were coming home, but I had not expected to see you so +soon. Please sit down again." + +She resumed her soft leather-covered chair, and he took the +swivel chair at his great flat-topped library desk. His manner was +most cordial, but lurking beneath it Katherine sensed a certain +constraint--due perhaps, to their old relationship--perhaps due to +meeting a friend involved in a family disgrace. + +Blake was close upon forty, with a dark, strong, handsome face, +penetrating but pleasant eyes, and black hair slightly marked with +gray. He was well dressed but not too well dressed, as became a public +man whose following was largely of the country. His person gave an +immediate impression of a polished but not over-polished gentleman--of +a man who in acquiring a large grace of manner, has lost nothing of +virility and bigness and purpose. + +"It seems quite natural," Katherine began, smiling, and trying to +speak lightly, "that each time I come home it is to congratulate you +upon some new honour." + +"New honour?" queried he. + +"Oh, your name reaches even to New York! We hear that you are spoken +of to succeed Senator Grayson when he retires next year." + +"Oh, that!" He smiled--still with some constraint. "I won't try to +make you believe that I'm indifferent about the matter. But I don't +need to tell you that there's many a slip betwixt being 'spoken of' +and actually being chosen." + +There was an instant of awkward silence. Then Katherine went straight +to the business of her visit. + +"Of course you know about father." + +He nodded. "And I do not need to say, Katherine, how very, very sorry +I am." + +"I was certain of your sympathy. Things look black on the surface for +him, but I want you to know that he is innocent." + +"I am relieved to be assured of that," he said, hesitatingly. "For, +frankly, as you say, things do look black." + +She leaned forward and spoke rapidly, her hands tightly clasped. + +"I have come to see you, Mr. Blake, because you have always been our +friend--my friend, and a kinder friend than a young girl had any right +to expect--because I know you have the ability to bring out the truth +no matter how dark the circumstantial evidence may seem. I have come, +Mr. Blake, to ask you, to beg you, to be my father's lawyer." + +He stared at her, and his face grew pale. + +"To be your father's lawyer?" he repeated. + +"Yes, yes--to be my father's lawyer." + +He turned in his chair and looked out to where the fountain was +flinging its iridescent drapery to the wind. She gazed at his strong, +clean-cut profile in breathless expectation. + +"I again assure you he is innocent," she urged pleadingly. "I know you +can clear him." + +"You have evidence to prove his innocence?" asked Blake. + +"That you can easily uncover." + +He slowly swung about. Though with all his powerful will he strove to +control himself, he was profoundly agitated, and he spoke with a very +great effort. + +"You have put me in a most embarrassing situation, Katherine." + +She caught her breath. + +"You mean?" + +"I mean that I should like to help you, but--but----" + +"Yes? Yes?" + +"But I cannot." + +"Cannot! You mean--you refuse his case?" + +"It pains me, but I must." + +She grew as white as death. + +"Oh!" she breathed. "Oh!" She gazed at him, lips wide, in utter +dismay. + +Suddenly she seized his arm. "But you have not yet thought it +over--you have not considered," she cried rapidly. "I cannot take +no for your answer. I beg you, I implore you, to take the case." + +He seemed to be struggling between two desires. A slender, well-knit +hand stretched out and clutched a ruler; his brow was moist; but he +kept silent. + +"Mr. Blake, I beg you, I implore you, to reconsider," she feverishly +pursued. "Do you not see what it will mean to my father? If you take +the case, he is as good as cleared!" + +His voice came forth low and husky. "It is because it is beyond my +power to clear him that I refuse." + +"Beyond your power?" + +"Listen, Katherine," he answered. "I am glad you believe your father +innocent. The faith you have is the faith a daughter ought to have. I +do not want to hurt you, but I must tell you the truth--I do not share +your faith." + +"You refuse, then, because you think him guilty?" + +He inclined his head. "The evidence is conclusive. It is beyond my +power, beyond the power of any lawyer, to clear him." + +This sudden failure of the aid she had so confidently counted as +already hers, was a blow that for the moment completely stunned her. +She sank back in her chair and her head dropped down into her hands. + +Blake wiped his face with his handkerchief. After a moment, he went on +in an agitated, persuasive voice: + +"I do not want you to think, because I refuse, that I am any less +your friend. If I took the case, and did my best, your father would +be convicted just the same. I am going to open my heart to you, +Katherine. I should like very much to be chosen for that senatorship. +Naturally, I do not wish to do any useless thing that will impair +my chances. Now for me, an aspirant for public favour, to champion +against the aroused public the case of a man who has--forgive me the +word--who has betrayed that public, and in the end to lose that case, +as I most certainly should--it would be nothing less than political +suicide. Your father would gain nothing. I would lose--perhaps +everything. Don't you see?" + +"I follow your reasons," she said brokenly into her hands, "I do not +blame you--I accept your answer--but I still believe my father +innocent." + +"And for that faith, as I told you, I admire and honour you." + +She slowly rose. He likewise stood up. + +"What are you going to do?" he asked. + +"I do not know," she answered dully. "I was so confident of your aid, +that I had thought of no alternative." + +"Your father has tried other lawyers?" + +"Yes. They have all refused. You can guess their reason." + +He was silent for an instant. + +"Why not take the case yourself?" + +"I take the case!" cried Katherine, amazed. + +"Yes. You are a lawyer." + +"But I have never handled a case in court! I am not even admitted to +the bar of the state. And, besides, a woman lawyer in Westville---- +No, it's quite out of the question." + +"I was only suggesting it, you know," he said apologetically. + +"Oh, I realized you did not mean it seriously." + +Her face grew ashen as her failure came to her afresh. She gazed at +him with a final desperation. + +"Then your answer--it is final?" + +"I am sorry, but it is final," said he. + +Her head dropped. + +"Thank you," she said dully. "Good-by." And she started away. + +"Wait, Katherine." + +She paused, and he came to her side. His features were gray-hued and +were twitching strangely; for an instant she had the wild impression +that his old love for her still lived. + +"I am sorry that--that the first time you asked aid of me--I should +fail you. But but----" + +"I understand." + +"One word more." But he let several moments pass before he spoke it, +and he wet his lips continually. "Remember, I am still your friend. +Though I cannot take the case, I shall be glad, in a private way, to +advise you upon any matters you may care to lay before me." + +"You are very good." + +"Then you accept?" + +"How can I refuse? Thank you." + +He accompanied her down the stairway and to the door. Heavy-hearted, +she returned home. This was sad news to bring her father, whom but +half an hour before she had so confidently cheered; and she knew not +in what fresh direction to turn for aid. + +She went straight up to her father's room. With him she found a +stranger, who had a vague, far-distant familiarity. + +The two men rose. + +"This is my daughter," said Doctor West. + +The stranger bowed slightly. + +"I have heard of Miss West," he said, and in his manner Katherine's +quick instinct read strong preconceived disapprobation. + +"And, Katherine," continued her father, "this is Mr. Bruce." + +She stopped short. + +"Mr. Bruce of the _Express_?" + +"Of the _Express_," Bruce calmly repeated. + +Her dejected figure grew suddenly tense, and her cheeks glowed with +hot colour. She moved up before the editor and gazed with flashing +eyes into his square-jawed face. + +"So you are the man who wrote those brutal things about father?" + +He bristled at her hostile tone and manner, and there was a quick +snapping behind the heavy glasses. + +"I am the man who wrote those true things about your father," he said +with cold emphasis. + +"And after that you dare come into this house!" + +"Pardon me, Miss West, but a newspaper man dares go wherever his +business takes him." + +She was trembling all over. + +"Then let me inform you that you have no business here. Neither my +father nor myself has anything whatever to say to yellow journalists!" + +"Katherine! Katherine!" interjected her father. + +Bruce bowed, his face a dull red. + +"I shall leave, Miss West, just as soon as Doctor West answers my last +question. I called to see if he wished to make any statement, and I +was asking him about his lawyer. He told me he had as yet secured +none, but that you were applying to Mr. Blake." + +Doctor West stepped toward her eagerly. + +"Yes, Katherine, what did he say? Will he take the case?" + +She turned from Bruce, and as she looked into the white, worn face of +her father, the fire of her anger went out. + +"He said--he said----" + +"Yes--yes?" + +She put her arms about him. + +"Don't you mind, father dear, what he said." + +Doctor West grew yet more pale. + +"Then--he said--the same as the others?" + +She held him tight. + +"Dear daddy!" + +"Then--he refused?" + +"Yes--but don't you mind it," she tried to say bravely. + +Without a sound, the old man's head dropped upon his chest. He held to +Katherine a moment; then he moved waveringly to an old haircloth sofa, +sank down upon it and bowed his face into his hands. + +Bruce broke the silence. + +"I am to understand, then, that your father has no lawyer?" + +Katherine wheeled from the bowed figure, and her anger leaped +instantly to a white heat. + +"And why has he no lawyer?" she cried. "Because of the inhuman things +you wrote about him!" + +"You forget, Miss West, that I am running a newspaper, and it is my +business to print the news." + +"The news, yes; but not a malignant, ferocious distortion of the news! +Look at my father there. Does it not fill your soul with shame to +think of the black injustice you have done him?" + +"Mere sentiment! Understand, I do not let conventional sentiment stand +between me and my duty." + +"Your duty!" There was a world of scorn in her voice. "And, pray, what +is your duty?" + +"Part of it is to establish, and maintain, decent standards of public +service in this town." + +"Don't hide behind that hypocritical pretence! I've heard about you. I +know the sort of man you are. You saw a safe chance for a yellow story +for your yellow newspaper, a safe chance to gain prominence by yelping +at the head of the pack. If he had been a rich man, if he had had a +strong political party behind him, would you have dared assail him as +you have? Never! Oh, it was brutal--infamous--cowardly!" + +There was an angry fire behind the editor's thick glasses, and his +square chin thrust itself out. He took a step nearer. + +"Listen to me!" he commanded in a slow, defiant voice. "Your opinion +is to me a matter of complete indifference. I tell you that a man who +betrays his city is a traitor, and that I would treat an old traitor +exactly as I would treat a young traitor, I tell you that I take it +as a sign of an awakening public conscience when reputable lawyers +refuse to defend a man who has done what your father has done. And, +finally, I predict that, try as you may, you will not be able to find +a decent lawyer who will dare to take his case. And I glory in it, and +consider it the result of my work!" He bowed to her. "And now, Miss +West, I wish you good afternoon." + +She stood quivering, gasping, while he crossed to the door. As his +hand fell upon the knob she sprang forward. + +"Wait!" she cried. "Wait! He has a lawyer!" + +He paused. + +"Indeed! And whom?" + +"One who is going to make you take back every cowardly word you have +printed!" + +"Who is it, Katherine?" It was her father who spoke. + +She turned. Doctor West had raised his head, and in his eyes was an +eager, hopeful light. She bent over him and slipped an arm about his +shoulders. + +"Father dear," she quavered, "since we can get no one else, will you +take me?" + +"Take you?" he exclaimed. + +"Because," she quavered on, "whether you will or not, I'm going to +stay in Westville and be your lawyer." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +KATHERINE PREPARES FOR BATTLE + + +For a long space after Bruce had gone Katherine sat quiveringly upon +the old haircloth sofa beside her father, holding his hands tightly, +caressingly. Her words tumbled hotly from her lips--words of love of +him--of resentment of the injustice which he suffered--and, fiercest +of all, of wrath against Editor Bruce, who had so ruthlessly, and for +such selfish ends, incited the popular feeling against him. She would +make such a fight as Westville had never seen! She would show those +lawyers who had been reduced to cowards by Bruce's demagogy! She would +bring the town humiliated to her father's feet! + +But emotion has not only peaks, but plains, and dark valleys. As she +cooled and her passion descended to a less exalted level, she began to +see the difficulties of, and her unfitness for, the rôle she had so +impulsively accepted. An uneasiness for the future crept upon her. As +she had told Mr. Blake, she had never handled a case in court. True, +she had been a member of the bar for two years, but her duties with +the Municipal League had consisted almost entirely in working up +evidence in cases of municipal corruption for the use of her legal +superiors. An untried lawyer, and a woman lawyer at that--surely a +weak reed for her father to lean upon! + +But she had thrown down the gage of battle; she had to fight, since +there was no other champion; and even in this hour of emotion, when +tears were so plenteous and every word was accompanied by a caress, +she began to plan the preliminaries of her struggle. + +"I shall write to-night to the league for a leave of absence," she +said. "One of the things I must see to at once is to get admitted to +the state bar. Do you know when your case is to come up?" + +"It has been put over to the September term of court." + +"That gives me four months." + +She was silently thoughtful for a space. "I've got to work hard, hard! +upon your case. As I see it now, I am inclined to agree with you that +the situation has arisen from a misunderstanding--that the agent +thought you expected a bribe, and that you thought the bribe a small +donation to the hospital." + +"I'm certain that's how it is," said her father. + +"Then the thing to do is to see Doctor Sherman, and if possible the +agent, have them repeat their testimony and try to search out in it +the clue to the mistake. And that I shall see to at once." + +Five minutes later Katherine left the house. After walking ten minutes +through the quiet, maple-shaded back streets she reached the Wabash +Avenue Church, whose rather ponderous pile of Bedford stone was the +most ambitious and most frequented place of worship in Westville, and +whose bulk was being added to by a lecture room now rising against its +side. + +Katherine went up a gravelled walk toward a cottage that stood +beneath the church's shadow. The house's front was covered with a +wide-spreading rose vine, a tapestry of rich green which June would +gorgeously embroider with sprays of heart-red roses. The cottage +looked what Katherine knew it was, a bower of lovers. + +Her ring was answered by a fair, fragile young woman whose eyes were +the colour of faith and loyalty. A faint colour crept into the young +woman's pale cheeks. + +"Why--Katherine--why--why--I don't know what you think of us, +but--but----" She could stammer out no more, but stood in the doorway +in distressed uncertainty. + +Katherine's answer was to stretch out her arms. "Elsie!" Instantly +the two old friends were in a close embrace. + +"I haven't slept, Katherine," sobbed Mrs. Sherman, "for thinking of +what you would think----" + +"I think that, whatever has happened, I love you just the same." + +"Thank you for saying it, Katherine." Mrs. Sherman gazed at her in +tearful gratitude. "I can't tell you how we have suffered over +this--this affair. Oh, if you only knew!" + +It was instinctive with Katherine to soothe the pain of others, though +suffering herself. "I am certain Doctor Sherman acted from the highest +motives," she assured the young wife. "So say no more about it." + +They had entered the little sitting-room, hung with soft white muslin +curtains. "But at the same time, Elsie, I cannot believe my father +guilty," Katherine went on. "And though I honour your husband, why, +even the noblest man can be mistaken. My hope of proving my father's +innocence is based on the belief that Doctor Sherman may somehow have +made a mistake. At any rate, I'd like to talk over his evidence with +him." + +"He's trying to work on his sermon, though he's too worn to think. +I'll bring him right in." + +She passed through a door into the study, and a moment later reëntered +with Doctor Sherman. The present meeting would have been painful to +an ordinary person; doubly so was it to such a hyper-sensitive nature. +The young clergyman stood hesitant just within the doorway, his usual +pallor greatly deepened, his thin fingers intertwisted--in doubt how +to greet Katherine till she stretched out her hand to him. + +"I want you to understand, Katherine dear," little Mrs. Sherman put in +quickly, with a look of adoration at her husband, "that Edgar reached +the decision to take the action he did only after days of agony. You +know, Katherine, Doctor West was always as kind to me as another +father, and I loved him almost like one. At first I begged Edgar not +to do anything. Edgar walked the floor for nights--suffering!--oh, how +you suffered, Edgar!" + +"Isn't it a little incongruous," said Doctor Sherman, smiling wanly at +her, "for the instrument that struck the blow to complain, in the +presence of the victim, of _his_ suffering?" + +"But I want her to know it!" persisted the wife. "She must know it to +do you justice, dear! It seemed at first disloyal--but finally Edgar +decided that his duty to the city----" + +"Please say no more, Elsie." Katherine turned to the pale young +minister. "Doctor Sherman, I have not come to utter one single word of +recrimination. I have come merely to ask you to tell me all you know +about the case." + +"I shall be glad to do so." + +"And could I also talk with Mr. Marcy, the agent?" + +"He has left the city, and will not return till the trial." + +Katherine was disappointed by this news. Doctor Sherman, though +obviously pained by the task, rehearsed in minutest detail the charges +he had made against Doctor West, which charges he would later have to +repeat upon the witness stand. Also he recounted Mr. Marcy's story. +Katherine scrutinized every point in these two stories for the loose +end, the loop-hole, the flaw, she had thought to find. But flaw there +was none. The stories were perfectly straightforward. + +Katherine walked slowly away, still going over and over Doctor +Sherman's testimony. Doctor Sherman was telling the indubitable +truth--yet her father was indubitably innocent. It was a puzzling +case, this her first case--a puzzling, most puzzling case. + +When she reached home she was told by her aunt that a gentleman was +waiting to see her. She entered the big, old-fashioned parlour, fresh +and tasteful despite the stiff black walnut that, in the days of her +mother's marriage, had been spread throughout the land as beauty by +the gentlemen who dealt conjointly in furniture and coffins. + +From a chair there rose a youthful and somewhat corpulent presence, +with a chubby and very serious pink face that sat in a glossy high +collar as in a cup. He smiled with a blushful but ingratiating +dignity. + +"Don't you remember me? I'm Charlie Horn." + +"Oh!" And instinctively, as if to identify him by Charlie Horn's +well-remembered strawberry-marks, Katherine glanced at his hands. But +they were clean, and the warts were gone. She looked at him in doubt. +"You can't be Nellie Horn's little brother?" + +"I'm not so little," he said, with some resentment. "Since you knew +me," he added a little grandiloquently, "I've graduated from +Bloomington." + +"Please pardon me! It was kind of you to call, and so soon." + +"Well, you see I came on business. I suppose you have seen this +afternoon's _Express_?" + +She instinctively stiffened. + +"I have not." + +He drew out a copy of the _Express_, opened it, and pointed a plump, +pinkish forefinger at the beginning of an article on the first page. + +"You see the _Express_ says you are going to be your father's lawyer." + +Katharine read the indicated paragraphs. Her colour heightened. The +statement was blunt and bare, but between the lines she read the +contemptuous disapproval of the "new woman" that a few hours since +Bruce had displayed before her. Again her anger toward Bruce flared +up. + +"I am a reporter for the _Clarion_," young Charlie Horn announced, +striving not to appear too proud. "And I've come to interview you." + +"Interview me?" she cried in dismay. "What about?" + +"Well, you see," said he, with his benign smile, "you're the first +woman lawyer that's ever been in Westville. It's almost a bigger +sensation than your fath--you see, it's a big story." + +He drew from his pocket a bunch of copy paper. "I want you to tell me +about how you are going to handle the case. And about what you think a +woman lawyer's prospects are in Westville. And about what you think +will be woman's status in future society. And you might tell me," +concluded young Charlie Horn, "who your favourite author is, and what +you think of golf. That last will interest our readers, for our +country club is very popular." + +It had been the experience of Nellie Horn's brother that the good +people of Westville were quite willing--nay, even had a subdued +eagerness--to discourse about themselves, and whom they had visited +over Sunday, and who was "Sundaying" with them, and what beauties had +impressed them most at Niagara Falls; and so that confident young +ambassador from the _Clarion_ was somewhat dazed when, a moment later, +he found himself standing alone on the West doorstep with a dim sense +of having been politely and decisively wished good afternoon. + +But behind him amid the stiff, dark, solemn-visaged furniture +(Calvinists, every chair of them!) he left a person far more dazed +than himself. Charlie Horn's call had brought sharply home to +Katherine a question that, in the press of affairs, she hardly had as +yet considered--how was Westville going to take to a woman lawyer +being in its midst? She realized, with a chill of apprehension, how +profoundly this question concerned her next few months. Dear, +bustling, respectable Westville, she well knew, clung to its own idea +of woman's sphere as to a thing divinely ordered, and to seek to leave +which was scarcely less than rebellion against high God. In +patriarchal days, when heaven's justice had been prompter, such a +disobedient one would suddenly have found herself rebuked into a bit +of saline statuary. + +Katherine vividly recalled, when she had announced her intention to +study law, what a raising of hands there was, what a loud regretting +that she had not a mother. But since she had not settled in +Westville, and since she had not been actively practising in New York, +the town had become partially reconciled. But this step of hers was +new, without a precedent. How would Westville take it? + +Her brain burned with this and other matters all afternoon, all +evening, and till the dawn began to edge in and crowd the shadows from +her room. But when she met her father at the breakfast table her face +was fresh and smiling. + +"Well, how is my client this morning?" she asked gaily. "Do you +realize, daddy, that you are my first really, truly client?" + +"And I suppose you'll be charging me something outrageous as a fee!" + +"Something like this"--kissing him on the ear. "But how do you feel?" + +"Certain that my lawyer will win my case." He smiled. "And how are +you?" + +"Brimful of ideas." + +"Yes? About the----" + +"Yes. And about you. First, answer a few of your counsel's questions. +Have you been doing much at your scientific work of late?" + +"The last two months, since the water-works has been practically +completed, I have spent almost my whole time at it." + +"And your work was interesting?" + +"Very. You see, I think I am on the verge of discovering that the +typhoid bacillus----" + +"You'll tell me all about that later. Now the first order of your +attorney is, just as soon as you have finished your coffee and folded +your napkin, back you go to your laboratory." + +"But, Katherine, with this affair----" + +"This affair, worry and all, has been shifted off upon your eminent +counsel. Work will keep you from worry, so back you go to your darling +germs." + +"You're mighty good, dear, but----" + +"No argument! You've got to do just what your lawyer tells you. And +now," she added "as I may have to be seeing a lot of people, and as +having people about the house may interrupt your work, I'm going to +take an office." + +He stared at her. + +"Take an office?" + +"Yes. Who knows--I may pick up a few other cases. If I do, I know who +can use the money." + +"But open an office in Westville! Why, the people----Won't it be a +little more unpleasant----" He paused doubtfully. "Did you see what +the _Express_ had to say about you?" + +She flushed, but smiled sweetly. + +"What the _Express_ said is one reason why I'm going to open an +office." + +"Yes?" + +"I'm not going to let fear of that Mr. Bruce dictate my life. And +since I'm going to be a lawyer, I'm going to be the whole thing. And +what's more, I'm going to act as though I were doing the most ordinary +thing in the world. And if Mr. Bruce and the town want to talk, why, +we'll just let 'em talk!" + +"But--but--aren't you afraid?" + +"Of course I'm afraid," she answered promptly. "But when I realize +that I'm afraid to do a thing, I'm certain that that is just exactly +the thing for me to do. Oh, don't look so worried, dear"--she leaned +across and kissed him--"for I'm going to be the perfectest, properest, +politest lady that ever scuttled a convention. And nothing is going to +happen to me--nothing at all." + +Breakfast finished, Katherine despotically led her father up to his +laboratory. A little later she set out for downtown, looking very +fresh in a blue summer dress that had the rare qualities of simplicity +and grace. Her colour was perhaps a little warmer than was usual, but +she walked along beneath the maples with tranquil mien, seemingly +unconscious of some people she passed, giving others a clear, direct +glance, smiling and speaking to friends and acquaintances in her most +easy manner. + +As she turned into Main Street the intelligence that she was coming +seemed in some mysterious way to speed before her. Those exemplars +of male fashion, the dry goods clerks, craned furtively about front +doors. Bare-armed and aproned proprietors of grocery stores and their +hirelings appeared beneath the awnings and displayed an unprecedented +concern in trying to resuscitate, with aid of sprinkling-cans, bunches +of expiring radishes and young onions. Owners of amiable steeds that +dozed beside the curb hurried out of cavernous doors, the fear of +run-away writ large upon their countenances, to see if a buckle was +not loose or a tug perchance unfastened. Behind her, as she passed, +Main Street stood statued in mid-action, strap in motionless hand, +sprinkling-can tilting its entire contents of restorative over a box +of clothes-pins, and gaped and stared. This was epochal for Westville. +Never before had a real, live, practising woman lawyer trod the cement +walk of Main Street. + +When Katherine came to Court House Square, she crossed to the south +side, passed the _Express_ Building, and made for the Hollingsworth +Block, whose first floor was occupied by the New York Store's +"glittering array of vast and profuse fashion." Above this alluring +pageant were two floors of offices; and up the narrow stairway leading +thereunto Katherine mounted. She entered a door marked "Hosea +Hollingsworth. Attorney-at-Law. Mortgages. Loans. Farms." In the +room were a table, three chairs, a case of law books, a desk, on +the top of the desk a "plug" hat, so venerable that it looked a very +great-grandsire of hats, and two cuspidors marked with chromatic +evidence that they were not present for ornament alone. + +From the desk there rose a man, perhaps seventy, lean, tall, +smooth-shaven, slightly stooped, dressed in a rusty and wrinkled +"Prince Albert" coat, and with a countenance that looked a rank +plagiarism of the mask of Voltaire. In one corner of his thin mouth, +half chewed away, was an unlighted cigar. + +"I believe this is Mr. Hollingsworth?" said Katherine. The question +was purely formal, for his lank figure was one of her earliest +memories. + +"Yes. Come right in," he returned in a high, nasal voice. + +She drew a chair away from the environs of the cuspidors and sat down. +He resumed his place at his desk and peered at her through his +spectacles, and a dry, almost imperceptible smile played among the +fine wrinkles of his leathery face. + +"And I believe this is Katherine West--our lady lawyer," he remarked. +"I read in the _Express_ how you----" + +Bruce was on her nerves. She could not restrain a sudden flare of +temper. "The editor of that paper is a cad!" + +"Well, he ain't exactly what you might call a hand-raised gentleman," +the old lawyer admitted. "At least, I never heard of his exerting +himself so hard to be polite that he strained any tendons." + +"You know him, then?" + +"A little. He's my nephew." + +"Oh! I remember." + +"And we live together," the old man loquaciously drawled on, eying her +closely with a smile that might have been either good-natured or +satirical. "Batch it--with a nigger who saves us work by stealing +things we'd otherwise have to take care of. We scrap most of the time. +I make fun of him, and he gets sore. The trouble with the editor of +the _Express_ is, he had a doting ma. He should have had an almighty +lot of thrashing when a boy, and instead he never tasted beech limb +once. He's suffering from the spared rod." + +Katherine had a shrinking from this old man; an aversion which in her +mature years she had had no occasion to examine, but which she had +inherited unanalyzed from her childhood, when old Hosie Hollingsworth +had been the chief scandal of the town--an infidel, who had dared +challenge the creation of the earth in seven days, and yet was not +stricken down by a fiery bolt from heaven! She did not pursue the +subject of Bruce, but went directly to her business. + +"I understand that you have an office to rent." + +"So I have. Like to see it?" + +"That is what I called for." + +"Just come along with me." + +He rose, and Katherine followed him to the floor above and into a room +furnished much as the one she had just left. + +"This office was last used," commented old Hosie, "by a young fellow +who taught school down in Buck Creek Township and got money to study +law with. He tried law for a while." The old man's thin prehensile +lips shifted his cigar to the other side of his mouth. "He's down in +Buck Creek Township teaching school to get money to pay his back +office rent." + +"How about the furniture?" asked Katherine. + +"That was his. He left it in part payment. You can use it if you want +to." + +"But I don't want those things about"--pointing gingerly to a pair of +cuspidors. + +"All right. Though I don't see how you expect to run a law office in +Westville without 'em." He bent over and took them in his hands. "I'll +take 'em along. I need a few more, for my business is picking up." + +"I suppose I can have possession at once." + +"Whenever you please." + +Standing with the cuspidors in his two hands the old lawyer looked her +over. He slowly grinned, and a dry cackle came out of his lean throat. + +"I was born out there in Buck Creek Township myself," he said. "Folks +all Quakers, same as your ma's and your Aunt Rachel's. I was brought +up on plowing, husking corn and going to meeting. Never smiled till +after I was twenty; wore a halo, size too large, that slipped down and +made my ears stick out. My grandfather's name was Elijah, my father's +Elisha. My father had twelve sons, and beginning with me, Hosea, he +named 'em all in order after the minor prophets. Being brought up in a +houseful of prophets, naturally a lot of the gift of prophecy sort of +got rubbed off on me." + +"Well?" said Katherine impatiently, not seeing the pertinence of this +autobiography. + +Again he shifted his cigar. "Well, when I prophesy, it's inspired," he +went on. "And you can take it as the word that came unto Hosea, that a +woman lawyer settling in Westville is going to raise the very dickens +in this old town!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE LADY LAWYER + + +When old Hosie had withdrawn with his expectorative plunder, Katherine +sat down at the desk and gazed thoughtfully out of her window, taking +in the tarnished dome of the Court House that rose lustreless above +the elm tops and the heavy-boned farmhorses that stood about the iron +hitch-racks of the Square, stamping and switching their tails in +dozing warfare against the flies. + +Once more, she began to go over the case. Having decided to test all +possible theories, she for the moment pigeon-holed the idea of a +mistake, and began to seek for other explanations. For a space she +vacantly watched the workmen tearing down the speakers' stand. But +presently her eyes began to glow, and she sprang up and excitedly +paced the little office. + +Perhaps her father had unwittingly and innocently become involved in +some large system of corruption! Perhaps this case was the first +symptom of the existence of some deep-hidden municipal disease! + +It seemed possible--very possible. Her two years with the Municipal +League had taught her how common were astute dishonest practices. The +idea filled her. She began to burn with a feverish hope. But from the +first moment she was sufficiently cool-headed to realize that to +follow up the idea she required intimate knowledge of Westville +political conditions. + +Here she felt herself greatly handicapped. Owing to her long residence +away from Westville she was practically in ignorance of public +affairs--and she faced the further difficulty of having no one to whom +she could turn for information. Her father she knew could be of little +service; expert though he was in his specialty, he was blind to evil +in men. As for Blake, she did not care to ask aid from him so soon +after his refusal of assistance. And as for others, she felt that all +who could give her information were either hostile to her father or +critical of herself. + +For days the idea possessed her mind. She kept it to herself, and, her +suspicious eyes sweeping in all directions, she studied as best she +could to find some evidence or clue to evidence, that would +corroborate her conjecture. In her excited hope, she strove, while she +thought and worked, to be indifferent to what the town might think +about her. But she was well aware that Old Hosie's prophecy was swift +in coming true--that a storm was raging, a storm of her own sex. It +should be explained, however, in justice to them, that they forgot the +fact, or never really knew it, that she had been forced to take her +father's case. To be sure, there was no open insult, no direct attack, +no face-to-face denunciation; but piazzas buzzed indignantly with her +name, and at the meeting of the Ladies' Aid the poor were forgotten, +as at the Missionary Society were the unbibled heathen upon the +foreign shore. + +Fragments of her sisters' pronouncements were wafted to Katherine's +ears. "No self-respecting, womanly woman would ever think of wanting +to be a lawyer"--"A forward, brazen, unwomanly young person"--"A +disgrace to the town, a disgrace to our sex"--"Think of the example +she sets to impressionable young girls; they'll want to break away and +do all sorts of unwomanly things"--"Everybody knows her reason for +being a lawyer is only that it gives her a greater chance to be with +the men." + +Katherine heard, her mouth hardened, a certain defiance came into her +manner. But she went straight ahead seeking evidence to support her +suspicion. + +Every day made her feel more keenly her need of intimate knowledge +about the city's political affairs; then, unexpectedly, and from an +unexpected quarter, an informant stepped out upon her stage. Several +times Old Hosie Hollingsworth had spoken casually when they had +chanced to pass in the building or on the street. One day his lean, +stooped figure appeared in her office and helped itself to a chair. + +"I see you haven't exactly made what Charlie Horn, in his dramatic +criticisms, calls an uproarious and unprecedented success," he +remarked, after a few preliminaries. + +"I have not been sufficiently interested to notice," was her crisp +response. + +"That's right; keep your back up," said he. "I've been agin about +everything that's popular, and for everything that's unpopular, that +ever happened in this town. I've been an 'agin-er' for fifty years. +They'd have tarred and feathered me long ago if there'd been any +leading citizen unstingy enough to have donated the tar. Then, too, +I've had a little money, and going through the needle's eye is easy +business compared to losing the respect of Westville so long as you've +got money--unless, of course," he added, "you're a female lawyer. I +tell you, there's no more fun than stirring up the animals in this old +town. Any one unpopular in Westville is worth being friends with, and +so if you're willing----" + +He held out his thin, bony hand. Katherine, with no very marked +enthusiasm, took it. Then her eyes gleamed with a new light; and +obeying an impulse she asked: + +"Are you acquainted with political conditions in Westville?" + +"Me acquainted with----" He cackled. "Why, I've been setting at my +office window looking down on the political circus of this town ever +since Noah run aground on Mount Ararat." + +She leaned forward eagerly. + +"Then you know how things stand?" + +"To a T." + +"Tell me, is there any rotten politics, any graft or corruption going +on?" She flushed. "Of course, I mean except what's charged against my +father." + +"When Blind Charlie Peck was in power, there was more graft and +dirty----" + +"Not then, but now?" she interrupted. + +"Now? Well, of course you know that since Blake run Blind Charlie out +of business ten years ago, Blake has been the big gun in this town." + +"Yes, I know." + +"Then you must know that in the last ten years Westville has been +text, sermon, and doxology for all the reformers in the state." + +"But could not corruption be going on without Mr. Blake knowing it? +Could not Mr. Peck be secretly carrying out some scheme?" + +"Blind Charlie? Blind Charlie ain't dead yet, not by a long sight--and +as long as there's a breath in his carcass, that good-natured old +blackguard is likely to be a dangerous customer. But though Charlie's +still the boss of his party, he controls no offices, and has got no +real power. He's as helpless as Satan was after he'd been kicked out +of heaven and before he'd landed that big job he holds on the floor +below. Nowadays, Charlie just sits in his side office over at the +Tippecanoe House playing seven-up from breakfast till bedtime." + +"Then you think there's no corrupt politics in Westville?" she asked +in a sinking voice. + +"Not an ounce of 'em!" said Old Hosie with decision. + +This agreed with the conviction that had been growing upon Katherine +during the last few days. While she had entertained suspicion of there +being corruption, she had several times considered the advisability of +putting a detective on the case. But this idea she now abandoned. + +After this talk with the old lawyer, Katherine was forced back again +upon misunderstanding. She went carefully over the records of her +father's department, on file in the Court House, seeking some item +that would cast light upon the puzzle. She went over and over the +indictment, seeking some loose end, some overlooked inconsistency, +that would yield her at least a clue. + +For days she kept doggedly at this work, steeling herself against the +disapprobation of the town. But she found nothing. Then, in a flash, +an overlooked point recurred to her. The trouble, so went her theory, +was all due to a confusion of the bribe with the donation to the +hospital. Where was that donation? + +Here was a matter that might at last lead to a solution of the +difficulty. Again on fire with hope, she interviewed her father. He +was certain that a donation had been promised, he had thought the +envelope handed him by Mr. Marcy contained the gift--but of the +donation itself he knew no more. She interviewed Doctor Sherman; he +had heard Mr. Marcy refer to a donation but knew nothing about the +matter. She tried to get in communication with Mr. Marcy, only to +learn that he was in England studying some new filtering plants +recently installed in that country. Undiscouraged, she one day stepped +off the train in St. Louis, the home of the Acme Filter, and appeared +in the office of the company. + +The general manager, a gentleman who ran to portliness in his figure, +his jewellery and his courtesy, seemed perfectly acquainted with the +case. In exculpation of himself and his company, he said that they +were constantly being held up by every variety of official from a +county commissioner to a mayor, and they were simply forced to give +"presents" in order to do business. + +"But my father's defense," put in Katherine, "was that he thought this +'present' was in reality a donation to the hospital. Was anything said +to my father about a donation?" + +"I believe there was." + +"That corroborates my father!" Katherine exclaimed eagerly. "Would you +make that statement at the trial--or at least give me an affidavit to +that effect?" + +"I'll be glad to give you an affidavit. But I should explain that the +'present' and the donation were two distinctly separate affairs." + +"Then what became of the donation?" Katherine cried triumphantly. + +"It was sent," said the manager. + +"Sent?" + +"I sent it myself," was the reply. + +Katherine left St. Louis more puzzled than before. What had become of +the check, if it had really been sent? Home again, she ransacked her +father's desk with his aid, and in a bottom drawer they found a heap +of long-neglected mail. + +Doctor West at first scratched his head in perplexity. "I remember +now," he said. "I never was much of a hand to keep up with my letters, +and for the few days before that celebration I was so excited that I +just threw everything----" + +But Katherine had torn open an envelope and was holding in her hands a +fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter Company. + +"What was the date of your arrest?" she asked sharply. "The date Mr. +Marcy gave you that money?" + +"The fifteenth of May." + +"This check is dated the twelfth of May. The envelope shows it was +received in Westville on the thirteenth." + +"Well, what of that?" + +"Only this," said Katherine slowly, and with a chill at her heart, +"that the prosecution can charge, and we cannot disprove the charge, +that the real donation was already in your possession at the time you +accepted what you say you believed was the donation." + +Then, with a rush, a great temptation assailed Katherine--to destroy +this piece of evidence unfavourable to her father which she held in +her hands. For several moments the struggle continued fiercely. But +she had made a vow with herself when she had entered law that she was +going to keep free from the trickery and dishonourable practices so +common in her profession. She was going to be an honest lawyer, or be +no lawyer at all. And so, at length, she laid the check before her +father. + +"Just indorse it, and we'll send it in to the hospital," she said. + +Afterward it occurred to her that to have destroyed the check would at +the best have helped but little, for the prosecution, if it so +desired, could introduce witnesses to prove that the donation had been +sent. Suspicion of having destroyed or suppressed the check would then +inevitably have rested upon her father. + +This discovery of the check was a heavy blow, but Katherine went +doggedly back to the first beginnings; and as the weeks crept slowly +by she continued without remission her desperate search for a clue +which, followed up, would make clear to every one that the whole +affair was merely a mistake. But the only development of the summer +which bore at all upon the case--and that bearing seemed to Katherine +indirect--was that, since early June, the service of the water-works +had steadily been deteriorating. There was frequently a shortage in +the supply, and the filtering plant, the direct cause of Doctor West's +disgrace, had proved so complete a failure that its use had been +discontinued. The water was often murky and unpleasant to the taste. +Moreover, all kinds of other faults began to develop in the plant. The +city complained loudly of the quality of the water and the failure of +the system. It was like one of these new-fangled toys, averred the +street corners, that runs like a miracle while the paint is on it and +then with a whiz and a whir goes all to thunder. + +But to this mere by-product of the case Katherine gave little thought. +She had to keep desperately upon the case itself. At times, feeling +herself so alone, making no inch of headway, her spirits sank very low +indeed. What made the case so wearing on the soul was that she was +groping in the dark. She was fighting an invisible enemy, even though +it was no more than a misunderstanding--an enemy whom, strive as she +would, she could not clutch, with whom she could not grapple. Again +and again she prayed for a foe in the open. Had there been a fight, no +matter how bitter, her part would have been far, far easier--for in +fight there is action and excitement and the lifting hope of victory. + +It took courage to work as she did, weary week upon weary week, and +discover nothing. It took courage not to slink away at the town's +disapprobation. At times, in the bitterness of her heart, she wished +she were out of it all, and could just rest, and be friends with every +one. In such moods it would creep coldly in upon her that there could +be but one solution to the case--that after all her father must be +guilty. But when she would go home and look into his thoughtful, +unworldy old face, that solution would instantly become impossible; +and she would cast out doubt and despair and renew her determination. + +The weeks dragged heavily on--hot and dusty after the first of July, +and so dry that out in the country the caked earth was a fine network +of zigzagging fissures, and the farmers, gazing despondently upon +their shrivelling corn, watched with vain hope for a rescuing cloud to +darken the clear, hard, brilliant heavens. At length the summer burned +to its close; the opening day of the September term of court was close +at hand. But still the case stood just as on the day Katherine had +stepped so joyously from the Limited. The evidence of Sherman was +unshaken. The charges of Bruce had no answer. + +One afternoon--her father's case was set for two days later--as +Katherine left her office, desperate, not knowing which way to turn, +her nerves worn fine and thin by the long strain, she saw her father's +name on the front page of the _Express_. She bought a copy. In the +centre of the first page, in a "box" and set in heavy-faced type, was +an editorial in Bruce's most rousing style, trying her father in +advance, declaring him flagrantly guilty, and demanding for him the +law's extremest penalty. + +That editorial unloosed her long-collected wrath--wrath that had many +a reason. In Bruce's person Katherine had from the first seen the +summing up, the leader, of the bitterness against her father. All +summer he had continued his sharp attacks, and the virulence of these +had helped keep the town wrought up against Doctor West. Moreover, +Katherine despised Bruce as a powerful, ruthless, demagogic hypocrite. +And to her hostility against him in her father's behalf and to her +contempt for his quack radicalism, was added the bitter implacability +of the woman who feels herself scorned. The town's attitude toward her +she resented. But Bruce she hated, and him she prayed with all her +soul that she might humble. + +She crushed the _Express_, flung it from her into the gutter, and +walked home all a-tremble. Her aunt met her in the hall as she was +laying off her hat. A spot burned faintly in either withered cheek of +the old woman. + +"Who does thee think is here?" she asked. + +"Who?" Katherine repeated mechanically, her wrath too high for +interest in anything else. + +"Mr. Bruce. Upstairs with thy father." + +"What!" cried Katherine. + +Her hat missed the hook and fell to the floor, and she went springing +up the stairway. The next instant she flung open her father's door, +and walked straight up to Bruce, before whom she paused, bosom +heaving, eyes on fire. + +"What are you doing here?" she demanded. + +His powerful figure rose, and his square-hewn face looked directly +into her own. + +"Interviewing your father," he returned with his aggressive calm. + +"He was asking me to confess," explained Doctor West. + +"Confess?" cried Katherine. + +"Just so," replied Bruce. "His guilt is undoubted, so he might as well +confess." + +Scorn flamed at him. + +"I see! You are trying to get a confession out of him, in advance of +the trial, as a big feature for your terrible paper!" + +She moved a pace nearer him. All the suppressed anger, all the hidden +anguish, of the last three months burst up volcanically. + +"Oh! oh!" she cried breathlessly. "I never dreamt till I met you that +a man could be so low, so heartless, as to hound an old man as you +have hounded my father--and all for the sake of a yellow newspaper +sensation. But he's a safe man for you to attack. Yes, he's safe--old, +unpopular, helpless!" + +Bruce's heavy brows lowered. He did not give back a step before her +ireful figure. + +"And because he's old and unpopular I should not attack him, eh?" he +demanded. "Because he's down, I should not hit him? That's your +woman's reasoning, is it? Well, let me tell you," and his gray eyes +flashed, and his voice had a crunching tone--"that I believe when +you've got an enemy of society down, don't, because you pity him, let +him up to go and do the same thing again. While you've got him down, +keep on hitting him till you've got him finished!" + +"Like the brute that you are!" she cried. "But, like the coward you +are, you first very carefully choose your 'enemy of society.' You were +careful to choose one who could not hit back!" + +"I did not choose your father. He thrust himself upon the town's +attention. And I consider neither his weakness nor his strength. I +consider only the fact that your father has done the city a greater +injury than any man who ever lived in Westville." + +"It's a lie! I tell you it's a lie!" + +"It's the truth!" he declared harshly, dominantly. "His swindling +Westville by giving us a worthless filtering-plant in return for a +bribe--why, that is the smallest evil he has done the town. Before +that time, Westville was on the verge of making great municipal +advances--on the verge of becoming a model and a leader for the small +cities of the Middle West. And now all that grand development is +ruined--and ruined by that man, your father!" He excitedly jerked a +paper from his pocket and held it out to her. "If you want to see +what he has brought us to, read that editorial in the _Clarion_!" + +She fixed him with glittering eyes. + +"I have read one cowardly editorial to-day in a Westville paper. That +is enough." + +"Read that, I say!" he commanded. + +For answer she took the _Clarion_ and tossed it into the waste-basket. +She glared at him, quivering all over, in her hands a convulsive itch +for physical vengeance. + +"If I thought that in all your fine talk about the city there was one +single word of sincerity, I might respect you," she said with slow and +scathing contempt. "But your words are the words of a mere poseur--of +a man who twists the truth to fit his desires--of a man who deals in +the ideas that seem to him most profitable--of a man who cares not how +poor, how innocent, is the body he uses as a stepping stone for his +clambering greed and ambition. Oh, I know you--I have watched you--I +have read you. You are a mere self-seeker! You are a demagogue! You +are a liar! And, on top of that, you are a coward!" + +Whatever Arnold Bruce was, he was a man with a temper. Fury was +blazing behind his heavy spectacles. + +"Go on! I care _that_ for the words of a woman who has so little +taste, so little sense, so little modesty, as to leave the sphere----" + +"You boor!" gasped Katharine. + +"Perhaps I am. At least I am not afraid to speak the truth straight +out even to a woman. You are all wrong. You are unwomanly. You are +unsexed. Your pretensions as a lawyer are utterly preposterous, as the +trial on Thursday will show you. And the condemnation of the town is +not half as severe a rebuke----" + +"Stop!" gasped Katherine. A wild defiance surged up and overmastered +her, her nerves broke, and her hot words tumbled out hysterically. +"You think you are a God-anointed critic of humanity, but you are only +a heartless, conceited cad! Just wait--I'll show you what your +judgment of me is worth! I am going to clear my father! I am going to +make this Westville that condemns me kneel at my feet! and as for +you--you can think what you please! But don't you ever dare to speak +to my father again--don't you ever dare speak to me again--don't you +ever dare enter this house again! Now go! Go! I say. Go! Go! Go!" + +His face had grown purple; he seemed to be choking. For a space he +gazed at her. Then without answering he bowed slightly and was gone. + +She glared a moment at the door. Then suddenly she collapsed upon the +floor, her head and arms on the old haircloth sofa, and her whole body +shook with silent sobs. Doctor West, first gazing at her a little +helplessly, sat down upon the sofa, and softly stroked her hair. For a +time there were no words--only her convulsive breathing, her choking +sobs. + +Presently he said gently: + +"I'm sure you'll do everything you said." + +"No--that's the trouble," she moaned. "What I said--was--was just a +big bluff. I won't do any--of those things. Your trial is two days +off--and, father, I haven't one bit of evidence--I don't know what +we're going to do--and the jury will have to--oh, father, father, that +man was right; I'm just--just a great big failure!" + +Again she shook with sobs. The old man continued to sit beside her, +softly stroking her thick brown hair. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MASK FALLS + + +But presently the sobs subsided, as though shut off by main force, and +Katherine rose to her feet. She wiped her eyes and looked at her +father, a wan smile on her reddened, still tremulous face. + +"What a hope-inspiring lawyer you have, father!" + +"I would not want a truer," said he loyally. + +"We won't have one of these cloud-bursts again, I promise you. But +when you have been under a strain for months, and things are stretched +tighter and tighter, and at last something makes things snap, why you +just can't help--well," she ended, "a man would have done something +else, I suppose, but it might have been just as bad." + +"Worse!" avowed her father. + +"Anyhow, it's all over. I'll just repair some of the worst ravages of +the storm, and then we'll talk about our programme for the trial." + +As she was arranging her hair before her father's mirror, she saw, in +the glass, the old man stoop and take something from the waste-basket. +Turning his back to her, he cautiously examined the object. + +She left the mirror and came up behind him. + +"What are you looking at, dear?" + +He started, and glanced up. + +"Oh--er--that editorial Mr. Bruce referred to." He rubbed his head +dazedly. "If that should happen, with me even indirectly the cause of +it--why, Katherine, it really would be pretty bad!" He held out the +_Clarion_. "Perhaps, after all, you had better read it." + +She took the paper. The _Clarion_ had from the first opposed the +city's owning the water-works, and the editorial declared that the +present situation gave the paper, and all those who had held a similar +opinion, their long-awaited triumph and vindication. "This failure is +only what invariably happens whenever a city tries municipal +ownership," declared the editorial. "The situation has grown so +unbearably acute that the city's only hope of good water lies in the +sale of the system to some private concern, which will give us that +superior service which is always afforded by private capital. +Westville is upon the eve of a city election, and we most emphatically +urge upon both parties that they make the chief plank of their +platforms the immediate sale of our utterly discredited water-works +to some private company." + +The editorial did not stir Katherine as it had appeared to stir Bruce, +nor even in the milder degree it had stirred Doctor West. She was +interested in the water-works only in so far as it concerned her +father, and the _Clarion's_ proposal had no apparent bearing on his +guilt or innocence. + +She laid the _Clarion_ on the table, without comment, and proceeded to +discuss the coming trial. The only course she had to suggest was that +they plead for a postponement on the ground that they needed more time +in which to prepare their defense. If that plea were denied, then +before them seemed certain conviction. On that plea, then, they +decided to place all their hope. + +When this matter had been talked out Doctor West took the _Clarion_ +from the table and again read the editorial with troubled face, while +Katherine walked to and fro across the floor, her mind all on the +trial. + +"If the town does sell, it will be too bad!" he sighed. + +"I suppose so," said Katherine mechanically. + +"It has reached me that people are saying that the system isn't worth +anything like what we paid for it." + +"Is that so?" she asked absently. + +Doctor West drew himself up and his faded cheeks flushed indignantly. + +"No, it is not so. I don't know what's wrong, but it's the very best +system of its size in the Middle West!" + +She paused. + +"Forgive me--I wasn't paying any attention to what I was saying. I'm +sure it is." + +She resumed her pacing. + +"But if they sell out to some company," Doctor West continued, "the +company will probably get it for a third, or less, of what it is +actually worth." + +"So, if some corporation has been secretly wanting to buy it," +commented Katherine, "things could not have worked out better for the +corporation if they had been planned." + +She came to a sudden pause, and stood gazing at her father, her lips +slowly parting. + +"It could not have worked out better for the corporation if it had +been planned," she repeated. + +"No," said Doctor West. + +She picked up the _Clarion_, quickly read the editorial, and laid the +paper aside. + +"Father!" Her voice was a low, startled cry. + +"Yes?" + +She moved slowly toward him, in her face a breathless look, and caught +his shoulders with tense hands. + +"_Perhaps it was planned!_" + +"What?" + +Her voice rang out more loudly: + +"_Perhaps it was planned!_" + +"But Katherine--what do you mean?" + +"Let me think. Let me think." She began feverishly to pace the room. +"Oh, why did I not think of this before!" she cried to herself. "I +thought of graft--political corruption--everything else. But it never +occurred to me that there might be a plan, a subtle, deep-laid plan, +to steal the water-works!" + +Doctor West watched her rather dazedly as she went up and down the +floor, her brows knit, her lips moving in self-communion. Her +connection with the Municipal League in New York had given her an +intimate knowledge of the devious means by which public service +corporations sometimes gain their end. Her mind flashed over all the +situation's possibilities. + +Suddenly she paused before her father, face flushed, triumph in her +eyes. + +"Father, _it was planned!_" + +"Eh?" said he. + +"Father," she demanded excitedly, "do you know what the great public +service corporations are doing now?" Her words rushed on, not waiting +for an answer. "They have got hold of almost all the valuable public +utilities in the great cities, and now they are turning to a fresh +field--the small cities. Westville is a rich chance in a small way. It +has only thirty thousand inhabitants now. But it is growing. Some day +it will have fifty thousand--a hundred thousand." + +"That's what people say." + +"If a private company could get hold of the water-works, the system +would not only be richly profitable at once, but it would be worth a +fortune as the city grows. Now if a company, a clever company, wanted +to buy in the water-works, what would be their first move?" + +"To make an offer, I suppose." + +"Never! Their first step would be to try to make the people want to +sell. And how would they try to make the people want to sell?" + +"Why--why----" + +"By making the water-works fail!" Her excitement was mounting; she +caught his shoulders. "Fail so badly that the people would be +disgusted, just as they now are, and willing to sell at any price. +And now, father--and now, father--" he could feel her quivering all +over--"listen to me! We're coming to the point! How would they make +the water-works fail?" + +He could only blink at her. + +"They'd make it fail by removing from office, and so disgracing +him that everything he had done would be discredited, the one +incorruptible man whose care and knowledge had made it a success! +Don't you see, father? Don't you see?" + +"Bless me," said the old man, "if I know what you're talking about!" + +"With you out of the way, whom they knew they could not corrupt, they +could buy under officials to attend to the details of making the water +bad and the plant itself a failure--just exactly what has been done. +You are not the real victim. You are just an obstruction--something +that they had to get out of the way. The real victim is Westville! +It's a plan to rob the city!" + +His gray eyes were catching the light that blazed from hers. + +"I begin to see," he said. "It hardly seems possible people would do +such things. But perhaps you're right. What are you going to do?" + +"Fight!" + +"Fight?" He looked admiringly at her glowing figure. "But if there is +a strong company behind all this, for you to fight it alone--it will +be an awful big fight!" + +"I don't care how big the fight is!" she cried exultantly. "What has +almost broken my heart till now is that there has been no one to +fight!" + +A shadow fell on the old man's face. + +"But after all, Katherine, it is all only a guess." + +"Of course it is only a guess!" she cried. "But I have tested every +other possible solution. This is the only one left, and it fits every +known circumstance of the case. It is only a guess--but I'll stake my +life on its being the right guess!" Her voice rose. "Oh, father, we're +on the right track at last! We're going to clear you! Don't you ever +doubt that. We're going to clear you!" + +There was no resisting the ringing confidence in her voice, the fire +of her enthusiasm. + +"Katherine!" he cried, and opened his arms. + +She rushed into them. "We're going to clear you, father! And, oh, +won't it be fine! Won't it be fine!" + +For a space they held each other close, then they parted. + +"What are you going to do first?" he asked. + +"Try to find the person, or corporation, behind the scheme." + +"And how will you do that?" + +"First, I shall talk it over with Mr. Blake. You know he told me to +come to him if I ever wished his advice. He knows the situation +here--he has the interests of Westville at heart--and I know he will +help us. I'm not going to lose a second, so I'm off to see him now." + +She rushed downstairs. But she did have to lose a second, and many of +them, for when she called up Mr. Blake's office on the telephone, the +answer came back that Mr. Blake was in the capital and would not +return till the following day on the one forty-five. It occurred to +Katherine to advise with old Hosie Hollingsworth, for during the long +summer her blind, childish shrinking had changed to warm liking of the +dry old lawyer; and she had discovered, too, that the heresies it had +been his delight to utter a generation before--and on which he still +prided himself--were now a part of the belief of many an orthodox +divine. + +But she decided against conferring with Old Hosie. Her adviser and +leader must be a man more actively in the current of modern affairs. +No, Blake was her great hope, and precious and few as were the hours +before the trial, there was nothing for it but to wait for his return. + +She went up to her room, and her excited mind, now half inspired, went +feverishly over the situation and all who were in any wise concerned +in it. She thought of the fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter +Company. With her new viewpoint she now understood the whole +bewildering business of that check. The company, or at least one of +its officers, was somehow in on the deal, and there had been some +careful scheming behind the sending of that fifty dollars. The +company had been confronted with two obvious difficulties. First, it +had to make certain that the check would not be received until after +the two thousand dollars was in the hands of her father. Second, the +date of the check and the date of the Westville postmark must be +earlier than the day the two thousand dollars was delivered--else +Doctor West could produce check and envelope to prove that the check +had not arrived until after he had already accepted what he thought +was the donation, and thus perhaps ruin the whole scheme. What had +been done, Katherine now clearly perceived, was that some one, most +probably an assistant of her father, had been bought over to look out +for the arrival of the letter, to hold it back until the critical day +had passed, and then slip it into her father's neglected mail. + +Her mind raced on to further matters, further persons, connected with +the situation. When she came to Bruce her hands clenched the arms of +her wicker rocking chair. In a flash the whole man was plain to her, +and her second great discovery of the day was made. + +Bruce was an agent of the hidden corporation! + +The motive behind his fierce desire to destroy her father was at last +apparent. To destroy Doctor West was his part in the conspiracy. As +for his rabid advocacy of municipal ownership, and all his fine talk +about the city's betterment, that was mere sham--merely the virtuous +front behind which he could work out his purpose unsuspected. No one +could quote the scripture of civic improvement more loudly than the +civic despoiler. She always had distrusted him. Now she knew him. Many +a time through the night her mind flashed back to him from other +matters and she thrilled with a vengeful joy at the thought of tearing +aside his mask. + +It was a long and feverish night to Katherine, and a long and feverish +forenoon. At a quarter to two she was in Blake's office, which was +furnished with just that balance between simplicity and richness +appropriate to a growing great man with a constituency half of the +city and half of the country. She had sat some time at a window +looking down upon the Square, its foliage now a dusty, shrivelled +brown, when Blake came in. He had not been told that she was waiting, +and at sight of her he came to a sudden pause. But the next instant he +had crossed the room and was shaking her hand. + +For that first instant Katherine's eyes and mind, which during the +last twenty-four hours had had an almost more than mortal clearness, +had an impression that he was strangely agitated. But the moment over, +the impression was gone. + +He placed a chair for her at the corner of his desk and himself sat +down, his dark, strong, handsome face fixed on hers. + +"Now, how can I serve you, Katherine?" + +There were rings about her eyes, but excitement gave her colour. + +"You know that to-morrow is father's trial?" + +"Yes. You must have a hard, hard fight before you." + +"Perhaps not so hard as you may think." She tried to keep her tugging +excitement in leash. + +"I hope not," said he. + +"I think it may prove easy--if you will help me." + +"Help you?" + +"Yes. I have come to ask you that again." + +"Well--you see--as I told you----" + +"But the situation has changed since I first came to you," she put in +quickly, not quite able to restrain a little laugh. "I have found +something out!" + +He started. "You have found--you say----" + +"I have found something out!" + +She smiled at him happily, triumphantly. + +"And that?" said he. + +She leaned forward. + +"I do not need to tell you, for you know it, that the big corporations +have discovered a new gold mine--or rather, thousands of little gold +mines. That all over the country they have gained control, and are +working to gain control, of the street-car lines, gas works and other +public utilities in the smaller cities." + +"Well?" + +She spoke excitedly, putting the case more definitely than it really +was, to better the chance of winning his aid. + +"Well, I have just discovered that there is a plan on foot, directed +by a hidden some one, to seize the water-works of Westville. I have +discovered that my father is not guilty. He is the victim of a trick +to ruin the water-works and make the people willing to sell. The first +thing to do is to find the man behind the scheme. I want you to help +me find this man." + +A greenish pallor had overspread his features. + +"And you want me--to find this man?" he repeated. + +"Yes. I know you will take this up, simply because of your interest in +the city. But there is another reason--it would help you in your +larger ambition. If you could disclose this scheme, save the city, +become the hero of a great popular gratitude, think how it would help +your senatorial chances!" + +He did not at once reply, but sat staring at her. + +"Don't you see?" she cried. + +"I--I see." + +"Why, it would turn your chance for the Senate into a certainty! It +would--but, Mr. Blake, what's the matter?" + +"Matter," he repeated, huskily. "Why--why nothing." + +She gazed at him with deep concern. "But you look almost sick." + +In his eyes there struggled a wild look. Her gaze became fixed upon +his face, so strangely altered. In her present high-wrought state all +her senses were excited to their intensest keenness. + +There was a moment of silence--eyes into eyes. Then she stood slowly +up, and one hand reached slowly out and clutched his arm. + +"Mr. Blake!" she whispered, in an awed and terrified tone. She +continued to stare into his eyes. "Mr. Blake!" she repeated. + +She felt a tensing of his body, as of a man who seeks to master +himself with a mighty effort. He tried to smile, though his greenish +pallor did not leave him. + +"It is my turn," he said, "to ask what is the matter with you, +Katherine." + +"Mr. Blake!" She loosed her hold upon his arm, and shrank away. + +He rose. + +"What is the matter?" he repeated. "You seem upset. I suppose it is +the nervous strain of to-morrow's trial." + +In her face was stupefied horror. + +"It is what--what I have discovered." + +"What you call your discovery would be most valuable, if true. But it +is just a dream, Katherine--a crazy, crazy dream." + +She still was looking straight into his eyes. + +"Mr. Blake, it is true," she said slowly, almost breathlessly. "For I +have found the man behind the plan." + +"Indeed! And who?" + +"I think you know him, Mr. Blake." + +"I?" + +"Better than any one else." + +His smile had left him. + +"Who?" + +She continued to stare at him for a moment in silence. Then she slowly +raised her arm and pointed at him. + +The silence continued for several moments, each gazing at the other. +He had put one hand upon his desk and was leaning heavily upon it. He +looked like a man sick unto death. But soon a shiver ran through him; +he swallowed, gripped himself in a strong control, and smiled again +his strained, unnatural smile. + +"Katherine, Katherine," he tried to say it reprovingly and +indulgently, but there was a quaver in his voice. "You have gone quite +out of your head!" + +"It is true!" she cried. "All unintentionally I have followed one of +the oldest of police expedients. I have suddenly confronted the +criminal with his crime, and I have surprised his guilt upon his +face!" + +"What you say is absurd. I can explain it only on the theory that you +are quite out of your mind." + +"Never before was I so much in it!" + +In this moment when she felt that the hidden enemy she had striven so +long to find was at last revealed to her, she felt more of anguish +than of triumph. + +"Oh, how could you do such a thing, Mr. Blake?" she burst out. "How +could you do it?" + +He shook his head, and tried to smile at her perversity--but the smile +was a wan failure. + +"I see--I see!" she cried in her pain. "It is just the old story. A +good man rises to power through being the champion of the people--and, +once in power, the opportunities, the temptation, are too much for +him. But I never--no, never!--thought that such a thing would happen +with you!" + +He strove for the injured air of the misjudged old friend. + +"Again I must say that I can only explain your charges by supposing +that you are out of your head." + +"Here in Westville you believe it is not woman's business to think +about politics," Katherine went on, in her voice of pain. "But I could +not help thinking about them, and watching them. I have lost my faith +in the old parties, but I had kept my faith in some of their leaders. +I believe some of them honest, devoted, indomitable. And of them all, +the one I admired most, ranked highest, was you. And now--and now--oh, +Mr. Blake!--to learn that you----" + +"Katherine! Katherine!" And he raised his hands with the manner of +exasperated, yet indulgent, helplessness. + +"Mr. Blake, you know you are now only playing a part! And you know +that I know it!" She moved up to him eagerly. "Listen to me," she +pleaded rapidly. "You have only started on this, you have not gone too +far to turn back. You have done no real wrong as yet, save to my +father, and I know my father will forgive you. Drop your plan--let my +father be honourably cleared--and everything will be just as before!" + +For a space he seemed shaken by her words. She watched him, +breathless, awaiting the outcome of the battle she felt was waging +within him. + +"Drop the plan--do!--do!--I beg you!" she cried. + +His dark face twitched; a quivering ran through his body. Then by a +mighty effort he partially regained his mastery. + +"There is no plan for me to drop," he said huskily. + +"You still cling to the part you are playing?" + +"I am playing no part; you are all wrong about me," he continued. +"Your charges are so absurd that it would be foolish to deny them. +They are merely the ravings of an hysterical woman." + +"And this is your answer?" + +"That is my answer." + +She gazed at him for a long moment. Then she sighed. + +"I'm so sorry!" she said; and she turned away and moved toward the +door. + +She gave him a parting look, as he stood pale, quivering, yet +controlled, behind his desk. In this last moment she remembered the +gallant fight this man had made against Blind Charlie Peck; she +remembered that fragrant, far-distant night of June when he had asked +her to marry him; and she felt as though she were gazing for the last +time upon a dear dead face. + +"I'm sorry--oh, so sorry!" she said tremulously. "Good-by." And +turning, she walked with bowed head out of his office. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE EDITOR OF THE _EXPRESS_ + + +Katherine stumbled down into the dusty, quivering heat of the Square. +She was still awed and dumfounded by her discovery; she could not as +yet realize its full significance and whither it would lead; but her +mind was a ferment of thoughts that were unfinished and questions that +did not await reply. + +How had a man once so splendid come to sell his soul for money or +ambition? What would Westville think and do, Westville who worshipped +him, if it but knew the truth? How was she to give battle to an +antagonist, so able in himself, so powerfully supported by the public? +What a strange caprice of fate it was that had given her as the man +she must fight, defeat, or be defeated by, her former idol, her former +lover! + +Shaken with emotion, her mind shot through with these fragmentary +thoughts, she turned into a side street. But she had walked beneath +its withered maples no more than a block or two, when her largest +immediate problem, her father's trial on the morrow, thrust itself +into her consciousness, and the pressing need of further action drove +all this spasmodic speculation from her mind. She began to think upon +what she should next do. Almost instantly her mind darted to the man +whom she had definitely connected with the plot against her father, +Arnold Bruce, and she turned back toward the Square, afire with a new +idea. + +She had made great advance through suddenly, though unintentionally, +confronting Blake with knowledge of his guilt. Might she not make some +further advance, gain some new clue, by confronting Bruce in similar +manner? + +Ten minutes after she had left the office of Harrison Blake, Katherine +entered the _Express_ Building. From the first floor sounded a deep +and continuous thunder; that afternoon's issue was coming from the +press. She lifted her skirts and gingerly mounted the stairway, over +which the _Express's_ "devil" was occasionally seen to make +incantations with the stub of an undisturbing broom. + +At the head of the stairway a door stood open. This she entered, and +found herself in the general editorial room, ankle-deep with dirt and +paper. The air of the place told that the day's work was done. In one +corner a telegraph sounder was chattering its tardy world-gossip to +unheeding ears. In the centre at a long table, typewriters before +them, three shirt-sleeved young men sprawled at ease reading the +_Express_, which the "devil" had just brought them from the nether +regions, moist with the black spittle of the beast that there roared +and rumbled. + +At sight of her tall, fresh figure, a red spot in her either cheek, +defiance in her brown eyes, Billy Harper, quicker than the rest, +sprang up and crossed the room. + +"Miss West, I believe," he said. "Can I do anything for you?" + +"I wish to speak with Mr. Bruce," was her cold reply. + +"This way," and Billy led her across the wilderness of proofs, +discarded copy and old newspapers, to a door beside the stairway that +led down into the press-room. "Just go right in," he said. + +She entered. Bruce, his shirt-sleeves rolled up and his bared +fore-arms grimy, sat glancing through the _Express_, his feet crossed +on his littered desk, a black pipe hanging from one corner of his +mouth. He did not look round but turned another page. + +"Well, what's the matter?" he grunted between his teeth. + +"I should like a few words with you," said Katherine. + +"Eh!" His head twisted about. "Miss West!" + +His feet suddenly dropped to the floor, and he stood up and laid the +pipe upon his desk. For the moment he was uncertain how to receive +her, but the bright, hard look in her eyes fixed his attitude. + +"Certainly," he said in a brusque, businesslike tone. He placed the +atlas-bottomed chair near his own. "Be seated." + +She sat down, and he took his own chair. + +"I am at your service," he said. + +Her cheeks slowly gathered a higher colour, her eyes gleamed with a +pre-triumphant fire, and she looked straight into his square, rather +massive face. Over Blake she had felt an infinity of regret and pain. +For this man she felt only boundless hatred, and she thrilled with a +vengeful, exultant joy that she was about to unmask him--that later +she might crush him utterly. + +"I am at your service," he repeated. + +She slowly wet her lips and gathered herself to strike, alert to watch +the effects of her blow. + +"I have called, Mr. Bruce," she said with slow distinctness, "to let +you know that I know that a conspiracy is under way to steal the +water-works! And to let you know that I know that you are near its +centre!" + +He started. + +"What?" he cried. + +Her devouring gaze did not lose a change of feature, not so much as +the shifting in the pupil of his eye. + +"Oh, I know your plot!" she went on rapidly. "It's every detail! The +first step was to ruin the water-works, so the city would sell and +sell cheap. The first step toward ruining the system was to get my +father out of the way. And so this charge against my father was +trumped up to ruin him. The leader of the whole plot is Mr. Blake; his +right hand man yourself. Oh, I know every detail of your infamous +scheme!" + +He stared at her. His lips had slowly parted. + +"What--you say that Mr. Blake----" + +"Oh, you are trying to play your part of innocence well, but you +cannot deceive me!" she cried with fierce contempt. "Yes, Mr. Blake is +the head of it. I just came from his office. There's not a doubt in +the world of his guilt. He has admitted it. Oh----" + +"Admitted it?" + +"Yes, admitted it! Oh, it was a fine and easy way to make a +fortune--to dupe the city into selling at a fraction of its value a +business that run privately will pay an immense and ever-growing +profit." + +He had stood up and was scratching his bristling hair. + +"My God! My God!" he whispered. + +She rose. + +"And you!" she cried, glaring at him, her voice mounting to a climax +of scorn, "You! Don't walk the room"--he had begun to do so--"but look +me in the face. To think how you have attacked my father, maligned +him, covered him with dishonour! And for what? To help you carry +through a dirty trick to rob the city! Oh, I wish I had the words to +tell you----" + +But he had begun again to pace the little room, scratching his head, +his eyes gleaming behind the heavy glasses. + +"Listen to me!" she commanded. + +"Oh, give me all the hell you want to!" he cried out. "Only don't ask +me to listen to you!" + +He paused abruptly before her, and, eyes half-closed, stared +piercingly into her face. As she returned his stare, it began to dawn +upon her that he did not seem much taken aback. At least his guilt +bore no near likeness to that of Mr. Blake. + +Suddenly he made a lunge for the door, jerked it open, and his voice +descended the stairway, out-thundering the press. + +"Jake! Oh, Jake!" + +A lesser roar ascended: + +"Yes!" + +"Stop the press! Rip open the forms! Get the men at the linotypes! And +be alive down there, every damned soul of you! And you, Billy Harper, +I'll want you here in two minutes!" + +He slammed the door, and turned on Katherine. She had looked upon +excitement before, but never such excitement as was flaming in his +face. + +"Now give me all the details!" he cried. + +She it was that was taken aback. + +"I--I don't understand," she said. + +"No time to explain now. Looks like I've been all wrong about your +father--perhaps a little wrong about you--and perhaps you've been a +little wrong about me. Let it go at that. Now for the details. Quick!" + +"But--but what are you going to do?" + +"Going to get out an extra! It's the hottest story that ever came down +the pike! It'll make the _Express_, and"--he seized her hand in his +grimy ones, his eyes blazed, and an exultant laugh leaped from his +deep chest--"and we'll simply rip this old town wide open!" + +Katherine stared at him in bewilderment. + +"Oh, won't this wake the old town up!" he murmured to himself. + +He dropped into his chair, jerked some loose copy paper toward him, +and seized a pencil. + +"Now quick! The details!" + +"You mean--you are going to print this?" she stammered. + +"Didn't I say so!" he answered sharply. + +"Then you really had nothing to do with Mr. Blake's----" + +"Oh, hell! I beg pardon. But this is no time for explanations. Come, +come"--he rapped his desk with his knuckles--"don't you know what +getting out an extra is? Every second is worth half your lifetime. Out +with the story!" + +Katherine sank rather weakly into her chair, beginning to see new +things in this face she had so lately loathed. + +"The fact of the matter is," she confessed, "I guess I stated my +information a little more definitely than it really is." + +"You mean you haven't the facts?" + +"I'm afraid not. Not yet." + +"Nothing definite I could hinge a story on?" + +She shook her head. "I didn't come prepared for--for things to take +this turn. It would spoil everything to have this made public before I +had my case worked up." + +"Then there's no extra!" + +He flung down his pencil and sprang up. "Nothing doing, Billy," he +called to Harper, who that instant opened the door; "go on back with +you." He began to walk up and down the little office, scowling, hands +clenched in his trousers' pockets. After a moment he stopped short, +and looked at Katherine half savagely. + +"I suppose you don't know what it means to a newspaper man to have a +big story laid in his hands and then suddenly jerked out?" + +"I suppose it is something of a disappointment." + +"Disappointment!" The word came out half groan, half sneer. "Rot! If +you were waiting in church and the bridegroom didn't show up, if you +were----oh, I can't make you understand the feeling!" + +He dropped back into his chair and scratched viciously at the copy +paper with his heavy black pencil. She watched him in a sort of +fascination, till he abruptly looked up. Suspicion glinted behind the +heavy glasses. + +"Are you sure, Miss West," he asked slowly "that this whole affair +isn't just a little game?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"That your whole story is nothing but a hoax? Nothing but a trick to +get out of a tight hole by calling another man a thief?" + +Her eyes flashed. + +"You mean that I am telling a lie?" + +"Oh, you lawyers doubtless have a better-tasting word for it. You +would call it, say, a 'professional expedient.'" + +She was still not sufficiently recovered from her astonishment to be +angry. Besides, she felt herself by an unexpected turn put in the +wrong regarding Bruce. + +"What I have said to you is the absolute truth," she declared. "Here +is the situation--believe me or not, just as you please. I ask you, +for the moment, to accept the proposition that my father is the victim +of a plot to steal the water-works, and then see how everything fits +in with that theory. And bear in mind, as an item worth considering, +my father's long and honourable career--never a dishonouring word +against him till this charge came." And she went on and outlined, more +fully than on yesterday before her father, the reasoning that had led +her to her conclusion. "Now, does not that sound possible?" she +demanded. + +He had watched her with keen, half-closed eyes. + +"H'm. You reason well," he conceded. + +"That's a lawyer's business," she retorted. "So much for theory. Now +for facts." And she continued and gave him her experience of half an +hour before with Blake, the editor's boring gaze fixed on her all the +while. "Now I ask you this question: Is it likely that even a poor +water system could fail so quickly and so completely as ours has done, +unless some powerful person was secretly working to make it fail? Do +you not see it never could? We all would have seen it, but we've all +been too busy, too blind, and thought too well of our town, to suspect +such a thing." + +His eyes were still boring into her. + +"But how about Doctor Sherman?" he asked. + +"I believe that Doctor Sherman is an innocent tool of the conspiracy, +just as my father is its innocent victim," she answered promptly. + +Bruce sat with the same fixed look, and made no reply. + +"I have stated my theory, and I have stated my facts," said Katherine. +"I have no court evidence, but I am going to have it. As I remarked +before, you can believe what I have said, or not believe it. It's all +the same to me." She stood up. "I wish you good afternoon." + +He quickly rose. + +"Hold on!" he said. + +She paused at the door. He strode to and fro across the little office, +scowling with thought. Then he paused at the window and looked out. + +"Well?" she demanded. + +He wheeled about. + +"It sounds plausible." + +"Thank you," she said crisply. "I could hardly expect a man who has +been the champion of error, to admit that he has been wrong and accept +the truth. Good afternoon." + +Again she reached for the door-knob. + +"Wait!" he cried. There was a ring of resentment in his voice, but his +square face that had been grudgingly non-committal was now aglow with +excitement. "Of course you're right!" he exclaimed. "There's a damned +infernal conspiracy! Now what can I do to help?" + +"Help?" she asked blankly. + +"Help work up the evidence? Help reveal the conspiracy?" + +She had not yet quite got her bearings concerning this new Bruce. + +"Help? Why should you help? Oh, I see," she said coldly; "it would +make a nice sensational story for your paper." + +He flushed at her cutting words, and his square jaw set. + +"I suppose I might follow your example of a minute ago and say that I +don't care what you think. But I don't mind telling you a few things, +and giving you a chance to understand me if you want to. I was on a +Chicago paper, and had a big place that was growing bigger. I could +have sold the _Express_ when my uncle left it to me, and stayed there; +but I saw a chance, with a paper of my own, to try out some of my own +ideas, so I came to Westville. My idea of a newspaper is that its +function is to serve the people--make them think--bring them new +ideas--to be ever watching their interests. Of course, I want to make +money--I've got to, or go to smash; but I'd rather run a candy store +than run a sleepy, apologetic, afraid-of-a-mouse, mere money-making +sheet like the _Clarion_, that would never breathe a word against the +devil's fair name so long as he carried a half-inch ad. You called me +a yellow journalist yesterday. Well, if to tell the truth in the +hardest way I know how, to tell it so that it will hit people square +between the eyes and make 'em sit up and look around 'em--if that is +yellow then I'm certainly a yellow journalist, and I thank God +Almighty for inventing the breed!" + +As Katherine listened to his snappy, vibrant words, as she looked at +his powerful, dominant figure, and into his determined face with its +flashing eyes, she felt a reluctant warmth creep through her being. + +"Perhaps--I may have been mistaken about you," she said. + +"Perhaps you may!" he returned grimly. "Perhaps as much as I was about +your father. And, speaking of your father, I don't mind adding +something more. Ever since I took charge of the _Express_, I've been +advocating municipal ownership of every public utility. The +water-works, which were apparently so satisfactory, were a good start; +I used them constantly as a text for working up municipal ownership +sentiment. The franchises of the Westville Traction Company expire +next year, and I had been making a campaign against renewing the +franchises and in favour of the city taking over the system and +running it. Opinion ran high in favour of the scheme. But Doctor +West's seeming dishonesty completely killed the municipal ownership +idea. That was my pet, and if I was bitter toward your father--well, I +couldn't help it. And now," he added rather brusquely, "I've explained +myself to you. To repeat your words, you can believe me or not, just +as you like." + +There was no resisting the impression of the man's sincerity. + +"I suppose," said Katherine, "that I should apologize for--for the +things I've called you. My only excuse is that your mistake about my +father helped cause my mistake about you." + +"And I," returned he, "am not only willing to take back, publicly, in +my paper, what I have said against your father, but am willing to +print your statement about----" + +"You must not print a word till I get my evidence," she put in +quickly. "Printing it prematurely might ruin my case." + +"Very well. And as for what I have said about you, I take back +everything--except----" He paused; she saw disapprobation in his eyes. +"Except the plain truth I told you that being a lawyer is no work for +a woman." + +"You are very dogmatic!" said she hotly. + +"I am very right," he returned. "Excuse my saying it, but you appear +to have too many good qualities as a woman to spoil it all by going +out of your sphere and trying----" + +"Why--why----" She stood gasping. "Do you know what your uncle told me +about you?" + +"Old Hosie?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Hosie's an old fool!" + +"He said that the trouble with you was that you had not been thrashed +enough as a boy. And he was right, too!" + +She turned quickly to the door, but he stepped before her. + +"Don't get mad because of a little truth. Remember, I want to help +you." + +"I think," said she, "that we're better suited to fight each other +than to help each other. I'm not so sure I want your help." + +"I'm not so sure you can avoid taking it," he retorted. "This isn't +your father's case alone. It's the city's case, too, and I've got a +right to mix in. Now do you want me?" + +She looked at him a moment. + +"I'll think it over. For the present, good afternoon." + +He hesitated, then held out his hand. She hesitated, then took it. +After which, he opened the door for her and bowed her out. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE PRICE OF A MAN + + +When, half an hour before, Katherine walked with bowed head out of +Harrison Blake's office, Blake gazed fixedly after her for a moment, +and his face, now that he was private, deepened its sickly, ashen hue. +Then he strode feverishly up and down the room, lips twitching +nervously, hands clinching and unclinching. Then he unlocked a cabinet +against the wall, poured out a drink from a squat, black bottle, +gulped it down, and returned the bottle, forgetting to close the +cabinet. After which he dropped into his chair, gripped his face in +his two hands, and sat at his desk breathing deeply, but otherwise +without motion. + +Presently his door opened. + +"Mr. Brown is here to see you," announced a voice. + +He slowly raised his head, and stared an instant at his stenographer +in dumfounded silence. + +"Mr. Brown!" he repeated. + +"Yes," said the young woman. + +He continued to stare at her in sickly stupefaction. + +"Shall I tell him you'll see him later?" + +"Show him in," said Blake. "But, no--wait till I ring." + +He passed his hand across his moist and pallid face, paced his room +again several times, then touched a button and stood stiffly erect +beside his desk. The next moment the door closed behind a short, +rather chubby man with an egg-shell dome and a circlet of grayish +hair. He had eyes that twinkled with good fellowship and a cheery, +fatherly manner. + +"Well, well, Mr. Blake; mighty glad to see you!" he exclaimed as he +crossed the room. + +Blake, still pale, but now with tense composure, took the hand of his +visitor. + +"This is a surprise, Mr. Brown," said he. "How do you happen to be in +Westville?" + +Mr. Brown disposed himself comfortably in the chair that Katherine had +so lately occupied. + +"To-morrow's the trial of that Doctor West, isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I thought I'd better be on the ground to see how it came out." + +Blake did not respond at once; but, lips very tight together, sat +gazing at the ruddy face of his visitor. + +"Everything's going all right, isn't it?" asked Mr. Brown in his +cheery voice. + +"About the trial, you mean?" Blake asked with an effort. + +"Of course. The letter I had from you yesterday assured me conviction +was certain. Things still stand the same way, I suppose?" + +Blake's whole body was taut. His dark eyes were fixed upon Mr. Brown. + +"They do not," he said quietly. + +"Not stand the same way?" cried Mr. Brown, half rising from his chair. +"Why not?" + +"I am afraid," replied Blake with his strained quiet, "that the +prosecution will not make out a case." + +"Not make out a case?" + +"To-morrow Doctor West is going to be cleared." + +"Cleared? Cleared?" Mr. Brown stared. "Now what the devil--see here, +Blake, how's that going to happen?" + +Blake's tense figure had leaned forward. + +"It's going to happen, Mr. Brown," he burst out, with a flashing of +his dark eyes, "because I'm tired of doing your dirty work, and the +dirty work of the National Electric & Water Company!" + +"You mean you're going to see he's cleared?" + +"I mean I'm going to see he's cleared!" + +"What--you?" ejaculated Mr. Brown, still staring. "Why, only in your +letter yesterday you were all for the plan! What's come over you?" + +"If you'd gone through what I've just gone through----" Blake abruptly +checked his passionate reference to his scene with Katherine. "I say +enough when I say that I'm going to see that Doctor West is cleared. +There you have it." + +No further word was spoken for a moment. The two men, leaning toward +each other, gazed straight into one another's eyes. Blake's powerful, +handsome face was blazing and defiant. The fatherly kindness had +disappeared from the other, and it was keen and hard. + +"So," said Mr. Brown, cuttingly, and with an infinity of contempt, "it +appears that Mr. Harrison Blake is the owner of a white liver." + +"You know that's a lie!" Blake fiercely retorted. "You know I've got +as much courage as you and your infernal company put together!" + +"Oh, you have, have you? From the way you're turning tail----" + +"To turn tail upon a dirty job is no cowardice!" + +"But there have been plenty of dirty jobs you haven't run from. You've +put through many a one in the last two or three years on the quiet." + +"But never one like this." + +"You knew exactly what the job was when you made the bargain with us." + +"Yes. And my stomach rose against it even then." + +"Then why the devil did you tie up with us?" + +"Because your big promises dazzled me! Because you took me up on a +high mountain and showed me the kingdoms of the earth!" + +"Well, you then thought the kingdoms were pretty good looking +property." + +"Good enough to make me forget the sort of thing I was doing. Good +enough to blind me as to how things might come out. But I see now! And +I'm through with it all!" + +The chubby little man's eyes were on fire. But he was too experienced +in his trade to allow much liberty to anger. + +"And that's final--that's where you stand?" he asked with comparative +calm. + +"That's where I stand!" cried Blake. "I may have got started crooked, +but I'm through with this kind of business now! I'm going back to +clean ways! And you, Mr. Brown, you might as well say good-by!" + +But Mr. Brown was an old campaigner. He never abandoned a battle +merely because it apparently seemed lost. He now leaned back in his +chair, slowly crossed his short legs, and thoughtfully regarded +Blake's excited features. His own countenance had changed its aspect; +it had shed its recent hardness, and had not resumed its original +cheeriness. It was eminently a reasonable face. + +"Come, let's talk this whole matter over in a calm manner," he began +in a rather soothing tone. "Neither of us wants to be too hasty. There +are a few points I'd like to call your attention to, if you'll let +me." + +"Go ahead with your points," said Blake. "But they won't change my +decision." + +"First, let's talk about the company," Mr. Brown went on in his mild, +persuasive manner. "Frankly, you've put the company in a hole. +Believing that you would keep your end of the bargain, the company has +invested a lot of money and started a lot of projects. We bought up +practically all the stock of the Westville street car lines, when that +municipal ownership talk drove the price so low, because we expected +to get a new franchise through your smashing this municipal ownership +fallacy. We have counted on big things from the water-works when you +got hold of it for us. And we have plans on foot in several other +cities of the state, and we've been counting on the failure of +municipal ownership in Westville to have a big influence on those +cities and to help us in getting what we want. In one way and another +this deal here means an awful lot to the company. Your failing us at +the last moment means to the company----" + +"I understand all that," interrupted Blake. + +"Here's a point for you to consider then: Since the company has banked +so much upon your promise, since it will lose so heavily if you +repudiate your word, are you not bound in honour to stand by your +agreement?" + +Blake opened his lips, but Mr. Brown raised a hand. + +"Don't answer now. I just leave that for you to think upon. So much +for the company. Now for yourself. We promised you if you carried this +deal through--and you know how able we are to keep our promise!--we +promised you Grayson's seat in the Senate. And after that, with your +ability and our support, who knows where you'd stop?" Mr. Brown's +voice became yet more soft and persuasive. "Isn't that a lot to throw +overboard because of a scruple?" + +"I can win all that, or part of it, by being loyal to the people," +Blake replied doggedly, but in a rather unsteady tone. + +"Come, come, Mr. Blake," said Brown reprovingly, "you know you're not +talking sense. You know that the only quick and sure way of getting +the big offices is by the help of the corporations. So you realize +what you're losing." + +Blake's face had become drawn and pale. He closed his eyes, as though +to shut out the visions of the kingdoms Mr. Brown had conjured up. + +"I'm ready to lose it!" he cried. + +"All right, then," Mr. Brown went mildly on. "So much for what we +lose, and what you lose. Now for the next point, the action you intend +to take regarding Doctor West. Do you mind telling me just how you +propose to undo what you have done so far?" + +"I haven't thought it out yet. But I can do it." + +"Of course," pursued Mr. Brown blandly, "you propose to do it so that +you will appear in no way to be involved?" + +Blake was thinking of Katherine's accusation. "Of course." + +"Just suppose you think about that point for a minute or two." + +There was a brief silence. When Mr. Brown next spoke he spoke very +slowly and accompanied each word with a gentle tap of his forefinger +on the desk. + +"Can you think of a single way to clear Doctor West without +incriminating yourself?" + +Blake gave a start. + +"What's that?" + +"Can you get Doctor West out of his trouble without showing who got +him into his trouble? Just think that over." + +During the moment of silence Blake grew yet more pale. + +"I'll kill the case somehow!" he breathed. + +"But the case looks very strong against Doctor West. Everybody +believes him guilty. Do you think you can suddenly, within twenty-four +hours, reverse the whole situation, and not run some risk of having +suspicion shift around to you?" + +Blake's eyes fell to his desk, and he sat staring whitely at it. + +"And there's still another matter," pursued the gentle voice of Mr. +Brown, now grown apologetic. "I wouldn't think of mentioning it, but I +want you to have every consideration before you. I believe I never +told you that the National Electric & Water Company own the majority +stock of the Acme Filter Company." + +"No, I didn't know that." + +"It was because of that mutual relationship that I was able to help +out your little plan by getting Marcy to do what he did. Now if some +of our directors should feel sore at the way you've thrown us down, +they might take it into their minds to make things unpleasant for +you." + +"Unpleasant? How?" + +Mr. Brown's fatherly smile had now come back. It was full of concern +for Blake. + +"Well, I'd hate, for instance, to see them use their pressure to +drive Mr. Marcy to make a statement." + +"Mr. Marcy? A statement?" + +"Because," continued Mr. Brown in his tone of fatherly concern, "after +Mr. Marcy had stated what he knows about this case, I'm afraid there +wouldn't be much chance for you to win any high places by being loyal +to the people." + +For a moment after this velvet threat Blake held upon Mr. Brown an +open-lipped, ashen face. Then, without a word, he leaned his elbows +upon his desk and buried his face in his hands. For a long space there +was silence in the room. Mr. Brown's eyes, kind no longer, but keenest +of the keen, watched the form before him, timing the right second to +strike again. + +At length he recrossed his legs. + +"Of course it's up to you to decide, and what you say goes," he went +on in his amiable voice. "But speaking impartially, and as a friend, +it strikes me that you've gone too far in this matter to draw back. It +strikes me that the best and only thing is to go straight ahead." + +Blake's head remained bowed in his hands, and he did not speak. + +"And, of course," pursued Mr. Brown, "if you should decide in favour +of the original agreement, our promise still stands good--Senate and +all." + +Mr. Brown said no more, but sat watching his man. Again there was a +long silence. Then Blake raised his face--and a changed face it was +indeed from that which had fallen into his hands. It bore the marks of +a mighty struggle, but it was hard and resolute--the face of a man who +has cast all hesitancy behind. + +"The agreement still stands," he said. + +"Then you're ready to go ahead?" + +"To the very end," said Blake. + +Mr. Brown nodded. "I was sure you'd decide that way," said he. + +"I want to thank you for what you've said to bring me around," Blake +continued in his new incisive tone. "But it is only fair to tell you +that this was only a spell--not the first one, in fact--and that I +would have come to my senses anyhow." + +"Of course, of course." It was not the policy of Mr. Brown, once the +victory was won, to discuss to whom the victory belonged. + +Blake's eyes were keen and penetrating. + +"And you say that the things I said a little while back will not +affect your attitude toward me in the future?" + +"Those things? Why, they've already passed out of my other ear! Oh, +it's no new experience," he went on with his comforting air of +good-fellowship, "for me to run into one of our political friends when +he's sick with a bad case of conscience. They all have it now and +then, and they all pull out of it. No, don't you worry about the +future. You're O. K. with us." + +"Thank you." + +"And now, since everything is so pleasantly cleared up," continued Mr. +Brown, "let's go back to my first question. I suppose everything looks +all right for the trial to-morrow?" + +Blake hesitated a moment, then told of Katherine's discovery. "But +it's no more than a surmise," he ended. + +"Has she guessed any other of the parties implicated?" Mr. Brown asked +anxiously. + +"I'm certain she has not." + +"Is she likely to raise a row to-morrow?" + +"I hardly see how she can." + +"All the same, we'd better do something to quiet her," returned Mr. +Brown meaningly. + +Blake flashed a quick look at the other. + +"See here--I'll not have her touched!" + +Mr. Brown's scanty eyebrows lifted. + +"Hello! You seem very tender about her!" + +Blake looked at him sternly a moment. Then he said stiffly: "I once +asked Miss West to marry me." + +"Eh--you don't say!" exclaimed the other, amazed. "That is certainly a +queer situation for you!" He rubbed his naked dome. "And you still +feel----" + +"What I feel is my own affair!" Blake cut in sharply. + +"Of course, of course!" agreed Mr. Brown quickly. "I beg your pardon!" + +Blake ignored the apology. + +"It might be well for you not to see me openly again like this. With +Miss West watching me----" + +"She might see us together, and suspect things. I understand. Needn't +worry about that. You may not see me again for a year. I'm +here--there--everywhere. But before I go, how do things look for the +election?" + +"We'll carry the city easily." + +"Who'll you put up for mayor?" + +"Probably Kennedy, the prosecuting attorney." + +"Is he safe?" + +"He'll do what he's told." + +"That's good. Is he strong with the people?" + +"Fairly so. But the party will carry him through." + +"H'm." Mr. Brown was thoughtful for a space. "This is your end of the +game, of course, and I make it a point not to interfere with another +man's work. The only time I've butted in here was when I helped you +about getting Marcy. But still, I hope you don't mind my making a +suggestion." + +"Not at all." + +"We've got to have the next mayor and council, you know. Simply got +to have them. We don't want to run any risk, however small. If you +think there's one chance in a thousand of Kennedy losing out, suppose +you have yourself nominated." + +"Me?" exclaimed Blake. + +"It strikes you as a come-down, of course. But you can do it +gracefully--in the interest of the city, and all that, you know. You +can turn it into a popular hit. Then you can resign as soon as our +business is put through." + +"There may be something in it," commented Blake. + +"It's only a suggestion. Just think it over, and use your own +judgment." He stood up. "Well, I guess that's all we need to say to +one another. The whole situation here is entirely in your hands. Do as +you please, and we ask no questions about how you do it. We're not +interested in methods, only in results." + +He clapped Blake heartily upon the shoulder. "And it looks as though +we all were going to get results! Especially you! Why, you, with this +trial successfully over--with the election won--with the goods +delivered----" + +He suddenly broke off, for the tail of his eye had sighted Blake's +open cabinet. + +"Will you allow me a liberty?" + +"Certainly," replied Blake, in the dark as to his visitor's purpose. + +Mr. Brown crossed to the cabinet, and returned with the squat, black +bottle and two small glasses. He tilted an inch into each tumbler, +gave one to Blake, and raised the other on high. His face was +illumined with his fatherly smile. + +"To our new Senator!" he said. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SUNSET AT THE SYCAMORES + + +When the door had closed behind the pleasant figure of Mr. Brown, +Blake pressed the button upon his desk. His stenographer appeared. + +"I have some important matters to consider," he said. "Do not allow me +to be disturbed until Doctor and Mrs. Sherman come with the car." + +His privacy thus secured, Blake sat at his desk, staring fixedly +before him. His brow was compressed into wrinkles, his dark face, +still showing a yellowish pallor, was hard and set. He reviewed the +entire situation, and as his consuming ambition contemplated the +glories of success, and the success after that, and the succession of +successes that led up and ever up, his every nerve was afire with an +excruciating, impatient pleasure. + +For a space while Katherine had confronted him, and for a space after +she had gone, he had shrunk from this business he was carrying +through. But he had spoken truthfully to Mr. Brown when he had said +that his revulsion was but a temporary feeling, and that of his own +accord he would have come back to his original decision. He had had +such revulsions before, and each time he had swung as surely back to +his purpose as does the disturbed needle to the magnetic pole. + +Westville considered Harrison Blake a happy blend of the best of his +father and mother; whereas, in point of fact, his father and his +mother lived in him with their personalities almost intact. There was +his mother, with her idealism and her high sense of honour; and his +father, with his boundless ambition and his lack of principles. In the +earlier years of Blake's manhood his mother's qualities had dominated. +He had sincerely tried to do great work for Westville, and had done +it; and the reputation he had then made, and the gratitude he had then +won, were the seed from which had grown the great esteem with which +Westville now regarded him. + +But a few years back he had found that rise, through virtue, was slow +and beset with barriers. His ambition had become impatient. Now that +he was a figure of local power and importance, temptation began to +assail him with offers of rapid elevation if only he would be +complaisant. In this situation, the father in him rose into the +ascendency; he had compromised and yielded, though always managing to +keep his dubious transactions secret. And now at length ambition ruled +him--though as yet not undisturbed, for conscience sometimes rose in +unexpected revolt and gave him many a bitter battle. + +When his stenographer told Blake that Doctor and Mrs. Sherman were +waiting at the curb, he descended with something more like his usual +cast of countenance. Elsie and her husband were in the tonneau, and as +Blake crossed the sidewalk to the car she stretched out a nervous hand +and gave him a worn, excited smile. + +"It is so good of you to take us out to The Sycamores for over night!" +she exclaimed. "It's such a pleasure--and such a relief!" + +She did not need to explain that it was a relief because the motion, +the company, the change of scene, would help crowd from her mind the +dread of to-morrow when her husband would have to take the stand +against Doctor West; she did not need to explain this, because Blake's +eyes read it all in her pale, feverish face. + +Blake shook hands with Doctor Sherman, dismissed his chauffeur, and +took the wheel. They spun out of the city and down into the River +Road--the favourite drive with Westville folk--which followed the +stream in broad sweeping curves and ran through arcades of +thick-bodied, bowing willows and sycamores lofty and severe, their +foliage now a drought-crisped brown. After half an hour the car turned +through a stone gateway into a grove of beech and elm and sycamore. At +a comfortable distance apart were perhaps a dozen houses whose outer +walls were slabs of trees with the bark still on. This was The +Sycamores, a little summer resort established by a small group of the +select families of Westville. + +Blake stopped the car before one of these houses--"cabins" their +owners called them, though their primitiveness was all in that outer +shell of bark. A rather tall, straight, white-haired old lady, with a +sweet nobility and strength of face, was on the little porch to greet +them. She welcomed Elsie and her husband warmly and graciously. Then +with no relaxation of her natural dignity into emotional effusion, she +embraced her son and kissed him--for to her, as to Westville, he was +the same man as five years before, and to him she had given not only +the love a mother gives her only son, but the love she had formerly +borne her husband who, during his last years, had been to her a bitter +grief. Blake returned the kiss with no less feeling. His love of his +mother was the talk of Westville; it was the one noble sentiment which +he still allowed to sway him with all its original sincerity and +might. + +They had tea out upon the porch, with its view of the river twinkling +down the easy hill between the trees. Mrs. Blake, seeing how agitated +Elsie was, and under what a strain was Doctor Sherman, and guessing +the cause, deftly guided the conversation away from to-morrow's trial. +She led the talk around to the lecture room which was being added to +Doctor Sherman's church--a topic of high interest to them all, for she +was a member of the church, Blake was chairman of the building +committee, and Doctor Sherman was treasurer of the committee and +active director of the work. This manoeuvre had but moderate +success. Blake carried his part of the conversation well enough, and +Elsie talked with a feverish interest which was too great a drain upon +her meagre strength. But the stress of Doctor Sherman, which he strove +to conceal, seemed to grow greater rather than decrease. + +Presently Blake excused himself and Doctor Sherman, and the two men +strolled down a winding, root-obstructed path toward the river. As +they left the cabin behind them, Blake's manner became cold and hard, +as in his office, and Doctor Sherman's agitation, which he had with +such an effort kept in hand, began to escape his control. Once he +stumbled over the twisted root which a beech thrust across their path +and would have fallen had not Blake put out a swift hand and caught +him. Yet at this neither uttered a word, and in silence they +continued walking on till they reached a retired spot upon the river's +bank. + +Here Doctor Sherman sank to a seat upon a mossy, rotting log. Blake, +erect, but leaning lightly against the scaling, mottled body of a +giant sycamore, at first gave no heed to his companion. He gazed +straight ahead down the river, emaciated by the drought till the +bowlders of its bottom protruded through the surface like so many +bones--with the ranks of austere sycamores keeping their stately watch +on either bank--with the sun, blood red in the September haze, +suspended above the river's west-most reach. + +Thus the pair remained for several moments. Then Blake looked slowly +about at the minister. + +"I brought you down here because there is something I want to tell +you," he said calmly. + +"I supposed so; go ahead," responded Doctor Sherman in a choked voice, +his eyes upon the ground. + +"You seem somewhat disturbed," remarked Blake in the same cold, even +tone. + +"Disturbed!" cried Doctor Sherman. "Disturbed!" + +His voice told how preposterously inadequate was the word. He did not +lift his eyes, but sat silent a moment, his white hands crushing one +another, his face bent upon the rotted wood beneath his feet. + +"It's that business to-morrow!" he groaned; and at that he suddenly +sprang up and confronted Blake. His fine face was wildly haggard and +was working in convulsive agony. "My God," he burst out, "when I look +back at myself as I was four years ago, and then look at myself as I +am to-day--oh, I'm sick, sick!" A hand gripped the cloth over his +breast. "Why, when I came to Westville I was on fire to serve God with +all my heart and never a compromise! On fire to preach the new gospel +that the way to make people better is to make this an easier world for +people to be better in!" + +That passion-shaken figure was not a pleasant thing to look upon. +Blake turned his eyes back to the glistening river and the sun, and +steeled himself. + +"Yes, I remember you preached some great sermons in those days," he +commented in his cold voice. "And what happened to you?" + +"You know what happened to me!" cried the young minister with his wild +passion. "You know well enough, even if you were not in that group of +prominent members who gave me to understand that I'd either have to +change my sermons or they'd have to change their minister!" + +"At least they gave you a choice," returned Blake. + +"And I made the wrong choice! I was at the beginning of my career--the +church here seemed a great chance for so young a man--and I did not +want to fail at the very beginning. And so--and so--I compromised!" + +"Do you suppose you are the first man that has ever made a +compromise?" + +"That compromise was the direct cause of to-morrow!" the young +clergyman went on in his passionate remorse. "That compromise was the +beginning of my fall. After the prominent members took me up, favoured +me, it became easy to blink my eyes at their business methods. And +then it became easy for me to convince myself that it would be all +right for me to gamble in stocks." + +"That was your great mistake," said the dry voice of the motionless +figure against the tree. "A minister has no business to fool with the +stock market." + +"But what was I to do?" Doctor Sherman cried desperately. "No money +behind me--the salary of a dry goods clerk--my wife up there, whom I +love better than my own life, needing delicacies, attention, a long +stay in Colorado--what other chance, I ask you, did I have of getting +the money?" + +"Well, at any rate, you should have kept your fingers off that church +building fund." + +"God, don't I realize that! But with the market falling, and all the +little I had about to be swept away, what else was a half frantic man +to do but to try to save himself with any money he could put his hands +upon?" + +Blake shrugged his shoulders. + +"Well, if luck was against you when that church money was also swept +away, luck was certainly with you when it happened that I was the one +to discover what you had done." + +"So I thought, when you offered to replace the money and cover the +whole thing up. But, God, I never dreamed you'd exact such a price in +return!" + +He gripped Blake's arm and shook it. His voice was a half-muffled +shriek. + +"If you wanted the water-works, if you wanted to do this to Doctor +West, why did you pick on me to bring the accusation? There are men +who would never have minded it--men without conscience and without +character!" + +Blake steadfastly kept his steely gaze upon the river. + +"I believe I have answered that a number of times," he replied +in his hard, even tone. "I picked you because I needed a man of +character to give the charges weight. A minister, the president of +our reform body--no one else would serve so well. And I picked you +because--pardon me, if in my directness I seem brutal--I picked you +because you were all ready to my hand; you were in a situation where +you dared not refuse me. Also I picked you, instead of a man with no +character to lose, because I knew that you, having a character to lose +and not wanting to lose it, would be less likely than any one else +ever to break down and confess. I hope my answer is sufficiently +explicit." + +Doctor Sherman stared at the erect, immobile figure. + +"And you still intend," he asked in a dry, husky voice, "you still +intend to force me to go upon the stand to-morrow and commit----" + +"I would not use so unpleasant a word if I were you." + +"But you are going to force me to do it?" + +"I am not going to force you. You referred a few minutes ago to the +time when you had a choice. Well, here is another time when you have a +choice." + +"Choice?" cried Doctor Sherman eagerly. + +"Yes. You can testify, or not testify, as you please. Only in reaching +your decision," added the dry, emotionless voice, "I suggest that you +do not forget that I have in my possession your signed confession of +that embezzlement." + +"And you call that a choice?" cried Doctor Sherman. "When, if I +refuse, you'll expose me, ruin me forever, kill Elsie's love for me! +Do you call that a choice?" + +"A choice, certainly. Perhaps you are inclined not to testify. If so, +very well. But before you make your decision I desire to inform you of +one fact. You will remember that I said in the beginning that I +brought you down here to tell you something." + +"Yes. What is it?" + +"Merely this. That Miss West has discovered that I am behind this +affair." + +"What!" Doctor Sherman fell back a step, and his face filled with +sudden terror. "Then--she knows everything?" + +"She knows little, but she suspects much. For instance, since she +knows that this is a plot, she is likely to suspect that every person +in any way connected with the affair is guilty of conspiracy." + +"Even--even me?" + +"Even you." + +"Then--you think?" + +Blake turned his face sharply about upon Doctor Sherman--the first +time since the beginning of their colloquy. It was his father's +face--his father in one of his most relentless, overriding moods--the +face of a man whom nothing can stop. + +"I think," said he slowly, driving each word home, "that the only +chance for people who want to come out of this affair with a clean +name is to stick the thing right through as we planned." + +Doctor Sherman did not speak. + +"I tell you about Miss West for two reasons. First, in order to let +you know the danger you're in. Second, in order, in case you decided +to testify, that you may be forewarned and be prepared to outface her. +I believe you understand everything now?" + +"Yes," was the almost breathless response. + +"Then may I be allowed to ask what you are going to do--testify, or +not testify?" + +The minister's hands opened and closed. He swallowed with difficulty. + +"Testify, or not testify?" Blake insisted. + +"Testify," whispered Doctor Sherman. + +"Just as you choose," said Blake coldly. + +The minister sank back to his seat upon the mossy log, and bowed his +head into his hands. "Oh, my God!" he breathed. + +There followed a silence, during which Blake gazed upon the huddled +figure. Then he turned his set face down the glittering, dwindled +stream, and, one shoulder lightly against the sycamore, he watched the +sun there at the river's end sink softly down into its golden slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE TRIAL + + +Katherine's first thought, on leaving Bruce's office, was to lay her +discovery before Doctor Sherman. She was certain that with her +new-found knowledge, and with her entirely new point of view, they +could quickly discover wherein he had been duped--for she still held +him to be an unwitting tool--and thus quickly clear up the whole case. +But for reasons already known she failed to find him; and learning +that he had gone away with Blake, she well knew Blake would keep him +out of her reach until the trial was over. + +In sharpest disappointment, Katherine went home. With the trial so few +hours away, with all her new discoveries buzzing chaotically in her +head, she felt the need of advising with some one about the situation. +Bruce's offer of assistance recurred to her, and she found herself +analyzing the editor again, just as she had done when she had walked +away from his office. She rebelled against him in her every fibre, yet +at the same time she felt a reluctant liking for him. He was a man +with big dreams, a rough-and-ready idealist, an idealist with sharply +marked limitations, some areas of his mind very broad, some +dogmatically narrow. Opinionated, obstinate, impulsive, of not very +sound judgment, yet dictatorial because supremely certain of his +rightness--courageous, unselfish, sincere--that was the way she now +saw the editor of the _Express_. + +But he had sneered at her, sharply criticized her, and she hotly +spurned the thought of asking his aid. Instead of him, she that +evening summoned Old Hosie Hollingsworth to her house, and to the old +lawyer she told everything. Old Hosie was convinced that she was +right, and was astounded. + +"And to think that the good folks of this town used to denounce me as +a worshipper of strange gods!" he ejaculated. "Gee, what'll they say +when they learn that the idol they've been wearing out their knee-caps +on has got clay feet that run clear up to his Adam's-apple!" + +They decided that it would be a mistake for Katherine to try to use +her new theories and discoveries openly in defence of her father. She +had too little evidence, and any unsupported charges hurled against +Blake would leave that gentleman unharmed and would come whirling +back upon Katherine as a boomerang of popular indignation. She dared +not breathe a word against the city's favourite until she had +incontrovertible proof. Under the circumstances, the best course +seemed for her to ask for a postponement on the morrow to enable her +to work up further evidence. + +"Only," warned Hosie, "you must remember that the chances are that +Blake has already slipped the proper word to Judge Kellog, and +there'll be no postponement." + +"Then I'll have to depend upon tangling up that Mr. Marcy on the +stand." + +"And Doctor Sherman?" + +"There'll be no chance of entangling him. He'll tell a straightforward +story. How could he tell any other? Don't you see how he's been +used?--been made spectator to a skilfully laid scheme which he +honestly believes to be a genuine case of bribery?" + +At parting Old Hosie held her hand a moment. + +"D'you remember the prophecy I made the day you took your office--that +you would raise the dickens in this old town?" + +"Yes," said Katherine. + +"Well, that's coming true--as sure as plug hats don't grow on fig +trees! Only not in the way I meant then. Not as a freak. But as a +lawyer." + +"Thank you." She smiled and slowly shook her head. "But I'm afraid it +won't come true to-morrow." + +"Of course a prophecy is no good, unless you do your best." + +"Oh, I'm going to do my best," she assured him. + +The next morning, on the long awaited day, Katherine set out for the +Court House, throbbing alternately with hope and fear of the outcome. +Mixed with these was a perturbation of a very different sort--an +ever-growing stage-fright. For this last there was good reason. Trials +were a form of recreation as popular in Calloway County as +gladiatorial contests in ancient Rome, and this trial--in the lack of +a sensational murder in the county during the year--was the greatest +of the twelvemonth. Moreover, it was given added interest by the fact +that, for the first time in recorded history, Calloway County was +going to see in action that weirdest product of whirling change, a +woman lawyer. + +Hub to hub about the hitch-racks of the Square were jammed buggies, +surries, spring wagons and other country equipages. The court-room was +packed an hour before the trial, and in the corridor were craning, +straining, elbowing folk who had come too late. In the open +windows--the court-room was on the ground floor--were the busts of +eager citizens whose feet were pedestaled on boxes, the sale of which +had been a harvest of small coin to neighbouring grocers; and in the +trees without youths of simian habit clung to advantageous limbs and +strained to get a view of the proceedings. Old Judge Kellog who +usually dozed on his twenty-first vertebra through testimony and +argument--once a young fledgling of a lawyer, sailing aloft in the +empyrean of his eloquence, had been brought tumbling confusedly to +earth by the snoring of the bench--attested to the unusualness of the +occasion by being upright and awake. And Bud White, the clerk, called +the court to order, not with his usual masterpiece of mumbled +unintelligibility, brought to perfection by long years of practice, +but with real words that could have been understood had only the +audience been listening. + +But their attention was all fixed upon the counsel for the defence. +Katherine, in a plain white shirt waist and a black sailor, sat at a +table alone with her father. Doctor West was painfully nervous; his +long fingers were constantly twisting among themselves. Katherine was +under an even greater strain. She realized with an intenser keenness +now that the moment for action was at hand, that this was her first +case, that her father's reputation, his happiness, perhaps even his +life, were at stake; and she was well aware that all this theatre of +people, whose eyes she felt burning into her back, regarded her as +the final curiosity of nature. Behind her, with young Harper at his +side, she had caught a glimpse of Arnold Bruce, eying her critically +and sceptically she thought; and in the audience she had glimpsed the +fixed, inscrutable face of Harrison Blake. + +But she clung blindly to her determination, and as Bud White sat down, +she forced herself to rise. A deep hush spread through the court-room. +She stood trembling, swallowing, voiceless, a statue of stage-fright, +wildly hating herself for her impotence. For a dizzy, agonizing moment +she saw herself a miserable failure--saw the crowd laughing at her as +they filed out. + +A youthful voice, from a balcony seat in an elm tree, floated in +through the open window: + +"Speak your piece, little girl, or set down." + +There was a titter. She stiffened. + +"Your--your Honour," she stammered, "I move a postponement in order to +allow the defence more time to prepare its case." + +Judge Kellog fingered his patriarchal beard. Katherine stood hardly +breathing while she waited his momentous words. But his answer was as +Old Hosie had predicted. + +"In view of the fact that the defence has already had four months in +which to prepare its case," said he, "I shall have to deny the motion +and order the trial to proceed." + +Katherine sat down. The hope of deferment was gone. There remained +only to fight. + +A jury was quickly chosen; Katherine felt that her case would stand as +good a chance with any one selection of twelve men as with any other. +Kennedy then stepped forward. With an air that was a blend of his +pretentious--if rather raw-boned--dignity as a coming statesman, of +extreme deference toward Katherine's sex, and of the sense of his +personal belittlement in being pitted against such a legal weakling, +he outlined to the jury what he expected to prove. After which, he +called Mr. Marcy to the stand. + +The agent of the filter company gave his evidence with that degree of +shame-facedness proper to the man, turned state's witness, who has +been an accomplice in the dishonourable proceedings he is relating. It +all sounded and looked so true--so very, very true! + +When Katherine came to cross-examine him, she gazed at him steadily a +moment. She knew that he was lying, and she knew that he knew that she +knew he was lying. But he met her gaze with precisely the abashed, +guilty air appropriate to his rôle. + +What she considered her greatest chance was now before her. Calling up +all her wits, she put to Mr. Marcy questions that held distant, hidden +traps. But when she led him along the devious, unsuspicious path that +conducted to the trap and then suddenly shot at him the question that +should have plunged him into it, he very quietly and nimbly walked +around the pitfall. Again and again she tried to involve him, but ever +with the same result. He was abashed, ready to answer--and always +elusive. At the end she had gained nothing from him, and for a minute +stood looking silently at him in baffled exasperation. + +"Have you any further questions to ask the witness?" old Judge Kellog +prompted her, with a gentle impatience. + +For a moment, stung by this witness's defeat of her, she had an +impulse to turn about, point her finger at Blake in the audience, and +cry out the truth to the court-room and announce what was her real +line of defence. But she realized the uproar that would follow if she +dared attack Blake without evidence, and she controlled herself. + +"That is all, Your Honour," she said. + +Mr. Marcy was dismissed. The lean, frock-coated figure of Mr. Kennedy +arose. + +"Doctor Sherman," he called. + +Doctor Sherman seemed to experience some difficulty in making his way +up to the witness stand. When he faced about and sat down the +difficulty was explained to the crowd. He was plainly a sick man. +Whispers of sympathy ran about the court-room. Every one knew how he +had sacrificed a friend to his sense of civic duty, and everyone knew +what pain that act must have caused a man with such a high-strung +conscience. + +With his hands tightly gripping the arms of his chair, his bright and +hollow eyes fastened upon the prosecutor, Doctor Sherman began in a +low voice to deliver his direct testimony. Katherine listened to him +rather mechanically at first, even with a twinge of sympathy for his +obvious distress. + +But though her attention was centred here in the court-room, her brain +was subconsciously ranging swiftly over all the details of the case. +Far down in the depths of her mind the question was faintly suggesting +itself, if one witness is a guilty participant in the plot, then why +not possibly the other?--when she saw Doctor Sherman give a quick +glance in the direction where she knew sat Harrison Blake. That glance +brought the question surging up to the surface of her conscious mind, +and she sat bewildered, mentally gasping. She did not see how it could +be, she could not understand his motive--but in the sickly face of +Doctor Sherman, in his strained manner, she now read guilt. + +Thrilling with an unexpected hope, Katherine rose and tried to keep +herself before the eyes of Doctor Sherman like an accusing conscience. +But he avoided her gaze, and told his story in every detail just as +when Doctor West had been first accused. When Kennedy turned him over +for cross-examination, Katherine walked up before him and looked him +straight in the eyes a full moment without speaking. He could no +longer avoid her gaze. In his eyes she read something that seemed to +her like mortal terror. + +"Doctor Sherman," she said slowly, clearly, "is there nothing you +would like to add to your testimony?" + +His words were a long time coming. Katherine's life hung suspended +while she waited his answer. + +"Nothing," he said. + +"There is no fact, no detail, that you may have omitted in your direct +testimony, that you now desire to supply?" + +"Nothing." + +She took a step nearer, bent on him a yet more searching gaze, and put +into her voice its all of conscience-stirring power. + +"You wish to go on record then, before this court, before this +audience, before the God whom you have appealed to in your oath, as +having told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" + +He averted his eyes and was silent a moment. For that moment Blake, +back in the audience, did not breathe. To the crowd it seemed that +Doctor Sherman was searching his mind for some possible trivial +omission. To Katherine it seemed that he was in the throes of a final +struggle. + +"You wish thus to go on record?" she solemnly insisted. + +He looked back at her. + +"I do," he breathed. + +She realized now how desperate was this man's determination, how +tightly his lips were locked. But she had picked up another thread of +this tangled skein, and that made her exult with a new hope. She went +spiritedly at the cross-examination of Doctor Sherman, striving to +break him down. So sharp, so rigid, so searching were her questions, +that there were murmurs in the audience against such treatment of a +sincere, high-minded man of God. But the swiftness and cleverness of +her attack availed her nothing. Doctor Sherman, nerved by last +evening's talk beside the river, made never a slip. + +From the moment she reluctantly discharged him she felt that her +chance--her chance for that day, at least--was gone. But she was there +to fight to the end, and she put her only witness, her father, upon +the stand. His defence, that he was the victim of a misunderstanding, +was smiled at by the court-room--and smiled at with apparently good +reason, since Kennedy, in anticipation of the line of defense, had +introduced the check from the Acme Filter Company which Dr. West had +turned over to the hospital board, to prove that the donation from the +filter company had been in Dr. West's hands at the time he had +received the bribe from Mr. Marcy. Dr. West testified that the letter +containing this check had not been opened until many days after his +arrest, and Katharine took the stand and swore that it was she herself +who had opened the envelope. But even while she testified she saw that +she was not believed; and she had to admit within herself that her +father's story appeared absurdly implausible, compared to the +truth-visaged falsehoods of the prosecution. + +But when the evidence was all in and the time for argument was come, +Katherine called up her every resource, she remembered that truth was +on her side, and she presented the case clearly and logically, and +ended with a strong and eloquent plea for her father. As she sat down, +there was a profound hush in the court-room. + +Her father squeezed her hand. Tears stood in his eyes. + +"Whatever happens," he whispered, "I'm proud of my daughter." + +Kennedy's address was brief and perfunctory, for the case seemed too +easy to warrant his exertion. Still stimulated by the emotion aroused +by her own speech and the sense of the righteousness of her cause, +Katherine watched the jury go out with a fluttering hope. She still +clung to hope when, after a short absence, the jury filed back in. She +rose and held her breath while they took their seats. + +"You have reached a verdict, gentlemen?" asked Judge Kellog. + +"We have," answered the foreman. + +"What is it?" + +"We find the defendant guilty." + +Doctor West let out a little moan, and his head fell forward into his +arms. Katherine bent over him and whispered a word of comfort into his +ear; then rose and made a motion for a new trial. Judge Kellog denied +the motion, and haltingly asked Doctor West to step forward to the +bar. Doctor West did so, and the two old men, who had been friends +since childhood, looked at each other for a space. Then in a husky +voice Judge Kellog pronounced sentence: One thousand dollars fine and +six months in the county jail. + +It was a light sentence--but enough to blacken an honest name for +life, enough to break a sensitive heart like Doctor West's. + +A little later Katherine, holding an arm of her father tightly within +her own, walked with him and fat, good-natured Sheriff Nichols over to +the old brick county jail. And yet a little later, erect, eyes +straight before her, she came down the jail steps and started +homeward. + +As she was passing along the Square, immediately before her Harrison +Blake came out of his stairway and started across the sidewalk to his +waiting car. Discretion urged her to silence; but passion was the +stronger. She stepped squarely up before him and flashed him a blazing +look. + +"Well--and so you think you've won!" she cried in a low voice. + +His colour changed, but instantly he was master of himself. + +"What, Katherine, you still persist in that absurd idea of yesterday." + +"Oh, drop that pretence! We know each other too well for that!" She +moved nearer and, trembling from head to foot, her passionate defiance +burst all bounds. "You think you have won, don't you!" she hotly +cried. "Well, let me tell you that this affair is not merely a battle +that was to-day won and ended! It's a war--and I have just begun to +fight!" + +And sweeping quickly past him, she walked on into Main Street and down +it through the staring crowds--very erect, a red spot in either cheek, +her eyes defiantly meeting every eye. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT BRUCE'S DOOR + + +On the following morning Bruce had just finished an editorial on +Doctor West's trial, and was busily thumping out an editorial on the +local political situation--the Republican and Democratic conventions +were both but a few days off--when, lifting his scowling gaze to his +window while searching for the particular word he needed, he saw +Katherine passing along the sidewalk across the street. Her face was +fresh, her step springy; hers was any but a downcast figure. +Forgetting his editorial, he watched her turn the corner of the Square +and go up the broad, worn steps of the dingy old county jail. + +"Well, what do we think of her?" queried a voice at his elbow. + +Bruce turned abruptly. + +"Oh, it's you, Billy. D'you see Blake?" + +"Yes." The young fellow sank loungingly into the atlas-seated chair. +"He wouldn't say anything definite. Said it was up to the convention +to pick the candidates. But it's plain Kennedy's his choice for +mayor, and we'll be playing perfectly safe in predicting Kennedy's +nomination." + +"And Peck?" + +"Blind Charlie said it was too early to make any forecasts. In doubt +as to whom they'd put forward for mayor." + +"Would Blake say anything about Doctor West's conviction?" + +"Sorry for Doctor West's sake--but the case was clear--trial fair--a +wholesome example to the city--and some more of that line of talk." + +Bruce grunted. + +The reporter leisurely lit a cigarette. + +"But how about the lady lawyer, eh?" He playfully prodded his +superior's calf with his pointed shoe. "I suppose you'll fire me off +your rotten old sheet for saying it, but I still think she made a +damned good showing considering that she had no case--and considering +also that she was a woman." Again he thrust his toe into his chief. +"Considering she was a woman--eh, Arn?" + +"Shut up, Billy, or I _will_ fire you," growled Bruce. + +"Oh, all right," answered the other cheerfully. "After half a year of +the nerve-racking social whirl of this metropolis, I think it would be +sort of restful to be back in dear, little, quiet Chicago. But +seriously now, Arn, you've got to admit she's good-looking?" + +"Good looks don't make a lawyer!" retorted Bruce. + +"But she's clever--got ideas--opinions of her own, and strong ones +too." + +"Perhaps." + +The reporter blew out a cloud of smoke. + +"Arn, I've been thinking about a very interesting possibility." + +"Well, make it short, and get in there and write your story!" + +"I've been thinking," continued Billy meditatively, "over what an +interesting situation it would make if the super-masculine editor of +the _Express_ should fall in love with the lady law----" + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Confound you, Billy! If I don't crack that empty little----" + +But Billy, tilted back in his chair, held out his cigarette case +imperturbably. + +"Take one, Arn. You'll find them very soothing for the nerves." + +"You impertinent little pup, you!" He grabbed Billy by his long hair, +held him a moment--then grinned affectionately and took a cigarette. +"You're the worst ever!" He dropped back into his chair. "Now shut +up!" + +"All right. But speaking impersonally, and with the unemotional +aloofness of a critic, you'll have to admit that it would make a good +dramatic situation." + +"Blast you!" cried the editor. "Shall I fire you, or chuck you through +the window?" + +"Inasmuch as our foremost scientists are uniformly agreed that certain +unpleasant results may eventuate when the force of gravitation brings +a human organism into sudden and severe juxtaposition with a cement +sidewalk, I humbly suggest that you fire me. Besides, that act will +automatically avenge me, for then your yellow old newspaper will go +plum to blazes!" + +"For God's sake, Billy, get out of here and let me work!" + +"But, seriously, Arn--I really am serious now"--and all the mischief +had gone out of the reporter's eyes--"that Miss West would have put up +a stunning fight if she had had any sort of a case. But she had +nothing to fight with. They certainly had the goods on her old man!" + +Bruce turned from his machine and regarded the reporter thoughtfully. +Then he crossed and closed the door which was slightly ajar, and again +fixed his eyes searchingly on young Harper. + +"Billy," he said in a low, impressive voice, "can you keep a big +secret?" + +At Bruce's searching, thoughtful gaze a look of humility crept into +Billy's face. + +"Oh, I know you've got every right to doubt me," he acknowledged. "I +certainly did leak a lot at the mouth in Chicago when I was boozing so +much. But you know since you pulled me out of that wild bunch I was +drinking my way to hell with and brought me down here, I've been +screwed tight as a board to the water-wagon!" + +"I know it, Billy. I shouldn't for an instant----" + +"And, Arn," interrupted Billy, putting his arm contritely across the +other's shoulder, "even though I do joke at you a little--simply can't +help it--you know how eternally grateful I am to you! You're giving me +the chance of my life to make a man of myself. People in this town +don't half appreciate you; they don't know you for what I know +you--the best fellow that ever happened!" + +"There, there! Cut it out, cut it out!" said Bruce gruffly, gripping +the other's hand. + +"That's always the way," said Billy, resentfully. "Your only fault is +that you are so infernally bull-headed that a fellow can't even thank +you." + +"You're thanking me the right way when you keep yourself bolted fast +to the water-cart. What I started out to tell you, what I want you to +keep secret, is this: They put the wrong man in jail yesterday." + +"What!" ejaculated Billy, springing up. + +"I tell you this much because I want you to keep your eye on the +story. Hell's likely to break loose there any time, and I want you to +be ready to handle it in case I should have to be off the job." + +"Good God, old man!" Billy stared at him. "What's behind all this? If +Doctor West's the wrong man, then who's the right one?" + +"I can't tell you any more now." + +"But how did you find this out?" + +"I said I couldn't tell you any more." + +A knowing look came slowly into Billy's face. + +"H'm. So that was what Miss West called here about day before +yesterday." + +"Get in there and write your story," said Bruce shortly, and again sat +down before his typewriter. + +Billy stood rubbing his head dazedly for a long space, then he slowly +moved to the door. He opened it and paused. + +"Oh, I say, Arn," he remarked in an innocent tone. + +"Yes?" + +"After all," he drawled, "it would make an interesting dramatic +situation, wouldn't it?" + +Bruce whirled about and threw a statesman's year book, but young +Harper was already on the safe side of the door; and the incorrigible +Billy was saved from any further acts of reprisal being attempted +upon his person by the ringing of Bruce's telephone. + +Bruce picked up the instrument. + +"Hello. Who's this?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Peck," was the answer. + +"What! You don't mean 'Blind Charlie'?" + +"Yes. I called up to see if you could come over to the hotel for a +little talk about politics." + +"If you want to talk to me you know where to find me! Good-by!" + +"Wait! Wait! What time will you be in?" + +"The paper goes to press at two-thirty. Any time after then." + +"I'll drop around before three." + +Four hours later Bruce was glancing through that afternoon's paper, +damp from the press, when there entered his office a stout, half-bald +man of sixty-five, with loose, wrinkled, pouchy skin, drooping nose, +and a mouth--stained faintly brown at its corners--whose cunning was +not entirely masked by a good-natured smile. One eye had a shrewd and +beady brightness; the gray film over the other announced it without +sight. This was "Blind Charlie" Peck, the king of Calloway County +politics until Blake had hurled him from his throne. + +Bruce greeted the fallen monarch curtly and asked him to sit down. +Bruce did not resume his seat, but half leaned against his desk and +eyed Blind Charlie with open disfavour. + +The old man settled himself and smiled his good-natured smile at the +editor. + +"Well, Mr. Bruce, this is mighty dry weather we're having." + +"Yes. What do you want?" + +"Well--well--" said the old man, a little taken aback, "you certainly +do jump into the middle of things." + +"I've found that the quickest way to get there," retorted Bruce. "You +know there's no use in you and me wasting any words. You know well +enough what I think of you." + +"I ought to," returned Blind Charlie, dryly, but with good humour. +"You've said it often enough." + +"Well, that there may be no mistake about it, I'll say it once more. +You're a good-natured, good-hearted, cunning, unprincipled, hardened +old rascal of a politician. Now if you don't want to say what you came +here to say, the same route that brings you in here takes you out." + +"Come, come," said the old man, soothingly. "I think you have said a +lot of harder things than were strictly necessary--especially since we +both belong to the same party." + +"That's one reason I've said them. You've been running the party most +of your life--you're still running it--and see what you've made of +it. Every decent member is ashamed of it! It stinks all through the +state!" + +Blind Charlie's face did not lose its smile of imperturbable good +nature. It was a tradition of Calloway County that he had never lost +his temper. + +"You're a very young man, Mr. Bruce," said the old politician, "and +young blood loves strong language. But suppose we get away from +personalities, and get away from the party's past and talk about its +present and its future." + +"I don't see that it has any present or future to talk about, with you +at the helm." + +"Oh, come now! Granted that my ways haven't been the best for the +party. Granted that you don't like me. Is that any reason we shouldn't +at least talk things over? Now, I admit we don't stand the shadow of a +ghost's show this election unless we make some changes. You represent +the element in the party that has talked most for changes, and I have +come to get your views." + +Bruce studied the loose-skinned, flabby face, wondering what was going +on behind that old mask. + +"What are your own views?" he demanded shortly. + +Blind Charlie had taken out a plug of tobacco and with a jack-knife +had cut off a thin slice. This, held between thumb and knife-blade, +he now slowly transferred to his mouth. + +"Perhaps they're nearer your own than you think. I see, too, that the +old ways won't serve us now. Blake will put up a good ticket. I hear +Kennedy is to be his mayor. The whole ticket will be men who'll be +respectable, but they'll see that Blake gets what he wants. Isn't that +so?" + +Bruce thought suddenly of Blake's scheme to capture the water-works. + +"Very likely," he admitted. + +"Now between ourselves," the old man went on confidingly, "we know +that Blake has been getting what he wants for years--of course in a +quiet, moderate way. Did you ever think of this, how the people here +call me a 'boss' but never think of Blake as one? Blake's an 'eminent +citizen.' When the fact is, he's a stronger, cleverer boss than I ever +was. My way is the old way; it's mostly out of date. Blake's way is +the new way. He's found out that the best method to get the people is +to be clean, or to seem clean. If I wanted a thing I used to go out +and grab it. If Blake wants a thing he makes it appear that he's +willing to go to considerable personal trouble to take it in order to +do a favour to the city, and the people fall all over themselves to +give it to him. He's got the churches lined up as solid behind him +as I used to have the saloons. Now I know we can't beat Blake with +the kind of a ticket our party has been putting up. And I know we +can't beat Blake with a respectable ticket, for between our +respectables----" + +"Charlie Peck's respectables!" Bruce interrupted ironically. + +"And Blake's respectables," the old man continued imperturbably, "the +people will choose Blake's. Are my conclusions right so far?" + +"Couldn't be more right. What next?" + +"As I figure it out, our only chance, and that a bare fighting chance, +is to put up men who are not only irreproachable, but who are radicals +and fighters. We've got to do something new, big, sensational, or +we're lost." + +"Well?" said Bruce. + +"I was thinking," said Blind Charlie, "that our best move would be to +run you for mayor." + +"Me?" cried Bruce, starting forward. + +"Yes. You've got ideas. And you're a fighter." + +Bruce scrutinized the old face, all suspicion. + +"See here, Charlie," he said abruptly, "what the hell's your game?" + +"My game?" + +"Oh, come! Don't expect me to believe in you when you pose as a +reformer!" + +"See here, Bruce," said the other a little sharply, "you've called me +about every dirty word lying around handy in the Middle West. But you +never called me a hypocrite." + +"No." + +"Well, I'm not coming to you now pretending that I've been holding a +little private revival, and that I've been washed in the blood of the +Lamb." + +"Then what's behind this? What's in it for you?" + +"I'll tell you--though of course I can't make you believe me if you +don't want to. I'm getting pretty old--I'm sixty-seven. I may not live +till another campaign. I'd like to see the party win once more before +I go. That's one thing. Another is, I've got it in for Blake, and want +to see him licked. I can't do either in my way. I can possibly do both +in your way. Mere personal satisfaction like this would have been +mighty little for me to have got out of an election in the old days. +But it's better than nothing at all"--smiling good-naturedly--"even to +a cunning, unprincipled, hardened old rascal of a politician." + +"But what's the string tied to this offer?" + +"None. You can name the ticket, write the platform----" + +"It would be a radical one!" warned Bruce. + +"It would have to be radical. Our only chance is in creating a +sensation." + +"And if elected?" + +"You shall make every appointment without let or hindrance. I know I'd +be a fool to try to bind you in any way." + +Bruce was silent a long time, studying the wrinkled old face. + +"Well, what do you say?" queried Blind Charlie. + +"Frankly, I don't like being mixed up with you." + +"But you believe in using existing party machinery, don't you? You've +said so in the _Express_." + +"Yes. But I also have said that I don't believe in using it the way +you have." + +"Well, here's your chance to take it and use it your own way." + +"But what show would I stand? Feeling in town is running strong +against radical ideas." + +"I know, I know. But you are a fighter, and with your energy you might +turn the current. Besides, something big may happen before election." + +That same thought had been pulsing excitedly in Bruce's brain these +last few minutes. If Katherine could only get her evidence! + +Bruce moved to the window and looked out so that that keen one eye of +Blind Charlie might not perceive the exultation he could no longer +keep out of his face. Bruce did not see the tarnished dome of the +Court House--nor the grove of broad elms, shrivelled and dusty--nor +the enclosing quadrangle of somnolent, drooping farm horses. He was +seeing this town shaken as by an explosion. He was seeing cataclysmic +battle, with Blind Charlie become a nonentity, Blake completely +annihilated, and himself victorious at the front. And, dream of his +dreams! he was seeing himself free to reshape Westville upon his own +ideals. + +"Well, what do you say?" asked Blind Charlie. + +Controlling himself, Bruce turned about. + +"I accept, upon the conditions you have named. But at the first sign +of an attempt to limit those conditions, I throw the whole business +overboard." + +"There will be no such attempt, so we can consider the matter +settled." Blind Charlie held out his hand, which Bruce, with some +hesitation, accepted. "I congratulate you, I congratulate myself, I +congratulate the party. With you as leader, I think we've all got a +fighting chance to win." + +They discussed details of Bruce's candidacy, they discussed the +convention; and a little later Blind Charlie departed. Bruce, fists +deep in trousers pockets, paced up and down his little office, or sat +far down in his chair gazing at nothing, in excited, searching +thought. Billy Harper and other members of the staff, who came in to +him with questions, were answered absently with monosyllables. At +length, when the Court House clock droned the hour of five through the +hot, burnt-out air, Bruce washed his hands and brawny fore-arms at the +old iron sink in the rear of the reporter's room, put on his coat, and +strode up Main Street. But instead of following his habit and turning +off into Station Avenue, where was situated the house in which he and +Old Hosie ate and slept and had their quarrels, he continued his way +and turned into an avenue beyond--on his face the flush of defiant +firmness of the bold man who finds himself doing the exact thing he +had sworn that he would never do. + +He swung open the gate of the West yard, and with firm step went up to +the house and rang the bell. When the screen swung open Katherine +herself was in the doorway--looking rather excited, trimly dressed, on +her head a little hat wound with a veil. + +"May I come in?" he asked shortly. + +"Why, certainly," and she stepped aside. + +"I didn't know." + +He bowed and entered the parlour and stood rather stiffly in the +centre of the room. + +"My reason for daring to violate your prohibition of three days ago, +and enter this house, is that I have something to tell you that may +prove to have some bearing upon your father's case." + +"Please sit down. When I apologized to you I considered the apology as +equivalent to removing all signs against trespassing." + +They sat down, and for a moment they gazed at each other, still +feeling themselves antagonists, though allies--she smilingly at her +ease, he grimly serious. + +"Now, please, what is it?" she asked. + +Bruce, speaking reservedly at first, told her of Blind Charlie's +offer. As he spoke he warmed up and was quite excited when he ended. +"And now," he cried, "don't you see how this works in with the fight +to clear your father? It's a great opportunity--haven't thought out +yet just how we can use it--that will depend upon developments, +perhaps--but it's a great opportunity! We'll sweep Blake completely +and utterly from power, reinstate your father in position and honour, +and make Westville the finest city of the Middle West!" + +But she did not seem to be fired by the torch of his enthusiasm. In +fact, there was a thoughtful, questioning look upon her face. + +"Well, what do you think of it?" he demanded. + +"I have been given to understand," she said pleasantly, "that it is +unwomanly to have opinions upon politics." + +He winced. + +"This is hardly the time for sarcasm. What do you think?" + +"If you want my frank opinion, I am rather inclined to beware of +Greeks bearing gifts," she replied. + +"What do you mean?" + +"When a political boss, and a boss notoriously corrupt, offers an +office to a good man, I think the good man should be very, very +suspicious." + +"You think Peck has some secret corrupt purpose? I've been +scrutinizing the offer for two hours. I know the ins and outs of the +local political situation from A to Z. I know all Peck's tricks. But I +have not found the least trace of a hidden motive." + +"Perhaps you haven't found it because it's hidden so shrewdly, so +deeply, that it can't be seen." + +"I haven't found it because it's not there to find!" retorted Bruce. +"Peck's motive is just what he told me; I'm convinced he was telling +the truth. It's a plain case, and not an uncommon case, of a +politician preferring the chance of victory with a good ticket, to +certain defeat with a ticket more to his liking." + +"I judge, then, that you are inclined to accept." + +"I have accepted," said Bruce. + +"I hope it will turn out better than worst suspicion might make us +fear." + +"Oh, it will!" he declared. "And mark me, it's going to turn out a +far bigger thing for your father than you seem to realize." + +"I hope that more fervently than do you!" + +"I suppose you are going to keep up your fight for your father?" + +"I expect to do what I can," she answered calmly. + +"What are you going to do?" + +She smiled sweetly, apologetically. + +"You forget only one day has passed since the trial. You can hardly +expect a woman's mind to lay new plans as quickly as a man's." + +Bruce looked at her sharply, as though there might be irony in this; +but her face was without guile. She glanced at her watch. + +"Pardon me," he said, noticing this action and standing up. "You have +your hat on; you were going out?" + +"Yes. And I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me." She gave him her +hand. "I hope you don't mind my saying it, but if I were you I'd keep +all the eyes I've got on Mr. Peck." + +"Oh, I'll not let him fool me!" he answered confidently. + +As he walked out of the yard he was somewhat surprised to see the +ancient equipage of Mr. Huggins waiting beside the curb. And he was +rather more surprised when a few minutes later, as he neared his home, +Mr. Huggins drove past him toward the station, with Katherine in the +seat behind him. In response to her possessed little nod he amazedly +lifted his hat. "Now what the devil is she up to?" he ejaculated, and +stared after her till the old carriage turned in beside the station +platform. As he reached his gate the eastbound Limited came roaring +into the station. The truth dawned upon him. "By God," he cried, "if +she isn't going back to New York!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE DESERTER + + +Bruce was incensed at the cool manner in which Katherine had taken +leave of him without so much as hinting at her purpose. In offering +her aid and telling her his plans he had made certain advances. She +had responded to these overtures by telling nothing. He felt he had +been snubbed, and he resented such treatment all the more from a woman +toward whom he had somewhat relaxed his dignity and his principles. + +As he sat alone on his porch that night he breathed out along with his +smoke an accompanying fire of profanity; but for all his wrath, he +could not keep the questions from arising. Why had she gone? What was +she going to do? Was she coming back? Had she given up her father's +case, and had she been silent to him that afternoon about her going +for the simple reason that she had been ashamed to acknowledge her +retreat? + +He waited impatiently for the return of his uncle, who had been absent +that evening from supper. He thought that Hosie might answer these +questions since he knew the old man to be on friendly terms with +Katherine. But when Old Hosie did shuffle up the gravel walk, he was +almost as much at a loss as his nephew. True, a note from Katherine +had been thrust under his door telling him she wished to talk with him +that afternoon; but he had spent the day looking at farms and had not +found the note till his return from the country half an hour before. + +Bruce flung away his cigar in exasperation, and the dry night +air was vibrant with half-whispered but perfervid curses. She was +irritating, erratic, irrational, irresponsible--preposterous, simply +preposterous--damn that kind of women anyhow! They pretended to be a +lot, but there wasn't a damned thing to them! + +But he could not subdue his curiosity, though he fervently informed +himself of the thousand and one kinds of an unblessed fool he was for +bothering his head about her. Nor could he banish her image. Her +figure kept rising before him out of the hot, dusty blackness: as she +had appeared before the jury yesterday, slender, spirited, +clever--yes, she had spoken cleverly, he would admit that; as she had +appeared in her parlour that afternoon, a graceful, courteous, +self-possessed home person; as he had seen her in Mr. Huggins's old +surrey, with her exasperating, non-committal, cool little nod. But +why, oh, why, in the name of the flaming rendezvous of lost and +sizzling souls couldn't a woman with her qualities also have just one +grain--only one single little grain!--of the commonest common-sense? + +The next morning Bruce sent young Harper to inquire from Doctor West +in the jail, and after that from Katherine's aunt, why Katherine had +gone to New York, whether she had abandoned the case, and whether she +had gone for good. But if these old people knew anything, they did not +tell it to Billy Harper. + +Westville buzzed over Katherine's disappearance. The piazzas, the +soda-water fountains, the dry goods counters, the Ladies' Aid, were at +no loss for an explanation of her departure. She had lost her +case--she had discovered that she was a failure as a lawyer--she had +learned what Westville thought of her--so what other course was open +to her but to slip out of town as quietly as she could and return to +the place from which she had come? + +The Women's Club in particular rejoiced at her withdrawal. Thank God, +a pernicious example to the rising young womanhood of the town was at +last removed! Perhaps woman's righteous disapproval of Katherine had a +deeper reason than was expressed--for what most self-searching person +truly knows the exact motives that prompt his actions? Perhaps, far +down within these righteously indignant bosoms, was unconsciously but +potently this question: if that type of woman succeeds and wins man's +approval, then what is going to become of us who have been built upon +man's former taste? At any rate, feminine Westville declared it a +blessing that "that terrible thing" was gone. + +Westville continued to buzz, but it soon had matters more worth its +buzzing. Pressing the heels of one another there came two amazing +surprises. The city had taken for granted the nomination of Kennedy +for mayor, but the convention's second ballot declared Blake the +nominee. Blake had given heed to Mr. Brown's advice and had decided to +take no slightest risk; but to the people he let it be known that he +had accepted the nomination to help the city out of its water-works +predicament, and Westville, recognizing his personal sacrifice, rang +with applause of his public spirit. The respectable element looked +forward with self-congratulation to him as the next chief of the +city--for he would have an easy victory over any low politician who +would consent to be Blind Charlie's candidate. + +Then, without warning, came Bruce's nomination, with a splendid list +of lesser candidates, and upon a most progressive platform. Westville +gasped again. Then recovering from its amazement, it was inclined to +take this nomination as a joke. But Bruce soon checked their +jocularity. That he was fighting for an apparently defunct cause +seemed to make no difference to him. Perhaps Old Hosie had spoken more +wisely than he had intended when he had once sarcastically remarked +that Bruce was "a cross between a bulldog and Don Quixote." Certainly +the qualities of both strains were now in evidence. He sprang +instantly into the campaign, and by the power and energy of his +speeches and of his editorials in the _Express_, he fairly raised his +issue from the dead. Bruce did not have a show, declared the +people--not the ghost of a show--but if he maintained the ferocious +earnestness with which he was starting out, this certainly was going +to be the hottest campaign which Westville had seen since Blake had +overthrown Blind Charlie Peck. + +People recalled Katherine now and then to wonder what she was doing +and how mortified she must feel over her fiasco, and to laugh +good-naturedly or sarcastically at the pricked soap-bubble of her +pretensions. But the newer and present excitement of the campaign was +forcing her into the comparative insignificance of all receding +phenomena--when, one late September Sunday morning, Westville, or +that select portion of Westville which attended the Wabash Avenue +Church, was astonished by the sight of Katherine West walking very +composedly up the church's left aisle, looking in exceedingly good +health and particularly stunning in a tailor-made gown of rich brown +corduroy. + +She quietly entered a vacant pew and slipped to a position which +allowed her an unobstructed view of Doctor Sherman, and which allowed +Doctor Sherman an equally unobstructed view of her. Worshippers who +stared her way noticed that she seemed never to take her gaze from the +figure in the pulpit; and it was remarked, after the service was over, +that though Doctor Sherman's discourses had been falling off of +late--poor man, his health was failing so!--to-day's was quite the +poorest sermon he had ever preached. + +The service ended, Katherine went quietly out of the church, smiling +and bowing to such as met her eyes, and leaving an active tongue in +every mouth behind her. So she had come back! Well, of all the nerve! +Did you ever! Was she going to stay? What did she think she was going +to do? And so on all the way home, to where awaited the heavy Sunday +dinner on which Westville gorged itself python-like--if it be not +sacrilege to compare communicants with such heathen beasts--till they +could scarcely move; till, toward three o'clock, the church paper +sank down upon the distended stomachs of middle age, and there arose +from all the easy chairs of Westville an unrehearsed and somewhat +inarticulate, but very hearty, hymnal in praise of the bounty of the +Creator. + +At about the time Westville was starting up this chorus, Old Hosie +Hollingsworth, in Katherine's parlour, deposited his rusty silk hat +upon the square mahogany piano that had been Doctor West's wedding +gift to his wife. The old lawyer lowered himself into a rocker, +crossed his attenuated legs, and shook his head. + +"Land sakes--I certainly was surprised to get your note!" he repeated. +"When did you get back?" + +"Late last night." + +He stared admiringly at her fresh young figure. + +"I must say, you don't look much like a lawyer who has lost her first +case and has sneaked out of town to hide her mortification!" + +"Is that what people have been saying?" she smiled. "Well, I don't +feel like one!" + +"Then you haven't given up?" + +"Given up?" She lifted her eyebrows. "I've just begun. It's still a +hard case, perhaps a long case; but at last I have a start. And I have +some great plans. It was to ask your advice about these plans that I +sent for you." + +"My advice! Huh! I ain't ever been married--not even so much as once," +he commented dryly, "but I've been told by unfortunates that have that +it's the female way to do a thing and then ask whether she should do +it or not." + +"Now, don't be cynical!" laughed Katherine. "You know I tried to +consult you before I went away. But it still is not too late for your +advice. I'll put my plans before you, and if your masculine wisdom, +whose superiority you have proved by keeping yourself unmarried, can +show me wherein I'm wrong, I'll change them or drop them altogether." + +"Fire away," he said, half grumbling. "What are your plans?" + +"They're on a rather big scale. First, I shall put a detective on the +case." + +"That's all right, but don't you underestimate Harrison Blake," warned +Old Hosie. "Since you've come back Blake will be sure you're after +him. He will be on his guard against you; he will expect you to use a +detective; he will watch out for him, perhaps try to have his every +move shadowed. I suppose you never thought of that?" he demanded +triumphantly. + +"Oh, yes I did," Katherine returned. "That's why I'm going to hire two +detectives." + +The old man raised his eyebrows. + +"Two detectives?" + +"Yes. One for Mr. Blake to watch. One to do the real work." + +"Oh!" It was an ejaculation of dawning comprehension. + +"The first detective will be a mere blind; a decoy to engage Mr. +Blake's attention. He must be a little obvious, rather blundering--so +that Mr. Blake can't miss him. He will know nothing about my real +scheme at all. While Mr. Blake's attention and suspicion are fixed on +the first man, the second man, who is to be a real detective with real +brains in his head, will get in the real work." + +"Splendid! Splendid!" cried Old Hosie, looking at her +enthusiastically. "And yet that pup of a nephew of mine sniffs out, +'Her a lawyer? Nothing! She's only a woman!'" + +Katherine flushed. "That's what I want Mr. Blake to think." + +"To underestimate you--yes, I see. Have you got your first man?" + +"No. I thought you might help me find him, for a local man, or a state +man, will be best; it will be easiest for him to be found out to be a +detective." + +"I've got just the article for you," cried Old Hosie. "You know Elijah +Stone?" + +"No. But, of course, I've seen him." + +"He's Westville's best and only. He thinks he's something terrible as +a detective--what you might call a hyper-super-ultra detective. +Detective sticks out big all over him--like a sort of universal mumps. +He never looks except when he looks cautiously out of the corner of +his eye; he walks on his tiptoes; he talks in whispers; he simply +oozes mystery. Fat head?--why, Lige Stone wears his hat on a can of +lard!" + +"Come, I'm not engaging a low comedian for a comic opera." + +"Oh, he's not so bad as I said. He's really got a reputation. He's +just the kind of a detective that an inexperienced girl might pick up. +Blake will soon find out you've hired him, he'll believe it a bona +fide arrangement on your part, and will have a lot of quiet laughs at +your simplicity. God made Lige especially for you." + +"All right. I'll see him to-morrow." + +"Have you thought about the other detective?" + +"Yes. One reason I went to New York was to try to get a particular +person--Mr. Manning, with whom I've worked on some cases for the +Municipal League. He has six children, and is very much in love with +his wife. The last thing he looks like is a detective. He might pass +for a superintendent of a store, or a broker. But he's very, very +competent and clever, and is always master of himself." + +"And you got him?" + +"Yes. But he can't come for a couple of weeks. He is finishing up a +case for the Municipal League." + +"How are you going to use him?" + +"I don't just know yet. Perhaps I can fit him into a second scheme of +mine. You've heard of Mr. Seymour, of Seymour & Burnett?" + +"The big bankers and brokers?" + +"Yes. I knew Elinor Seymour at Vassar, and I visited her several +times; and as Mr. Seymour is president of the Municipal League, +altogether I saw him quite a great deal. I don't mean to be conceited, +but I really believe Mr. Seymour has a lot of confidence in me." + +"That's a fine compliment to his sense," Old Hosie put in. + +"He's about the most decent of the big capitalists," she went on. "He +was my second reason for going to New York. When I got there he had +just left to spend a week-end in Paris, or something of the sort. I +had to wait till he came back; that's why I was gone so long. I went +to him with a plain business proposition. I gave him a hint of the +situation out here, told him there was a chance the water-works might +be sold, and asked authority to buy the system in for him." + +"And how did he take it?" Old Hosie asked eagerly. + +"You behold in me an accredited agent of Seymour & Burnett. I don't +know yet how I shall use that authority, but if I can't do anything +better, and if the worst comes to the very worst, I'll buy in the +plant, defeat Mr. Blake, and see that the city gets something like a +fair price for its property." + +Old Hosie stared at her in open admiration. "Well, if you don't beat +the band!" he exclaimed. + +"In the meantime, I shall busy myself with trying to get my father's +case appealed. But that is really only a blind; behind that I shall +every minute be watching Mr. Blake. Now, what do you think of my +plans? You know I called you in for your advice." + +"Advice! You need advice about as much as an angel needs a hat pin!" + +"But I'm willing to change my plans if you have any suggestions." + +"I was a conceited old idiot when I was a little sore awhile ago +because you had called me in for my opinion after you had settled +everything. Go right ahead. It's fine. Fine, I tell you!" He chuckled. +"And to think that Harrison Blake thinks he's bucking up against only +a woman. Just a simple, inexperienced, dear, bustling, blundering +woman! What a jar he's got coming to him!" + +"We mustn't be too hopeful," warned Katherine. "There's a long, hard +fight ahead. Perhaps my plan may not work out. And remember that, +after all, I am only a woman." + +"But if you do win!" His old eyes glowed excitedly. "Your father +cleared, the idol of the town upset, the water-works saved--think what +a noise all that will make!" + +A new thought slowly dawned into his face. "H'm--this old town hasn't +been, well, exactly hospitable to you; has laughed at you--sneered at +you--given you the cold shoulder." + +"Has it? What do I care!" + +"It would be sort of nice, now wouldn't it," he continued slowly, +keenly, with his subdued excitement, "sort of heaping coals of fire on +Westville's roofs, if the town, after having cut you dead, should find +that it had been saved by you. I suppose you've never thought of that +aspect of the case--eh? I suppose it has never occurred to you that in +saving your father you'll also save the town?" + +She flushed--and smiled a little. + +"Oh, so we've already thought of that, have we. I see I can't suggest +anything new to you. Let the old town jeer all it wants to now, we'll +show 'em in the end!--is that it?" + +She smiled again, but did not answer him. + +"Now you'll excuse me, won't you, for I promised to call on father +this afternoon?" + +"Certainly." He rose. "How is your father--or haven't you seen him +yet?" + +"I called at the jail first thing this morning. He's very cheerful." + +"That's good. Well, good-by." + +Old Hosie was reaching for his hat, but just then a firm step sounded +on the porch and there was a ring of the bell. Katherine crossed the +parlour and swung open the screen. Standing without the door was +Bruce, a challenging, defiant look upon his face. + +"Why, Mr. Bruce," she exclaimed, smiling pleasantly. "Won't you please +come in?" + +"Thank you," he said shortly. + +He bowed and entered, but stopped short at sight of his uncle. + +"Hello! You here?" + +"Just to give an off-hand opinion, I should say I am." Old Hosie +smiled sweetly, put his hat back upon the piano and sank into his +chair. "I just dropped in to tell Miss Katherine some of those very +clever and cutting things you've said to me about the idea of a woman +being a lawyer. I've been expostulating with her--trying to show her +the error of her ways--trying to prove to her that she wasn't really +clever and didn't have the first qualification for law." + +"You please let me speak for myself!" retorted Bruce. "How long are +you going to stay here?" + +Old Hosie recrossed his long legs and settled back with the air of the +rock of ages. + +"Why, I was expecting Miss Katherine was going to invite me to stay to +supper." + +"Well, I guess you won't. You please remember this is your month to +look after Jim. Now you trot along home and see that he don't fry the +steak to a shingle the way you let him do it last night." + +"Last night I was reading your editorial on the prospects of the +corn crop and I got so worked up as to how it was coming out that +I forgot all about that wooden-headed nigger. I tell you, Arn, that +editorial was one of the most exciting, stirring, nerve-racking, +hair-breadth----" + +"Come, get along with you!" Bruce interrupted impatiently. "I want to +talk some business with Miss West!" + +Old Hosie rose. + +"You see how he treats me," he said plaintively to Katherine. "I +haven't had one kind word from that young pup since, when he was in +high-school, he got so stuck on himself because he imagined every girl +in town was in love with him." + +Bruce took Old Hosie's silk hat from the piano and held it out to him. + +"You certainly won't get a kind word from me to-night if that steak is +burnt!" + +Katherine followed Hosie out upon the porch. + +"He's a great boy," whispered the old man proudly--"if only I can +lick his infernal conceit out of him!" He gripped her hand. "Good-by, +and luck with you!" + +She watched the bent, spare figure down the walk, then went in to +Bruce. The editor was standing stiffly in the middle of the parlour. + +"I trust that my call is not inopportune?" + +"I'm glad to see you, but it does so happen that I promised father to +call at five o'clock. And it's now twenty minutes to." + +"Perhaps you will allow me to walk there with you?" + +"But wouldn't that be, ah--a little dangerous?" + +"Dangerous?" + +"Yes. Perhaps you forget that Westville disapproves of me. It might +not be a very politic thing for a candidate for mayor to be seen upon +the street with so unpopular a person. It might cost votes, you know." + +He flushed. + +"If the people in this town don't like what I do, they can vote for +Harrison Blake!" He swung open the door. "If you want to get there on +time, we must start at once." + +Two minutes later they were out in the street together. People whom +they passed paused and stared back at them; groups of young men and +women, courting collectively on front lawns, ceased their flirtatious +chaffing and their bombardments with handfuls of loose grass, and +nudged one another and sat with eyes fixed on the passing pair; and +many a solid burgher, out on his piazza, waking from his devotional +and digestive nap, blinked his eyes unbelievingly at the sight of a +candidate for mayor walking along the street with that discredited +lady lawyer who had fled the town in chagrin after losing her first +case. + +At the start Katherine kept the conversation upon Bruce's candidacy. +He told her that matters were going even better than he had hoped; and +informed her, with an air of triumph he did not try to conceal, that +Blind Charlie Peck had been giving him an absolutely free rein, and +that he was more than ever convinced that he had correctly judged that +politician's motives. Katherine meekly accepted this implicit rebuke +of her presumption, and congratulated him upon the vindication of his +judgment. + +"But I came to you to talk about your affairs, not mine," he said as +they turned into Main Street. "I half thought, when you left, that you +had gone for good. But your coming back proves you haven't given up. +May I ask what your plans are, and how they are developing?" + +Her eyes dropped to the sidewalk, and she seemed to be embarrassed for +words. It was not wholly his fault that he interpreted her as +crest-fallen, for Katherine was not lacking in the wiles of Eve. + +"Your plans have not been prospering very well, then?" he asked, after +a pause. + +"Oh, don't think that; I still have hopes," she answered hurriedly. "I +am going to keep right on at the case--keep at it hard." + +"Were you successful in what you went to New York for?" + +"I can't tell yet. It's too early. But I hope something will come of +it." + +He tried to get a glimpse of her face, but she kept it fixed upon the +ground--to hide her discomfiture, he thought. + +"Now listen to me," he said kindly, with the kindness of the superior +mind. "Here's what I came to tell you, and I hope you won't take it +amiss. I admire you for the way you took your father's case when no +other lawyer would touch it. You have done your best. But now, I +judge, you are at a standstill. At this particular moment it is highly +imperative that the case go forward with highest speed. You understand +me?" + +"I think I do," she said meekly. "You mean that a man could do much +better with the case than a woman?" + +"Frankly, yes--still meaning no offense to you. You see how much hangs +upon your father's case besides his own honour. There is the +election, the whole future of the city. You see we are really facing a +crisis. We have got to have quick action. In this crisis, being in the +dark as to what you were doing, and feeling a personal responsibility +in the matter, I have presumed to hint at the outlines of the case to +a lawyer friend of mine in Indianapolis; and I have engaged him, +subject to your approval, to take charge of the matter." + +"Of course," said Katherine, her eyes still upon the sidewalk, "this +man lawyer would expect to be the chief counsel?" + +"Being older, and more experienced----" + +"And being a man," Katherine softly supplied. + +"He of course would expect to have full charge--naturally," Bruce +concluded. + +"Naturally," echoed Katherine. + +"Of course you would agree to that?" + +"I was just trying to think what a man would do," she said +meditatively, in the same soft tone. "But I suppose a man, after he +had taken a case when no one else would take it, when it was +hopeless--after he had spent months upon it, made himself unpopular by +representing an unpopular cause, and finally worked out a line of +defense that, when the evidence is gained, will not only clear his +client but astound the city--after he had triumph and reputation +almost within his grasp, I suppose a man would be quite willing to +step down and out and hand over the glory to a newcomer." + +He looked at her sharply. But her face, or what he saw of it, showed +no dissembling. + +"But you are not stating the matter fairly," he said. "You should +consider the fact that you are at the end of your rope!" + +"Yes, I suppose I should consider that," she said slowly. + +They were passing the Court House now. He tried to study her face, but +it continued bent upon the sidewalk, as if in thought. They reached +the jail, and she mounted the first step. + +"Well, what do you say?" he asked. + +She slowly raised her eyes and looked down on him guilelessly. + +"You've been most thoughtful and kind--but if it's just the same to +you, I'd like to keep on with the case a little longer alone." + +"What!" he ejaculated. He stared at her. "I don't know what to make of +you!" he cried in exasperation. + +"Oh, yes you do," she assured him sweetly, "for you've been trying to +make very little of me." + +"Eh! See here, I half believe you don't want my aid!" he blurted out. + +Standing there above him, smiling down upon him, she could hardly +resist telling him the truth--that sooner would she allow her right +hand to be burnt off than to accept aid from a man who had flaunted +and jeered at her lawyership--that it was her changeless determination +not to tell him one single word about her plans--that it was her +purpose to go silently ahead and let her success, should she succeed, +be her reply to his unbelief. But she checked the impulse to fling the +truth in his face--and instead continued to smile inscrutably down +upon him. + +"I hope that you will do all for my father, for the city, for your own +election, that you can," she said. "All I ask is that for the present +I be allowed to handle the case by myself." + +The Court House tower tolled five. She held out to him a gloved hand. + +"Good-by. I'm sorry I can't invite you in," she said lightly, and +turned away. + +He watched the slender figure go up the steps and into the jail, then +turned and walked down the street--exasperated, puzzled, in profound +thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE NIGHT WATCH + + +The next morning Elijah Stone appeared in Katherine's office as per +request. He was a thickly, if not solidly, built gentleman, in +imminent danger of a double chin, and with that submerged blackness of +the complexion which is the result of a fresh-shaven heavy beard. He +kept his jaw clinched to give an appearance of power, and his black +eyebrows lowered to diffuse a sense of deeply pondered mystery. His +wife considered him a rarely handsome specimen of his sex, and he +permitted art to supplement the acknowledged gifts of nature so far as +to perfume his glossy black hair, to wear a couple of large diamond +rings, and to carry upon the watch chain that clanked heavily across +the broad and arching acreage of his waistcoat a begemmed lodge emblem +in size a trifle smaller than a paper weight. + +He was an affable, if somewhat superior, being, and he listened to +Katherine with a still further lowering of his impressive brows. She +informed him, in a perplexed, helpless, womanly way, that she was +inclined to believe that her father was "the victim of foul play"--the +black brows sank yet another degree--and that she wished him privately +to investigate the matter. He of course would know far, far better +what to do than she, but she would suggest that he keep an eye upon +Blake. At first Mr. Stone appeared somewhat sceptical and hesitant, +but after peering darkly out for a long and ruminative period at the +dusty foliage of the Court House elms, and after hearing the +comfortable fee Katherine was willing to pay, he consented to accept +the case. As he left he kindly assured her, with manly pity for her +woman's helplessness, that if there was anything in her suspicion she +"needn't waste no sleep now about gettin' the goods." + +In the days that followed, Katherine saw her Monsieur Lecoque +shadowing the movements of Blake with the lightness and general +unobtrusiveness of a mahogany bedstead ambling about upon its castors. +She soon guessed that Blake perceived that he was being watched, and +she imagined how he must be smiling up his sleeve at her simplicity. +Had the matters at stake not been so grave, had she been more certain +of the issue, she might have put her own sleeve to a similar purpose. + +In the meantime, as far as she could do so without exciting suspicion, +she kept close watch upon Blake. It had occurred to her that there +was a chance that he had an unknown accomplice whose discovery would +make the gaining of the rest of the evidence a simple matter. There +was a chance that he might let slip some revealing action. At any +rate, till Mr. Manning came, her rôle was to watch with unsleeping eye +for developments. Her office window commanded the entrance to Blake's +suite of rooms, and no one went up by day whom she did not see. Her +bedroom commanded Blake's house and grounds, and every night she sat +at her darkened window till the small hours and watched for possible +suspicious visitors, or possible suspicious movements on the part of +Blake. + +Also she did not forget Doctor Sherman. On the day of her departure +for New York, she had called upon Doctor Sherman, and in the privacy +of his study had charged him with playing a guilty part in Blake's +conspiracy. She had been urged to this course by the slender chance +that, when directly accused as she had dared not accuse him in the +court-room, he might break down and confess. But Doctor Sherman had +denied her charge and had clung to the story he had told upon the +witness stand. Since Katherine had counted but little on this chance, +she had gone away but little disappointed. + +But she did not now let up upon the young minister. Regular +attendance at church had of late years not been one of Katherine's +virtues, but after her return it was remarked that she did not miss a +single service at which Doctor Sherman spoke. She always tried to sit +in the very centre of his vision, seeking to keep ever before his +mind, while he preached God's word, the sin he had committed against +God's law and man's. He visibly grew more pale, more thin, more +distraught. The changes inspired his congregation with concern; they +began to talk of overwork, of the danger of a breakdown; and seeing +the dire possibility of losing so popular and pew-filling a pastor, +they began to urge upon him the need of a long vacation. + +Katherine could not but also give attention to the campaign, since it +was daily growing more sensational, and was completely engrossing the +town. Blake, in his speeches, stood for a continuance of the rule that +had made Westville so prosperous, and dwelt especially upon an +improvement in the service of the water-works, though as to the nature +of the improvements he confined himself to language that was somewhat +vague. Katherine heard him often. He was always eloquent, clever, +forceful, with a manly grace of presence upon the platform--just what +she, and just what the town, expected him to be. + +But the surprise of the campaign, to Katherine and to Westville, was +Arnold Bruce. Katherine had known Bruce to be a man of energy; now, in +her mind, a forceful if not altogether elegant phrase of Carlyle +attached itself to him--"A steam-engine in pants." He was never +clever, never polished, he never charmed with the physical grace of +his opponent, but he spoke with a power, an earnestness, and an energy +that were tremendous. By the main strength of his ideas and his +personality he seemed to bear down the prejudice against the principle +for which he stood. He seemed to stand out in the mid-current of +hostile opinion and by main strength hurl it back into its former +course. The man's efforts were nothing less than herculean. He was a +bigger man, a more powerful man, than Westville had ever dreamed; and +his spirited battle against such apparently hopeless odds had a +compelling fascination. Despite her defiantly critical attitude, +Katherine was profoundly impressed; and she heard it whispered about +that, notwithstanding Blake's great popularity, his party's certainty +of success was becoming very much disturbed. + +Both Katherine and Bruce were fond of horseback riding--Doctor West's +single luxury, his saddle horse, was ever at Katherine's disposal--and +at the end of one afternoon they met by chance out along the winding +River Road, with its border of bowing willows and mottled sycamores, +between whose browned foliage could be glimpsed long reaches of the +broad and polished river, steel-gray in the shadows, a flaming copper +where the low sun poured over it its parting fire. Little by little +Bruce began to talk of his ideals. Presently he was speaking with a +simplicity and openness that he had not yet used with Katherine. She +perceived, more clearly than before, that whereas he was dogmatic in +his ideas and brutally direct in their expression, he was a hot-souled +idealist, overflowing with a passionate, even desperate, love of +democracy, which he feared was in danger of dying out in the +land--quietly and painlessly suffocated by a narrowing oligarchy which +sought to blind the people to its rule by allowing them the exercise +of democracy's dead forms. + +His square, rude face, which she watched with a rising fascination, +was no longer repellent. It had that compelling beauty, superior to +mere tint and moulding of the flesh, which is born of great and +glowing ideas. She saw that there was sweetness in his nature, that +beneath his rough exterior was a violent, all-inclusive tenderness. + +Now and then she put in a word of discriminating approval, now and +then a word of well-reasoned dissent. + +"I believe you are even more radical than I am!" he exclaimed, looking +at her keenly. + +"A woman, if she is really radical, has got to be more radical than a +man. She sees all the evils and dangers that he sees, and in addition +she suffers from injustices and restrictions from which man is wholly +free." + +He was too absorbed in the afterglow of what he had been saying to +take in all the meanings implicated in her last phrase. + +"Do you know," he said, as they neared the town, "you are the first +woman I have met in Westville to whom one could talk about real things +and who could talk back with real sense." + +A very sly and pat remark upon his inconsistency was at her tongue's +tip. But she realized that he had spoken impulsively, unguardedly, and +she felt that it would be little short of sacrilege to be even gently +sarcastic after the exalted revelation he had made of himself. + +"Thank you," she said quietly, and turned her face and smiled at the +now steel-blue reaches of the river. + +He dropped in several evenings to see her. When he was in an +idealistic mood she was warmly responsive. When he was arbitrary and +opinionated, she met him with chaffing and raillery, and at such times +she was as elusive, as baffling, as exasperating as a sprite. On +occasions when he rather insistently asked her plans and her progress +in her father's case, she evaded him and held him at bay. She felt +that he admired her, but with a grudging, unwilling admiration that +left his fundamental disapproval of her quite unshaken. + +The more she saw of this dogmatic dreamer, this erratic man of action, +the more she liked him, the more she found really admirable in him. +But mixed with her admiration was an alert and pugnacious fear, so big +was he, so powerful, so violently hostile to all the principles +involved in her belief that the whole wide world of action should in +justice lie as much open to woman to choose from as to man. + +Without cessation Katherine kept eyes and mind on Blake. She searched +out and pondered over the thousand possible details and ramifications +his conspiracy might have. No human plan was a perfect plan. By +patiently watching and studying every point there was a chance that +she might discover one detail, one slip, one oversight, that would +give her the key to the case. + +One of the thousand possibilities was that he had an active partner in +his scheme. Since no such partner was visible in the open, it was +likely that his associate was a man with whom Blake wished to have +seemingly no relations. Were this conjecture true, then naturally he +would meet this confederate in secret. She began to think upon all +possible means and places of holding secret conferences. Such a +meeting might be held there in Westville in the dead of night. It +might be held in any large city in which individuals might lose +themselves--Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago. It might be +held at any appointed spot within the radius of an automobile journey. + +Katherine analyzed every possible place of this last possibility. She +began to watch, as she watched other possibilities, the comings and +goings of the Blake automobile. It occurred to her that, if anything +were in this conjecture, the meeting would be held at night; and then, +a little later, it occurred to her to make a certain regular +observation. The Blake garage and the West stable stood side by side +and opened into the same alley. Every evening while Blake's car was +being cleaned--if it had been in use during the day--Katherine went +out to say good night to her saddle horse, and as she was on friendly +terms with Blake's man she contrived, while exchanging a word with +him, to read the mileage record of the speedometer. This observation +she carried on with no higher hope of anything resulting from it than +from any of a score of other measures. It was merely one detail of her +all-embracing vigilance. + +Every night she sat on watch--the evening's earlier half usually in +the rustic summer-house in the backyard, the latter part at her +bedroom window. One night after most of Westville was in bed, her +long, patient vigil was rewarded by seeing the Blake automobile slip +out with a single vague figure at the wheel and turn into the back +streets of the town. + +Hours passed, and still she sat wide-eyed at her window. It was not +till raucous old muzzains of roosters raised from the watch-towers of +their various coops their concatenated prophecy of the dawn, that she +saw the machine return with its single passenger. The next morning, as +soon as she saw Blake's man stirring about his work, she slipped out +to her stable. Watching her chance, she got a glimpse of Blake's +speedometer. Then she quickly slipped back to her room and sat there +in excited thought. + +The evening before the mileage had read 1437; this morning the reading +was 1459. Blake, in his furtive midnight journey, had travelled +twenty-two miles. If he had slipped forth to meet a secret ally, then +evidently their place of meeting was half of twenty-two miles distant. +Where was this rendezvous? + +Almost instantly she thought of The Sycamores. That fitted the +requirements exactly. It was eleven miles distant--Blake had a cabin +there--the place was deserted at this season of the year. Nothing +could be safer than for two men, coming in different vehicles, from +different points perhaps, to meet at that retired spot at such an +eyeless hour. + +Perhaps there was no confederate. Perhaps Blake's night trip was +not to a secret conference. Perhaps The Sycamores was not the +rendezvous. But there was a chance that all three of these conjectures +were correct. And if so, there was a chance,--aye, more, a +probability--that there would be further midnight trysts. + +Bruce had fallen into the habit of dropping in occasionally for a few +minutes at the end of an evening's speaking to tell Katherine how +matters seemed to be progressing. When he called that night toward +ten he was surprised to be directed around to the summer-house. His +surprise was all the more because the three months' drought had that +afternoon been broken, and the rain was now driving down in gusts and +there was a far rumbling of thunder that threatened a nearer and a +fiercer cannonading. + +Crouching beneath his umbrella, he made his way through the blackness +to the summer-house, in which he saw sitting a dim, solitary figure. + +"In mercy's name, what are you doing out here?" he demanded as he +entered. + +"Watching the rain. I love to be out in a storm." Every clap of +thunder sent a shiver through her. + +"You must go right into the house!" he commanded. "You'll get wet. +I'll bet you're soaked already!" + +"Oh, no. I have a raincoat on," she answered calmly. "I'm going to +stay and watch the storm a little longer." + +He expostulated, spoke movingly of colds and pneumonia. But she kept +her seat and sweetly suggested that he avoid his vividly pictured +dangers of a premature death by following his own advice. He jerked a +rustic chair up beside her, growled a bit in faint imitation of the +thunder, then ran off into the wonted subject of the campaign. + +As the situation now stood he had a chance of winning, so successful +had been his fight to turn back public opinion; and if only he had and +could use the evidence Katherine was seeking, an overwhelming victory +would be his beyond a doubt. He plainly was chafing at her delays, and +as plainly made it evident that he was sceptical of her gaining proof. +But she did not let herself be ruffled. She evaded all his questions, +and when she spoke she spoke calmly and with good-nature. + +Presently, sounding dimly through a lull in the rising tumult of the +night, they heard the Court House clock strike eleven. Soon after, +Katherine's ear, alert for a certain sound, caught a muffled throbbing +that was not distinguishable to Bruce from the other noises of the +storm. + +She sprang up. + +"You must go now--good night!" she said breathlessly, and darted out +of the summer-house. + +"Wait! Where are you going?" he cried, and tried to seize her, but she +was gone. + +He stumbled amazedly after her vague figure, which was running through +the grape-arbour swiftly toward the stable. The blackness, his +unfamiliarity with the way, made him half a minute behind Katherine in +entering the barn. + +"Miss West!" he called. "Miss West!" + +There was no answer and no sound within the stable. Just then a flash +of lightning showed him that the rear door was open. As he felt his +way through this he heard Katherine say, "Whoa, Nelly! Whoa, Nelly!" +and saw her swing into the saddle. + +He sprang forward and caught the bridle rein. + +"What are you going to do?" he cried. + +"Going out for a little gallop," she answered with an excited laugh. + +"What?" A light broke in upon him. "You've been sitting there all +evening in your riding habit! Your horse has been standing saddled and +bridled in the stall! Tell me--where are you going?" + +"For a little ride, I said. Now let loose my rein." + +"Why--why--" he gasped in amazement. Then he cried out fiercely: "You +shall not go! It's madness to go out in a storm like this!" + +"Mr. Bruce, let go that rein this instant!" she said peremptorily. + +"I shall do nothing of the sort! I shall not let you make an insane +fool of yourself!" + +She bent downward. Though in the darkness he could not see her face, +the tensity of her tone told him her eyes were flashing. + +"Mr. Bruce," she said with slow emphasis, "if you do not loosen that +rein, this second, I give you my word I shall never see you, never +speak to you again." + +"All right, but I shall not let you make a fool of yourself," he cried +with fierce dominance. "You've got to yield to sense, even though I +use force on you." + +She did not answer. Swiftly she reversed her riding crop and with all +her strength brought its heavy end down upon his wrist. + +"Nelly!" she ordered sharply, and in the same instant struck the +horse. The animal lunged free from Bruce's benumbed grasp, and sprang +forward into a gallop. + +"Good night!" she called back to him. + +He shouted a reply; his voice came to her faintly, wrathful and +defiant, but his words were whirled away upon the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +POLITICS MAKE STRANGE BED-FELLOWS + + +She quieted Nelly into a canter, made her way through the soundly +sleeping back streets, and at length emerged from the city and +descended into the River Road, which was slightly shorter than +Grayson's Pike which led over the high back country to The Sycamores. +She knew what Nelly could do, and she settled the mare down into the +fastest pace she could hold for the eleven miles before her. + +Katherine was aquiver with suspense, one moment with hopeful +expectation, the next with fear that her deductions were all awry. +Perhaps Blake had not gone out to meet a confederate. And if he had, +perhaps The Sycamores was not the rendezvous. But if her deductions +were correct, who was this secret ally? Would she be able to approach +them near enough to discover his identity? And would she be able to +learn the exact outlines of the plot that was afoot? If so, what would +it all prove to be? + +Such questions and doubts galloped madly through her mind. The storm +grew momently in fierceness. The water and fury of three months of +withheld storms were spending themselves upon the earth in one violent +outburst. The wind cracked her skirt like a whip-lash, and whined and +snarled and roared among the trees. The rain drove at her in maddened +sheets, found every opening in her raincoat, and soon she was as wet +as though dropped in the river yonder. The night was as black as the +interior of a camera, save when--as by the opening of a snapshot +shutter--an instantaneous view of the valley was fixed on Katherine's +startled brain by the lightning ripping in fiery fissures down the +sky. Then she saw the willows bending and whipping in the wind, saw +the gnarled old sycamores wrestling with knotted muscles, saw the +broad river writhing and tossing its swollen and yellow waters. Then, +blackness again--and, like the closing click of this world-wide +camera, there followed a world-shaking crash of thunder. + +Katherine would have been terrified but for the stimulant within. She +crouched low upon her horse, held a close rein, petted Nelly, talked +to her and kept her going at her best--onward--onward--onward--through +the covered wooden bridge that spanned Buck Creek--through the little +old village of Sleepy Eye--up Red Man's Ridge--and at last, battered, +buffeted, half-drowned, she and Nelly drew up at the familiar stone +gateway of The Sycamores. + +She dismounted, led Nelly in and tied her among the beeches away from +the drive. Then cautiously, palpitantly, she groped her way in the +direction of the Blake cabin, avoiding the open lest the lightning +should betray her presence. At length she came to the edge of a +cleared space in which she knew the cabin stood. But she could see +nothing. The cabin was just a cube of blackness imbedded in this great +blackness which was the night. She peered intently for a lighted +window; she listened for the lesser thunder of a waiting automobile. +But she could see nothing but the dark, hear nothing but the dash of +the rain, the rumble of the thunder, the lashing and shrieking of the +wind. + +Her heart sank. No one was here. Her guesses all were wrong. + +But she crept toward the house, following the drive. Suddenly, she +almost collided with a big, low object. She reached forth a hand. It +fell upon the tire of an automobile. She peered forward and seemed to +see another low shape. She went toward it and felt. It was a second +car. + +She dashed back among the trees, and thus sheltered from the revealing +glare of the lightning, almost choking with excitement, she began to +circle the house for signs which would locate in what room were the +men within. She paused before each side and peered closely at it, but +each side in turn presented only blackness, till she came to the lee +of the house. + +This, too, was dark for the first moment. Then in a lower window, +which she knew to be the window of Blake's den, two dull red points of +light appeared--glowed--subsided--glowed again--then vanished. A +minute later one reappeared, then the other; and after the slow rise +and fall and rise of the glow, once more went out. She stood rigid, +wondering at the phenomenon. Then suddenly she realized that within +were two lighted cigars. + +Bending low, she scurried across the open space and crouched beside +the window. Luckily it had been opened to let some fresh air into the +long-closed room. And luckily this was the lee of the house and the +beat of the storm sounded less loudly here, so that their voices +floated dimly out to her. This lee was also a minor blessing, for +Katherine's poor, wet, shivering body now had its first protection +from the storm. + +Tense, hardly breathing, with all five senses converged into hearing, +she stood flattened against the wall and strained to catch their +every word. One voice was plainly Blake's. The other had a faintly +familiar quality, though she could not place it. This second man had +evidently come late, for their conversation was of a preliminary, +beating-around-the-bush character--about the fierceness of the storm, +and the additional security it lent their meeting. + +Katherine searched her memory for the owner of this second voice. She +had thought at first of Doctor Sherman, but this voice had not a tone +in common with the young clergyman's clear, well-modulated baritone. +This was a peculiar, bland, good-natured drawl. She had not heard it +often, but she had unmistakably heard it. As she ransacked her memory +it grew increasingly familiar, yet still eluded her. Then, all of a +sudden, she knew it, and she stood amazed. + +The second voice was the voice of Blind Charlie Peck. + +Katherine was well acquainted with the secret bi-partisan arrangement +common in so many American cities, by which the righteous voter is +deluded into believing that there are two parties contending for the +privilege of giving him their best service, whereas in reality the two +are one, secretly allied because as a political trust they can most +economically and profitably despoil the people. Her first thought was +that these ancient enemies, who for ten years had belaboured one +another with such a realistic show of bitterness upon the political +stage of Westville, had all along been friends and partners behind +the scenes. But of this idea she was presently disillusioned. + +"Well, Mr. Blake, let's get down to business," Blind Charlie's voice +floated out to her. "You've had a day to think over my proposition. +Now what have you got to say to it?" + +There was a brief silence. When Blake did speak, Katherine could +discern in his repressed tone a keen aversion for his companion. + +"My position is the same as last night. What you say is all guesswork. +There is nothing in it." + +Blind Charlie's voice was soft--purringly soft. + +"Then why didn't you ask me to go to hell, and stay at home instead of +coming out here?" + +There was again a short silence. + +"Come now," the soft voice persuaded, "let's don't go over what we did +last night. I know I'm right." + +"I tell you you're only guessing," Blake doggedly returned. "You +haven't a scrap of proof." + +"I don't need proof, when I'm certain about a thing," gently returned +the voice of Blind Charlie. "I've been in politics for forty-eight +years--ever since I was nineteen, when I cast my first vote. I've got +sharpened up considerable in that time, and while I haven't been in +on much in the last ten years, I can still smell a fat deal clean +across the state. For the last three months I've been smelling, and +smelling it keener every day, that you've got a rich game going." + +"And so"--rather sarcastically--"you set Bruce on, to try to run the +game down!" + +"Well, I would use a little different figure of speech," returned +Blind Charlie smoothly. "When I've got a coon up a hollow tree I build +a fire in the hollow to bring him down. Bruce is my fire." + +"And you think your coon is coming down?" + +"I rather think he is. Don't you?" + +"Well, I tell you he's not! For there's no coon up the tree!" + +"I see I've got to state the thing to you again," said Blind Charlie +patiently, and so softly that Katherine had to strain her utmost to +get his words. "When I grew sure you had a big deal on about the +water-works, I saw that the only way to force you to let me in was to +put you in a fix where you would either have to split up or be in +danger of losing the whole thing. So I nominated Bruce. He's one of +the easiest I ever took in; but, I tell you, he is certainly one hell +of a fighter! That's what I nominated him for. You know as well as I +do the way he's swinging the voters round. It beats anything I've ever +seen. If he keeps this up till election, and if I pull off a couple +of good tricks I've got all ready, he'll be a winner, sure! And +now"--Blind Charlie's purring voice thrust out its claws--"either I +put Bruce in and smash your deal till it's not worth a damn, or else +you come across!" + +"There's nothing in it, I tell you!" declared Blake. + +"There's no use keeping up that pretence," continued Blind Charlie. +"You've had a day to think over my proposition. You know perfectly +well what your choice is between: a sure thing if you divide with me, +the risk of nothing if you refuse. So let's waste no more time. Come, +which is it?" + +There was a long silence. + +"I understand," commented Blind Charlie, with a soft sympathy that +Katherine knew was meant to bite like acid. "It's hard for a +respectable man like you to mix up with Charlie Peck. But political +business makes strange bed-fellows, and unless you're willing to sleep +with almost anybody you'd better keep out of this kind of business +altogether. But after all," he added, "I guess it's better to share a +good bed than to have no bed at all." + +"What do you want?" Blake asked huskily. + +"Only my share of the bed," blandly returned Blind Charlie. + +"What's that, in plain words?" + +"Not much. Only half of what you're going to make." + +Blake exploded. + +"Damn you, Peck, you're nothing but a damned blackmailer!" + +"All right, I agree to that," said Blind Charlie. Then he added in his +soft voice: "But if I'm a blackmailer in this affair, then please, Mr. +Blake, what do you call yourself?" + +"You--you----" To the crouching figure outside the window Blake seemed +to be half-choking. But suddenly he exploded again. "I'll not do it, +Peck! I'll not do it--never while God's earth stands!" + +"I guess you will, Blake!" Blind Charlie's voice was no longer soft; +it had a slow, grating, crunching sound. "Damn your soul, you've been +acting toward me with your holier-than-thou reformer's attitude for +ten years. D'you think I'm a man to swallow that quietly? D'you think +I haven't had it in for you all those ten years? Why, there hasn't +been a minute that I haven't been looking for my chance. And at last +I've got it! I've not only got a line on this water-works business, +but I've found out all about your pretty little deal with Adamson +during the last months you were Lieutenant-Governor!" + +"Adamson!" ejaculated Blake. + +"Yes, Adamson!" went on the harsh voice of Blind Charlie. "That hits +you where you live, eh! You didn't know I had it, did you? Well, I +didn't till to-day--but I've got it now all right! There, my cards are +all on the table. Look 'em over. I don't want Bruce elected any more +than you do; but either you do what I say, or by God I turn over to +Bruce all I know about the Adamson affair and all I know about this +water-works deal! Now I give you just one minute to decide!" + +Katherine breathlessly awaited the answer. A space passed. She heard +Blind Charlie stand up. + +"Time's up! Good night--and to hell with you!" + +"Wait! Wait!" Blake cried. + +"Then you accept?" + +Blake's voice shook. "Before I answer, what do you want?" + +"I've already told you. Half of what you get." + +"But I'm to get very little." + +"Very little!" Blind Charlie's voice was ironical; it had dropped its +tone of crushing menace. "Very little! Now I figure that you'll get +the water-works for a third, or less, of their value. That'll give you +something like half a million at the start-off, not to speak of the +regular profits later on. Now as for me," he concluded drily, "I +wouldn't call that such a very little sum that I'd kick it out of my +way if I saw it lying in the road." + +"But no such sum is lying there." + +"No? Then what do you get?" + +Blake did not answer. + +"Come, speak out!" + +Blake's voice came with an effort. + +"I'm not doing this for myself." + +"Then who for?" + +Blake hesitated, then again spoke with an effort. + +"The National Electric & Water Company." + +Blind Charlie swore in his surprise. + +"But I reckon you're not doing it for them for charity?" + +"No." + +"Well, what for?" + +Blake again remained silent. + +"Come, what for?" impatiently demanded Charlie. + +"For a seat in the Senate." + +"That's no good to me. What else?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars." + +"The devil! Is that all?" ejaculated Blind Charlie. + +"Everything." + +Blind Charlie swore to himself for a moment. Then he fell into a deep +silence. + +"Well, what's the matter?" Blake presently inquired. + +"I was just wondering," replied Blind Charlie, slowly, "if it wouldn't +be better to call this business off between you and me." + +"Call it off?" + +"Yes. I never imagined you were playing for such a little pile as +fifty thousand. Since there's only fifty thousand in it"--his voice +suddenly rang out with vindictive triumph--"I was wondering if it +wouldn't pay me better to use what I know to help elect Bruce." + +"Elect Bruce?" cried Blake in consternation. + +"Exactly. Show you up, and elect Bruce," said Blind Charlie coolly. +"To elect my mayor--there's more than fifty thousand for me in that." + +There was a dismayed silence on Blake's part. But after a moment he +recovered himself, and this time it was his voice that had the note of +ascendency. + +"You are forgetting one point, Mr. Peck," said he. + +"Yes?" + +"Bruce's election will not mean a cent to you. You will get no +offices. Moreover, the control of your party machinery will be sure to +pass from you to him." + +"You're right," said the old man promptly. "See how quick I am to +acknowledge the corn. However, after all," he added philosophically, +"what you're getting is really enough for two. You take the +senatorship, and I'll take the fifty thousand. What do you say to +that?" + +"What about Bruce--if I accept?" + +"Bruce? Bruce is just a fire to smoke the coon out. When the coon +comes down, I put out the fire." + +"You mean?" + +"I mean that I'll see that Bruce don't get elected." + +"You'll make sure about that?" + +"Oh, you just leave Bruce to me!" said Blind Charlie with grim +confidence. "And now, do you accept?" + +Blake was silent. He still shrunk from this undesirable alliance. +Outside, Katherine again breathlessly hung upon his answer. + +"What do you say?" demanded the old man sharply. "Do you accept? Or do +I smash you?" + +"I accept--of course." + +"And we'll see this thing through together?" + +"Yes." + +"Then here you are. Let's shake on it." + +They talked on, dwelling on details of their partnership, Katherine +missing never a word. + +At length, their agreement completed, they left the room, and +Katherine slipped from the window across into the trees and made such +haste as she could through the night and the storm to where she had +left her horse. She heard one car go slowly out the entrance of the +grove, its lamps dark that its visit might not be betrayed, and she +heard it turn cautiously into the back-country road. After a little +while she saw a glare shoot out before the car--its lamps had been +lighted--and she saw it skim rapidly away. Soon the second car crept +out, took the high back-country pike, and repeated the same tactics. + +Then Katherine untied Nelly, mounted, and started slowly homeward +along the River Road. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THROUGH THE STORM + + +Bowed low to shield herself against the ever fiercer buffets of the +storm, Katherine gave Nelly free rein to pick her own way at her own +pace through the blackness. The rain volleyed into her pitilessly, the +wind sought furiously to wrest her from the saddle, the lightning +cracked open the heavens into ever more fiery chasms, and the thunder +rattled and rolled and reverberated as though a thousand battles were +waging in the valley. It was as if the earth's dissolution were at +hand--as if the long-gathered wrath of the Judgment Day were rending +the earth asunder and hurling the fragments afar into the black abysm +of eternity. + +But Katherine, though gasping and shivering, gave minor heed to this +elemental rage. Whatever terror she might have felt another time at +such a storm, her brain had now small room for it. She was exultantly +filled with the magnitude of her discovery. The water-works deal! The +National Electric & Water Company! Bruce not a bona fide candidate at +all, but only a pistol at Blake's head to make him stand and deliver! +Blake and Blind Charlie--those two whole-hearted haters, who +belaboured each other so valiantly before the public--in a secret pact +to rob that same dear public! + +At the highest moments of her exultation it seemed that victory was +already hers; that all that remained was to proclaim to Westville on +the morrow what she knew. But beneath all her exultation was a dim +realization that the victory itself was yet to be won. What she had +gained was only a fuller knowledge of who her enemies were, and what +were their purposes. + +Her mind raced about her discovery, seeking how to use it as the basis +of her own campaign. But the moment of an extensive and astounding +discovery is not the moment for the evolving of well-calculated plans; +so the energies of her mind were spent on extravagant dreams or the +leaping play of her jubilation. + +One decision, however, she did reach. That was concerning Bruce. Her +first impulse was to go to him and tell him all, in triumphant +refutation of his ideas concerning woman in general, and her futility +in particular. But as she realized that she was not at the end of her +fight, but only at a better-informed beginning, she saw that the day +of her triumph over him, if ever it was to come, had at least not yet +arrived. As for admitting him into her full confidence, her woman's +pride was still too strong for that. It held her to her determination +to tell him nothing. She was going to see this thing through without +him. + +Moreover, she had another reason for silence. She feared, if she told +him all, his impetuous nature might prompt him to make a premature +disclosure of the information, and that would be disastrous to her +future plans. But since he was vitally concerned in Blake's and Peck's +agreement, it was at least his due that he be warned; and so she +decided to tell him, without giving her source of information, that +Blind Charlie proposed to sell him out. + +Nelly's pace had slowed into a walk, and even then the gale at times +almost swept the poor horse staggering from the road. The rain drove +down in ever denser sheets. The occasional flashes of lightning served +only to emphasize the blackness. So dense was it, it seemed a solid. +The world could not seem blacker to a toad in the heart of a stone. +The instants of crackling fire showed Katherine the river, below her +in the valley, leaping, surging, almost out of its banks--the trees, +writhing and wrestling, here and there one jaggedly discrowned. And +once, as she was crossing a little wooden bridge that spanned a +creek, she saw that it was almost afloat--and for an instant of +terror she wished she had followed the higher back-country road taken +by the two automobiles. + +She had reached the foot of Red Man's Ridge, and was winding along the +river's verge, when she thought she heard her name sound faintly +through the storm. She stopped Nelly and sat in sudden stiffness, +straining her ears. Again the voice sounded, this time nearer, and +there was no mistaking her name. + +"Miss West! Katherine!" + +She sat rigid, almost choking. The next minute a shapeless figure +almost collided with Nelly. It eagerly caught the bridle-rein and +called out huskily: + +"Is that you, Miss West?" + +She let out a startled cry. + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"It's you! Thank God, I've found you!" cried the voice. + +"Arnold Bruce!" she ejaculated. + +He loosened the rein and moved to her side and put his hand upon the +back of her saddle. + +"Thank God I've found you!" he repeated, with a strange quaver to his +voice. + +"Arnold Bruce! What are you doing here?" + +"Didn't you hear me shout after you, when you started, that I was +coming, too?" + +"I heard your voice, but not what you said." + +"Do you think I would let you go out alone on a night like this?" he +demanded in his unstrung tone. "It's no night for a man to be out, +much less a woman!" + +"You mean--you followed me?" + +"What else did you think I'd do?" + +"And on foot?" + +"If I had stopped to get a horse I'd have lost your direction. So I +ran after you." + +They were moving on now, his hand upon the back of her saddle to link +them together in the darkness. He had to lean close to her that their +voices might be heard above the storm. + +"And you have run after me all this way?" + +"Ran and walked. But I couldn't make much headway in the +storm--Calling out to you every few steps. I didn't know what might +have happened to you. All kinds of pictures were in my mind. You might +have been thrown and be lying hurt. In the darkness the horse might +have wandered off the road and slipped with you into the river. It +was--it was----" She felt the strong forearm that lay against her back +quiver violently. "Oh, why did you do it!" he burst out. + +A strange, warm tingling crept through her. + +"I--I----" Something seemed to choke her. + +"Oh, why did you do it!" he repeated. + +Contrary to her determination of but a little while ago, an impulse +surged up in her to tell him all she had just learned, to tell him all +her plans. She hung for a moment in indecision. Then her old attitude, +her old determination, resumed its sway. + +"I had a suspicion that I might learn something about father's case," +she said. + +"It was foolishness!" he cried in fierce reproof, yet with the same +unnerved quaver in his voice. "You should have known you could find +nothing on such a night as this!" + +She felt half an impulse to retort sharply with the truth. But the +thought of his stumbling all that way in the blackness subdued her +rising impulse to triumph over him. So she made no reply at all. + +"You should never have come! If, when you started, you had stopped +long enough for me to speak to you, I could have told you you would +not have found out anything. You did not, now did you?" + +She still kept silent. + +"I knew you did not!" he cried in exasperated triumph. "Admit the +truth--you know you did not!" + +"I did not learn everything I had hoped." + +"Don't be afraid to acknowledge the truth!" + +"You remember what I said when you were first offered the nomination +by Mr. Peck--to beware of him?" + +"Yes. You were wrong. But let's not talk about that now!" + +"I am certain now that I was right. I have the best of reasons for +believing that Mr. Peck intends to sell you out." + +"What reasons?" + +She hesitated a moment. + +"I cannot give them to you--now. But I tell you I am certain he is +planning treachery." + +"Your talk is wild. As wild as your ride out here to-night." + +"But I tell you----" + +"Let's talk no more about it now," he interrupted, brushing the matter +aside. "It--it doesn't interest me now." + +There was a blinding glare of lightning, then an awful clap of thunder +that rattled in wild echoes down the valley. + +"Oh, why did you come?" he cried, pressing closer. "Why did you come? +It's enough to kill a woman!" + +"Hardly," said she. + +"But you're wet through," he protested. + +"And so are you." + +"Have my coat." And he started to slip it off. + +"No. One more wet garment won't make me any drier." + +"Then put it over your head. To keep off this awful beat of the storm. +I'll lead your horse." + +"No, thank you; I'm all right," she said firmly, putting out a hand +and checking his motion to uncoat himself. "You've been walking. I've +been riding. You need it more than I do." And then she added: "Did I +hurt you much?" + +"Hurt me?" + +"When I struck you with my crop." + +"That? I'd forgotten that." + +"I'm very sorry--if I hurt you." + +"It's nothing. I wish you'd take my coat. Bend lower down." And moving +forward, he so placed himself that his broad, strong body was a +partial shield to her against the gale. + +This new concern for her, the like of which he had never before +evinced the faintest symptoms, begot in her a strange, tingling, but +blurred emotion. They moved on side by side, now without speech, +gasping for the very breath that the gale sought to tear away from +their lips. The storm was momently gaining power and fury. Afterward +the ancient weather-men of Calloway County were to say that in their +time they had never seen its like. The lightning split the sky into +even more fearsome fiery chasms, and in the moments of wild +illumination they could see the road gullied by scores of impromptu +rivulets, could glimpse the broad river billowing and raging, the +cattle huddling terrified in the pastures, the woods swaying and +writhing in deathlike grapple. The wind hurled by them in a thousand +moods and tones, all angry; a fine, high shrieking on its topmost +note--a hoarse snarl--a lull, as though the straining monster were +pausing to catch its breath--then a roaring, sweeping onrush as if +bent on irresistible destruction. And on top of this glare, this rage, +was the thousandfold crackle, rattle, rumble of the thunder. + +At such a time wild beasts, with hostility born in their blood, draw +close together. It was a storm to resolve, as it were, all complex +shades of human feeling into their elementary colours--when fear and +hate and love stand starkly forth, unqualified, unblended. Without +being aware that she was observing, Katherine sensed that Bruce's +agitation was mounting with the storm. And as she felt his quivering +presence beside her in the furious darkness, her own emotion surged up +with a wild and startling strength. + +A tree top snapped off just before them with its toy thunder. + +"Will this never stop!" gasped Bruce, huskily. "God, I wish I had you +safe home!" + +The tremulous tensity in his voice set her heart to leaping with an +unrestraint yet wilder. But she did not answer. + +Suddenly Nelly stumbled in a gully and Katherine pitched forward from +the saddle. She would have fallen, had not a pair of strong arms +closed about her in mid-air. + +"Katherine--Katherine!" Bruce cried, distracted. Nelly righted herself +and Katherine regained her seat, but Bruce still kept his arm about +her. "Tell me--are you hurt?" he demanded. + +She felt the arms around her trembling with intensity. + +"No," she said with a strange choking. + +"Oh, Katherine--Katherine!" he burst out. "If you only knew how I love +you!" + +What she felt could not crystallize itself into words. + +"Do you love me?" he asked huskily. + +Just then there was a flash of lightning. It showed her his upturned +face, appealing, tender, passion-wrought. A wild, exultant thrill +swept through her. Without thinking, without speaking, her tingling +arm reached out, of its own volition as it were, and closed about his +neck, and she bent down and kissed him. + +"Katherine!" he breathed hoarsely. "Katherine!" And he crushed her +convulsively to him. + +She lay thrilled in his arms.... After a minute they moved on, his arm +about her waist, her arm about his neck. Rain, wind, thunder were +forgotten. Forgotten were their theories of life. For that hour the +man and woman in them were supremely happy. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE CUP OF BLISS + + +The next morning Katherine lay abed in that delicious lassitude which +is the compound of complete exhaustion and of a happiness that tingles +through every furthermost nerve. And as she lay there she thought +dazedly of the miracle that had come to pass. She had not even guessed +that she was in love with Arnold Bruce. In fact, she had been +resisting her growing admiration for him, and the day before she could +hardly have told whether her liking was greater than her hostility. +Then, suddenly, out there in the storm, all complex counter-feelings +had been swept side, and she had been revealed to herself. + +She was tremulously, tumultuously happy. She had had likings for men +before, but she had never guessed that love was such a mighty, +exultant thing as this. But, as she lay there, the thoughts that had +never come to her in the storm out there on the River Road, slipped +into her mind. Into her exultant, fearful, dizzy happiness there crept +a fear of the future. She clung with all her soul to the ideas of the +life she wished to live; she knew that he, in all sincerity, was +militantly opposed to those ideas. Difference in religious belief had +brought bitterness, tragedy even, into the lives of many a pair of +lovers. The difference in their case was no less firmly held to on +either side, and she realized that the day must come when their ideas +must clash, when they two must fight it out. Quivering with love +though she was, she could but look forward to that inevitable day with +fear. + +But there were too many other new matters tossing in her brain for her +to dwell long upon this dread. At times she could but smile +whimsically at the perversity of love. The little god was doubtless +laughing in impish glee at what he had brought about. She had always +thought in a vague way that she would sometime marry, but she had +always regarded it as a matter of course that the man she would fall +in love with would be one in thorough sympathy with her ideas and who +would help her realize her dream. And here she had fallen in love with +that dreamed-of man's exact antithesis! + +And yet, as she thought of Arnold Bruce, she could not imagine herself +loving any other man in all the world. + +Love gave her a new cause for jubilation over her last night's +discovery. Victory, should she win it, and win it before election, had +now an added value--it would help the man she loved. But as she +thought over her discovery, she realized that while she might create a +scandal with it, it was not sufficient evidence nor the particular +evidence that she desired. Blake and Peck would both deny the meeting, +and against Blake's denial her word would count for nothing, either in +court or before the people of Westville. And she could not be present +at another conference with two or three witnesses, for the pair had +last night settled all matters and had agreed that it would be +unnecessary to meet again. Her discovery, she perceived more clearly +than on the night before, was not so much evidence as the basis for a +more enlightened and a more hopeful investigation. + +Another matter, one that had concerned her little while Bruce had held +but a dubious place in her esteem, now flashed into her mind and +assumed a large importance. The other party, as she knew, was using +Bruce's friendship for her as a campaign argument against him; not on +the platform of course--it never gained that dignity--but in the +street, and wherever the followers of the hostile camps engaged in +political skirmish. Its sharpest use was by good housewives, with whom +suffrage could be exercised solely by influencing their husbands' +ballots. "What, vote for Mr. Bruce! Don't you know he's a friend of +that woman lawyer? A man who can see anything in that Katherine West +is no fit man for mayor!" + +All this talk, Katherine now realized, was in some degree injuring +Bruce's candidacy. With a sudden pain at the heart she now demanded of +herself, would it be fair to the man she loved to continue this open +intimacy? Should not she, for his best interests, urge him, require +him, to see her no more? + +She was in the midst of this new problem, when her Aunt Rachel brought +her in a telegram. She read it through, and on the instant the problem +fled her mind. She lay and thought excitedly--hour after hour--and her +old plans altered where they had been fixed, and took on definite form +where previously they had been unsettled. + +The early afternoon found her in the office of old Hosie +Hollingsworth. + +"What do you think of that?" she demanded, handing him the telegram. + +Old Hosie read it with a puzzled look. Then slowly he repeated it +aloud: + +"'Bouncing boy arrived Tuesday morning. All doing well. John.'" He +raised his eyes to Katherine. "I'm always glad to see people lend the +census a helping hand," he drawled. "But who in Old Harry is John?" + +"Mr. Henry Manning. The New York detective I told you about." + +"Eh? Then what----" + +"It's a cipher telegram," Katherine explained with an excited smile. +"It means that he will arrive in Westville this afternoon, and will +stay as long as I need him." + +"But what should he send that sort of a fool thing for?" + +"Didn't I tell you that he and I are to have no apparent relations +whatever? An ordinary telegram, coming through that gossiping Mr. +Gordon at the telegraph office, would have given us away. Now I've +come to you to talk over with you some new plans for Mr. Manning. But +first I want to tell you something else." + +She briefly outlined what she had learned the night before; and then, +without waiting to hear out his ejaculations, rapidly continued: "I +told Mr. Manning to come straight to you, on his arrival, to learn how +matters stood. All my communications to him, and his to me, are to be +through you. Tell him everything, including about last night." + +"And what is he to do?" + +"I was just coming to that." Her brown eyes were gleaming with +excitement. "Here's my plan. It seems to me that if Blind Charlie Peck +could force his way into Mr. Blake's scheme and become a partner in +it, then Mr. Manning can, too." + +Old Hosie blinked. + +"Eh? Eh? How?" + +"You are to tell Mr. Manning that he is Mr. Hartsell, or whoever he +pleases, a real estate dealer from the East, and that his ostensible +business in Westville is to invest in farm lands. Buying in run-down +or undrained farms at a low price and putting them in good condition, +that's a profitable business these days. Besides, since you are an +agent for farm lands, that will explain his relations with you. +Understand?" + +"Yes. What next?" + +"Secretly, he is to go around studying the water-works. Only not so +secretly that he won't be noticed." + +"But what's that for?" + +"Buying farm land is only a blind to hide his real business," she went +on rapidly. "His real business here is to look into the condition of +the water-works with a view to buying them in. He is a private agent +of Seymour & Burnett; you remember I am empowered to buy the system +for Mr. Seymour. When Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck discover that a man is +secretly examining the water-works--and they'll discover it all right; +when they discover that this man is the agent of Mr. Seymour, with all +the Seymour millions behind him--and we'll see that they discover +that, too--don't you see that when they make these discoveries this +may set them to thinking, and something may happen?" + +"I don't just see it yet," said Old Hosie slowly, "but it sounds like +there might be something mighty big there." + +"When Mr. Blake learns there is another secret buyer in the field, a +rival buyer ready and able to run the price up to three times what he +expects to pay--why, he'll see danger of his whole plan going to ruin. +Won't his natural impulse be, rather than run such a risk, to try to +take the new man in?--just as he took in Blind Charlie Peck?" + +"I see! I see!" exclaimed Old Hosie. "By George, it's mighty clever! +Then what next?" + +"I can't see that far. But with Mr. Manning on the inside, our case is +won." + +Old Hosie leaned forward. + +"It's great! Great! If you're not above shaking hands with a mere +man----" + +"Now don't make fun of me," she cried, gripping the bony old palm. + +"And while you're quietly turning this little trick," he chuckled, +"the Honourable Harrison Blake will be carefully watching every move +of Elijah Stone, the best hippopotamus in the sleuth business, and be +doing right smart of private snickering at the simplicity of +womankind." + +She flushed, but added soberly: + +"Of course it's only a plan, and it may not work at all." + +They talked the scheme over in detail. At length, shortly before the +hour at which the afternoon express from the East was due to arrive, +Katherine retired to her own office. Half an hour later, looking down +from her window, she saw the old surrey of Mr. Huggins' draw up beside +the curb, in it a quietly dressed, middle-aged passenger who had the +appearance of a solid man of affairs. He crossed the sidewalk and a +little later Katherine heard him enter Old Hosie's office on the floor +below. After a time she saw the stranger go out and drive around the +Square to the Tippecanoe House, Peck's hotel, where Katherine had +directed that Mr. Manning be sent to facilitate his being detected by +the enemy. + +Her plan laid, Katherine saw there was little she could do but await +developments--and in the meantime to watch Blake, which Mr. Mannings' +rôle would not permit his doing, and to watch and study Doctor +Sherman. Despite this new plan, and her hopes in it, she realized that +it was primarily a plan to defeat Blake's scheme against the city. She +still considered Doctor Sherman the pivotal character in her father's +case; he was her father's accuser, the man who, she believed more +strongly every day, could clear him with a few explanatory words. So +she determined to watch him none the less closely because of her new +plan--to keep her eyes upon him for signs that might show his +relations to Blake's scheme--to watch for signs of the breaking of his +nerve, and at the first sign to pounce accusingly upon him. + +When she reached home that afternoon she found Bruce awaiting her. +Since morning, mixed with her palpitating love and her desire to see +him, there had been dread of this meeting. In the back of her mind the +question had all day tormented her, should she, for his own interests, +send him away? But sharper than this, sharper a hundredfold, was the +fear lest the difference between their opinions should come up. + +But Bruce showed no inclination to approach this difference. Love was +too new and near a thing for him to wander from the present. For this +delay she was fervently grateful, and forgetful of all else she leaned +back in a big old walnut chair and abandoned herself completely to her +happiness, which might perhaps be all too brief. They talked of a +thousand things--talk full of mutual confession: of their former +hostility, of what it was that had drawn their love to one another, of +last night out in the storm. The spirits of both ran high. Their joy, +as first joy should be, was sparkling, effervescent. + +After a time she sat in silence for several moments, smiling +half-tenderly, half-roguishly, into his rugged, square-hewed face, +with its glinting glasses and its _chevaux de frise_ of bristling +hair. + +"Well," he demanded, "what are you thinking about?" + +"I was thinking what very bad eyes I have." + +"Bad eyes?" + +"Yes. For up to yesterday I always considered you----But perhaps you +are thin-skinned about some matters?" + +"Me thin-skinned? I've got the epidermis of a crocodile!" + +"Well, then--up to yesterday I always thought you--but you're sure you +won't mind?" + +"I tell you I'm so thick-skinned that it meets in the middle!" + +"Well, then, till yesterday I always thought you rather ugly." + +"Glory be! Eureka! Excelsior!" + +"Then you don't mind?" + +"Mind?" cried he. "Did you think that I thought I was pretty?" + +"I didn't know," she replied with her provoking, happy smile, "for men +are such conceited creatures." + +"I'm not authorized to speak for the rest, but I'm certainly +conceited," he returned promptly. "For I've always believed myself one +of the ugliest animals in the whole human menagerie. And at last my +merits are recognized." + +"But I said 'till yesterday'," she corrected. "Since then, somehow, +your face seems to have changed." + +"Changed?" + +"Yes. I think you are growing rather good-looking." Behind her happy +raillery was a tone of seriousness. + +"Good-looking? Me good-looking? And that's the way you dash my hopes!" + +"Yes, sir. Good-looking." + +"Woman, you don't know what sorrow is in those words you spoke! Just +to think," he said mournfully, "that all my life I've fondled the +belief that when I was made God must have dropped the clay while it +was still wet." + +"I'm sorry----" + +"Don't try to comfort me. The blow's too heavy." He slowly shook his +head. "I never loved a dear gazelle----" + +"Oh, I don't mean the usual sort of good-looking," she consoled him. +"But good-looking like an engine, or a crag, or a mountain." + +"Well, at any rate," he said with solemn resignation, "it's something +to know the particular type of beauty that I am." + +Suddenly they both burst into merry laughter. + +"But I'm really in earnest," she protested. "For you really are +good-looking!" + +He leaned forward, caught her two hands in his powerful grasp and +almost crushed his lips against them. + +"Perhaps it's just as well you don't mind my face, dear," he +half-whispered, "for, you know, you're going to see a lot of it." + +She flushed, and her whole being seemed to swim in happiness. They did +not speak for a time; and she sat gazing with warm, luminous eyes into +his rugged, determined face, now so soft, so tender. + +But suddenly her look became very grave, for the question of the +morning had recurred to her. Should she not give him up? + +"May I speak about something serious?" she asked with an effort. +"Something very serious?" + +"About anything in the world!" said he. + +"It's something I was thinking about this morning, and all day," she +said. "I'm afraid I haven't been very thoughtful of you. And I'm +afraid you haven't been very thoughtful of yourself." + +"How?" + +"We've been together quite often of late." + +"Not often enough!" + +"But often enough to set people talking." + +"Let 'em talk!" + +"But you must remember----" + +"Let's stop their tongues," he interrupted. + +"How?" + +"By announcing our engagement." He gripped her hands. "For we are +engaged, aren't we?" + +"I--I don't know," she breathed. + +"Don't know?" He stared at her. "Why, you're white as a sheet! You're +not in earnest?" + +"Yes." + +"What does this mean?" + +"I--I had started to tell you. You must remember that I am an +unpopular person, and that in my father I am representing an unpopular +man. And you must remember that you are candidate for mayor." + +He had begun to get her drift. + +"Well?" + +"Well, I am afraid our being together will lessen your chances. And I +don't want to do anything in the world that will injure you." + +"Then you think----" + +"I think--I think"--she spoke with difficulty--"we should stop seeing +each other." + +"For my sake?" + +"Yes." + +He bent nearer and looked her piercingly in the eyes. + +"But for your own sake?" he demanded. + +She did not speak. + +"But for your own sake?" he persisted. + +"For my sake--for my sake----" Half-choked, she broke off. + +"Honest now? Honest?" + +She did not realize till that moment all it would mean to her to see +him no more. + +"For my own sake----" Suddenly her hands tightened about his and she +pressed them to her face. "For my sake--never! never!" + +"And do you think that I----" He gathered her into his strong arms. +"Let them talk!" he breathed passionately against her cheek. "We'll +win the town in spite of it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE CANDIDATE AND THE TIGER + + +The town's talk continued, as Katherine knew it would. But though she +resented it in Bruce's behalf, it was of small importance in her +relationship with him compared with the difference in their opinions. +She was in constant fear, every time he called, lest that difference +should come up. But it did not on the next day, nor on the next. He +was too full of love on the one hand, too full of his political fight +on the other. The more she saw of him the more she loved him, so +thoroughly fine, so deeply tender, was he--and the more did she dread +that avoidless day when their ideas must come into collision, so +masterful was he, so certain that he was right. + +On the fourth evening after their stormy ride she thought the +collision was at hand. + +"There is something serious I want to speak to you about," he began, +as they sat in the old-fashioned parlour. "You know what the storm has +done to the city water. It has washed all the summer's accumulation of +filth down into the streams that feed the reservoir, and since the +filtering plant is out of commission the water has been simply +abominable. The people are complaining louder than ever. Blake and the +rest of his crew are telling the public that this water is a sample of +what everything will be like if I'm elected. It's hurting me, and +hurting me a lot. I don't blame the people so much for being +influenced by what Blake says, for, of course, they don't know what's +going on beneath the surface. But I've got to make some kind of a +reply, and a mighty strong one, too. Now here's where I want you to +help me." + +"What can I do?" she asked. + +"If I could only tell the truth--what a regular knock-out of a reply +that would be!" he exclaimed. "Some time ago you told me to wait--you +expected to have the proof a little later. Do you have any idea how +soon you will have your evidence?" + +Again she felt the impulse to tell him all she knew and all her plans. +But a medley of motives worked together to restrain her. There was the +momentum of her old decision to keep silent. There was the knowledge +that, though he loved her as a woman, he still held her in low esteem +as a lawyer. There was the instinct that what she knew, if saved, +might in some way serve her when they two fought their battle. And +there was the thrilling dream of waiting till she had all her evidence +gathered and then bringing it triumphantly to him--and thus enable him +through her to conquer. + +"I'm afraid I can't give you the proof for a while yet," she replied. + +She saw that he was impatient at the delay, that he believed she would +discover nothing. She expected the outbreak that very instant. She +expected him to demand that she turn the case over to the Indianapolis +lawyer he had spoken to her about, who _would_ be able to make some +progress; to demand that she give up law altogether, and demand that +as his intended wife she give up all thought of an independent +professional career. She nerved herself for the shock of battle. + +But it did not come. + +"All right," he said. "I suppose I'll have to wait a little longer, +then." + +He got up and paced the floor. + +"But I can't let Blake and his bunch go on saying those things without +any kind of an answer from me. I've got to talk back, or get out of +the fight!" + +He continued pacing to and fro, irked by his predicament, frowning +with thought. Presently he paused before her. + +"Here is what I'm going to say," he announced decisively. "Since +I cannot tell the whole truth, I'm going to tell a small part +of the truth. I'm going to say that the condition of the water +is due to intentional mismanagement on the part of the present +administration--which everybody knows is dominated by Blake. Blake's +party, in order to prevent my election on a municipal ownership +platform, in order to make sure of remaining in power, is purposely +trying to make municipal ownership fail. And I'm going to say this as +often, and as hard, as I can!" + +In the days that followed he certainly did say it hard, both in the +_Express_ and in his speeches. The charge had not been made publicly +before, and, stated with Bruce's tremendous emphasis, it now created a +sensation. Everybody talked about it; it gave a yet further excitement +to a most exciting campaign. There was vigorous denial from Blake, his +fellow candidates, and from the _Clarion_, which was supporting the +Blake ticket. Again and again the _Clarion_ denounced Bruce's charge +as merely the words of a demagogue, a yellow journalist--merely the +irresponsible and baseless calumny so common in campaigns. +Nevertheless, it had the effect that Bruce intended. His stock took a +new jump, and sentiment in his favour continued to grow at a rate that +made him exult and that filled the enemy with concern. + +This inquietude penetrated the side office of the Tippecanoe House and +sorely troubled the heart of Blind Charlie Peck. So, early one +afternoon, he appeared in the office of the editor of the _Express_. +His reception was rather more pleasant than on the occasion of his +first visit, now over a month before; for, although Katherine had +repeated her warning, Bruce had given it little credit. He did not +have much confidence in her woman's judgment. Besides, he was +reassured by the fact that Blind Charlie had, in every apparent +particular, adhered to his bargain to keep hands off. + +"Just wait a second," Bruce said to his caller; and turning back to +his desk he hastily scribbled a headline over an item about a case of +fever down in River Court. This he sent down to the composing-room, +and swung around to the old politician. "Well, now, what's up?" + +"I just dropped around," said Blind Charlie, with his good-natured +smile, "to congratulate you on the campaign you're making. You're +certainly putting up a fine article of fight!" + +"It does look as if we had a pretty fair chance of winning," returned +Bruce, confidently. + +"Great! Great!" said Blind Charlie heartily. "I certainly made no +mistake when I picked you out as the one man that could win for us." + +"Thanks. I've done my best. And I'm going to keep it up." + +"That's right. I told you I looked on it as my last campaign. I'm +pretty old, and my heart's not worth a darn. When I go, whether it's +up or down, I'll travel a lot easier for having first soaked Blake +good and proper." + +Bruce did not answer. He expected Blind Charlie to leave; in fact, he +wanted him to go, for it lacked but a quarter of an hour of press +time. But instead of departing, Blind Charlie settled back in his +chair, crossed his legs and leisurely began to cut off a comfortable +mouthful from his plug of tobacco. + +"Yes, sir, it's a great fight," he continued. "It doesn't seem that it +could be improved on. But a little idea has come to me that may +possibly help. It may not be any good at all, but I thought it +wouldn't do any harm to drop in and suggest it to you." + +"I'll be glad to hear it," returned Bruce. "But couldn't we talk it +over, say in half an hour? It's close to press time, and I've got some +proofs to look through--in fact the proof of an article on that +water-works charge of mine." + +"Oh, I'll only take a minute or two," said Blind Charlie. "And you may +want to make use of my idea in this afternoon's paper." + +"Well, go ahead. Only remember that at this hour the press is my +boss." + +"Of course, of course," said Blind Charlie amiably. "Well, here's to +business: Now I guess I've been through about as many elections as you +are years old. It isn't what the people think in the middle of the +campaign that wins. It's what they think on election day. I've seen +many a horse that looked like he had the race on ice at the three +quarters licked to a frazzle in the home stretch. Same with +candidates. Just now you look like a winner. What we want is to make +sure that you'll still be out in front when you go under the wire." + +"Yes, yes," said Bruce impatiently. "What's your plan?" + +"You've got the people with you now," the old man continued, "and we +want to make sure you don't lose 'em. This water-works charge of yours +has been a mighty good move. But I've had my ear to the ground. I've +had it to the ground for nigh on fifty years, and if there's any kind +of a political noise, you can bet I hear it. Now I've detected some +sounds which tell me that your water-works talk is beginning to react +against you." + +"You don't say! I haven't noticed it." + +"Of course not; if you had, there'd be no use for me to come here and +tell you," returned Blind Charlie blandly. "That's where the value of +my political ear comes in. Now in my time I've seen many a sensation +react and swamp the man that started it. That's what we've got to look +out for and guard against." + +"U'm! And what do you think we ought to do?" + +Bruce was being taken in a little easier than Blind Charlie had +anticipated. + +"If I were you," the old man continued persuasively, "I'd pitch the +tune of the whole business in a little lower key. Let up on the big +noise you're making--cut out some of the violent statements. I think +you understand. Take my word for it, quieter tactics will be a lot +more effective at this stage of the game. You've got the people--you +don't want to scare them away." + +Bruce stared thoughtfully, and without suspicion, at the +loose-skinned, smiling, old face. + +"U'm!" he said. "U'm!" + +Blind Charlie waited patiently for two or three minutes. + +"Well, what do you think?" he asked. + +"You may be right," Bruce slowly admitted. + +"There's no doubt of it," the old politician pleasantly assured him. + +"And of course I'm much obliged. But I'm afraid I disagree with you." + +"Eh?" said Blind Charlie, with the least trace of alarm. + +Bruce's face tightened, and the flat of his hand came down upon his +desk. + +"When you start a fight, the way to win is to keep on fighting. And +that's what I'm going to do." + +Blind Charlie started forward in his chair. + +"See here," he began, authoritatively. But in an instant his voice +softened. "You'll be making a big mistake if you do that. Better trust +to my older head in this. I want to win as much as you do, you know." + +"I admit you may be right," said Bruce doggedly. "But I'm going to +fight right straight ahead." + +"Come, now, listen to reason." + +"I've heard your reasons. And I'm going right on with the fight." + +Blind Charlie's face grew grim, but his voice was still gentle and +insinuating. + +"Oh, you are, are you? And give no attention to my advice?" + +"I'm sorry, but that's the way I see it." + +"I'm sorry, but that's the way I don't see it." + +"I know; but I guess I'm running this campaign," retorted Bruce a +little hotly. + +"And I guess the party chairman has some say-so, too." + +"I told you, when I accepted, that I would take the nomination without +strings, or I wouldn't take it at all. And you agreed." + +"I didn't agree to let you ruin the party." + +Bruce looked at him keenly, for the first time suspicious. Katherine's +warning echoed vaguely in his head. + +"See here, Charlie Peck, what the devil are you up to?" + +"Better do as I say," advised Peck. + +"I won't!" + +"You won't, eh?" Blind Charlie's face had grown hard and dark with +threats. "If you don't," he said, "I'm afraid the boys won't see your +name on the ticket on election day." + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Damn you! What do you mean by that?" + +"I reckon you're not such an infant that you need that explained." + +"You're right; I'm not!" cried Bruce. "And so you threaten to send +word around to the boys to knife me on election day?" + +"As I said, I guess I don't need to explain." + +"No, you don't, for I now see why you came here," cried Bruce, his +wrath rising as he realized that he had been hoodwinked by Blind +Charlie from the very first. "So there's a frame-up between you and +Blake, and you're trying to sell me out and sell out the party! You +first tried to wheedle me into laying down--and when I wouldn't be +fooled, you turned to threats!" + +"The question isn't what I came for," snapped Blind Charlie. "The +question is, what are you going to do? Either you do as I say, or not +one of the boys will vote for you. Now I want your answer." + +"You want my answer, do you? Why--why----" Bruce glared down at the +old man in a fury. "Well, by God, you'll get my answer, and quick!" + +He dropped down before his typewriter, ran in a sheet of paper, and +for a minute the keys clicked like mad. Then he jerked out the sheet +of paper, scribbled a cabalistic instruction across its top, sprang to +his office door and let out a great roar of "Copy!" + +He quickly faced about upon Blind Charlie. + +"Here's my answer. Listen: + + "'This afternoon Charlie Peck called at the office of the + _Express_ and ordered its editor, who is candidate for + mayor, to cease from his present aggressive campaign + tactics. He threatened, in case the candidate refused, to + order the "boys" to knife him at the polls. + + "'The candidate refused. + + "'Voters of Westville, do your votes belong to you, or do + they belong to Charlie Peck?' + +"That's my answer, Peck. It all goes in big, black type in a box in +the centre of the first page of this afternoon's paper. We'll see +whether the party will stand for your methods." At this instant the +grimy young servitor of the press appeared. "Here, boy. Rush that +right down." + +"Hold on!" cried Peck in consternation. "You're not going to print +that thing?" + +"Unless the end of the world happens along just about now, that'll be +on the street in half an hour." Bruce stepped to the door and opened +it wide. "And, now, clear out! You and your votes can go plum to +hell!" + +"Damn you! But that piece will do you no good. I'll deny it!" + +"Deny it--for God's sake do! Then everybody will know I'm telling the +truth. And let me warn you, Charlie Peck--I'm going to find out what +your game is! I'm going to show you up! I'm going to wipe you clear +off the political map!" + +Blind Charlie swore at him again as he passed out of the door. + +"We're not through with each other yet--remember that!" + +"You bet we're not!" Bruce shouted after him. "And when we are, +there'll not be enough of you left to know what's happened!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK + + +Two hours later Bruce was striding angrily up and down the West +parlour, telling Katherine all about it. + +She refrained from saying, "I told you so," by either word or look. +She was too wise for such a petty triumph. Besides, there was +something in that afternoon's _Express_, which Bruce had handed her +that interested her far more than his wrathful recital of Blind +Charlie's treachery; and although she was apparently giving Bruce her +entire attention, and was in fact mechanically taking in his words, +her mind was excitedly playing around this second piece of news. + +For Doctor Sherman, so said the _Express_, had that day suddenly left +Westville. He had been failing in health for many weeks and was on +the verge of a complete breakdown, the _Express_ sympathetically +explained, and at last had yielded to the importunities of his +worried congregation that he take a long vacation. He had gone to +the pine woods of the North, and to insure the unbroken rest he so +imperatively required, to prevent the possibility of appealing letters +of inconsiderate parishioners or other cares from following him into +his isolation, he had, at his doctor's command, left no address +behind. + +Katherine instantly knew that this vacation was a flight. The +situation in Westville had grown daily more intense, and Doctor +Sherman had seemed to her to be under an ever-increasing strain. +Blake, she was certain, had ordered the young clergyman to leave, +fearing, if he remained, that his nerve might break and he might +confess his true relation to her father's case. She realized that now, +when Doctor Sherman was apparently weakening, was the psychological +time to besiege him with accusation and appeal; and while Bruce was +rehearsing his scene with Blind Charlie she was rapidly considering +means for seeking out Doctor Sherman and coming face to face with him. + +Her mind was brought back from its swift search by Bruce swinging a +chair up before her and sitting down. + +"But, Katherine--I'll show Peck!" he cried, fiercely, exultantly. "He +doesn't know what a fight he's got ahead of him. This frees me +entirely from him and his machine, and I'm going to beat him so bad +that I'll drive him clear out of politics." + +She nodded. That was exactly what she was secretly striving to help +him do. + +He became more composed, and for a hesitant, silent moment he peered +thoughtfully into her eyes. + +"But, Katherine--this affair with Peck this afternoon shows me I am up +against a mighty stiff proposition," he said, speaking with the +slowness of one who is shaping his statements with extreme care. "I +have got to fight a lot harder than I thought I would have to three +hours ago, when I thought I had Peck with me. To beat him, and beat +Blake, I have got to have every possible weapon. Consequently, +circumstances force me to speak of a matter that I wish I did not have +to talk about." He reached forward and took her hand. "But, remember, +dear," he besought her tenderly, "that I don't want to hurt you. +Remember that." + +She felt a sudden tightening about the heart. + +"Yes--what is it?" she asked quietly. + +"Remember, dear, that I don't want to hurt you," he repeated. "It's +about your father's case. You see how certain victory would be if we +only had the evidence to prove what we know?" + +"I see." + +"I don't mean to say one single unkind word about your not having +made--having made--more encouraging progress." He pressed her hand; +his tone was gentle and persuasive. "I'll confess I have secretly felt +some impatience, but I have not pressed the matter because--well, you +see that in this critical situation, with election so near, I'm forced +to speak about it now." + +"What would you like?" she said with an effort. + +"You see we cannot afford any more delays, any more risks. We have got +to have the quickest possible action. We have got to use every measure +that may get results. Now, dear, you would not object, would you, if +at this critical juncture, when every hour is so valuable, we were to +put the whole matter in the hands of my Indianapolis lawyer friend I +spoke to you about?" + +The gaze she held upon his continued steady, but she was pulsing +wildly within and she had to swallow several times before she could +speak. + +"You--you think he can do better than I can?" + +"I do not want to say a single word that will reflect on you, dear. +But we must admit the facts. You have had the case for over four +months, and we have no real evidence as yet." + +"And you think he can get it?" + +"He's very shrewd, very experienced. He'll follow up every clue with +detectives. If any man can succeed in the short time that remains, he +can." + +"Then you--you think I can't succeed?" + +"Come, dear, let's be reasonable!" + +"But I think I can." + +"But, Katherine!" he expostulated. + +She felt what was coming. + +"I'm sure I can--if you will only trust me a little longer!" she said +desperately. + +He dropped her hand. + +"You mean that, though I ask you to give it up, you want to continue +the case?" + +She grew dizzy, his figure swam before her. + +"I--I think I do." + +"Why--why----" He broke off. "I can't tell you how surprised I am!" he +exclaimed. "I have said nothing of late because I was certain that, if +I gave nature a little time in which to work, there would be no need +to argue the matter with you. I was certain that, now that love had +entered your life, your deeper woman's instincts would assert +themselves and you would naturally desire to withdraw from the case. +In fact, I was certain that your wish to practise law, your ambition +for a career outside the home, would sink into insignificance--and +that you would have no desire other than to become a true woman of the +home, where I want my wife to be, where she belongs. Oh, come now, +Katherine," he added with a rush of his dominating confidence, taking +her hand again, "you know that's just what you're going to do!" + +She sat throbbing, choking. She realized that the long-feared battle +was now inevitably at hand. For the moment she did not know whether +she was going to yield or fight. Her love of him, her desire to please +him, her fear of what might be the consequence if she crossed him, all +impelled her toward surrender; her deep-seated, long-clung-to +principles impelled her to make a stand for the life of her dreams. +She was a tumult of counter instincts and emotions. But excited as she +was, she found herself looking on at herself in a curious detachment, +palpitantly wondering which was going to win--the primitive woman in +her, the product of thousands of generations of training to fit man's +desire, or this other woman she contained, shaped by but a few brief +years, who had come ardently to believe that she had the right to be +what she wanted to be, no matter what the man required. + +"Oh, come now, dear," Bruce assured her confidently, yet half +chidingly, "you know you are going to give it all up and be just my +wife!" + +She gazed at his rugged, resolute face, smiling at her now with that +peculiar forgiving tenderness that an older person bestows upon a +child that is about to yield its childish whim. + +"There now, it's all settled," he said, smoothing her hand. "And we'll +say no more about it." + +And then words forced their way up out of her turbulent indecision. + +"I'm afraid it isn't settled." + +His eyebrows rose in surprise. + +"No?" + +"No. I want to be your wife, Arnold. But--but I can't give up the +other." + +"What! You're in earnest?" he cried. + +"I am--with all my heart!" + +He sank back and stared at her. If further answer were needed, her +pale, set face gave it to him. His quick anger began to rise, but he +forced it down. + +"That puts an entirely new face on the matter," he said, trying to +speak calmly. "The question, instead of merely concerning the next few +weeks, concerns our whole lives." + +She tried to summon all her strength, all her faculties, for the shock +of battle. + +"Just so," she answered + +"Then we must go over the matter very fully," he said. His command +over himself grew more easy. He believed that what he had to do was to +be patient, and talk her out of her absurdity. "You must understand, +of course," he went on, smiling at her tenderly, "that I want to +support my wife, and that I am able to support my wife. I want to +protect her--shield her--have her lean upon me. I want her to be the +goddess of my home. The goddess of my home, Katherine! That's what I +want. You understand, dear, don't you?" + +She saw that he confidently expected her to yield to his ideal and +accept it, and she now knew that she could never yield. She paused a +space before she spoke, in a sort of terror of what might be the +consequence of the next few moments. + +"I understand you," she said, duplicating his tone of reason. "But +what shall I do in the home? I dislike housework." + +"There's no need of your doing it," he promptly returned. "I can +afford servants." + +"Then what shall I do in the home?" she repeated. + +"Take things easy. Enjoy yourself." + +"But I don't want to enjoy myself. I want to do things. I want to +work." + +"Come, come, be reasonable," he said, with his tolerant smile. "You +know that's quite out of the question." + +"Since you are going to pay servants," she persisted, "why should I +idle about the house? Why should not I, an able-bodied person, be out +helping in the world's work somehow--and also helping you to earn a +living?" + +"Help me earn a living!" He flushed, but his resentment subsided. +"When I asked you to marry me I implied in that question that I was +able and willing to support you. Really, Katherine, it's quite absurd +for you to talk about it. There is no financial necessity whatever for +you to work." + +"You mean, then, that I should not work because, in you, I have enough +to live upon?" + +"Of course!" + +"Do you know any man, any real man I mean," she returned quickly, "who +stops work in the vigour of his prime merely because he has enough +money to live upon? Would you give up your work to-morrow if some one +were willing to support you?" + +"Now, don't be ridiculous, Katherine! That's quite a different +question. I'm a man, you know." + +"And work is a necessity for you?" + +"Why, of course." + +"And you would not be happy without it?" she eagerly pursued. + +"Certainly not." + +"And you are right there! But what you don't seem to understand is, +that I have the same need, the same love, for work that you have. If +you could only recognize, Arnold, that I have the same feelings in +this matter that you have, then you would understand me. I demand for +myself the right that all men possess as a matter of course--the +right to work!" + +"If you must work," he cried, a little exasperated, "why, of course, +you can help in the housework." + +"But I also demand the right to choose my work. Why should I do work +which I do not like, for which I have no aptitude, and which I should +do poorly, and give up work which interests me, for which I have been +trained, and for which I believe I have an aptitude?" + +"But don't you realize, in doing it, if you are successful, you are +taking the bread out of a man's mouth?" he retorted. + +"Then every man who has a living income, and yet works, is also taking +the bread out of a man's mouth. But does a real man stop work because +of that? Besides, if you use that argument, then in doing my own +housework I'd be taking the bread out of a woman's mouth." + +"Why--why----" he stammered. His face began to redden. "We shouldn't +belittle our love with this kind of talk. It's all so material, so +sordid." + +"It's not sordid to me!" she cried, stretching out a hand to him. +"Don't be angry, Arnold. Try to understand me--please do, please do. +Work is a necessity of life to you. It is also a necessity of life to +me. I'm fighting with you for the right to work. I'm fighting with +you for my life!" + +"Then you place work, your career, above our happiness together?" he +demanded angrily. + +"Not at all," she went on rapidly, pleadingly. "But I see no reason +why there should not be both. Our happiness should be all the greater +because of my work. I've studied myself, Arnold, and I know what I +need. To be thoroughly happy, I need work; useful work, work that +interests me. I tell you we'll be happier, and our happiness will last +longer, if only you let me work. I know! I know!" + +"Dream stuff! You're following a mere will-o'-the-wisp!" + +"That's what women have been following in the past," she returned +breathlessly. "Look among your married friends. How many ideally happy +couples can you count? Very, very few. And why are there so few? One +reason is, because the man finds, after the novelty is worn off, that +his wife is uninteresting, has nothing to talk about; and so his love +cools to a good-natured, passive tolerance of her. Most married men, +when alone with their wives, sit in stupid silence. But see how the +husband livens up if a man joins them! This man has been out in the +interesting world. The wife has been cooped up at home. The man has +something to talk about. The wife has not. Well, I am going to be out +in the interesting world, doing something. I am going to have +something to talk to my husband about. I am going to be interesting to +him, as interesting to him as any man. And I am going to try to hold +his love, Arnold, the love of his heart, the love of his head, to the +very end!" + +He was exasperated by her persistence, but he still held himself in +check. + +"That sounds very plausible to you. But there is one thing in your +argument you forget." + +"And that?" + +"We are grown-up people, you and I. I guess we can talk straight out." + +"Yes. Go on!" + +He gazed at her very steadily for a moment. + +"There are such things as children, you know." + +She returned his steady look. + +"Of course," she said quickly. "Every normal woman wants children. And +I should want them too." + +"There--that settles it," he said with triumph. "You can't combine +children and a profession." + +"But I can!" she cried. "And I should give the children the very best +possible care, too! Of course there are successive periods in which +the mother would have to give her whole attention to the children. But +if she lives till she is sixty-five the sum total of her forty or +forty-five married years that she has to give up wholly to her +children amounts to but a few years. There remains all the balance of +her life that she could give to other work. Do you realize how +tremendously the world is changing, and how women's work is changing +with it?" + +"Oh, let's don't mix in statistics, and history, and economics with +our love!" + +"But we've got to if our love is to last!" she cried. "We're living in +a time when things are changing. We've got to consider the changes. +And the greatest changes are, and are going to be, in woman's work. Up +in our attic are my great-grandmother's wool carders, her spinning +wheel, her loom, all sorts of things; she spun, wove, made all the +clothing, did everything. These things are now done by professional +experts; that sort of work has been taken away from woman. Now all +that's left for the woman to do in the home is to cook, clean, and +care for children. Life is still changing. We are still developing. +Some time these things too will be done, and better done, by +professional experts--though just how, or just when, I can't even +guess. Once there was a strong sentiment against the child being taken +from the mother and being sent to school. Now most intelligent parents +are glad to put their children in charge of trained kindergartners at +four or five. And in the future some new institution, some new variety +of trained specialist, may develop that will take charge of the child +for a part of the day at an even earlier age. That's the way the world +is moving!" + +"Thanks for your lecture on the Rise, Progress and Future of +Civilization," he said ironically, trying to suppress himself. "But +interesting as it was, it has nothing whatever to do with the case. +We're not talking about civilization, and the universe, and evolution, +and the fourth dimension, and who's got the button. We're talking +about you and me. About you and me, and our love." + +"Yes, Arnold, about you and me and our love," she cried eagerly. "I +spoke of these things only because they concern you and me and our +love so very, very much." + +"Of all things for two lovers to talk about!" he exclaimed with +mounting exasperation. + +"They are the things of all things! For our love, our life, hangs upon +them!" + +"Well, anyhow, you haven't got these new institutions, these new +experts," he retorted, brushing the whole matter aside. "You're living +to-day, not in the millennium!" + +"I know, I know. In the meantime, life for us women is in a stage of +transition. Until these better forms develop we are going to have a +hard time. It will be difficult for me to manage, I know. But I'm +certain I can manage it." + +He stood up. His face was very red, and he swallowed once or twice +before the words seemed able to come out. + +"I'm surprised, Katherine--surprised!--that you should be so +persistent in this nonsense. What you say is all against nature. It +won't work." + +"Perhaps not. But at least you'll let me try! That's all I ask of +you--that you let me try!" + +"It would be weak in me, wrong in me, to yield." + +"Then you're not willing to give me a chance?" + +He shook his head. + +She rose and moved before him. + +"But, Arnold, do you realize what you are doing?" she cried with +desperate passion. "Do you realize what it is I'm asking you for? +Work, interesting work--that's what I need to make me happy, to make +you happy! Without it, I shall be miserable, and you will be miserable +in having a miserable wife about you--and all our years together will +be years of misery. So you see what a lot I'm fighting for: work, +development, happiness!--the happiness of all our married years!" + +"That's only a delusion. For your sake, and my sake, I've got to stand +firm." + +"Then you will not let me?" + +"I will not." + +She stared palely at his square, adamantine face. + +"Arnold!" she breathed. "Arnold!--do you know what you're trying to +do?" + +"I am trying to save you from yourself!" + +"You're trying to break my will across yours," she cried a little +wildly. "You're trying to crush me into the iron mould of your idea of +a woman. You're trying to kill me--yes, to kill me." + +"I am trying to save you!" he repeated, his temper breaking its frail +leash. "Your ideas are all wrong--absurd--insane!" + +"Please don't be angry, Arnold!" she pleaded. + +"How can I help it, when you won't listen to reason! When you are so +perversely obstinate!" + +"I'm not obstinate," she cried breathlessly, holding one of his hands +tightly in both her own. "I'm just trying to cling as hard as I can to +life--to our happiness. Please give me a chance, Arnold! Please, +please!" + +"Confound such obstinate wrong-headedness!" he exploded. "No, I tell +you! No! And that settles it!" + +She shrank back. + +"Oh!" she cried. Her breast began to rise and fall tumultuously, and +her cheeks slowly to redden. "Oh!" she cried again. Then her words +leaped hotly out: "Oh, you bigot!" + +"If to stand by what I know is right, and to save you from making a +fool of yourself, is to be a bigot--then I'm a bigot all right, and I +thank the God that made me one!" + +"And you think you are going to save me from myself?" she demanded. + +He stepped nearer, and towering over her, he took hold of her +shoulders in a powerful grasp and looked down upon her dominantly. + +"I know I am! I am going to make you exactly what I want you to be!" + +Her eyes flamed back up into his. + +"Because you are the stronger?" + +"Because I am the stronger--and because I am right," he returned +grimly. + +"I admit that you are the superior brute," she said with fierce +passion. "But you will never break me to your wishes!" + +"And I tell you I will!" + +"And I tell you you will not!" + +There was a strange and new fire in her eyes. + +"What do you mean?" he asked. + +"I mean this," she returned, and the hands that gripped her shoulders +felt her tremble through all her body. "I should not expect you to +marry a woman who was so unreasonable as to demand that you, for her +sake, should give up your loved career. And, for my part, I shall +never marry a man so unreasonable as to make the same demand of me." + +He fell back a pace. + +"You mean----" + +"Was I not plain enough? I mean that you will never have the chance to +crush me into your iron mould, for I will never marry you." + +"What!" And then: "So I'm fired, am I?" he grated out. + +"Yes, for you're as narrow and as conventional as the rest of men," +she rushed on hotly. "You never say a word so long as a woman's work +is unpleasant! It's all right for her to scrub, and wash dishes, and +wear her life away in factories. But as soon as she wants to do any +work that is pleasant and interesting and that will gain her +recognition, you cry out that she's unwomanly, unsexed, that she's +flying in the face of God! Oh, you are perfectly willing that woman, +on the one hand, should be a drudge, or on the other the pampered pet +of your one-woman harem. But I shall be neither, I tell you. Never! +Never! Never!" + +They stared at one another, trembling with passion. + +"And you," he said with all the fierce irony of his soul, "and you, I +suppose, will now go ahead and clear your father, expose Blake, and +perform all those other wonders you've talked so big about!" + +"That's just what I am going to do!" she cried defiantly. + +"And that's just what you are not!" he blazed back. "I may have +admired the woman in you--but, for those things, you have not the +smallest atom of ability. Your father's trial, your failure to get +evidence--hasn't that shown you? You are going to be a failure--a +fizzle--a fiasco! Did you hear that? A pitiable, miserable, humiliated +fiasco! And time will prove it!" + +"We'll see what time will prove!" And she swept furiously past him out +of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A SPECTRE COMES TO TOWN + + +For many an hour Katherine's wrath continued high, and she repeated, +with clinched hands, all her invectives against the bigotry of Bruce. +He was a bully--a boor--a brute--a tyrant. He considered himself the +superman. And in pitiable truth he was only a moral coward--for his +real reason in opposing her had been that he was afraid to have +Westville say that his wife worked. And he had insulted her, for his +parting words to her had been a jeering statement that she had no +ability, only a certain charm of sex. How, oh, how, had she ever +imagined that they two might possibly share a happy life together? + +But after a season her wrath began to subside, and she began to see +that after all Bruce was no very different man from the Bruce she had +loved the last few weeks. He had been thoroughly consistent with +himself. She had known that he was cocksure and domineering. She had +foreseen that the chances were at least equal that he would take the +position he had. She had foreseen and feared this very issue. His +virtues were just as big as on yesterday, when she and he had thought +of marriage, and his faults were no greater. And she realized, after +the first passion of their battle had spent its force, that she still +loved him. + +In the long hours of the night a pang of emptiness, of vast, +irretrievable loss, possessed her. She and Love had touched each other +for a space--then had flung violently apart, and were speeding each in +their eternally separate direction. Life for her might be rich and +full of honour and achievement, but as she looked forward into the +long procession of years, she saw that life was going to have its +dreariness, its vacancies, its dull, unending aches. It was going to +be such a very, very different business from that life of work and +love and home and mutual aid she had daringly dreamed of during the +two weeks she and Bruce had been lovers. + +But she did not regret her decision. She did not falter. Her +resentment of Bruce's attitude stiffened the backbone of her purpose. +She was going straight ahead, bear the bitterness, and live the life +she had planned as best she could. + +But there quickly came other matters to share her mind with a lost +love and a broken dream. First was the uproar created by Bruce's +defiant announcement in the _Express_ of Blind Charlie's threatened +treachery. That sensation reigned for a day or two, then was almost +forgotten in a greater. This second sensation made its initial +appearance quite unobtrusively; it had a bare dozen lines down in a +corner of the same issue of the _Express_ that had contained Bruce's +defiance and Doctor Sherman's departure. The substance of the item was +that two cases of illness had been reported from the negro quarter in +River Court, and that the doctors said the symptoms were similar to +those of typhoid fever. + +Those two cases of fever in that old frame tenement up a narrow, +stenchy alley were the quiet opening of a new act in the drama that +was played that year in Westville. The next day a dozen cases were +reported, and now the doctors unhesitatingly pronounced them typhoid. +The number mounted rapidly. Soon there were a hundred. Soon there was +an epidemic. And the Spectre showed no deference to rank. It not only +stalked into the tenements of River Court and Railroad Alley--and laid +its felling finger on starveling children and drink-shattered men--It +visited the large and airy homes on Elm and Maple Streets and Wabash +Avenue, where those of wealth and place were congregated. + +In Westville was the Reign of Terror. Haggard doctors were ever on the +go, snatching a bite or a moment's sleep when chance allowed. Till +then, modern history had been reckoned in Westville from the town's +invasion by factories, or from that more distant time when lightning +had struck the Court House. But those milestones of time are to-day +forgotten. Local history is now dated, and will be for many a decade, +from the "Days of Fever" and the related events which marked that +epoch. + +In the early days of the epidemic Katherine heard one morning that +Elsie Sherman had just been stricken. She had seen little of Elsie +during the last few weeks; the strain of their relation was too great +to permit the old pleasure in one another's company; but at this news +she hastened to Elsie's bedside. Her arrival was a God-send to the +worn and hurried Doctor Woods, who had just been called in. She +telegraphed to Indianapolis for a nurse; she telegraphed to a sister +of Doctor Sherman to come; and she herself undertook the care of Elsie +until the nurse should arrive. + +"What do you think of her case, Doctor?" she asked anxiously when +Doctor Woods dropped in again later in the day. + +He shook his head. + +"Mrs. Sherman is very frail." + +"Then you think----" + +"I'm afraid it will be a hard fight. I think we'd better send for her +husband." + +Despite her sympathy for Elsie, Katherine thrilled with the +possibility suggested by the doctor's words. Here was a situation that +should bring Doctor Sherman out of his hiding, if anything could bring +him. Once home, and unnerved by the sight of his wife precariously +balanced between life and death, she was certain that he would break +down and confess whatever he might know. + +She asked Elsie for her husband's whereabouts, but Elsie answered that +she had had letters but that he had never given an address. Katherine +at once determined to see Blake, and demand to know where Doctor +Sherman was; and after the nurse arrived on an afternoon train, she +set out for Blake's office. + +But Blake was out, and his return was not expected for an hour. To +fill in the time, Katherine paid a visit to her father in the jail. +She told him of Elsie's illness, and told at greater length than she +had yet had chance to do about the epidemic. In his turn he talked to +her about the fever's causes; and when she left the jail and returned +to Blake's office an idea far greater than merely asking Doctor +Sherman's whereabouts was in her mind. + +This time she was told that Blake was in, but could see no one. +Undeterred by this statement, Katherine walked quickly past the +stenographer and straight for his private door, which she quickly and +quietly opened and closed. + +Blake was sitting at his desk, his head bowed forward in one hand. He +was so deep in thought, and she had entered so quietly, that he had +not heard her. She crossed to his desk, stood opposite him, and for a +moment gazed down upon his head. + +"Mr. Blake," she remarked at length. + +He started up. + +"You here!" he ejaculated. + +"Yes. I came to talk to you." + +He did not speak at once, but stood staring a little wildly at her. +She had not spoken to him since the day of her father's trial, nor +seen him save at a distance. She was now startled at the change this +closer view revealed to her. His eyes were sunken and ringed with +purple, his face seemed worn and thin, and had taken on a tinge of +yellowish-green. + +"I left orders that I could see no one," he said, trying to speak +sharply. + +"I know," she answered quietly. "But you'll see me." + +For an instant he hesitated. + +"Very well--sit down," he said, resuming his chair. "Now what is it +you wish?" + +She seated herself and leaned across the desk toward him. + +"I wish to talk to you about the fever," she said with her former +composure, and looking him very steadily in the eyes. "I suppose you +know what caused it?" + +"I am no doctor. I do not." + +"Then let me tell you. My father has just told me that there must have +been a case of typhoid during the summer somewhere back in the +drainage area of the water-system. That recent big storm carried the +summer's accumulation of germ-laden filth down into the streams. And +since the city was unguarded by a filter, those germs were swept into +the water-mains, we drank them, and the epidemic----" + +"That filter was useless--a complete failure!" Blake broke in rather +huskily. + +"You know, Mr. Blake, and I know," she returned, "that that filter has +been, and still is, in excellent condition. And you know, and I know, +that if it had been in operation, purifying the water, there might +possibly have been a few cases of typhoid, but there would never have +been this epidemic. That's the God's truth, and you know it!" + +He swallowed, but did not answer her. + +"I suppose," she pursued in her steady tone, "you realize who is +responsible for all these scores of sick?" + +"If what you say is true, then your father is guilty, for building +such a filter." + +"You know better. You know that the guilty man is yourself." + +His face grew more yellowish-green. + +"It's not so! No one is more appalled by this disaster than I am!" + +"I know you are appalled by the outcome. You did not plan to murder +citizens. You only planned to defraud the city. But this epidemic is +the direct consequence of your scheme. Every person who is now in a +sick bed, you put that person there. Every person who may later go to +his grave, you will have sent that person there." + +Her steady voice grew more accusing. "What does your conscience say to +you? And what do you think the people will say to you, to the great +public-spirited Mr. Blake, when they learn that you, prompted by the +desire for money and power, have tried to rob the city and have +stricken hundreds with sickness?" + +His yellowish face contorted most horribly, but he did not answer. + +"I see that your conscience has been asking you those same questions," +Katherine pursued. "It is something, at least, that your conscience is +not dead. Those are not pleasant questions to have asked one, are +they?" + +Again his face twisted, but he seemed to gather hold of himself. + +"You are as crazy as ever--that's all rot!" he said huskily, with a +denying sweep of a clinched hand. "But what do you want?" + +"Three things. First, that you have the filter put back in commission. +Let's at least do what we can to prevent any more danger from that +source." + +"The filter is useless. Besides, I am no official, and have nothing to +do with it." + +"It is in perfect condition, and you have everything to do with it," +she returned steadily. + +He swallowed. "I'll suggest it to the mayor." + +"Very well; that is settled. To the next point. Have you heard that +Mrs. Sherman is sick?" + +"Yes." + +"She wants her husband." + +"Well?" + +"My second demand is to know where you have hidden Doctor Sherman." + +"Doctor Sherman? I have nothing to do with Doctor Sherman!" + +"You also have everything to do with Doctor Sherman," she returned +steadily. "He is one of the instruments of your plot. You feared that +he would break down and confess, and so you sent him out of the way. +Where is he?" + +Again his face worked spasmodically. "I tell you once more I have +nothing whatever to do with Doctor Sherman! Now I hope that's all. I +am tired of this. I have other matters to consider. Good day." + +"No, it is not all. For there is my third demand. And that is the most +important of the three. But perhaps I should not say demand. What I +make you is an offer." + +"An offer?" he exclaimed. + +She did not reply to him directly. She leaned a little farther across +his desk and looked at him with an even greater intentness. + +"I do not need to ask you to pause and think upon all the evil you +have done the town," she said slowly. "For you have thought. You were +thinking at the moment I came in. I can see that you are shaken with +horror at the unforeseen results of your scheme. I have come to you to +take sides with your conscience; to join it in asking you, urging you, +to draw back and set things as nearly right as you can. That is my +demand, my offer, my plea--call it what you will." + +He had been gazing at her with wide fixed eyes. When he spoke, his +voice was dry, mechanical. + +"Set things right? How?" + +"Come forward, confess, and straighten out the situation of your own +accord. Westville is in a terrible condition. If you act at once, you +can at least do something to relieve it." + +"By setting things right, as you call it, you of course include the +clearing of your father?" + +"The clearing of my father, of course. And let me say to you, Mr. +Blake--and for this moment I am speaking as your friend--that it will +be better for you to clear this whole matter up voluntarily, at once, +than to be exposed later, as you certainly will be. To clear this +matter at once may have the result of simplifying the fight against +the epidemic--it may save many lives. That is what I am thinking of +first of all just now." + +"You mean to say, then, that it is either confess or be exposed?" + +"There is no use in my beating about the bush with you," she replied +in her same steady tone. "For I know that you know that I am after +you." + +He did not speak at once. He sat gazing fixedly at her, with twitching +face. She met his gaze without blinking, breathlessly awaiting his +reply. + +Suddenly a tremor ran through him and his face set with desperate +decision. + +"Yes, I know you are after me! I know you are having me +followed--spied upon!" There was a biting, contemptuous edge to his +tone. "Even if I were guilty, do you think I would be afraid of +exposure from you? Oh, I know the man you have sleuthing about on my +trail. Elijah Stone! And I once thought you were a clever girl!" + +"You refuse, then?" she said slowly. + +"I do! And I defy you! If your accusations against me are true, go out +and proclaim them to the city. I'm willing to stand for whatever +happens!" + +She regarded his flushed, defiant face. She perceived clearly that she +had failed, that it was useless to try further. + +"Very well," she said slowly. "But I want you to remember in the +future that I have given you this chance; that I have given you your +choice, and you have chosen." + +"And I tell you again that I defy you!" + +"You are a more hardened man, or a more desperate man, than I +thought," said she. + +He did not reply upon the instant, but sat gazing into her searching +eyes. Before he could speak, the telephone at his elbow began to ring. +He picked it up. + +"Hello! Yes, this is Mr. Blake.... Her temperature is the same, you +say?... No, I have not had an answer yet. I expect a telegram any +minute. I'll let you know as soon as it comes. Good-by." + +"Is some one sick?" Katherine asked, as he hung up the receiver. + +"My mother," he returned briefly, his recent defiance all gone. + +Katherine, too, for the moment, forgot their conflict. + +"I did not know it. There are so many cases, you know. Who is +attending her?" + +"Doctor Hunt, temporarily," he answered. "But these Westville +doctors are all amateurs in serious cases. I've telegraphed +for a specialist--the best man I could hear of--Doctor Brenholtz +of Chicago." + +His defiance suddenly returned. + +"If I have seemed to you worn, unnerved, now you know the real cause!" +he said. + +"So," she remarked slowly, "the disaster you have brought on Westville +has struck your own home!" + +His face twitched convulsively. + +"I believe we have finished our conversation. Good afternoon." + +Katherine rose. + +"And if she dies, you know who will have killed her." + +He sprang up. + +"Go! Go!" he cried. + +But she remained in her tracks, looking him steadily in the eyes. +While they stood so, the stenographer entered and handed him a +telegram. He tore it open, glanced it through, and stood staring at it +in a kind of stupor. + +"My God!" he breathed. + +He tore the yellow sheet across, dropped the pieces in the +waste-basket and began to pace his room, on his face a wild, dazed +look. He seemed to have forgotten Katherine's presence. But a turn +brought her into his vision. He stopped short. + +"You still here?" + +"I was waiting to hear if Doctor Brenholtz was coming," she said. + +He stared at her a moment. Then he crossed to his desk, took the two +fragments of the telegram from his waste-basket and held them out to +her. + +"There is what he says." + +She took the telegram and read: + + "No use my coming. Best man on typhoid in West lives in your + own town. See Dr. David West." + +Katherine laid down the yellow pieces and raised her eyes to Blake's +white, strained face. The two gazed at each other for a long moment. + +"Well?" he said huskily. + +"Well?" she quietly returned. + +"Do you think I can get him?" + +"How can you get a man who is serving a sentence in jail?" + +"If I--if I----" He could not get the words out. + +"Yes. If you confess--clear him--get him out of jail--of course he +will treat the case." + +"I didn't mean that! God!" he cried, "is confession of a thing I never +did the fee you exact for saving a life?" + +"What, you still hold out?" + +"I'm not guilty! I tell you, I'm not guilty!" + +"Then you'll not confess?" + +"Never! Never!" + +"Not even to save your mother?" + +"She's sick--very sick. But she's not going to die--I'll not let her +die! Your father does not have to be cleared to get out of jail. In +this emergency I can arrange to get him out for a time on parole. What +do you say?" + +She gazed at the desperate, wildly expectant figure. A little shiver +ran through her. + +"What do you say?" he repeated. + +"There can be but one answer," she replied. "My father is too big a +man to demand any price for his medical skill--even the restoration of +his honest name by the man who stole it. Parole him, and he will go +instantly to Mrs. Blake." + +He dropped into his chair and seized his telephone. + +"Central, give me six-o-four--quick!" There was a moment of waiting. +"This you, Judge Kellog?... This is Harrison Blake. I want you to +arrange the proper papers for the immediate parole of Doctor West. +I'll be responsible for everything. Am coming right over and will +explain." + +He fairly threw the receiver back upon its hook. "Your father will be +free in an hour," he cried. And without waiting for a reply, he seized +his hat and hurried out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +BRUCE TO THE FRONT + + +Katherine came down from Blake's office with many thoughts surging +through her brain: Of her father's release--of Blake's obduracy--of +his mother's illness; but at the forefront of them all, because +demanding immediate action, was the need of finding Doctor Sherman. + +As she stepped forth from the stairway, she saw Arnold Bruce striding +along the Square in her direction. There was a sudden leaping of her +heart, a choking at her throat. But they passed each other with the +short cold nod which had been their manner of greeting during the last +few days when they had chanced to meet. + +The next instant a sudden impulse seized her, and she turned about. + +"Mr. Bruce," she called after him. + +He came back to her. His face was rather pale, but was doggedly +resolute. Her look was not very different from his. + +"Yes, Miss West?" said he. + +For a moment it was hard for her to speak. No word, only that frigid +nod, had passed between them since their quarrel. + +"I want to ask you something--and tell you something," she said +coldly. + +"I am at your service," said he. + +"We cannot talk here. Suppose we cross into the Court House yard?" + +In silence he fell into step beside her. They did not speak until they +were in the yard where passers-by could not overhear them. + +"You know of Mrs. Sherman's illness?" she began in a distant, formal +tone. + +"Yes." + +"It promises to be serious. We must get her husband home if possible. +But no one has his address. An idea for reaching him has been vaguely +in my head. It may not be good, but it now seems the only way." + +"Do you mind telling me what it is?" + +"Doctor Sherman is somewhere in the pine woods of the North. What I +thought about doing was to order some Chicago advertising agency to +insert notices in scores of small dailies and weeklies up North, +announcing to Doctor Sherman his wife's illness and urging him to come +home. My hope is that one of the papers may penetrate whatever remote +spot he may be in and the notice reach his eyes. What I want to ask +you is the name of an agency." + +"Black & Graves are your people," said he. + +"Also I want to know how to go about it to get prompt action on their +part." + +"Write out the notice and send it to them with your instructions. And +since they won't know you, better enclose a draft or money order on +account. No, don't bother about the money; you won't know how much to +send. I know Phil Black, and I'll write him to-day guaranteeing the +account." + +"Thank you," she said. + +"You're perfectly welcome," said he with his cold politeness. "Is +there anything else I can do?" + +"That's all about that. But I have something to tell you--a suggestion +to make for your campaign, if you will not consider it impertinent." + +"Quite otherwise. I shall be very glad to get it." + +"You have been saying in your speeches that the bad water has been due +to intentional mismanagement of the present administration, which is +ruled by Mr. Blake, for the purpose of rendering unpopular the +municipal ownership principle." + +"I have, and it's been very effective." + +"I suggest that you go farther." + +"How?" + +"Make the fever an issue of the campaign. The people, in fact all of +us, have been too excited, too frightened, to understand the relation +between the bad management of the water-works, the bad water, and the +fever. Tell them that relation. Only tell it carefully, by insinuation +if necessary, so that you will avoid the libel law--for you have no +proof as yet. Make them understand that the fever is due to bad water, +which in turn is due to bad management of the water-works, which in +turn is due to the influence of Mr. Blake." + +"Great! Great!" exclaimed Bruce. + +"Oh, the idea is not really mine," she said coldly. "It came to me +from some things my father told me." + +Her tone recalled to him their chilly relationship. + +"It's a regular knock-out idea," he said stiffly. "And I'm much +obliged to you." + +They had turned back and were nearing the gate of the yard. + +"I hope it will really help you--but be careful to avoid giving them +an opening to bring a libel charge. Permit me to say that you have +been making a splendid campaign." + +"Things do seem to be coming my direction. The way I threw Blind +Charlie's threat back into his teeth, that has made a great hit. I +think I have him on the run." + +He hesitated, gave her a sharp look, then added rather defiantly: + +"I might as well tell you that in a few days I expect to have Blake +also on the run--in fact, in a regular gallop. That Indianapolis +lawyer friend of mine, Wilson's his name, is coming here to help me." + +"Oh!" she exclaimed. + +"You'll remember," he continued in his defiant tone, "that I once told +you that your father's case was not your case. It's the city's. I'm +going to put Wilson on it, and I expect him to clear it all up in +short order." + +She could not hold back a sudden uprush of resentment. + +"So then it's to be a battle between us, is it?" she demanded, looking +him straight in the face. + +"A battle? How?" + +"To see which one gets the evidence." + +"We've got to get it--that's all," he answered grimly. + +In an instant she had resumed control of herself. + +"I hope you succeed," she said calmly. "Good afternoon." And with a +crisp nod she turned away. + +Bruce's action in calmly taking the case out of her hands, which was +in effect an iteration of his statement that he had no confidence in +her ability, stung her bitterly and for a space her wrath flamed +high. But there were too many things to be done to give much time to +mere resentment. She wrote the letter to the Chicago advertising +agency, mailed it, then set out to find her father. At the jail she +was told that he had been released and had left for Blake's. There she +found him. He came out into the hall, kissed her warmly, then hurried +back into the bedroom. Katherine, glancing through the open door, saw +him move swiftly about the old gray-haired woman, while Blake stood in +strained silence looking on. + +When her father had done all for Mrs. Blake he could do at that time, +Katherine hurried him away to Elsie Sherman. He replaced the very +willing Doctor Woods, who knew little about typhoid, and assumed +charge of Elsie with all his unerring mastery of what to do. He gave +her his very best skill, and he hovered about her with all the concern +that the illness of his own child might have evoked, for she had been +a warm favourite with him and the charges of her husband had in no +degree lessened his regard. Whatever science and care and love could +do for her, it all was certain to be done. + +Within two hours after Blake had received Doctor Brenholtz's telegram +its contents had flashed about the town. Doctor West was besieged. The +next day found him treating not only as many individual cases as his +strength and the hours of the day allowed, but found him in command of +the Board of Health's fight against the plague, with all the rest of +the city's doctors accepting orders from him. All his long life of +incessant study and experiment, all those long years when he had been +laughed at for a fool and jeered at for a failure--all that time had +been but an unconscious preparation for this great fight to save a +stricken city. And the town, for all its hatred, for all the stain +upon his name, as it watched this slight, white-haired man go so +swiftly and gently and efficiently about his work, began to feel for +him something akin to awe--began dimly to feel that this old figure +whom it had been their habit to scorn for near a generation was +perhaps their greatest man. + +While Katherine watched this fight against the fever with her father +as its central figure, while she awaited in suspense some results of +her advertising campaign, and while she tried to press forward the +other details of her search for evidence, she could but keep her eyes +upon the mayoralty campaign--for it was mounting to an ever higher +climax of excitement. Bruce was fighting like a fury. The sensation +created by his announcement of Blind Charlie's threatened treachery +was a mere nothing compared to the uproar created when he informed the +people, not directly, but by careful insinuation, that Blake was +responsible for the epidemic. + +Blake denied the charge with desperate energy and with all his power +of eloquence; he declared that the epidemic was but another +consequence of that supremest folly of mankind, public ownership. He +was angrily supported by his party, his friends and his followers--but +those followers were not so many as a few short weeks before. Passion +was at its highest--so high that trustworthy forecasts of the election +were impossible. But ten days before election it was freely talked +about the streets, and even privately admitted by some of Blake's best +friends, that nothing but a miracle could save him from defeat. + +In these days of promise Bruce seemed to pour forth an even greater +energy; and in his efforts he was now aided by Mr. Wilson, the +Indianapolis lawyer, who was spending his entire time in Westville. +Katherine caught in Bruce's face, when they passed upon the street, a +gleam of triumph which he could not wholly suppress. She wondered, +with a pang of jealousy, if he and Mr. Wilson were succeeding where +she had failed--if all her efforts were to come to nothing--if her +ambition to demonstrate to Bruce that she could do things was to prove +a mere dream? + +Toward noon one day, as she was walking along the Square homeward +bound from Elsie Sherman's, she passed Bruce and Mr. Wilson headed for +the stairway of the _Express_ Building. Both bowed to her, then +Katherine overheard Bruce say, "I'll be with you in a minute, Wilson," +and the next instant he was at her side. + +"Excuse me, Miss West," he said. "But we have just unearthed something +which I think you should be the first person to learn." + +"I shall be glad to hear it," she said in the cold, polite tone they +reserved for one another. + +"Let's go over into the Court House yard." + +They silently crossed the street and entered the comparative seclusion +of the yard. + +"I suppose it is something very significant?" she asked. + +"So significant," he burst out, "that the minute the _Express_ appears +this afternoon Harrison Blake is a has-been!" + +She looked at him quickly. The triumph she had of late seen gleaming +in his face was now openly blazing there. + +"You mean----" + +"I mean that I've got the goods on him!" + +"You--you have evidence?" + +"The best sort of evidence!" + +"That will clear my father?" + +"Perhaps not directly. Indirectly, yes. But it will smash Blake to +smithereens!" + +She was happy on Bruce's account, on her father's, on the city's, but +for the moment she was sick upon her own. + +"Is the nature of the evidence a secret?" + +"The whole town will know it this afternoon. I asked you over here to +tell you first. I have just secured a full confession from two of +Blake's accomplices." + +"Then you've discovered Doctor Sherman?" she exclaimed. + +"Doctor Sherman?" He stared at her. "I don't know what you mean. The +two men are the assistant superintendent of the water-works and the +engineer at the pumping-plant." + +"How did you get at them?" + +"Wilson and I started out to cross-examine everybody who might be in +the remotest way connected with the case. My suspicion against the two +men was first aroused by their strained behaviour. I went----" + +"Then it was you who made this discovery, not that--that other +lawyer?" + +"Yes, I was the first to tackle the pair, though Wilson has helped me. +He's a great lawyer, Wilson. We've gone at them relentlessly--with +accusation, cross-examination, appeal; with the result that this +morning both of them broke down and confessed that Blake had secretly +paid them to do all that lay within their power to make the +water-works a failure." + +They followed the path in silence for several moments, Katherine's +eyes upon the ground. At length she looked up. In Bruce's face she +plainly read what she had guessed to be an extra motive with him all +along, a glowering determination to crush her, humiliate her, a +determination to cut the ground from beneath her ambition by +overturning Blake and clearing her father without her aid. + +"And so," she breathed, "you have made good all your predictions. You +have succeeded and I have failed." + +For an instant his square face glowed upon her, exultant with triumph. +Then he partially subdued the look. + +"We won't discuss that matter," he said. "It's enough to repeat what I +once said, that Wilson is a crackerjack lawyer." + +"All the same, I congratulate you--and wish you every success," she +said; and as quickly thereafter as she could she made her escape, her +heart full of the bitterness of personal defeat. + +That afternoon the _Express_, in its largest type, in its editor's +highest-powered English, made its exposure of Harrison Blake. And that +afternoon there was pandemonium in Westville. Violence might have been +attempted upon Blake, but, fortunately for him, he had gone the night +before to Indianapolis--on a matter of state politics, it was said. + +Blake, however, was a man to fight to the last ditch. On the morning +after the publication of the _Express's_ charges, the _Clarion_ +printed an indignant denial from him. That same morning Bruce was +arrested on a charge of criminal libel, and that same day--the grand +jury being in session--he was indicted. Blake's attorney demanded +that, since these charges had a very direct bearing upon the +approaching election, the trial should take precedence over other +cases and be heard immediately. To this Bruce eagerly agreed, for he +desired nothing better than to demolish Blake in court, and the trial +was fixed for five days before election. + +Katherine, going about, heard the people jeer at Blake's denial; heard +them say that his demand for a trial was mere bravado to save his face +for a time--that when the trial came he would never show up. She saw +the former favourite of Westville become in an hour an object of +universal abomination. And, on the other hand, she saw Bruce leap up +to the very apex of popularity. + +For Bruce's sake, for every one's sake but her own, she was rejoiced. +But as for herself, she walked in the valley of humiliation, she ate +of the ashes of bitterness. Swept aside by the onrush of events, +feeling herself and her plans suddenly become futile, she decided to +cease all efforts and countermand all orders. But she could not veto +her plan concerning Doctor Sherman, for her money was spent and her +advertisements were broadcast through the North. As for Mr. Manning, +he stated that he had become so interested in the situation that he +was going to stay on in Westville for a time to see how affairs came +out. + +On the day of the trial Katherine and the city had one surprise at the +very start. Contrary to all predictions, Harrison Blake was in the +court-room and at the prosecution's table. Despite all the judge, the +clerk, and the sheriff could do to maintain order, there were cries +and mutterings against him. Not once did he flinch, but sat looking +straight ahead of him, or whispering to his private attorney or to the +public prosecutor, Kennedy. He was a brave man. Katherine had known +that. + +Bruce, all confidence, recited on the witness stand how he had come by +his evidence. Then the assistant superintendent told with most +convincing detail how he had succumbed to Blake's temptation and done +his bidding. Next, the engineer testified to the same effect. + +The crowd lowered at Blake. Certainly matters looked blacker than ever +for the one-time idol of the city. + +But Blake sat unmoved. His calmness begat a sort of uneasiness in +Katherine. When the engineer had completed his direct testimony, +Kennedy arose, and following whispered suggestions from Blake, +cross-questioned the witness searchingly, ever more searchingly, +pursued him in and out, in and out, till at length, snap!--Katherine's +heart stood still, and the crowd leaned forward breathless--snap, and +he had caught the engineer in a contradiction! + +Kennedy went after the engineer with rapid-fire questions that +involved the witness in contradiction on contradiction--that got him +confused, then hopelessly tangled up--that then broke him down +completely and drew from him a shamefaced confession. The fact was, he +said, that Mr. Bruce, wanting campaign material, had privately come to +him and paid him to make his statements. He had had no dealings with +Mr. Blake whatever. He was a poor man--his wife was sick with the +fever--he had needed the money--he hoped the court would be lenient +with him--etc., etc. The other witness, recalled, confessed to the +same story. + +Amid a stunned court room, Bruce sprang to his feet. + +"Lies! Lies!" he cried in a choking fury. "They've been bought off by +Blake!" + +"Silence!" shouted Judge Kellog, pounding his desk with his gavel. + +"I tell you it's trickery! They've been bought off by Blake!" + +"Silence!" thundered the judge, and followed with a dire threat of +contempt of court. + +But already Mr. Wilson and Sheriff Nichols were dragging the +struggling Bruce back into his chair. More shouts and hammering of +gavels by the judge and clerk had partially restored to order the +chaos begotten by this scene, when a bit of paper was slipped from +behind into Bruce's hand. He unfolded it with trembling fingers, and +read in a disguised, back-hand scrawl: + + "There's still enough left of me to know what's happened." + +That was all. But Bruce understood. Here was the handiwork and +vengeance of Blind Charlie Peck. He sprang up again and turned his +ireful face to where, in the crowd, sat the old politician. + +"You--you----" he began. + +But before he got further he was again dragged down into his seat. And +almost before the crowd had had time fairly to regain its breath, the +jury had filed out, had filed back in again, had returned its verdict +of guilty, and Judge Kellog had imposed a sentence of five hundred +dollars fine and sixty days in the county jail. + +In all the crowd that looked bewildered on, Katherine was perhaps the +only one who believed in Bruce's cry of trickery. She saw that Blake, +with Blind Charlie's cunning back of him, had risked his all on one +bold move that for a brief period had made him an object of universal +hatred. She saw that Bruce had fallen into a trap cleverly baited for +him, saw that he was the victim of an astute scheme to discredit him +utterly and remove him from the way. + +As Blake left the Court House Katherine heard a great cheer go up for +him; and within an hour the evidence of eye and ear proved to her that +he was more popular than ever. She saw the town crowd about him to +make amends for the injustice it considered it had done him. And as +for Bruce, as he was led by Sheriff Nichols from the Court House +toward the jail, she heard him pursued by jeers and hisses. + +Katherine walked homeward from the trial, completely dazed by this +sudden capsizing of all of Bruce's hopes--and of her own hopes as +well, for during the last few days she had come to depend on Bruce for +the clearing of her father. That evening, and most of the night, she +spent in casting up accounts. As matters then stood, they looked +desperate indeed. On the one hand, everything pointed to Blake's +election and the certain success of his plans. On the other hand, she +had gained no clue whatever to the whereabouts of Doctor Sherman; +nothing had as yet developed in the scheme she had built about Mr. +Manning; as for Mr. Stone, she had expected nothing from him, and all +he had turned in to her was that he suspected secret relations between +Blake and Peck. Furthermore, the man she loved--for yes, she loved him +still--was in jail, his candidacy collapsed, the cause for which he +stood a ruin. And last of all, the city, to the music of its own +applause, was about to be colossally swindled. + +A dark prospect indeed. But as she sat alone in the night, the cheers +for Blake floating in to her, she desperately determined to renew her +fight. Five days still remained before election, and in five days one +might do much; during those five days her ships might still come home +from sea. She summoned her courage, and gripped it fiercely. "I'll do +my best! I'll do my best!" she kept breathing throughout the night. +And her determination grew in its intensity as she realized the sum of +all the things for which she fought, and fought alone. + +She was fighting to save her father, she was fighting to save the +city, she was fighting to save the man she loved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE LAST STAND + + +The next morning Katherine, incited by the desperate need of action, +was so bold as to request Mr. Manning to meet her at Old Hosie's. She +was fortunate enough to get into the office without being observed. +The old lawyer, in preparation for the conference, had drawn his +wrinkled, once green shade as far down as he dared without giving +cause for suspicion, and before the window had placed a high-backed +chair and thrown upon it a greenish, blackish, brownish veteran of a +fall overcoat--thus balking any glances that might rove lazily upward +to his office. + +Old Hosie raised his lean figure from his chair and shook her hand, at +first silently. He, too, was dazed by the collapse of Bruce's +fortunes. + +"Things certainly do look bad," he said slowly. "I never suspected +that his case would suddenly stand on its head like that." + +"Nor did I--though from the beginning I had an instinctive feeling +that it was too good, too easy, to be true." + +"And to think that after all we know the boy is right!" groaned the +old man. + +"That's what makes the whole affair so tantalizing. We know he is +right--we know my father is innocent--we know the danger the city is +in--we know Mr. Blake's guilt--we know just what his plans are. We +know everything! But we have not one jot of evidence that would be +believed by the public. The irony of it! To think, for all our +knowledge, we can only look helplessly on and watch Mr. Blake succeed +in everything." + +Old Hosie breathed an imprecation that must have made his ancestors, +asleep behind the old Quaker meeting-house down in Buck Creek, gasp in +their grassy, cedar-shaded graves. + +"All the same," Katherine added desperately, "we've got to half kill +ourselves trying between now and election day!" + +They subsided into silence. In nervous impatience Katherine awaited +the appearance of the pseudo-investor in run-down farms. He seemed a +long time in coming, but the delay was all in her suspense, for as the +Court House clock was tolling the appointed hour Mr. Manning, _alias_ +Mr. Hartsell, walked into the office. He was, as Katherine had once +described him to Old Hosie, a quiet, reserved man with that +confidence-inspiring amplitude in the equatorial regions commonly +observable in bank presidents and trusted officials of corporations. + +As he closed the door his subdued but confident dignity dropped from +him and he warmly shook hands with Katherine, for this was their first +meeting since their conference in New York six weeks before. + +"You must know how very, very terrible our situation is," Katherine +rapidly began. "We've simply _got_ to do something!" + +"I certainly haven't done much so far," said Manning, with a rueful +smile. "I'm sorry--but you don't know how tedious my rôle's been to +me. To act the part of bait, and just lie around before the noses of +the fish you're after, and not get a bite in two whole weeks--that's +not my idea of exciting fishing." + +"I know. But the plan looked a good one." + +"It looked first-class," conceded Manning. "And, perhaps----" + +"With election only four days off, we've simply got to do something!" +Katherine repeated. "If nothing else, let's drop that plan, devise a +new one, and stake our hopes on some wild chance." + +"Wait a minute," said Manning. "I wouldn't drop that plan just yet. +I've gone two weeks without a bite, but--I'm not sure--remember I say +I'm not sure--but I think that at last I may possibly have a nibble." + +"A nibble you say?" cried Katherine, leaning eagerly forward. + +"At least, the cork bobbed under." + +"When?" + +"Last night." + +"Last night? Tell me about it!" + +"Well, of late I've been making my study of the water-works more and +more obvious, and I've half suspected that I've been watched, though I +was too uncertain to risk raising any false hopes by sending you word +about it. But yesterday afternoon Blind Charlie Peck--he's been +growing friendly with me lately--yesterday Blind Charlie invited me to +have supper with him. The supper was in his private dining-room; just +us two. I suspected that the old man was up to some game, and when I +saw the cocktails and whiskey and wine come on, I was pretty sure--for +you know, Miss West, when a crafty old politician of the Peck variety +wants to steal a little information from a man, his regulation scheme +is to get his man so drunk he doesn't know what he's talking about." + +"I know. Go on!" + +"I tried to beg off from the drinking. I told Mr. Peck I did not +drink. I liked it, I said, but I could not carry it. A glass or two +would put me under the table, so the only safe plan for me was to +leave it entirely alone. But he pressed me--and I took one. And he +pressed me again, and I took another--and another--and another--till +I'd had five or----" + +"But you should never have done it!" cried Katherine in alarm. + +Manning smiled at her reassuringly. + +"I'm no drinking man, but I'm so put together that I can swallow a +gallon and then sign the pledge with as steady a hand as the president +of the W. C. T. U. But after the sixth drink I must have looked just +about right to Blind Charlie. He began to put cunning questions at me. +Little by little all my secrets leaked out. The farm lands were only a +blind. My real business in Westville was the water-works. There was a +chance that the city might sell them, and if I could get them I was +going to snap them up. In fact, I was going to make an offer to the +city in a very few days. I had been examining the system closely; it +wasn't really in bad shape at all; it was worth a lot more than the +people said; and I was ready, if I had to, to pay its full value to +get it--even more. I had plenty of money behind me, for I was +representing Mr. Seymour, the big New York capitalist." + +"Good! Good!" cried Katharine breathlessly. "How did he seem to take +it?" + +"I could see that he was stirred up, and I guessed that he was +thinking big thoughts." + +"But did he say anything?" + +"Not a word. Except that it was interesting." + +"Ah!" It was an exclamation of disappointment. Then she instantly +added: "But of course he could not say anything until after he had +talked it over with Mr. Blake. He'll do that this morning--if he did +not do it last night. You may be approached by them to-day." + +She stood up excitedly, and her brown eyes glowed. "After all, +something may come of the plan!" + +"It's at least an opening," said Manning. + +"Yes. And let's use it for all it's worth. Don't you think it would be +best for you to go right back to your hotel, and keep yourself in +sight, so Mr. Peck won't have to lose a second in case he wants to +talk to you again?" + +"That's what I had in mind." + +"And all day I'll be either in my office, or at home, or at Mrs. +Sherman's. And the minute anything develops, send word to Mr. +Hollingsworth and he'll send word to me." + +"I'll not waste a minute," he assured her. + +All day she waited with suppressed excitement for good news from +Manning. But the only news was that there was no news. And so on the +second day. And so on the third. Her hopes, that had flared so high, +sunk by slow degrees to mere embers among the ashes. It appeared that +the nibble, which had seemed but the preliminary to swallowing the +bait, was after all no more than a nibble; that the fish had merely +nosed the worm and swum away. In the meantime, while eaten up by the +suspense of this inaction, she was witness to activity of the most +strenuous variety. Never had she seen a man spring up into favour as +did Harrison Blake. His campaign meetings were resumed the very night +of Bruce's conviction; the city crowded to them; the Blake Marching +Club tramped the streets till midnight, with flaming torches, rousing +the enthusiasm of the people with their shouts and campaign songs; and +wherever Blake appeared upon the platform he was greeted by an uproar, +and even when he appeared by daylight, when men's spirits are more +sedate, his progress through the streets was a series of miniature +ovations. + +As for Bruce, Katherine saw his power and position crumble so swiftly +that she could hardly see them disappear. The structure of a +tremendous future had stood one moment imposingly before her eyes. +Presto, and it was no more! The sentiment he had roused in favour of +public ownership, and against the regime of Blake, was as a thing that +had never been. With him in jail, his candidacy was but the ashes that +are left by a conflagration--though, to be sure, since the ballots +were already printed, it was too late to remove his name. He was a +thing to be cursed at, jeered at. He had suddenly become a little +lower than nobody, a little less than nothing. + +And as for his paper, when Katherine looked at it it made her sick at +heart. Within a day it lost a third in size. Advertisers no longer +dared, perhaps no longer cared, to give it patronage. Its news and +editorial character collapsed. This last she could hardly understand, +for Billy Harper was in charge, and Bruce had often praised him to her +as a marvel of a newspaper man. But one evening, when she was coming +home late from Elsie Sherman's and hurrying through the crowd of Main +Street, Billy Harper lurched against her. The next day, with a little +adroit inquiry, she learned that Harper, freed from Bruce's +restraining influence, and depressed by the general situation, was +drinking constantly. It required no prophetic vision for Katherine to +see that, if things continued as they now were going, on the day Bruce +came out of jail he would find the _Express_, which he had lifted to +power and a promise of prosperity, had sunk into a disrepute and a +decay from which even so great an energy as his could not restore it. + +Since there was so little she could do elsewhere, Katherine was at the +Shermans' several times a day, trying in unobtrusive ways to aid the +nurse and Doctor Sherman's sister. Miss Sherman was a spare, silent +woman of close upon forty, with rather sharp, determined features. +Despite her unloveliness, Katherine respected her deeply, for in other +days Elsie had told her sister-in-law's story. Miss Sherman and her +brother were orphans. To her had been given certain plain virtues, to +him all the graces of mind and body. She was a country school-teacher, +and it had been her hard work, her determination, her penny-counting +economy, that had saved her talented brother from her early hardships +and sent him through college. She had made him what he was; and +beneath her stern exterior she loved him with that intense devotion a +lonely, ingrowing woman feels for the object on which she has spent +her life's thought and effort. + +Whenever Katherine entered the sick chamber--they had moved Elsie's +bed into the sitting-room because of its greater convenience and +better air--her heart would stand still as she saw how white and +wasted was her friend. At such a time she would recall with a choking +keenness all of Elsie's virtues, each virtue increased and +purified--her simplicity, her purity, her loyalty. + +Several times Elsie came back from the brink of the Great Abyss, over +which she so faintly hovered, and smiled at Katherine and spoke a few +words--but only a few, for Doctor West allowed no more. Each time she +asked, with fluttering trepidation, if any word had come from her +husband; and each time at Katherine's choking negative she would try +to smile bravely and hide her disappointment. + +On one of the last days of this period--it was the Sunday before +election--Doctor West had said that either the end or a turn for the +better must be close at hand. Katherine had been sitting long watching +Elsie's pale face and faintly rising bosom, when Elsie slowly opened +her eyes. Elsie pressed her friend's hand with a barely perceptible +pressure and smiled with the faintest shadow of a smile. + +"You here again, Katherine?" she breathed. + +"Yes, dear." + +"Just the same dear Katherine!" + +"Don't speak, Elsie." + +She was silent a space. Then the wistful look Katherine had seen so +often came into the patient's soft gray eyes, and she knew what +Elsie's words were going to be before they passed her lips. + +"Have you heard anything--from him?" + +Katherine slowly shook her head. + +Elsie turned her face away for a moment. A sigh fluttered out. Then +she looked back. + +"But you are still trying to find him?" + +"We have done, and are doing, everything, dear." + +"I'm sure," sighed Elsie, "that he would come if he only knew." + +"Yes--if he only knew." + +"And you will keep on--trying--to get him word?" + +"Yes, dear." + +"Then perhaps--he may come yet." + +"Perhaps," said Katherine, with hopeful lips. But in her heart there +was no hope. + +Elsie closed her eyes, and did not speak again. Presently Katherine +went out into the level, red-gold sunlight of the waning November +afternoon. The church bells, resting between their morning duty and +that of the night, all were silent; over the city there lay a hush--it +was as if the town were gathering strength for its final spasm of +campaign activity on the morrow. There was nothing in that Sabbath +calm to disturb the emotion of Elsie's bedside, and Katherine walked +slowly homeward beneath the barren maples, in that fearful, tremulous, +yearning mood in which she had left the bedside of her friend. + +In this same mood she reached home and entered the empty sitting-room. +She was slowly drawing off her gloves when she perceived, upon the +centre-table, a special delivery letter addressed to herself. She +picked it up in moderate curiosity. The envelope was plain, the +address was typewritten, there was nothing to suggest the identity of +the sender. In the same moderate curiosity she unfolded the inclosure. +Then her curiosity became excitement, for the letter bore the +signature of Mr. Seymour. + +"I have to-day received a letter from Mr. Harrison Blake of +Westville," Mr. Seymour wrote her, "of which the following is the +text: 'We have just learned that there is in our city a Mr. Hartsell +who represents himself to be an agent of yours instructed to purchase +the water-works of Westville. Before entering into any negotiations +with him the city naturally desires to be assured by you that he is a +representative of your firm. As haste is necessary in this matter, we +request you to reply at once and by special delivery." + +"Ah, I understand the delay now!" Katherine exclaimed. "Before making +a deal with Mr. Manning, Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck wanted to be sure +their man was what he said he was!" + +"And now, Miss West," Mr. Seymour wrote on, "since you have kept me in +the dark as to the details of your plan, and as I have never heard of +said Hartsell, I have not known just how to reply to your Mr. Blake. +So I have had recourse to the vague brevity of a busy man, and have +sent the following by the same mail that brings this to you: 'Replying +to your inquiry of the 3rd inst. I beg to inform you that I have a +representative in Westville fully authorized to act for me in the +matter of the water-works.' I hope this reply is all right. Also there +is a second hope, which is strong even if I try to keep it subdued; +and that is that you will have to buy the water-works in for me." + +From that instant Katherine's mind was all upon her scheme. She was +certain that Mr. Seymour's reply was already in the hands of Blake and +Peck, and that they were even then planning, or perhaps had already +planned, what action they should take. At once she called Old Hosie up +by telephone. + +"I think it looks as though the 'nibble' were going to develop into a +bite, and quick," she said rapidly. "Get into communication with Mr. +Manning and tell him to make no final arrangement with those parties +till he sees me. I want to know what they offer." + +It was an hour later, and the early night had already fallen, when +there was a ring at the West door, and Old Hosie entered, alone. +Katharine quickly led the old lawyer into the parlour. + +"Well?" she whispered. + +"Manning has just accepted an invitation for an automobile ride this +evening from Charlie Peck." + +Katherine suddenly gripped his hand. + +"That may be a bite!" + +The old man nodded with suppressed excitement. + +"They were to set out at six. It's five minutes to six now." + +Without a word Katherine crossed swiftly and opened the door an inch, +and stood tensely waiting beside it. Presently, through the calm of +the Sabbath evening, there started up very near the sudden buzzing of +a cranked-up car. Then swiftly the buzzing faded away into the +distance. + +Katherine turned. + +"It's Mr. Blake's car. They'll all be at The Sycamores in half an +hour. It's a bite, certain! Get hold of Mr. Manning as soon as he +comes back, and bring him here. The house will be darkened, but the +front door will be unlocked. Come right in. Come as late as you +please. You'll find me waiting here in the parlour." + +The hours that followed were trying ones for Katherine. She sat about +with her aunt till toward ten o'clock. Then her father returned from +his last call, and soon thereafter they all went to their rooms. +Katherine remained upstairs till she thought her father and aunt were +settled, then slipped down to the parlour, set the front door ajar, +and sat waiting in the darkness. She heard the Court House clock with +judicial slowness count off eleven o'clock--then after a long, long +space, count off twelve. A few minutes later she heard Blake's car +return, and after a time she heard the city clock strike one. + +It was close upon two when soft steps sounded upon the porch and the +front door opened. She silently shook hands with her two vague +visitors. + +"We didn't think it safe to come any sooner," explained Old Hosie in a +whisper. + +"You've been with them out at The Sycamores?" Katherine eagerly +inquired of Manning. + +"Yes. For a four hours' session." + +"Well?" + +"Well, so far it looks O. K." + +In a low voice he detailed to Katherine how they had at first fenced +with one another; how at length he had told them that he had a formal +proposal to the city to buy the water-works all drawn up and that on +the morrow he was going to present it--and that, furthermore, he +would, if necessary, increase the sum he offered in that proposal to +the full value of the plant. Blake and Peck, after a slow approach to +the subject, in which they admitted that they also planned to buy the +system, had suggested that, inasmuch as he was only an agent and there +would be no profit in the purchase to him personally, he abandon his +purpose. If he would do this they would make it richly worth his +while. He had replied that this was such a different plan from that +which he had been considering that he must have time to think it over +and would give them his answer to-morrow. On which understanding the +three had parted. + +"I suppose it would hardly be practicable," said Katherine when he had +finished, "to have a number of witnesses concealed at your place of +meeting and overhear your conversation?" + +"No, it would be mighty difficult to pull that off." + +"And what's more," she commented, "Mr. Blake would deny whatever they +said, and with his present popularity his words would carry more +weight than that of any half dozen witnesses we might get. At the +best, our charges would drag on for months, perhaps years, in the +courts, with in the end the majority of the people believing in him. +With the election so near, we must have instantaneous results. We +must use a means of exposing him that will instantly convince all the +people." + +"That's the way I see it," agreed Manning. + +"When did they offer to pay you, in case you agreed to sell out to +them?" + +"On the day they got control of the water-works. Naturally they didn't +want to pay me before, for fear I might break faith with them and buy +in the system for Mr. Seymour." + +"Can't you make them put their proposition in the form of an +agreement, to be signed by all three of you?" asked Katherine. + +"But mebbe they won't consent to that," put in Old Hosie. + +"Mr. Manning will know how to bring them around. He can say, for +example, that, unless he has such a written agreement, they will be in +a position to drop him when once they've got what they want. He can +say that unless they consent to sign some such agreement he will go on +with his original plan. I think they'll sign." + +"And if they do?" queried Old Hosie. + +"If they do," said Katherine, "we'll have documentary evidence to show +Westville that those two great political enemies, Mr. Blake and Mr. +Peck, are secretly business associates--their business being a +conspiracy to wreck the water-works and defraud the city. I think such +a document would interest Westville." + +"I should say it would!" exclaimed Old Hosie. + +They whispered on, excitedly, hopefully; and when the two men had +departed and Katherine had gone up to her room to try to snatch a few +hours' sleep, she continued to dwell eagerly upon the plan that seemed +so near of consummation. She tossed about her bed, and heard the Court +House clock sound three, and then four. Then the heat of her +excitement began to pass away, and cold doubts began to creep into her +mind. Perhaps Blake and Peck would refuse to sign. And even if they +did sign, she began to see this prospective success as a thing of +lesser magnitude. The agreement would prove the alliance between Blake +and Peck, and would make clear that a conspiracy existed. It was good, +but it was not enough. It fell short by more than half. It would not +clear her father, though his innocence might be inferred, and it would +not prove Blake's responsibility for the epidemic. + +As she lay there staring wide-eyed into the gloom of the night, +listening to the town clock count off the hours of her last day, she +realized that what she needed most of all, far more than Manning's +document even should he get it, was the testimony which she believed +was sealed behind the lips of Doctor Sherman, whose present +whereabouts God only knew. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AT ELSIE'S BEDSIDE + + +The day before election, a day of hope deferred, had dragged slowly by +and night had at length settled upon the city. Doctor West had the +minute before come in from a long, dinnerless day of hastening from +case to case, and now he, Katherine, and her aunt were sitting about +the supper table. To Katherine's eye her father looked very weary and +white and frail. The day-and-night struggle at scores of bedsides was +sorely wearing him down. + +As for Katherine, she was hardly less worn. She scarcely touched the +food before her. The fears that always assail one at a crisis, now +swarmed in upon her. With the election but a few hours distant, with +no word as yet from Mr. Manning, she saw all her high plans coming to +naught and saw herself overwhelmed with utter defeat. From without +there dimly sounded the beginning of the ferment of the campaign's +final evening; it brought to her more keenly that to-morrow the city +was going to give itself over unanimously to be despoiled. Across the +table, her father, pale and worried, was a reminder that, when his +fight of the plague was completed, he must return to jail. Her mind +flashed now and then to Bruce; she saw him in prison; she saw not only +his certain defeat on the morrow, but she saw him crushed and ruined +for life as far as a career in Westville was concerned; and though she +bravely tried to master her feeling, the throbbing anguish with which +she looked upon his fate was affirmation of how poignant and +deep-rooted was her love. + +And yet, despite these flooding fears, she clung with a dizzy +desperation to hope, and to the determination to fight on to the last +second of the last minute. + +While swinging thus between despair and desperate hope, she was +maintaining, at first somewhat mechanically to be sure, a conversation +with her father, whom she had not seen since their early breakfast +together. + +"How does the fever situation seem to-night?" she asked. + +"Much better," said Doctor West. "There were fewer new cases reported +to-day than any day for a week." + +"Then you are getting the epidemic under control?" + +"I think we can at last say we have it thoroughly in hand. The number +of new cases is daily decreasing, and the old cases are doing well. I +don't know of an epidemic of this size on record where the mortality +has been so small." + +She came out of her preoccupation and breathlessly demanded: + +"Tell me, how is Elsie Sherman? I could not get around to see her +to-day." + +He dropped his eyes to his plate and did not answer. + +"You mean she is no better?" + +"She is very low." + +"But she still has a chance?" + +"Yes, she has a chance. But that's about all. The fever is at its +climax. I think to-night will decide which it's to be." + +"You are going to her again to-night?" + +"Right after supper." + +"Then I'll go with you," said Katherine. "Poor Elsie! Poor Elsie!" she +murmured to herself. Then she asked, "Have they had any word from +Doctor Sherman?" + +"I asked his sister this afternoon. She said they had not." + +They fell silent for a moment or two. Doctor West nibbled at his ham +with a troubled air. + +"There is one feature of the case I cannot approve of," he at length +remarked "Of course the Shermans are poor, but I do not think Miss +Sherman should have impaired Elsie's chances, such as they are, from +motives of economy." + +"Impaired Elsie's chances?" queried Katherine. + +"And certainly she should not have done so without consulting me," +continued Doctor West. + +"Done what?" + +"Oh, I forgot I had not had a chance to tell you. When I made my first +call this morning I learned that Miss Sherman had discharged the +nurse." + +"Discharged the nurse?" + +"Yes. During the night." + +"But what for?" + +"Miss Sherman said they could not afford to keep her." + +"But with Elsie so dangerously sick, this is no time to economize!" + +"Exactly what I told her. And I said there were plenty of friends who +would have been happy to supply the necessary money." + +"And what did she say?" + +"Very little. She's a silent, determined woman, you know. She said +that even at such a time they could not accept charity." + +"But did you not insist upon her getting another nurse?" + +"Yes. But she refused to have one." + +"Then who is looking after Elsie?" + +"Miss Sherman." + +"Alone?" + +"Yes, alone. She has even discharged old Mrs. Murphy, who came in for +a few hours a day to clean up." + +"It seems almost incomprehensible!" ejaculated Katherine. "Think of +running such a risk for the sake of a few dollars!" + +"After all, Miss Sherman isn't such a bad nurse," Doctor West's sense +of justice prompted him to admit. "In fact, she is really doing very +well." + +"All the same, it seems incomprehensible!" persisted Katherine. "For +economy's sake----" + +She broke off and was silent a moment. Then suddenly she leaned across +the table. + +"You are sure she gave no other reason?" + +"None." + +"And you believe her?" + +"Why, you don't think she would lie to me, do you?" exclaimed Doctor +West. + +"I don't say that," Katherine returned rapidly. "But she's shrewd and +close-mouthed. She might not have told you the whole truth." + +"But what could have been her real reason then?" + +"Something besides the reason she gave. That's plain." + +"But what is it? Why, Katherine," her father burst out, half rising +from his chair, "what's the matter with you?" + +Her eyes were glowing with excitement. "Wait! Wait!" she said quickly, +lifting a hand. + +She gazed down upon the table, her brow puckered with intense thought. +Her father and her aunt stared at her in gathering amazement, and +waited breathlessly till she should speak. + +After a minute she glanced up at her father. The strange look in her +face had grown more strange. + +"You saw no one else there besides Miss Sherman?" she asked quickly. + +"No." + +"Nor signs of any one?" + +"No," repeated the bewildered old man. "What are you thinking of, +Katherine?" + +"I don't dare say it--I hardly dare think it!" + +She pushed back her chair and arose. She was quivering all over, but +she strove to command her agitation. + +"As soon as you're through supper, father, I'll be ready to go to +Elsie." + +"I'm through now." + +"Come on, then. Let's not lose a minute!" + +They hurried out and entered the carriage which, at the city's +charge, stood always waiting Doctor West's requirements. "To Mrs. +Sherman's--quick!" Katherine ordered the driver, and the horse +clattered away through the crisp November night. + +Already people were streaming toward the centre of the town to share +in the excitement of the campaign's closing night. As the carriage +passed the Square, Katherine saw, built against the Court House and +brilliantly festooned with vari-coloured electric bulbs, the speakers' +stand from which Blake and others of his party were later to address +the final mass-meeting of the campaign. + +The carriage turned past the jail into Wabash Avenue, and a minute +afterward drew up beside the Sherman cottage. Pulsing with the double +suspense of her conjecture and of her concern for Elsie's life, +Katherine followed her father into the sick chamber. As they entered +the hushed room the spare figure of Miss Sherman rose from a rocker +beside the bed, greeted them with a silent nod, and drew back to give +place to Doctor West. + +Katherine moved slowly to the foot of the bed and gazed down. For a +space, one cause of her suspense was swept out of her being, and all +her concern was for the flickering life before her. Elsie lay with +eyes closed, and breathing so faintly that she seemed scarcely to +breathe at all. So pale, so wasted, so almost wraithlike was she as to +suggest that when her spirit fled, if flee it must, nothing could be +left remaining between the sheets. + +As she gazed down upon her friend, hovering uncertainly upon life's +threshold, a tingling chill pervaded Katherine's body. Since her +mother's loss in unremembering childhood, Death had been kind to her; +no one so dear had been thus carried up to the very brink of the +grave. All that had been sweet and strong in her friendship with Elsie +now flooded in upon her in a mighty wave of undefined emotion. She was +immediately conscious only of the wasted figure before her, and its +peril, but back of consciousness were unformed memories of their +girlhood together, of the inseparable intimacy of their young +womanhood, and of that shy and tender time when she had been the +confidante of Elsie's courtship. + +There was a choking at her throat, tears slipped down her cheeks, and +there surged up a wild, wild wish, a rebellious demand, that Elsie +might come safely through her danger. + +But, presently, her mind reverted to the special purpose that had +brought her hither. She studied the face of Miss Sherman, seeking +confirmation of the conjecture that had so aroused her--studying also +for some method of approaching Miss Sherman, of breaking down her +guard, and gaining the information she desired. But she learned +nothing from the expression of those spare, self-contained features; +and she realized that the lips of the Sphinx would be easier to unlock +than those of this loyal sister of a fugitive brother. + +That her conjecture was correct, she became every instant more +convinced. She sensed it in the stilled atmosphere of the house; she +sensed it in the glances of cold and watchful hostility Miss Sherman +now and then stole at her. She was wondering what should be her next +step, when Doctor West, who had felt Elsie's pulse and examined the +temperature chart, drew Miss Sherman back to near where Katherine +stood. + +"Still nothing from Doctor Sherman?" he whispered in grave anxiety. + +"Nothing," said Miss Sherman, looking straight into her questioner's +eyes. + +"Too bad, too bad!" sighed Doctor West. "He ought to be home!" + +Miss Sherman let the first trace of feeling escape from her compressed +being. + +"But still there is a chance?" she asked quickly. + +"A fighting chance. I think we shall know which it's to be within an +hour." + +At these words Katherine heard from behind her ever so faint a sound, +a sound that sent a thrill through all her nerves. A sound like a +stifled groan. For a minute or more she did not move. But when Doctor +West and Miss Sherman had gone back to their places and Doctor West +had begun the final fight for Elsie's life, she slowly turned about. +Before her was a door. Her heart gave a leap. When she had entered she +had searched the room with a quick glance, and that door had then been +closed. It now stood slightly ajar. + +Some one within must have noiselessly opened it to hear Doctor West's +decree upon the patient. + +Swiftly and silently Katherine slipped through the door and locked it +behind her. For a moment she stood in the darkness, striving to master +her throbbing excitement. + +At length she spoke. + +"Will you please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman," she said. + +There was no answer; only a black and breathless silence. + +"Please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman," Katherine repeated. "I +cannot, for I do not know where the electric button is." + +Again there was silence. Then Katherine heard something like a gasp. +There was a click, and then the room, Doctor Sherman's study, burst +suddenly into light. + +Behind the desk, one hand still upon the electric key, stood Doctor +Sherman. He was very thin and very white, and was worn, wild-eyed and +dishevelled. He was breathing heavily and he stared at Katherine with +the defiance of a desperate creature brought at last to bay. + +"What do you want?" he demanded huskily. + +"A little talk with you," replied Katherine, trying to speak calmly. + +"You must excuse me. With Elsie so sick, I cannot talk." + +She stood very straight before him. Her eyes never left his face. + +"We must talk just the same," she returned. "When did you come home?" + +"Last night." + +"Why did you not let your friends know of your return? All day, in +fact for several days, they have been sending telegrams to every place +where they could conceive your being." + +He did not answer. + +"It looks very much as if you were trying to hide." + +Again he did not reply. + +"It looks very much," she steadily pursued, "as if your sister +discharged the nurse and the servant in order that you might hide here +in your own home without risk of discovery." + +Still he did not answer. + +"You need not reply to that question, for the reply is obvious. I +guessed the meaning of the nurse's discharge as soon as I heard of it. +I guessed that you were secretly hovering over Elsie, while all +Westville thought you were hundreds of miles away. But tell me, how +did you learn that Elsie was sick?" + +He hesitated, then swallowed. + +"I saw a notice of it in a little country paper." + +"Ah, I thought so." + +She moved forward and leaned across the desk. Their eyes were no more +than a yard apart. + +"Tell me," she said quietly, "why did you slip into town by night? Why +are you hiding in your own home?" + +A tremor ran through his slender frame. With an effort he tried to +take the upperhand. + +"You must excuse me," he said, with an attempt at sharp dignity. "I +refuse to be cross-examined." + +"Then I will answer for you. The reason, Doctor Sherman, is that you +have a guilty conscience." + +"That is not----" + +"Do not lie," she interrupted quickly. "You realize what you have +done, you are afraid it may become public, you are afraid of the +consequences to yourself--and that is why you slipped back in the dead +of night and lie hidden like a fugitive in your own house." + +A spasm of agony crossed his face. + +"For God's sake, tell me what you want and leave me!" + +"I want you to clear my father." + +"Clear your father?" he cried. "And how, if you please?" + +"By confessing that he is innocent." + +"When he is guilty!" + +"You know he is not." + +"He's guilty--he's guilty, I tell you! Besides," he added, wildly, +"don't you see that if I proclaim him innocent I proclaim myself a +perjured witness?" + +She leaned a little farther across the desk. + +"Is not that exactly what you are, Doctor Sherman?" + +He shrank back as though struck. One hand went tremulously to his chin +and he stared at her. + +"No! No!" he burst out spasmodically. "It's not so! I shall not admit +it! Would you have me ruin myself for all time? Would you have me ruin +Elsie's future! Would you have me kill her love for me?" + +"Then you will not confess?" + +"I tell you there is nothing to confess!" + +She gazed at him steadily a moment. Then she turned back to the door, +softly unlocked and opened it. He started to rush through, but she +raised a hand and stopped him. + +"Just look," she commanded in a whisper. + +He stared through the open door. They could see Elsie's white face +upon the pillow, with the two dark braids beside it; and could see +Doctor West hovering over her. He had not heard them, but Miss Sherman +had, and she directed at Katherine a pale and hostile glance. + +The young husband twisted his hands in agony. + +"Oh, Elsie! Elsie!" he moaned. + +Katherine closed the door, and turned again to Doctor Sherman. + +"You have seen your work," she said. "Do you still persist in your +innocence?" + +He drew a deep, shivering breath and shrank away behind his desk, but +did not answer. + +Katherine followed him. + +"Do you know how sick your wife is?" + +"I heard your father say." + +"She is swinging over eternity by a mere thread." Katherine leaned +across the desk and her eyes gazed with an even greater fixity into +his. "If the thread snaps, do you know who will have broken it?" + +"Don't! Don't!" he begged. + +"Her own husband," Katherine went on relentlessly. + +A cry of agony escaped him. + +"You saw that old man in there bending over her," she pursued, +"trying with all his skill, with all his love, to save her--to save +her from the peril you have plunged her into--and with never a bitter +feeling against you in his heart. If she lives, it will be because of +him. And yet that old man is ruined and has a blackened reputation. I +ask you, do you know who ruined him?" + +"Don't! Don't!" he cried, and he sank a crumpled figure at his desk, +and buried his face in his arms. + +"Look up!" cried Katherine sternly. + +"Wait!" he moaned. "Wait!" + +She passed around the desk and firmly raised his shoulders. + +"Look me in the eyes!" + +He lifted a face that worked convulsively. + +She stood accusingly before him. "Out with the truth!" she commanded +in a rising voice. "In the presence of your wife, perhaps dying, and +dying as the result of your act--in the presence of that old man, whom +you have ruined with your word--do you still dare to maintain your +innocence? Out with the truth, I say!" + +He sprang to his feet. + +"I can stand it no longer!" he gasped in an agony that went to +Katherine's heart. "It's killing me! It's been tearing me apart for +months! What I have suffered--oh, what I have suffered! I'll tell you +all--all! Oh, let me get it off my soul!" + +The desperation of his outburst, the sight of his fine face convulsed +with uttermost agony and repentance, worked a sudden revulsion in +Katherine's heart. All her bitterness, her momentary sternness, rushed +out of her, and there she was, quivering all over, hot tears in her +eyes, gripping the hands of Elsie's husband. + +"I'm so glad--not only for father's sake--but for your sake," she +cried chokingly. + +"Let me tell you at once! Let me get it out of myself!" + +"First sit down," and she gently pressed him back into his chair and +drew one up to face him. "And wait for a moment or two, till you feel +a little calmer." + +He bowed his head into his hands, and for a space breathed deeply and +tremulously. Katherine stood waiting. Through the night sounded the +brassy strains of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Back at the Court House +Blake's party was opening its great mass-meeting. + +"I'm a coward--a coward!" Doctor Sherman groaned at length into his +hands. And in a voice of utmost contrition he went on and told how, to +gain money for the proper care of Elsie, he had been drawn into +gambling in stocks; how he had made use of church funds to save +himself in a falling market, and how this church money had, like his +own, been swallowed down by Wall Street; how Blake had discovered the +embezzlement, for the time had saved him, but later by threat of +exposure had driven him to play the part he had against Doctor West. + +"You must make this statement public, instantly!" Katherine exclaimed +when he had finished. + +He shrank back before that supreme humiliation. "Let me do it +later--please, please!" he besought her. + +"A day's delay will be----" She caught his arm. "Listen!" she +commanded. + +Both held their breath. Through the night came the stirring music of +"The Star Spangled Banner." + +"What is that?" he asked. + +"The great rally of Mr. Blake's party at the Court House." Her next +words drove in. "To-morrow Mr. Blake is going to capture the city, and +be in position to rob it. And all because of your act, Doctor +Sherman!" + +"You are right, you are right!" he breathed. + +She held out a pen to him. + +"You must write your statement at once." + +"Yes, yes," he cried, "only let it be short now. I'll make it in full +later." + +"You need write only a summary." + +He seized the pen and dipped it into the ink and for a moment held it +shaking over a sheet of paper. + +"I cannot shape it--the words won't come." + +"Shall I dictate it then?" + +"Do! Please do!" + +"You are willing to confess everything?" + +"Everything!" + +Katherine stood thinking for a moment at his side. + +"Ready, then. Write, 'I embezzled funds from my church; Mr. Blake +found me out, and replaced what I had taken, with no one being the +wiser. Later, by the threat of exposing me if I refused, he compelled +me to accuse Doctor West of accepting a bribe and still later he +compelled me to testify in court against Doctor West. Mr. Blake's +purpose in so doing was to remove Doctor West from his position, ruin +the water-works, and buy them in at a bargain. I hereby confess and +declare, of my own free will, that I have been guilty of lying and of +perjury.' Do you want to say that?" + +"Yes! Yes!" + +"'And I further confess and declare that Dr. David West is innocent in +every detail of the charges made against him. Signed, Harold +Sherman.'" + +He dropped his pen and sprang up. + +"And now may I go in to Elsie?" + +"You may." + +He hurried noiselessly across the room and through the door. +Katherine, picking up the precious paper she had worked so many months +to gain, followed him. Miss Sherman saw them come in, but remained +silent. Doctor West was bending over Elsie and did not hear their +entrance. + +Doctor Sherman tiptoed to the bedside, and stood gazing down, his +breath held, hardly less pale than the soft-sleeping Elsie herself. +Presently Doctor West straightened up and perceived the young +minister. He started, then held out his hand. + +"Why, Doctor Sherman!" he whispered eagerly. "I'm so glad you've come +at last!" + +The younger man drew back. + +"You won't be willing to shake hands with me--when you know." Then he +took a quick half step forward. "But tell me," he breathed, "is +there--is there any hope?" + +"I dare not speak definitely yet--but I think she is going to live." + +"Thank God!" cried the young man. + +Suddenly he collapsed upon the floor and embraced Doctor West about +the knees, and knelt there sobbing out broken bits of sentences. + +"Why--why," stammered Doctor West in amazement, "what does this mean?" + +Katherine moved forward. Her voice quavered, partly from joy, partly +from pity for the anguished figure upon the floor. + +"It means you are cleared, father! This will explain." And she gave +him Doctor Sherman's confession. + +The old man read it, then passed a bewildered hand across his face. + +"I--I don't understand this!" + +"I'll explain it later," said Katherine. + +"Is--is this true?" It was to the young minister that Doctor West +spoke. + +"Yes. And more. I can't ask you to forgive me!" sobbed Doctor Sherman. +"It's beyond forgiveness! But I want to thank you for saving Elsie. At +least you'll let me thank you for that!" + +"What I have done here has been only my duty as a physician," said +Doctor West gently. "As for the other matter"--he looked the paper +through, still with bewilderment--"as for that, I'm afraid I am not +the chief sufferer," he said slowly, gently. "I have been under a +cloud, it is true, and I won't deny that it has hurt. But I am an old +man, and it doesn't matter much. You are young, just beginning life. +Of us two you are the one most to be pitied." + +"Don't pity me--please!" cried the minister. "I don't deserve it!" + +"I'm sorry--so sorry!" Doctor West shook his head. Apparently he had +forgotten the significance of this confession to himself. "I have +always loved Elsie, and I have always admired you and been proud of +you. So if my forgiveness means anything to you, why I forgive you +with all my heart!" + +A choking sound came from the bowed figure, but no words. His +embracing arms fell away from Doctor West. He knelt there limply, his +head bowed upon his bosom. There was a moment of breathless silence. +In the background Miss Sherman stood looking on, white, tense, +dry-eyed. + +Doctor Sherman turned slowly, fearfully, toward the bed. + +"But, Elsie," he whispered in a dry, lost voice. "It's all bad--but +that's the worst of all. When she knows, she never can forgive me!" + +Katherine laid a hand upon his shoulder. + +"If you think that, then you don't know Elsie. She will be pained, but +she loves you with all her soul; she would forgive you anything so +long as you loved her, and she would follow you through every misery +to the ends of the world." + +"Do you think so?" he breathed; and then he crept to the bed and +buried his face upon it. + +Katherine looked down upon him for a moment. Then her own concerns +began flooding back upon her. She realized that she had not yet won +the fight. She had only gained a weapon. + +"I must go now," she whispered to her father, taking the paper from +his hand. + +Throbbing with returned excitement, she hurried out to the dimly +comprehended, desperate effort that lay before her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +BILLY HARPER WRITES A STORY + + +As Katherine crossed the porch and went down the steps she saw, +entering the yard, a tall, square-hatted apparition. + +"Is that you, Miss Katherine?" it called softly to her. + +"Yes, Mr. Hollingsworth." + +"I was looking for you." He turned and they walked out of the yard +together. "I went to your house, and your aunt told me you were here. +I've got it!" he added excitedly. + +"Got what?" + +"The agreement!" + +She stopped short and seized his arm. + +"You mean between Blake, Peck, and Manning?" + +"Yes. I've got it!" + +"Signed?" + +"All signed!" And he slapped the breast pocket of his old frock-coat. + +"Let me see it! Please!" + +He handed it to her, and by the light of a street lamp she glanced it +through. + +"Oh, it's too good to believe!" she murmured exultantly. "Oh, oh!" She +thrust it into her bosom, where it lay beside Doctor Sherman's +confession. "Come, we must hurry!" she cried. And with her arm through +his they set off in the direction of the Square. + +"When did Mr. Manning get this?" she asked, after a moment. + +"I saw him about an hour ago. He had then just got it." + +"It's splendid! Splendid!" she ejaculated. "But I have something, +too!" + +"Yes?" queried the old man. + +"Something even better." And as they hurried on she told him of Doctor +Sherman's confession. + +Old Hosie burst into excited congratulations, but she quickly checked +him. + +"We've no time now to rejoice," she said. "We must think how we are +going to use these statements--how we are going to get this +information before the people, get it before them at once, and get it +before them so they must believe it." + +They walked on in silent thought. From the moment they had left the +Shermans' gate the two had heard a tremendous cheering from the +direction of the Square, and had seen a steady, up-reaching glow, at +intervals brilliantly bespangled by rockets and roman candles. Now, as +they came into Main Street, they saw that the Court House yard was +jammed with an uproarious multitude. Within the speakers' stand was +throned the Westville Brass Band; enclosing the stand in an imposing +semicircle was massed the Blake Marching Club, in uniforms, their +flaring torches adding to the illumination of the festoons of +incandescent bulbs; and spreading fanwise from this uniformed nucleus +it seemed that all of Westville was assembled--at least all of +Westville that did not watch at fevered bedsides. + +At the moment that Katherine and Old Hosie, walking along the southern +side of Main Street, came opposite the stand, the first speaker +concluded his peroration and resumed his seat. There was an outburst +of "Blake! Blake! Blake!" from the enthusiastic thousands; but the +Westville Brass Band broke in with the chorus of "Marching Through +Georgia." The stirring thunder of the band had hardly died away, when +the thousands of voices again rose in cries of "Blake! Blake! Blake!" + +The chairman with difficulty quieted the crowd, and urged them to have +patience, as all the candidates were going to speak, and Blake was not +to speak till toward the last. Kennedy was the next orator, and he +told the multitude, with much flinging heavenward of loose-jointed +arms, what an unparalleled administration the officers to be elected +on the morrow would give the city, and how first and foremost it would +be their purpose to settle the problem of the water-works in such a +manner as to free the city forever from the dangers of another +epidemic such as they were now experiencing. As supreme climax to his +speech, he lauded the ability, character and public spirit of Blake +till superlatives could mount no higher. + +When he sat down the crowd went well-nigh mad. But amid the cheering +for the city's favourite, some one shouted the name of Doctor West and +with it coupled a vile epithet. At once Doctor West's name swept +through the crowd, hissed, jeered, cursed. This outbreak made clear +one ominous fact. The enthusiasm of the multitude was not just +ordinary, election-time enthusiasm. Beneath it was smouldering a +desire of revenge for the ills they had suffered and were suffering--a +desire which at a moment might flame up into the uncontrollable fury +of a mob. + +Katherine clutched Old Hosie's arm. + +"Did you hear those cries against my father?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I know now what I shall do!" + +He saw that her eyes were afire with decision. + +"What?" + +"I am going across there, watch my chance, slip out upon the speakers' +stand, and expose and denounce Mr. Blake before Mr. Blake's own +audience!" + +The audacity of the plan for a moment caught Old Hosie's breath. Then +its dramatic quality fired his imagination. + +"Gorgeous!" he exclaimed. + +"Come on!" she cried. + +She started across the street, with Old Hosie at her heels. But before +she reached the opposite curb she paused, and turned slowly back. + +"What's the matter?" asked Old Hosie. + +"It won't do. The people on the stand would pull me down before I got +started speaking. And even if I spoke, the people would not believe +me. I have got to put this evidence"--she pressed the documents within +her bosom--"before their very eyes. No, we have got to think of some +other way." + +By this time they were back in the seclusion of the doorway of the +_Express_ Building, where they had previously been standing. For +several moments the hoarse, vehement oratory of a tired throat rasped +upon their heedless ears. Once or twice Old Hosie stole a glance at +Katherine's tensely thoughtful face, then returned to his own +meditation. + +Presently she touched him on the arm. He looked up. + +"I have it this time!" she said, with the quiet of suppressed +excitement. + +"Yes?" + +"We're going to get out an extra!" + +"An extra?" he exclaimed blankly. + +"Yes. Of the _Express_!" + +"An extra of the _Express_?" + +"Yes. Get it out before this crowd scatters, and in it reproductions +of these documents!" + +He stared at her. "Son of Methuselah!" Then he whistled. Then his look +became a bit strange, and there was a strange quality to his voice +when he said: + +"So you are going to give Arnold Bruce's paper the credit of the +exposure?" + +His tone told her the meaning that lay behind his words. He had known +of the engagement, and he knew that it was now broken. She flushed. + +"It's the best way," she said shortly. + +"But you can't do it alone!" + +"Of course not." Her voice began to gather energy. "We've got to get +the _Express_ people here at once--and especially Mr. Harper. +Everything depends on Mr. Harper. He'll have to get the paper out." + +"Yes! Yes!" said Old Hosie, catching her excitement. + +"You look for him here in this crowd--and, also, if you can see to it, +send some one to get the foreman and his people. I'll look for Mr. +Harper at his hotel. We'll meet here at the office." + +With that they hurried away on their respective errands. Arrived at +the National House, where Billy Harper lived, Katherine walked into +the great bare office and straight up to the clerk, whom the +mass-meeting had left as the room's sole occupant. + +"Is Mr. Harper in?" she asked quickly. + +The clerk, one of the most prodigious of local beaux, was startled by +this sudden apparition. + +"I--I believe he is." + +"Please tell him at once that I wish to see him." + +He fumbled the white wall of his lofty collar with an embarrassed +hand. + +"Excuse me, Miss West, but the fact is, I'm afraid he can't see you." + +"Give him my name and tell him I simply _must_ see him." + +The clerk's embarrassment waxed greater. + +"I--I guess I should have said it the other way around," he stammered. +"I'm afraid you won't want to see him." + +"Why not?" + +"The fact is--he's pretty much cut up, you know--and he's been so +worried that--that--well, the plain fact is," he blurted out, "Mr. +Harper has been drinking." + +"To-night?" + +"Yes." + +"Much?" + +"Well--I'm afraid quite a little." + +"But he's here?" + +"He's in the bar-room." + +Katherine's heart had been steadily sinking. + +"I must see him anyhow!" she said desperately. "Please call him out!" + +The clerk hesitated, in even deeper embarrassment. This affair was +quite without precedent in his career. + +"You must call him out--this second! Didn't you hear me?" + +"Certainly, certainly." + +He came hastily from behind his desk and disappeared through a pair of +swinging wicker doors. After a moment he reappeared, alone, and his +manner showed a degree of embarrassment even more acute. + +Katherine crossed eagerly to meet him. + +"You found Mr. Harper?" + +"Yes." + +"Well?" + +"I couldn't make him understand. And even if I could, +he's--he's--well," he added with a painful effort, "he's in no +condition for you to talk to, Miss West." + +Katherine gazed whitely at the clerk for a moment. Then without a word +she stepped by him and passed through the wicker door. With a glance +she took in the garishly lighted room--its rows of bottles, its +glittering mirrors, its white-aproned bartender, its pair of topers +whose loyalty to the bar was stronger than the lure of oratory and +music at the Square. And there at a table, his head upon his arms, sat +the loosely hunched body of him who was the foundation of all her +present hopes. + +She moved swiftly across the sawdusted floor and shook the acting +editor by the shoulder. + +"Mr. Harper!" she called into his ear. + +She shook him again, and again she called his name. + +"Le' me 'lone," he grunted thickly. "Wanter sleep." + +She was conscious that the two topers had paused in mid-drink and were +looking her way with a grinning, alcoholic curiosity. She shook the +editor with all her strength. + +"Mr. Harper!" she called fiercely. + +"G'way!" he mumbled. "'M busy. Wanter sleep." + +Katherine gazed down at the insensate mass in utter hopelessness. +Without him she could do nothing, and the precious minutes were +flying. Through the night came a rumble of applause and fast upon it +the music of another patriotic air. + +In desperation she turned to the bartender. + +"Can't you help me rouse him?" she cried. "I've simply _got_ to speak +to him!" + +That gentleman had often been appealed to by frantic women as against +customers who had bought too liberally. But Katherine was a new +variety in his experience. There was a great deal too much of him +about the waist and also beneath the chin, but there was good-nature +in his eyes, and he came from behind his counter and bore himself +toward Katherine with a clumsy and ornate courtesy. + +"Don't see how you can, Miss. He's been hittin' an awful pace lately. +You see for yourself how far gone he is." + +"But I must speak to him--I must! Surely there is some extreme measure +that would bring him to his senses!" + +"But, excuse me; you see, Miss, Mr. Harper is a reg'lar guest of the +hotel, and I wouldn't dare go to extremes. If I was to make him +mad----" + +"I'll take all the blame!" she cried. "And afterward he'll thank you +for it!" + +The bartender scratched his thin hair. + +"Of course, I want to help you, Miss, and since you put it that way, +all right. You say I can go the limit?" + +"Yes! Yes!" + +The bartender retired behind his bar and returned with a pail of +water. He removed the young editor's hat. + +"Stand back, Miss; it's ice cold," he said; and with a swing of his +pudgy arms he sent the water about Harper's head, neck, and upper +body. + +The young fellow staggered up with a gasping cry. His blinking eyes +saw the bartender, with the empty pail. He reached for the tumbler +before him. + +"Damn you, Murphy!" he growled. "I'll pay you----" + +But Katherine stepped quickly forward and touched his dripping sleeve. + +"Mr. Harper!" she said. + +He slowly turned his head. Then the hand with the upraised tumbler +sank to the table, and he stared at her. + +"Mr. Harper," she said sharply, slowly, trying to drive her words into +his dulled brain, "I've got to speak to you! At once!" + +He continued to blink at her stupidly. At length his lips opened. + +"Miss West," he said thickly. + +She shook him fiercely. + +"Pull yourself together! I've got to speak to you!" + +At this moment Mr. Murphy, who had gone once more behind his bar, +reappeared bearing a glass. This he held out to Harper. + +"Here, Billy, put this down. It'll help straighten you up." + +Harper took the glass in a trembling hand and swallowed its contents. + +"And now, Miss," said the bartender, putting Harper's dry hat on him, +"the thing to do is to get him out in the cold air, and walk him round +a bit. I'd do it for you myself," he added gallantly, "but everybody's +down at the Square and there ain't no one here to relieve me." + +"Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy." + +"It's nothing at all, Miss," said he with a grandiloquent gesture of a +hairy, bediamonded hand. "Glad to do it." + +She slipped her arm through the young editor's. + +"And now, Mr. Harper, we must go." + +Billy Harper vaguely understood the situation and there was a trace of +awakening shame in his husky voice. + +"Are you sure--you want to be seen with me--like this?" + +"I must, whether I want to or not," she said briefly; and she led him +through the side door out into the frosty night. + +The period that succeeded will ever remain in Katherine's mind as +matchless in her life for agonized suspense. She was ever crying out +frantically to herself, why did this man she led have to be in such a +condition at this the time when he was needed most? While she rapidly +walked her drenched and shivering charge through the deserted back +streets, the enthusiasm of Court House Square reverberated maddeningly +in her ears. She realized how rapidly time was flying--and yet, aflame +with desire for action as she was, all she could do was to lead this +brilliant, stupefied creature to and fro, to and fro. She wondered if +she would be able to bring him to his senses in time to be of service. +To her impatience, which made an hour of every moment, it seemed she +never would. But her hope was all on him, and so doggedly she kept him +going. + +Presently he began to lurch against her less heavily and less +frequently; and soon, his head hanging low in humiliation, he started +shiveringly to mumble out an abject apology. She cut him short. + +"We've no time for apologies. There's work to be done. Is your head +clear enough to understand?" + +"I think so," he said humbly, albeit somewhat thickly. + +"Listen then! And listen hard!" + +Briefly and clearly she outlined to him her discoveries and told him +of the documents she had just secured. She did not realize it, but +this recital of hers was, for the purpose of sobering him, better far +than a douche of ice-water, better far than walking in the tingling +air. She was appealing to, stimulating, the most sensitive organ of +the born newspaper man, his sense of news. Before she was through he +had come to a pause beneath a sputtering arc light, and was +interrupting her with short questions, his eyes ablaze with +excitement. + +"God!" he ejaculated when she had finished, "that would make the +greatest newspaper story that ever broke loose in this town!" + +She trembled with an excitement equal to his own. + +"And I want you to make it into the greatest newspaper story that ever +broke loose in this town!" + +"But to-morrow the voting----" + +"There's no to-morrow about it! We've got to act to-night. You must +get out an extra of the _Express_." + +"An extra of the _Express_!" + +"Yes. And it must be on the streets before that mass-meeting breaks +up." + +"Oh, my God, my God!" Billy whispered in awe to himself, forgetting +how cold he was as his mind took in the plan. Then he started away +almost on a run. "We'll do it! But first, we've got to get the +press-room gang." + +"I've seen to that. I think we'll find them waiting at the office." + +"You don't say!" ejaculated Billy. "Miss West, to-morrow, when there's +more time, I'm going to apologize to you, and everybody, for----" + +"If you get out this extra, you won't need to apologize to anybody." + +"But to-night, if you'll let me," continued Billy, "I want you to let +me say that you're a wonder!" + +Katherine let this praise go by unheeded, and as they hurried toward +the Square she gave him details she had omitted in her outline. When +they reached the _Express_ office they found Old Hosie, who told them +that the foreman and the mechanical staff were in the press-room. A +shout from Billy down the stairway brought the foreman running up. + +"Do you know what's doing, Jake?" cried Billy. + +"Yes. Mr. Hollingsworth told me." + +"Everything ready?" + +"Sure, Billy. We're waiting for your copy." + +"Good! First of all get these engraved." He excitedly handed the +foreman Katherine's two documents. "Each of 'em three columns wide. +We'll run 'em on the front page. And, Jake, if you let those get lost, +I'll shoot you so full of holes your wife'll think she's married to a +screen door! Now chase along with you!" + +Billy threw off his drenched coat, slipped into an old one hanging on +a hook, dropped into a chair before a typewriter, ran in a sheet of +paper, and without an instant's hesitation began to rattle off the +story--and Katherine, in a sort of fascination, stood gazing at that +worth-while spectacle, a first-class newspaperman in full action. + +But suddenly he gave a cry of dismay and his arms fell to his sides. + +"My mind sees the story all right," he groaned. "I don't know whether +it's that ice-water or the drink, but my arms are so shaky I can't hit +the keys straight." + +On the instant Katherine had him out of the chair and was in his +place. + +"I studied typewriting along with my law," she said rapidly. "Dictate +it to me on the machine." + +There was not a word of comment. At once Billy began talking, and the +keys began to whir beneath Katherine's hands. The first page finished, +Billy snatched it from her, gave a roar of "Copy!" glanced it through +with a correcting pencil, and thrust it into the hands of an +in-rushing boy. + +As the boy scuttled away, a thunderous cheering arose from the Court +House yard--applause that outsounded a dozen-fold all that had gone +before. + +"What's that?" asked Katherine of Old Hosie, who stood at the window +looking down upon the Square. + +"It's Blake, trying to speak. They're giving him the ovation of his +life!" + +Katherine's face set. "H'm!" said Billy grimly, and plunged again into +his dictation. Now and then the uproar that followed a happy phrase of +Blake almost drowned the voice of Billy, now and then Old Hosie from +his post at the window broke in with a sentence of description of the +tumultuous scene without; but despite these interruptions the story +rattled swiftly on. Again and again Billy ran to the sink at the back +of the office and let the clearing water splash over his head; his +collar was a shapeless rag; he had to keep thrusting his dripping hair +back from his forehead; his slight, chilled body was shivering in +every member; but the story kept coming, coming, coming, a living, +throbbing creation from his thin and twitching lips. + +As Katherine's flying hands set down the words, she thrilled as though +this story were a thing entirely new to her. For Billy Harper, +whatever faults inheritance or habit had fixed upon him, was a +reporter straight from God. His trained mind had instantly seized upon +and mastered all the dramatic values of the complicated story, and his +English, though crude and rough-and-tumble from his haste, was vivid +passionate, rousing. He told how Doctor West was the victim of a plot, +a plot whose great victim was the city and people of Westville, and +this plot he outlined in all its details. He told of Doctor Sherman's +part, at Blake's compulsion. He told of the secret league between +Blake and Peck. He declared the truth of the charges for which Bruce +was then lying in the county jail. And finally--though this he did at +the beginning of his story--he drove home in his most nerve-twanging +words the fact that Blake the benefactor, Blake the applauded, was the +direct cause of the typhoid epidemic. + +As a fresh sheet was being run into the machine toward the end of the +story there was another tremendous outburst from the Square, +surpassing even the one of half an hour before. + +"Blake's just finished his speech," called Old Hosie from the window. +"The crowd wants to carry him on their shoulders." + +"They'd better hurry up; this is one of their last chances!" cried +Billy. + +Then he saw the foreman enter with a look of concern. "Any thing +wrong, Jake?" + +"One of the linotype men has skipped out," was the answer. + +"Well, what of that?" said Harper. "You've got one left." + +"It means that we'll be delayed in getting out the paper. I hadn't +noticed it before, but Grant's been gone some time. We're quite a bit +behind you, and Simmons alone can't begin to handle that copy as fast +as you're sending it down." + +"Do the best you can," said Billy. + +He started at the dictation again. Then he broke off and called +sharply to the foreman: + +"Hold on, Jake. D'you suppose Grant slipped out to give the story +away?" + +"I don't know. But Grant was a Blake man." + +Billy swore under his breath. + +"But he hadn't seen the best part of the story," said the foreman. +"I'd given him only that part about Blake and Peck." + +"Well, anyhow, it's too late for him to hurt us any," said Billy, and +once more plunged into the dictation. + +Fifteen minutes later the story was finished, and Katherine leaned +back in her chair with aching arms, while Billy wrote a lurid headline +across the entire front page. With this he rushed down into the +composing-room to give orders about the make-up. When he returned he +carried a bunch of long strips. + +"These are the proofs of the whole thing, documents and all, except +the last part of the story," he said. "Let's see if they've got it all +straight." + +He laid the proofs on Katherine's desk and was drawing a chair up +beside her, when the telephone rang. + +"Who can want to talk to us at such an hour?" he impatiently +exclaimed, taking up the receiver. + +"Hello! Who's this?... What!... All right. Hold the wire." + +With a surprised look he pushed the telephone toward Katherine. + +"Somebody to talk to you," he said. + +"To talk to me!" exclaimed Katherine. "Who?" + +"Harrison Blake," said Billy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +KATHERINE FACES THE ENEMY + + +Katherine took up the receiver in tremulous hands. + +"Hello! Is this Mr. Blake?" + +"Yes," came a familiar voice over the wire. "Is this Miss West?" + +"Yes. What is it?" + +"I have a matter which I wish to discuss with you immediately." + +"I am engaged for this evening," she returned, as calmly as she could. +"If to-morrow you still desire to see me, I can possibly arrange it +then." + +"I must see you to-night--at once!" he insisted. "It is a matter of +the utmost importance. Not so much to me as to you," he added +meaningly. + +"If it is so important, then suppose you come here," she replied. + +"I cannot possibly do so. I am bound here by a number of affairs. I +have anticipated that you would come, and have sent my car for you. It +will be there in two minutes." + +Katherine put her hand over the mouthpiece, and repeated Blake's +request to Old Hosie and Billy Harper. + +"What shall I do?" she asked. + +"Tell him to go to!" said Billy promptly. "You've got him where you +want him. Don't pay any more attention to him." + +"I'd like to know what he's up to," mused Old Hosie. + +"And so would I," agreed Katherine, thoughtfully. "I can't do anything +more here; he can't hurt me; so I guess I'll go." + +She removed her hand from the mouthpiece and leaned toward it. + +"Where are you, Mr. Blake?" + +"At my home." + +"Very well. I am coming." + +She stood up. + +"Will you come with me?" she asked Old Hosie. + +"Of course," said the old lawyer with alacrity. And then he chuckled. +"I'd like to see how the Senator looks to-night!" + +"I'll just take these proofs along," she said, thrusting them inside +her coat. + +The next instant she and Old Hosie were hurrying down the stairway. As +they came into the street the Westville Brass Band blew the last notes +of "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," out of cornets and trombones; +the great crowd, intoxicated with enthusiasm, responded with +palm-blistering applause; and then the candidate for president of the +city council arose to make his oratorical contribution. He had got no +further than his first period when Blake's automobile glided up before +the _Express_ office, and at once Katherine and Old Hosie stepped into +the tonneau. + +They sped away from this maelstrom of excitement into the quiet +residential streets, Katherine wondering what Blake desired to see her +about, and wondering if there could possibly be some flaw in her plan +that she had overlooked, and if after all Blake still had some weapon +in reserve with which he could defeat her. Five minutes later they +were at Blake's door. They were instantly admitted, and Katherine was +informed that Blake awaited her in his library. + +She had had no idea in what state of mind she would find Blake, but +she had at least expected to find him alone. But instead, when she +entered the library with Old Hosie, a small assembly rose to greet +her. There was Blake, Blind Charlie Peck, Manning, and back in a +shadowy corner a rather rotund gentleman, whom she had observed in +Westville the last few days, and whom she knew to be Mr. Brown of the +National Electric & Water Company. + +Blake's face was pale and set, and his dark eyes gleamed with an +unusual brilliance. But in his compressed features Katherine could +read nothing of what was in his mind. + +"Good evening," he said with cold politeness. + +"Will you please sit down, Miss West. And you also, Mr. +Hollingsworth." + +Katherine thanked him with a nod, and seated herself. She found her +chair so placed that she was the centre of the gaze of the little +assembly. + +"I take it for granted, Miss West," Blake began steadily, formally, +"that you are aware of the reason for my requesting you to come here." + +"On the other hand, I must confess myself entirely ignorant," +Katherine quietly returned. + +"Pardon me if I am forced to believe otherwise. But nevertheless, I +will explain. It has come to me that you are now engaged in getting +out an issue of the _Express_, in which you charge that Mr. Peck and +myself are secretly in collusion to defraud the city. Is that +correct?" + +"Entirely so," said Katherine. + +She felt full command of herself, yet every instant she was straining +to peer ahead and discover, before it fell, the suspected +counter-stroke. + +"Before going further," Blake continued, "I will say that Mr. Peck and +I, though personal and political enemies, must join forces against +such a libel directed at us both. This will explain Mr. Peck's +presence in my house for the first time in his life. Now, to resume +our business. What you are about to publish is a libel. It is for your +sake, chiefly, that I have asked you here." + +"For my sake?" + +"For your sake. To warn you, if you are not already aware of it, of +the danger you are plunging into headlong. But surely you are +acquainted with our libel laws." + +"I am." + +His face, aside from its cold, set look, was still without expression; +his voice was low-pitched and steady. + +"Then of course you understand your risk," he continued. "You have had +a mild illustration of the working of the law in the case of Mr. +Bruce. But the case against him was not really pressed. The court +might not deal so leniently with you. I believe you get my meaning?" + +"Perfectly," said Katherine. + +There was a silence. Katherine was determined not to speak first, but +to force Blake to take the lead. + +"Well?" said he. + +"I was waiting to hear what else you had to say," she replied. + +"Well, you are aware that what you purpose printing is a most +dangerous libel?" + +"I am aware that you seem to think it so." + +"There is no thinking about it; it _is_ libel!" he returned. For the +first time there was a little sharpness in his voice. "And now, what +are you going to do?" + +"What do you want me to do?" + +"Suppress the paper." + +"Is that advice, or a wish, or a command?" + +"Suppose I say all three." + +Her eyes did not leave his pale, intent face. She was instantly more +certain that he had some weapon in reserve. But still she failed to +guess what it might be. + +"Well, what are you going to do?" he repeated. + +"I am going to print the paper," said Katherine. + +An instant of stupefied silence followed her quiet answer. + +"You are, are you?" cried Blind Charlie, springing up. "Well, let +me----" + +"Sit down, Peck!" Blake ordered sharply + +"Come, give me a chance at her!" + +"Sit down! I'm handling this!" Blake cried with sudden harshness. + +"Well, then, show her where she's at!" grumbled Blind Charlie, +subsiding into his chair. + +Blake turned back to Katherine. His face was again impassive. + +"And so it is your intention to commit this monstrous libel?" he +asked in his former composed tone. + +"Perhaps it is not libel," said Katherine. + +"You mean that you think you have proofs?" + +"No. That is not my meaning." + +"What then do you mean?" + +"I mean that I _have_ proofs." + +"Ah, at last we are coming to the crux of the matter. Since you have +proofs for your statements, you think there is no libel?" + +"I believe that is sound law," said Katherine. + +"It is sound enough law," he said. He leaned toward her, and there was +now the glint of triumph in his eyes. "But suppose the proofs were not +sound?" + +Katherine started. + +"The proofs not sound?" + +"Yes. I suppose your article is based upon testimony?" + +"Of course." + +His next words were spoken slowly, that each might sink deeply in. + +"Well, suppose your witnesses had found they were mistaken and had +repudiated their testimony? What then?" + +She sank back in her chair. At last the expected blow had fallen. She +sat dazed, thinking wildly. Had they got to Doctor Sherman since she +had seen him, and forced him to recant? Had Manning, offered the world +by them in this crisis, somehow sold her out? She searched the +latter's face with consternation. But he wore a rather stolid look +that told her nothing. + +Blake read the effect of his words in her white face and dismayed +manner. + +"Suppose they have repudiated their statements? What then?" he +crushingly persisted. + +She caught desperately at her courage and her vanishing triumph. + +"But they have not repudiated." + +"You think not? You shall see!" + +He turned to Blind Charlie. "Tell him to step in." + +Blind Charlie moved quickly to a side door. Katherine leaned forward +and stared after him, breathless, her heart stilled. She expected the +following moment to see the slender figure of Doctor Sherman enter the +room, and hear his pallid lips deny he had ever made the confession of +a few hours before. + +Blind Charlie opened the door. + +"They're ready for you," he called. + +It was all Katherine could do to keep from springing up and letting +out a sob of relief. For it was not Doctor Sherman who entered. It was +the broad and sumptuous presence of Elijah Stone, detective. He +crossed and stood before Blake. + +"Mr. Stone," said Blake, sharply, "I want you to answer a few +questions for the benefit of Miss West. First of all, you were +employed by Miss West on a piece of detective work, were you not?" + +"I was," said Mr. Stone, avoiding Katherine's eye. + +"And the nature of your employment was to try to discover evidence of +an alleged conspiracy against the city on my part?" + +"It was." + +"And you made to her certain reports?" + +"I did." + +"Let me inform you that she has used those reports as the basis of a +libellous story which she is about to print. Now answer me, did you +give her any real evidence that would stand the test of a court room?" + +Mr. Stone gazed at the ceiling. + +"My statements to her were mere surmises," he said with the glibness +of a rehearsed answer. "Nothing but conjecture--no evidence at all." + +"What is your present belief concerning these conjectures?" + +"I have since discovered that my conjectures were all mistakes." + +"That will do, Mr. Stone!" + +Blake turned quickly upon Katherine. "Well, now what have you got to +say?" he demanded. + +She could have laughed in her joy. + +"First of all," she called to the withdrawing detective, "I have this +to say to you, Mr. Stone. When you sold out to these people, I hope +you made them pay you well." + +The detective flushed, but he had no chance to reply. + +"This is no time for levity, Miss West!" Blake said sharply. "Now you +see your predicament. Now you see what sort of testimony your libel is +built upon." + +"But my libel is not built upon that testimony." + +"Not built----" He now first observed that Katherine was smiling. +"What do you mean?" + +"Just what I said. That my story is not based on Mr. Stone's +testimony." + +There were exclamations from Mr. Brown and Blind Charlie. + +"Eh--what?" said Blake. "But you hired Stone as a detective?" + +"And he was eminently successful in carrying out the purpose for which +I hired him. That purpose was to be watched, and bought off, by you." + +Blake sank back and stared at her. + +"Then your story is based----" + +"Partly on the testimony of Doctor Sherman," she said. + +Blake came slowly up to his feet. + +"Doctor Sherman?" he breathed. + +"Yes, of Doctor Sherman." + +Blind Charlie moved quickly forward. + +"What's that?" he cried. + +"It's not true!" burst from Blake's lips. "Doctor Sherman is in +Canada!" + +"When I saw him two hours ago he was at his wife's bedside." + +"It's not true!" Blake huskily repeated. + +"And I might add, Mr. Blake," Katherine pursued, "that he made a full +statement of everything--everything!--and that he gave me a signed +confession." + +Blake stared at her blankly. A sickly pallor was creeping over his +face. + +Katherine stood up. + +"And I might furthermore add, gentlemen," she went on, now also +addressing Blind Charlie, "that I know all about the water-works deal, +and the secret agreement among you." + +"Hold on! You're going too far!" the old politician cried savagely. +"You've got no evidence against me!" + +"I could hardly help having it, since I was present at your +proceedings." + +"You?" + +"Personally and by proxy. I am the agent of Mr. Seymour of New York. +Mr. Hartsell here, otherwise Mr. Manning, has represented me, and has +turned over to me the agreement you signed to-day." + +They whirled about upon Manning, who continued unperturbed in his +chair. + +"What she says is straight, gentlemen," he said. "I have only been +acting for Miss West." + +A horrible curse fell from the thick, loose lips of Blind Charlie +Peck. Blake, his sickly pallor deepening, stared from Manning to +Katherine. + +"It isn't so! It can't be so!" he breathed wildly. + +"If you want to see just what I've got, here it is," said Katherine, +and she tossed the bundle of proofs upon the desk. + +Blake seized the sheets in feverish hands. Blind Charlie stepped to +his side, and Mr. Brown slipped forward out of his corner and peered +over their shoulders. First they saw the two facsimiles, then their +eyes swept in the leading points of Billy Harper's fiery story. Then a +low cry escaped from Blake. He had come upon Billy Harper's great +page-wide headline: + + "BLAKE CONSPIRES TO SWINDLE WESTVILLE; + DIRECT CAUSE OF CITY'S SICK AND DEAD." + +At that Blake collapsed into his chair and gazed with ashen face at +the black, accusing letters. This relentless summary of the situation +appalled them all into a moment's silence. + +Blind Charlie was the first to speak. + +"That paper must never come out!" he shouted. + +Blake raised his gray-hued face. + +"How are you going to stop it?" + +"Here's how," cried Peck, his one eye ablaze with fierce energy. "That +crowd at the Square is still all for you, Blake. Don't let the girl +out of the house! I'll rush to the Square, rouse the mob properly, and +they'll raid the office, rip up the presses, plates, paper, every +damned thing!" + +"No--no--I'll not stand for that!" Blake burst out. + +But Blind Charlie had already started quickly away. Not so quickly, +however, but that the very sufficient hand of Manning was about his +wrist before he reached the door. + +"I guess we won't be doing that to-night, Mr. Peck," Manning said +quietly. + +The old politician stood shaking with rage and erupting profanity. But +presently this subsided, and he stood, as did the others, gazing down +at Blake. Blake sat in his chair, silent, motionless, with scarcely a +breath, his eyes fixed on the headline. His look was as ghastly as a +dead man's, a look of utter ruin, of ruin so terrible and complete +that his dazed mind could hardly comprehend it. + +There was a space of profound silence in the room. But after a time +Blind Charlie's face grew malignantly, revengefully jocose. + +"Well, Blake," said he, "I guess this won't hurt me much after all. I +guess I haven't much reputation to lose. But as for you, who started +this business--you the pure, moral, high-minded reformer----" + +He interrupted himself by raising a hand. + +"Listen!" + +Faintly, from the direction of the Square, came the dim roar of +cheering, and then the outburst of the band. Blind Charlie, with a +cynical laugh, clapped a hand upon Blake's shoulder. + +"Don't you hear 'em, Blake? Brace up! The people still are for you!" + +Blake did not reply. The old man bent down, his face now wholly hard. + +"And anyhow, Blake, I'm getting this satisfaction out of the business. +I've had it in for you for a dozen years, and now you're going to get +it good and plenty! Good night and to hell with you!" + +Blake did not look up. Manning slipped an arm through the old man's. + +"I'll go along with you for a little while," said Manning quietly. +"Just to see that you don't start any trouble." + +As the pair were going out Mr. Brown, who had thus far not said a +single word, bent his fatherly figure over Blake. + +"Of course, you realize, Mr. Blake, that our relations are necessarily +at an end," he said in a low voice. + +"Of course," Blake said dully. + +"I'm very sorry we cannot help you, but of course you realize we +cannot afford to be involved in a mess like this. Good night." And he +followed the others out, Old Hosie behind him. + +For a space Katherine stood alone, gazing down upon Blake's bowed and +silent figure. Now that it was all over, now that his allies had all +deserted him, to see this man whom she had known as so proud, so +strong, so admired, with such a boundless future--who had once been +her own ideal of a great man--who had once declared himself her +lover--to see this man now brought so low, stirred in her a strange +emotion, in which there was something of pity, something of sympathy, +and a tugging remembrance of the love he long ago had offered. + +But the noise of the front door closing upon the men recalled her to +herself, and very softly, so as not to disturb him, she started away. +Her hand was on the knob, when there sounded a dry and husky voice +from behind her. + +"Wait, Katherine! Wait!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AN IDOL'S FALL + + +She turned. Blake had risen from his chair. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +He came up to her, the proofs still in his hands. He was unsteady upon +his feet, like a man dizzy from a heavy blow. The face which she had +been accustomed to see only as full of poise and strength and dignity +was now supremely haggard. When he spoke he spoke in uttermost +despair--huskily, chokingly, yet with an effort at control. + +"Do you know what this is going to do to me?" he asked, holding out +the proof-sheets. + +"Yes," she said. + +"It is going to ruin me--reputation, fortune, future! Everything!" + +She did not answer him. + +"Yes, that is going to be the result," he continued in his slow, husky +voice. "Only one thing can save me." + +"And that?" + +He stared at her for a moment with wildly burning eyes. Then he wet +his dry lips. + +"That is for you to countermand this extra." + +"You ask me to do that?" + +"It is my only chance. I do." + +"I believe you are out of your mind!" she cried. + +"I believe I am!" he said hoarsely. + +"Think just a moment, and you will see that what you ask is quite +impossible. Just think a moment." + +He was silent for a time. A tremor ran through him, his body +stiffened. + +"No, I do not ask it," he said. "I am not trying to excuse myself now, +but when a thing falls so unexpectedly, so suddenly----" A choking at +the throat stopped him. "If I have seemed to whimper, I take it back. +You have beaten me, Katherine. But I hope I can take defeat like a +man." + +She did not answer. + +They continued gazing at one another. In the silence of the great +house they could hear each other's agitated breathing. Into his dark +face, now turned so gray, there crept a strange, drawn look--a look +that sent a tingling through all her body. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +"To think," he exclaimed in a low, far-away voice, almost to himself, +"that I have lost everything through you! Through you, through whom I +might have gained everything!" + +"Gained everything? Through me?" she repeated. "How?" + +"I am sure I would have kept out of such things--as this--if, five +years ago, you had said 'yes' instead of 'no'." + +"Said yes?" she breathed. + +"I think you would have kept me in the straight road. For I would not +have dared to fall below your standards. For I"--he drew a deep, +convulsive breath--"for I loved you, Katherine, better than anything +in all the world!" + +She trembled at the intensity of his voice. + +"You loved me--like that?" + +"Yes. And since I have lost you, and lost everything, there is perhaps +no harm in my telling you something else. Only on that one night did I +open my lips about love to you--but I have loved you through all the +years since then. And ... and I still love you." + +"You still love me?" she whispered. + +"I still love you." + +She stared at him. + +"And yet all these months you have fought against me!" + +"I have not fought against _you_," he said. "Somehow, I got started +in this way, and I have fought to win--have fought against exposure, +against defeat." + +"And you still love me?" she murmured, still amazed. + +As she gazed at him there shot into her a poignant pang of pity for +this splendid figure, tottering on the edge of the abyss. For an +instant she thought only of him. + +"You asked me a moment ago to suppress the paper," she cried +impulsively. "Shall I do it?" + +"I now ask nothing," said he. + +"No--no--I can't suppress the paper!" she said in anguish. "That would +be to leave father disgraced, and Mr. Bruce disgraced, and the +city----But what are you going to do?" + +"I do not know. This has come so suddenly. I have had no time to +think." + +"You must at least have time to think! If you had an hour--two hours?" + +There was a momentary flash of hope in his eyes. + +"If I had an hour----" + +"Then we'll delay the paper!" she cried. + +She sprang excitedly to the telephone upon Blake's desk. The next +instant she had Billy Harper on the wire, Blake watching her, +motionless in his tracks. + +"Mr. Harper," she said, "it is now half-past ten. I want you to hold +the paper back till eleven-thirty.... What's that?" + +She listened for a moment, then slowly hung up the receiver. She did +not at once turn round, but when she did her face was very white. + +"Well?" Blake asked. + +"I'm sorry," she said, barely above a whisper. "The paper has been +upon the street for ten minutes." + +They gazed at one another for several moments, both motionless, both +without a word. Then thin, sharp cries penetrated the room. Blake's +lips parted. + +"What is that?" he asked mechanically. + +Katherine crossed and raised a window. Through it came shrill, boyish +voices: + +"Extry! Extry! All about the great Blake conspiracy!" + +These avant couriers of Blake's disgrace sped onward down the avenue. +Katherine turned slowly back to Blake. He still stood in the same +posture, leaning heavily upon an arm that rested on his mahogany desk. +He did not speak. Nor was there anything that Katherine could say. + +It was for but a moment or two that they stood in this strained +silence. Then a dim outcry sounded from the centre of the town. In +but a second, it seemed, this outcry had mounted to a roar. + +"It is the crowd--at the Square," said Blake, in a dry whisper. + +"Yes." + +"The extra--they have seen it." + +The roar rose louder--louder. It was like the thunder of an on-rushing +flood that has burst its dam. It began to separate into distinct +cries, and the shuffle of running feet. + +"They are coming this way," said Blake in his same dry, mechanical +tone. + +There was no need for Katherine to reply. The fact was too apparent. +She moved to the open window, and stood there waiting. The roar grew +nearer--nearer. In but a moment, it seemed to her, the front of this +human flood appeared just beyond her own house. The next moment the +crowd began to pour into Blake's wide lawn--by the hundreds--by the +thousands. Many of them still carried in clenched hands crumpled +copies of the _Express_. Here and there, luridly illuminating the wild +scene, blazed a smoking torch of a member of the Blake Marching Club. +And out of the mouths of this great mob, which less than a short hour +before had lauded him to the stars--out of the mouths of these his +erewhile idolaters, came the most fearful imprecations, the most +fearful cries for vengeance. + +Katherine became aware that Blake was standing behind her gazing down +upon this human storm. She turned, and in his pallid face she plainly +read the passionate regret that was surging through his being. His had +been the chance to serve these people, and serve them with honour to +himself--honour that hardly had a limit. And now he had lost them, +lost them utterly and forever, and with them had lost everything! + +Some one below saw his face at the window and swore shriekingly to +have his life. Blake drew quickly back and stood again beside his +desk. He was white--living flesh could not be more white--but he still +maintained that calm control which had succeeded his first desperate +consternation. + +"What are you going to do?" Katherine asked. + +He very quietly drew out a drawer of his desk and picked up a pistol. + +"What!" she cried. "You are not going to fight them off!" + +"No. I have injured enough of them already," he replied in his +measured tone. "Keep all this from my mother as long as you can--at +least till she is stronger." + +As she saw his intention Katherine sprang forward and caught the +weapon he was turning upon himself. + +"No! No! You must not do that!" + +"But I must," he returned quietly. "Listen!" + +The cries without had grown more violent. The heavy front door was +resounding with blows. + +"Don't you see that this is the only thing that's left?" he asked. + +"And don't you see," she said rapidly, "its effect upon your mother? +In her weakened condition, your death will be her death. You just said +you had injured enough already. Do you want to kill one more? And +besides, and in spite of all," she added with a sudden fire, "there's +a big man in you! Face it like that man!" + +He hesitated. Then he relaxed his hold upon the pistol, still without +speaking. Katherine returned it to its place and closed the drawer. + +At this instant Old Hosie, who had been awaiting Katherine below, +rushed excitedly into the library. + +"Don't you know hell's broke loose?" he cried to Katherine. "They'll +have that front door down in a minute! Come on!" + +But Katherine could not take her gaze from Blake's pale, set face. + +"What are you going to do?" she asked again. + +"What is he going to do?" exclaimed Old Hosie. "Better ask what that +mob is going to do. Listen to them!" + +A raging cry for Blake's life ascended, almost deafening their ears. + +"No, no--they must not do that!" exclaimed Katherine, and breathlessly +she darted from the room. + +Old Hosie looked grimly at Blake. + +"You deserve it, Blake. But I'm against mob law. Quick, slip out the +back way. You can just catch the eleven o'clock express and get out of +the State." + +Without waiting to see the effect of his advice Old Hosie hurried +after Katherine. She had reached the bottom of the stairway just as +cooperated shoulders crashed against the door and made it shiver on +its hinges. Her intention was to go out and speak to the crowd, but to +open the front door was to admit and be overwhelmed by the maddened +mob. She knew the house almost as well as she knew her own, and she +recalled that the dining-room had a French window which opened upon +the piazza on the side away from the crowd. She ran back through the +darkened rooms, swung open this window and ran about the piazza to the +front door. As she reached it, the human battering-ram drew back for +another infuriated lunge. + +She sprang between the men and the door. + +"Stop! Stop!" she cried. + +"What the hell's this!" ejaculated the leader of the assault. + +"Say, if it ain't a woman!" cried a member of the battering-ram. + +"Out of the way with you!" roared the leader in a fury. + +But she placed her back against the door. + +"Stop--men! Give me just one word!" + +"Better stop this, boys!" gasped a man at the foot of the steps, +struggling in half a dozen pairs of arms. "I warn you! It's against +the law!" + +"Shut up, Jim Nichols; this is our business!" cried the leader to the +helpless sheriff. "And now, you"--turning again to Katherine--"out of +the way!" + +The seething, torch-lit mob on the lawn below repeated his cry. The +leader, his wrath increasing, seized Katherine roughly by the arm and +jerked her aside: + +"Now, all together, boys!" he shouted. + +But at that instant upon the front of the mob there fell a tall, lean +fury with a raging voice and a furiously swinging cane. It was Old +Hosie. Before this fierce chastisement, falling so suddenly upon their +heads, the battering-ram for a moment pressed backward. + +"You fools! You idiots!" the old man cried, and his high, sharp voice +cut through all the noises of the mob. "Is that the way you treat the +woman that saved you!" + +"Saved us?" some one shouted incredulously. "Her save us?" + +"Yes, saved you!" Old Hosie cried in a rising voice down upon the +heads of the crowd. His cane had ceased its flailing; the crowd had +partially ceased its uproar. "Do you know who that woman is? She's +Katherine West!" + +"Oh, the lady lawyer!" rose several jeering voices. + +For the moment Old Hosie's tall figure, with his cane outstretched, +had the wrathful majesty of a prophet of old, denouncing his foolish +and reprobate people. + +"Go on, all of you, laugh at her to-night!" he shouted. "But after +to-night you'll all slink around Westville, ashamed to look anything +in the face higher than a dog! For half a year you've been sneering at +Katherine West. And see how she's paid you back! It was she that found +out your enemy. It was she that dug up all the facts and evidence +you've read in those papers there. It was she that's saved you from +being robbed. And now----" + +"She done all that?" exclaimed a voice from the now stilled mob. + +"Yes, she done all that!" shouted Old Hosie. "And what's more, she got +out that paper in your hands. While you've been sneering at her, she's +been working for you. And now, after all this, you're not even willing +to listen to a word from her!" His voice rose in its contemptuous +wrath still one note higher. "And now listen to me! I'm going to tell +you exactly what you are! You are all----" + +But Westville never learned exactly what it was. Just then Old Hosie +was firmly pulled back by the tails of his Prince Albert coat and +found himself in the possession of the panting, dishevelled sheriff of +Galloway County. + +"You've made your point, Hosie," said Jim Nichols. "They'll listen to +her now." + +Katherine stepped forward into the space Old Hosie had involuntarily +vacated. With the torchlights flaring up into her face she stood there +breathing deeply, awed into momentary silence by the great crowd and +by the responsibility that weighed upon her. + +"If, as Mr. Hollingsworth has said," she began in a tremulous but +clear voice that carried to the farthest confines of the lawn, "you +owe me anything, all I ask in return is that you refrain from mob +violence;" and she went on to urge upon them the lawful course. The +crowd, taken aback by the accusations and revelations Old Hosie had +flung so hotly into their faces, strangely held by her impassioned +woman's figure pedestalled above them on the porch, listened to her +with an attention and respect which they as yet were far from +understanding. + +She felt that she had won her audience, that she had turned them +back to lawful measures, when suddenly there was a roar of "Blake! +Blake!"--the stilled crowd became again a mob--and she saw that the +focus of their gaze had shifted from her to a point behind her. +Looking about, she saw that the door had opened, and that Blake, +pale and erect, was standing in the doorway. The crowd tried to +surge forward, but the front ranks, out of their new and but +half-comprehended respect for Katherine, stood like a wall against the +charge that would have overwhelmed her. + +Blake moved forward to her side. + +"I should like to speak to them, if I can," he said quietly. + +Katherine held up her hand for silence. The mob hissed and cursed him, +and tried to break through the human fortification of the front ranks. +Through it all Blake stood silent, pale, without motion. Katherine, +her hand still upraised, continued to cry out for silence; and after a +time the uproar began in a measure to diminish. + +Katherine took quick advantage of the lull. + +"Gentlemen," she called out, "won't you please give Mr. Blake just a +word!" + +Cries that they should give him a chance to speak ran through +the crowd, and thus abjured by its own members the mob quieted +yet further. While they were subsiding into order Blake looked +steadily out upon this sea of hostile faces. Katherine watched him +breathlessly, wondering what he was about to say. It swept in upon +her, with a sudden catching of the throat, that he made a fine figure +standing there so straight, so white, with so little sign of fear; and +despite what the man had done, again some of her old admiration for +him thrilled through her, and with it an infinite pang of regret for +what he might have been. + +At length there was moderate order, and Blake began to speak. +"Gentlemen, I do not wish to plead for myself," he said quietly, yet +in his far-carrying voice. "What I have done is beyond your +forgiveness. I merely desire to say that I am guilty; to say that I am +here to give myself into your hands. Do with me as you think best. If +you prefer immediate action, I shall go with you without resistance. +If you wish to let the law take its course, then"--here he made a +slight gesture toward Jim Nichols, who stood beside him--"then I shall +give myself into the hands of the sheriff. I await your choice." + +With that he paused. A perfect hush had fallen on the crowd. This man +who had dominated them in the days of his glory, dominated them for at +least a flickering moment in this the hour of his fall. For that brief +moment all were under the spell of their habit to honour him, the +spell of his natural dignity, the spell of his direct words. + +Then the spell was over. The storm broke loose again. There were cries +for immediate action, and counter cries in favour of the law. The two +cries battled with each other. For a space there was doubt as to which +was the stronger. Then that for the law rose louder and louder and +drowned the other out. + +Sheriff Nichols slipped his arm through Blake's. + +"I guess you're going to come with me," he said. + +"I am ready," was Blake's response. + +He turned about to Katherine. + +"You deserved to win," he said quietly. "Thank you. Good-by." + +"Good-by," said she. + +The sheriff drew him away. Katherine, panting, leaning heavily against +a pillar of the porch, watched the pair go down the steps--watched the +great crowd part before them--watched them march through this human +alley-way, lighted by smoking campaign torches--watched them till they +had passed into the darkness in the direction of the jail. Then she +dizzily reached out and caught Old Hosie's arm. + +"Help me home," she said weakly. "I--I feel sick." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE END OF THE BEGINNING + + +It was the following night, and the hour was nine. Old Hosie stood in +the sheriff's office in Galloway County jail, while Jim Nichols +scrutinized a formal looking document his visitor had just delivered +into his hands. + +"It's all right, isn't it?" said the old lawyer. + +"Yep." The sheriff thrust the paper into a drawer. "I'll fetch him +right down." + +"Remember, don't give him a hint!" Old Hosie warned again. "You're +sure," he added anxiously, "he hasn't got on to anything?" + +"How many more times have I got to tell you," returned the sheriff, a +little irritated, "that I ain't said a word to him--just as you told +me! He heard some of the racket last night, sure. But he thought it +was just part of the regular campaign row." + +"All right! All right! Hurry him along then!" + +Left alone, Old Hosie walked excitedly up and down the dingy room, +whose sole pretension in an æsthetic way was the breeze-blown +"yachting girl" of a soap company's calendar, sailing her bounding +craft above the office cuspidor. + +The old man grinned widely, rubbed his bony hands together, and a +concatenation of low chuckles issued from his lean throat. But when +Sheriff Nichols reappeared, ushering in Arnold Bruce, all these +outward manifestations of satisfaction abruptly terminated, and his +manner became his usual dry and sarcastic one with his nephew. + +"Hello, Arn!" he said. "H'are you?" + +"Hello!" Bruce returned, rather gruffly, shaking the hand his uncle +held out. "What's this the sheriff has just told me about a new +trial?" + +"It's all right," returned Old Hosie. "We've fought on till we've made +'em give it to us." + +"What's the use of it?" Bruce growled. "The cards will be stacked the +same as at the other trial." + +"Well, whatever happens, you're free till then. I've got you out on +bail, and I'm here to take you home with me. So come along with you." + +Old Hosie pushed him out and down the jail steps and into a closed +carriage that was waiting at the curb. Bruce was in a glowering, +embittered mood, as was but natural in a man who keenly feels that he +has suffered without justice and has lost all for which he fought. + +"You know I appreciate your working for the new trial," he remarked +dully, as the carriage rattled slowly on. "How did you manage it?" + +"It's too long a story for now. I'll tell you when we get home." + +Bruce was gloomily silent for a moment. + +"Of course the Blake crowd swept everything at the election to-day?" + +"Well, on the whole, their majority wasn't as big as they'd counted +on," returned Old Hosie. + +They rode on, Bruce sunk in his bitter, rebellious dejection. The +carriage turned into the street that ran behind the Court House, then +after rattling over the brick pavement for a few moments came to a +pause. Hosie opened the door and stepped out. + +"Hello! what are we stopping here for?" demanded Bruce. "This is the +Court House. I thought you said we were going home?" + +"So we are, so we are," Old Hosie rapidly returned, an agitation in +his manner that he could not wholly repress. "But first we've got to +go into the Court House. Judge Kellog is waiting for us; there's a +little formality or two about your release we've got to settle with +him. Come along." And taking his arm Old Hosie hurried him into the +Court House yard, allowing no time for questioning the plausibility of +this explanation. + +But suddenly Bruce stopped short. + +"Look at that, won't you!" he cried in amazement. "See how the front +of the yard is lighted up, and see how it's jammed with people! And +there goes the band! What the dickens----" + +At that moment some one on the outskirts of the crowd sighted the +pair. "There's Bruce!" he shouted. + +Immediately there was an uproar. "Hurrah for Bruce! Hurrah for Bruce!" +yelled the crowd, and began to rush to the rear of the yard, cheering +as they ran. + +Bruce gripped Old Hosie's arm. + +"What's this mean?" + +"It means we've got to run for it!" And so saying the old man, with a +surprising burst of speed left over from his younger years, dragged +his nephew up the walk and through the rear door of the Court House, +which he quickly locked upon their clamorous pursuers. + +Bruce stared at his uncle in bewilderment. + +"Hosie--Hosie--what's this mean?" + +The old man's leathery face was twitching in a manner remarkable to +behold. + +"Drat it," he grumbled, with a quaver in his voice, "why don't you +read the _Express_ and keep up with the news!" + +"What's this mean?" demanded Bruce. + +"Well, here's a copy of your old rag. Read it and see for yourself." + +Bruce seized the _Express_ the old man held out to him. Up in one +corner were the words "_Election Extra_," and across the top of the +page ran the great headline: + + "BRUCE TICKET SWEEPS CITY" + +Bruce looked slowly up, stupefied, and steadied himself with a hand +against the door. + +"Is--is that true?" + +"For my part," declared Old Hosie, the quaver in his voice growing +more prominent, "I don't believe more'n half I see in that dirty +sheet!" + +"Then--it's true?" + +"Don't you hear them wild Indians yelling for Mayor Bruce?" + +Bruce was too dazed to speak for a moment. + +"Tell me--how did it happen?" + +"Oh, read your old rag and see!" + +"For God's sake, Hosie, don't fool with me!" he cried. "How did it +happen? Somebody has been at work. Who did it?" + +"Eh! You really want to know that?" + +"Yes, yes! Who did it?" + +"It was done," said Old Hosie, looking at him very straight and +blinking his eyes, "by a party that I understand you thought couldn't +do much of anything." + +"But who? Who?" + +"If you really want to know, the party's name is Miss Katherine West." + +Bruce's stupefaction outdid itself. + +"Katherine West!" he repeated. + +Old Hosie could maintain his rôle no longer. + +"Yes, Katherine West!" he burst out in triumphant joy, his words +tumbling over one another. "She did it all--every bit of it! And that +mob out in front is there to celebrate your election. We knew how +things were going to turn out, so we were safe in getting this thing +ready in advance. And I don't mind telling you, young fellow, that +this celebration is just as much for her as it is for you. The town +has simply gone crazy about her and is looking for a chance to kiss +her feet. She said she wouldn't come to-night, but we all insisted. I +promised to bring her, and I've got to be off. So good-by!" + +Bruce caught his arm. + +"Wait, Hosie! Tell me what she did! Tell me the rest!" + +"Read that paper I gave you! And here, I brought this for you, too." +He took from his inside pocket a copy of the extra Katherine and Billy +Harper had got out the night before. "Those two papers will tell you +all there is to tell. And now," he continued, opening a door and +pushing Bruce through it, "you just wait in there so I'll know where +to find you when I want you. I've got to hustle for a while, for I'm +master of ceremonies of this show. How's that for your old uncle? It's +the first time I've ever been connected with a popular movement in my +life except to throw bricks at it, and I ain't so sure I can stand +popularity for one whole night." + +With that he was gone. Bruce recognized the room into which he had +been thrust as the court room in which he had been tried and +sentenced, in which Katherine had pleaded her father's case. Over the +judge's desk, as though in expectation of his coming, a green-shaded +drop lamp shed its cone of light. Bruce stumbled forward to the desk, +sank into the judge's chair, and began feverishly to devour the two +copies of his paper. + +Billy Harper, penitently sober and sworn to sobriety for all his days, +had outdone himself on that day's issue. He told how the voters +crowded to the polls in their eagerness to vote for Bruce, and he gave +with a tremendous exultation an estimate of Bruce's majority, which +was so great as to be an almost unanimous election. Also he told how +Blind Charlie Peck had prudently caught last night's eleven o'clock +express and was now believed to be repairing his health down at Hot +Springs, Arkansas. Also he gave a deal of inside history: told how +the extra had been gotten out the night before, with the Blake +mass-meeting going on beneath the _Express's_ windows; told of the +scene at the home of Blake, and Blake's strange march to jail; and, +freed from the restraint of Katherine's presence, who would have +forbidden him, he told with a world of praise the story of how she had +worked up the case. + +The election extra finished, Bruce spread open the extra of the night +before, the paper that had transferred him from a prison cell to the +mayor's office, and read the mass of Katherine's evidence that Billy +had so stirringly set forth. Then the head of the editor of the +_Express_, of the mayor of Westville, sank forward into his folded +arms and he sat bowed, motionless, upon the judge's desk. + +A great outburst of cheering from the crowd, though louder far than +those that had preceded it, did not disturb him; and he did not look +up until he heard the door of the court room open. Then he saw that +Old Hosie had entered, and with him Katherine. + +"I'll just leave you two for a minute," Old Hosie said rapidly, "while +I go out and start things going by introducing the Honourable Hiram +Cogshell." + +With that the old man took the arm of Katherine's father, who had been +standing just behind, slipped through the door and was gone. A moment +later, from in front, there arose a succession of cheers for Doctor +West. + +Bruce came slowly down from behind the railing of Judge Kellog's desk +and paused before Katherine. She was very white, her breath came with +a tremulous irregularity, and she looked at him with wide, wondering, +half-fearful eyes. + +At first Bruce could not get out a word, such a choking was there in +his throat, such a throbbing and whirling through all his being. He +dizzily supported himself with a hand upon the back of a bench, and +stood and gazed at her. + +It was she that broke the silence. + +"Mr. Hollingsworth did not tell me--you were here. I'd better go." And +she started for the door. + +"No--no--don't!" he said. He drew a step nearer her. "I've just +read"--holding up the two papers--"what you have done." + +"Mr. Harper has--has exaggerated it very much," she returned. Her +voice seemed to come with as great a difficulty as his own. + +"And I have read," he continued, "how much I owe you." + +"It's--it's----" She did not finish in words, but a gesture disclaimed +all credit. + +"It has made me. And I want to thank you, and I do thank you. And I do +thank you," he repeated lamely. + +She acknowledged his gratitude with an inclination of her head. +Motions came easier than words. + +"And since I owe it all to you, since I owe nothing to any political +party, I want to tell you that I am going to try to make the very best +mayor that I can!" + +"I am sure of that," she said. + +"I realize that it's not going to be easy," he went on. "The people +seem to be with me now, thanks to you--but as soon as I try to carry +out my ideas, I know that both parties will rise up and unite against +me. The big fight is still ahead. But since--since you have done it +all--I want you to know that I am going to fight straight ahead for +the people, no matter what happens to me." + +"I know," she said. + +"My eyes have been opened to many things about politics," he added. + +She did not speak. + +Silence fell between them; the room was infiltered by a multitudinous +hum from without. Presently the thought, and with it the fear, that +had been rising up stronger and stronger in Bruce for the last half +hour, forced itself through his lips. + +"I suppose that now--you'll be going back to New York?" + +"No. I have had several cases offered me to-day. I am going to stay in +Westville." + +"Oh!" he said--and was conscious of a dizzy relief. Then, "I wish you +success." + +"Thank you." + +Again there was a brief silence, both standing and looking in +constraint at one another. + +"This celebration is very trying, isn't it?" she said. "I suppose we +might sit down while we wait." + +"Yes." + +They each took the end of a different bench, and rather stiffly sat +gazing into the shadowy severity of the big room. Sounding from the +front of the Court House they heard rather vaguely the deep-chested, +sonorous rhetoric of the Honourable Hiram. + +But they heard it for but an instant. Suddenly the court room door +flew open and Old Hosie marched straight up before them. + +"You're the dad-blastedest pair of idiots I ever saw!" he burst out, +with an exasperation that was not an entire success, for it was +betrayed by a little quaver. + +They stood up. + +"What's the matter?" stammered Bruce. + +"Matter?" cried Old Hosie. "What d'you suppose I left you two people +here together for?" + +"You said you had to start----" + +"Well, couldn't I have another and a bigger reason? I've been +listening outside the door here, and the way you people have acted! +See here, you two know you love one another, and yet you act toward +each other like a pair of tame icebergs that have just been +introduced!" + +He turned in a fury upon his nephew, blinking to keep the moisture +from his eyes. + +"Don't you love her?" he demanded, pointing to Katherine, who had +suddenly grown yet more pale. + +"Why--yes--yes----" + +"Then why in the name of God don't you tell her so?" + +"I'm--I'm afraid she won't care to hear it," stammered Bruce, not +daring to look at Katherine. + +"Tell her so, and see what she says," shouted Old Hosie. "How else are +you going to find out? Tell her what a fool you've been. Tell her +she's proved to you you're all wrong about what you thought she ought +to do. Tell her unless you get some one of sense to help run you, +you're going to make an all-fired mess of this mayor's job. Tell +her"--there was a choking in his voice--"oh, boy, just tell her what +you feel! + +"And now," he added quickly, and again sharply, "that mob outside +won't listen to the Honourable Hiram much longer. They want you folks. +I give you just two minutes to fix things up. Two minutes--no more!" + +And pulling his high hat down upon his forehead, Old Hosie turned +abruptly and again left the room. + +Bruce looked slowly about upon Katherine. His rugged, powerful face +was working with emotion. + +"What Uncle Hosie has said is all true," he stammered fearfully. "You +know I love you, Katherine. And there isn't anything you'll want to do +that I'll not be glad to have you do. Won't you forget, Katherine, and +won't you--won't you----" + +He stretched out his arms to her. "Oh, Katherine!" he cried. "I love +you! I want you! I need you!" + +While he spoke her face had grown radiant. "And I--and I"--she +choked, then her voice went on with an uprush of happiness--"and +I--oh, Arnold, I need you!" + + * * * * * + +When Old Hosie reëntered a minute later and saw what there was to be +seen, he let out a little cry of joy and swooped down upon them. + +"Look out, Katherine," he warned, quaveringly, "for I'm going to kiss +you!" But despite this warning the old man succeeded in his +enterprise. "This is great!--great!" he cried, shaking a hand of each. +"But we'll have to cut this hallelujah business short till that little +picnic outside is over. I just pulled the Honourable Hiram down--and, +say, just listen to that roar!" + +A roar it was indeed. Of a bursting brass band, of thousands of eager +people. + +"And who do you suppose they're shouting for?" inquired the joyous +Hosie. + +Katherine smiled a tear-bright smile at Bruce. + +"For the new mayor," she said. + +"No, no! All for you!" said he. + +"Well, come on and we'll see who it's for!" cried Old Hosie. + +And taking an arm of each he led them out to face the cheering +multitude. + + THE END + + THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS + GARDEN CITY. N. Y. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: + +Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the +author's words and intent. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Counsel for the Defense, by Leroy Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + +***** This file should be named 28820-8.txt or 28820-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/8/2/28820/ + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Counsel for the Defense + +Author: Leroy Scott + +Illustrator: Charles M. Chapman + +Release Date: May 15, 2009 [EBook #28820] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/icover.jpg" width="297" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h1> Counsel for the Defense</h1> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h2>Leroy Scott</h2> + +<p class="center"> Author of</p> + +<p class="center"> “The Shears of Destiny,” “To Him That Hath,”<br /> +“The Walking Delegate”</p> + +<p class="gap"> </p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 99px;"> +<img src="images/ititle.jpg" width="99" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="gap"> </p> + +<p class="center"> Frontispiece by<br /> +Charles M. Chapman</p> + +<p class="center"> <span class="smcap">Garden City New York</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 110%">DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY</span><br /> +1912</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1911, 1912, by</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Leroy Scott</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>All rights reserved, including that of<br /> +translation into foreign languages,<br /> +including the Scandinavian</i></p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="500" height="341" alt="“THRILLING WITH AN UNEXPECTED HOPE, KATHERINE ROSE AND +TRIED TO KEEP HERSELF BEFORE THE EYES OF DOCTOR SHERMAN LIKE AN +ACCUSING CONSCIENCE”" title="" /> +<span class="caption">“THRILLING WITH AN UNEXPECTED HOPE, KATHERINE ROSE AND +TRIED TO KEEP HERSELF BEFORE THE EYES OF DOCTOR SHERMAN LIKE AN +ACCUSING CONSCIENCE”</span> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h4>TO</h4> + +<h3>HELEN</h3> + +<hr class="large" /> +<div class="centerbox bbox"> +<h2>PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Katherine West.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Dr. David West</span>, her father.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Arnold Bruce</span>, editor of the <i>Express</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Harrison Blake</span>, ex-lieutenant-governor.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Blake</span>, his mother.<br /> +<span class="smcap">“Blind Charlie” Peck</span>, a political boss.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hosea Hollingsworth</span>, an old attorney.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Billy Harper</span>, reporter on the <i>Express</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">The Reverend Dr. Sherman</span>, of the<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em"> Wabash Avenue Church.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Sherman</span>, his wife.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Rachel Gray</span>, Katherine’s aunt.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Roger Kennedy</span>, prosecuting attorney.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Judge Kellog.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mr. Brown</span>, of the National Electric &<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em">Water Company.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mr. Manning</span>, a detective.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Elijah Stone</span>, a detective.</p></div> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="60%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary="CONTENTS"> + +<tr> +<td align="right">Chapter</td> +<td align="left"> </td> +<td align="right">Page</td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">I.</td> +<td align="left">Westville Prepares to Celebrate</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#COUNSEL_FOR_THE_DEFENSE">3</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">II.</td> +<td align="left">The Bubble Reputation</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">15</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">III.</td> +<td align="left">Katherine Comes Home</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">30</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">IV.</td> +<td align="left">Doctor West’s Lawyer</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">49</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">V.</td> +<td align="left">Katherine Prepares for Battle</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">63</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">VI.</td> +<td align="left">The Lady Lawyer</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">80</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">VII.</td> +<td align="left">The Mask Falls</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">98</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">VIII.</td> +<td align="left">The Editor of the <i>Express</i></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">116</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">IX.</td> +<td align="left">The Price of a Man</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">131</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">X.</td> +<td align="left">Sunset at The Sycamores</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">146</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XI.</td> +<td align="left">The Trial</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">158</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XII.</td> +<td align="left">Opportunity Knocks at Bruce’s Door</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">172</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XIII.</td> +<td align="left">The Deserter</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">191</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XIV.</td> +<td align="left">The Night Watch</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">212</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XV.</td> +<td align="left">Politics Make Strange Bedfellows</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">226</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XVI.</td> +<td align="left">Through The Storm</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">240</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XVII.</td> +<td align="left">The Cup of Bliss</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">250</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XVIII.</td> +<td align="left">The Candidate and the Tiger</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">264</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XIX.</td> +<td align="left">When Greek Meets Greek</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">276</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XX.</td> +<td align="left">A Spectre Comes to Town</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">295</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXI.</td> +<td align="left">Bruce to the Front</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">311</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXII.</td> +<td align="left">The Last Stand</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">328</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXIII.</td> +<td align="left">At Elsie’s Bedside</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">346</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXIV.</td> +<td align="left">Billy Harper Writes a Story</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">368</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXV.</td> +<td align="left">Katherine Faces the Enemy</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">388</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXVI.</td> +<td align="left">An Idol’s Fall</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">403</a></td></tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right">XXVII.</td> +<td align="left">The End of The Beginning</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">418</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="large" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="COUNSEL_FOR_THE_DEFENSE" id="COUNSEL_FOR_THE_DEFENSE"></a>COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE</h2> + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>WESTVILLE PREPARES TO CELEBRATE</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> room was thick with dust and draped with ancient cobwebs. In one +corner dismally reposed a literary junk heap—old magazines, +broken-backed works of reference, novels once unanimously read but now +unanimously forgotten. The desk was a helter-skelter of papers. One of +the two chairs had its burst cane seat mended by an atlas of the +world; and wherever any of the floor peered dimly through the general +débris it showed a complexion of dark and ineradicable greasiness. +Altogether, it was a room hopelessly unfit for human habitation; which +is perhaps but an indirect manner of stating that it was the office of +the editor of a successful newspaper.</p> + +<p>Before a typewriter at a small table sat a bare-armed, solitary man. +He was twenty-eight or thirty, abundantly endowed with bone and +muscle, and with a face——But not to soil this early page with +abusive terms, it will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> be sufficient to remark that whatever the +Divine Sculptor had carved his countenance to portray, plainly there +had been no thought of re-beautifying the earth with an Apollo. He was +constructed not for grace, but powerful, tireless action; and there +was something absurdly disproportionate between the small machine and +the broad and hairy hands which so heavily belaboured its ladylike +keys.</p> + +<p>It was a custom with Bruce to write the big local news story of the +day himself, a feature that had proved a stimulant to his paper’s +circulation and prestige. To-morrow was to be one of the proudest days +of Westville’s history, for to-morrow was the formal opening of the +city’s greatest municipal enterprise, its thoroughly modern +water-works; and it was an extensive and vivid account of the next +day’s programme that the editor was pounding so rapidly out of his +machine for that afternoon’s issue of the <i>Express</i>. Now and then, as +he paused an instant to shape an effective sentence in his mind, he +glanced through the open window beside him across Main Street to +where, against the front of the old Court House, a group of +shirt-sleeved workmen were hanging their country’s colours about a +speakers’ stand; then his big, blunt fingers thumped swiftly on.</p> + +<p>He had jerked out the final sheet, and had begun to revise his story, +making corrections<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> with a very black pencil and in a very large hand, +when there sauntered in from the general editorial room a pale, slight +young man of twenty-five. The newcomer had a reckless air, a humorous +twist to the left corner of his mouth, and a negligent smartness in +his dress which plainly had its origin elsewhere than in Westville.</p> + +<p>The editor did not raise his eyes.</p> + +<p>“In a minute, Billy,” he said shortly.</p> + +<p>“Nothing to hurry about, Arn,” drawled the other.</p> + +<p>The young fellow drew forward the atlas-bottomed chair, leisurely +enthroned himself upon the nations of the earth, crossed his feet upon +the window-sill, and lit a cigarette. About his lounging form there +was a latent energy like that of a relaxed cat. He gazed rather +languidly over at the Square, its sides abustle with excited +preparation. Across the fronts of stores bunting was being tacked; +from upper windows crisp cotton flags were being unscrolled. As for +the Court House yard itself, to-day its elm-shaded spaces were +lifeless save for the workmen about the stand, a litigant or two going +up the walk, and an occasional frock-coated lawyer, his vest +democratically unbuttoned to the warm May air. But to-morrow——</p> + +<p>The young fellow had turned his head slowly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>toward the editor’s copy, +and, as though reading, he began in an emotional, declamatory voice:</p> + +<p>“To-morrow the classic shades of Court House Square will teem with a +tumultuous throng. In the emblazoned speakers’ stand the Westville +Brass Band, in their new uniforms, glittering like so many grand +marshals of the empire, will trumpet forth triumphant music fit to +burst; and aloft from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory——”</p> + +<p>“Go to hell!” interrupted Bruce, eyes still racing through his copy.</p> + +<p>“And down from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory,” continued +Billy, with a rising quaver in his voice, “Mr. Harrison Blake, +Westville’s favourite son; the Reverend Doctor Sherman, president of +the Voters’ Union, and the Honourable Hiram Cogshell, Calloway +County’s able-bodiest orator, will pour forth prodigal and perfervid +eloquence upon the populace below. And Dr. David West, he who has +directed this magnificent work from its birth unto the present, he who +has laid upon the sacred altar of his city’s welfare a matchless +devotion and a lifetime’s store of scientific knowledge, he who——”</p> + +<p>“See here, young fellow!” The editor slammed down the last sheet of +his revised story, and turned upon his assistant a square, bony, +aggressive face that gave a sense of having <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>been modelled by a +clinched fist, and of still glowering at the blow. He had gray eyes +that gleamed dogmatically from behind thick glasses, and hair that +brush could not subdue. “See here, Billy Harper, will you please go to +hell!”</p> + +<p>“Sure; follow you anywhere, Arn,” returned Billy pleasantly, holding +out his cigarette case.</p> + +<p>“You little Chicago alley cat, you!” growled Bruce. He took a +cigarette, broke it open and poured the tobacco into a black pipe, +which he lit. “Well—turn up anything?”</p> + +<p>“Governor can’t come,” replied the reporter, lighting a fresh +cigarette.</p> + +<p>“Hard luck. But we’ll have the crowd anyhow. Blake tell you anything +else?”</p> + +<p>“He didn’t tell me that. His stenographer did; she’d opened the +Governor’s telegram. Blake’s in Indianapolis to-day—looking after his +chances for the Senate, I suppose.”</p> + +<p>“See Doctor West?”</p> + +<p>“Went to his house first. But as usual he wouldn’t say a thing. That +old boy is certainly the mildest mannered hero of the day I ever went +up against. The way he does dodge the spot-light!—it’s enough to make +one of your prima donna politicians die of heart failure. To do a +great piece of work, and then be as modest about it as he is—well, +Arn, I sure am for that old doc!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p><p>“Huh!” grunted the editor.</p> + +<p>“When it comes time to hang the laurel wreath upon his brow to-morrow +I’ll bet you and your spavined old Arrangements Committee will have to +push him on to the stand by the scruff of his neck.”</p> + +<p>“Did you get him to promise to sit for a new picture?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And you ought to raise me ten a week for doing it. He didn’t +want his picture printed; and if we did print it, he thought that +prehistoric thing of the eighties we’ve got was good enough.”</p> + +<p>“Well, be sure you get that photo, if you have to use chloroform. I +saw him go into the Court House a little while ago. Better catch him +as he comes out and lead him over to Dodson’s gallery.”</p> + +<p>“All right.” The young fellow recrossed his feet upon the window-sill. +“But, Arn,” he drawled, “this certainly is a slow old burg you’ve +dragged me down into. If one of your leading citizens wants to catch +the seven-thirty to Indianapolis to-morrow morning, I suppose he sets +his alarm to go off day before yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“What’s soured on your stomach now?” demanded the editor.</p> + +<p>“Oh, the way it took this suburb of Nowhere thirty years to wake up to +Doctor West! <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>Every time I see him I feel sore for hours afterward at +how this darned place has treated the old boy. If your six-cylinder, +sixty-horse power, seven-passenger tongues hadn’t remembered that his +grandfather had founded Westville, I bet you’d have talked him out of +the town long ago.”</p> + +<p>“The town didn’t understand him.”</p> + +<p>“I should say it didn’t!” agreed the reporter.</p> + +<p>“And I guess you don’t understand the town,” said the editor, a little +sharply. “Young man, you’ve never lived in a small place.”</p> + +<p>“Till this, Chicago was my smallest—the gods be praised!”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s the same in your old smokestack of the universe as it is +here!” retorted Bruce. “If you go after the dollar, you’re sane. If +you don’t, you’re cracked. Doctor West started off like a winner, so +they say; looked like he was going to get a corner on all the patients +of Westville. Then, when he stopped practising——”</p> + +<p>“You never told me what made him stop.”</p> + +<p>“His wife’s death—from typhoid; I barely remember that. When he +stopped practising and began his scientific work, the town thought +he’d lost his head.”</p> + +<p>“And yet two years ago the town was glad enough to get him to take +charge of installing its new water system!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p><p>“That’s how it discovered he was somebody. When the city began to look +around for an expert, it found no one they could get had a tenth of +his knowledge of water supply.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the way with your self-worshipping cross-roads towns! You +raise a genius—laugh at him, pity his family—till you learn how the +outside world respects him. Then—hurrah! Strike up the band, boys! +When I think how that old party has been quietly studying typhoid +fever and water supply all these years, with you bunch of hayseeds +looking down on him as a crank—I get so blamed sore at the place that +I wish I’d chucked your letter into the waste-basket when you wrote me +to come!”</p> + +<p>“It may have been a dub of a town, Billy, but it’ll be the best place +in Indiana before we get through with it,” returned the editor +confidently. “But whom else did you see?”</p> + +<p>“Ran into the Honourable Hiram Cogshell on Main Street, and he slipped +me this precious gem.” Billy handed Bruce a packet of typewritten +sheets. “Carbon of his to-morrow’s speech. He gave it to me, he said, +to save us the trouble of taking it down. The Honourable Hiram is +certainly one citizen who’ll never go broke buying himself a bushel to +hide his light under!”</p> + +<p>The editor glanced at a page or two of it with wearied irritation, +then tossed it back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p><p>“Guess we’ll have to print it. But weed out some of his flowers of +rhetoric.”</p> + +<p>“Pressed flowers,” amended Billy. “Swipe the Honourable Hiram’s copy +of ‘Bartlett’s Quotations’ and that tremendous orator would have +nothing left but his gestures.”</p> + +<p>“How about the grand jury, Billy?” pursued the editor. “Anything doing +there?”</p> + +<p>“Farmer down in Buck Creek Township indicted for kidnapping his +neighbour’s pigs,” drawled the reporter. “Infants snatched away while +fond mother slept. Very pathetic. Also that second-story man was +indicted that stole Alderman Big Bill Perkins’s clothes. Remember it, +don’t you? Big Bill’s clothes had so much diameter that the poor, +hard-working thief couldn’t sell the fruits of his industry. Pathos +there also. Guess I can spin the two out for a column.”</p> + +<p>“Spin ’em out for about three lines,” returned Bruce in his abrupt +manner. “No room for your funny stuff to-day, Billy; the celebration +crowds everything else out. Write that about the Governor, and then +help Stevens with the telegraph—and see that it’s carved down to the +bone.” He picked up the typewritten sheets he had finished revising, +and let out a sharp growl of “Copy!”</p> + +<p>“That’s your celebration story, isn’t it?” asked the reporter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p><p>“Yes.” And Bruce held it out to the “devil” who had appeared through +the doorway from the depths below.</p> + +<p>“Wait a bit with it, Arn. The prosecuting attorney stopped me as I was +leaving, and asked me to have you step over to the Court House for a +minute.”</p> + +<p>“What’s Kennedy want?”</p> + +<p>“Something about the celebration, he said. I guess he wants to talk +with you about some further details of the programme.”</p> + +<p>“Why the deuce didn’t he come over here then?” growled Bruce. “I’m as +busy as he is!”</p> + +<p>“He said he couldn’t leave.”</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t leave?” said Bruce, with a snap of his heavy jaw. “Well, +neither can I!”</p> + +<p>“You mean you won’t go?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I mean! I’ll go to the very gates of hell to get a good +piece of news, but when it comes to general affairs the politicians, +business men, and the etceteras of this town have got to understand +that there’s just as much reason for their coming to me as for my +going to them. I’m as important as any of them.”</p> + +<p>“So-ho, we’re on our high horse, are we?”</p> + +<p>“You bet we are, my son! And that’s where you’ve got to be if you want +this town to respect you.”</p> + +<p>“All right. She’s a great nag, if you can <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>keep your saddle. But I +guess I’d better tell Kennedy you’re not coming.”</p> + +<p>Without rising, Billy leaned back and took up Bruce’s desk telephone, +and soon was talking to the prosecuting attorney. After a moment he +held out the instrument to the editor.</p> + +<p>“Kennedy wants to speak with you,” he said.</p> + +<p>Bruce took the ’phone.</p> + +<p>“Hello, that you Kennedy?... No, I can’t come—too busy. Suppose you +run over here.... Got some people there? Well, bring ’em along.... Why +can’t they come? Who are they?... Can’t you tell me what the situation +is?... All right, then; in a couple of minutes.”</p> + +<p>Bruce hung up the receiver and arose.</p> + +<p>“So you’re going after all?” asked Billy.</p> + +<p>“Guess I’d better,” returned the editor, putting on his coat and hat. +“Kennedy says something big has just broken loose. Sounds queer. +Wonder what the dickens it can be.” And he started out.</p> + +<p>“But how about your celebration story?” queried Billy. “Want it to go +down?”</p> + +<p>Bruce looked at his watch.</p> + +<p>“Two hours till press time; I guess it can wait.” And taking the story +back from the boy he tossed it upon his desk.</p> + +<p>He stepped out into the local room, which <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>showed the same kindly +tolerance of dirt as did his private office. At a long table two young +men sat before typewriters, and in a corner a third young man was +taking the clicking dictation of a telegraph sounder.</p> + +<p>“Remember, boys, keep everything but the celebration down to bones!” +Bruce called out. And with that he passed out of the office and down +the stairway to the street.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE BUBBLE REPUTATION</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">D</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">espite</span> its thirty thousand population—“Forty thousand, and growing, +sir!” loyally declared those disinterested citizens engaged in the +sale of remote fields of ragweed as building lots—Westville was still +but half-evolved from its earlier state of an overgrown country town. +It was as yet semi-pastoral, semi-urban. Automobiles and farm wagons +locked hubs in brotherly embrace upon its highways; cowhide boots and +patent leather shared its sidewalks. There was a stockbroker’s office +that was thoroughly metropolitan in the facilities it afforded the +élite for relieving themselves of the tribulation of riches; and +adjoining it was Simpson Brothers & Company, wherein hick’ry-shirted +gentlemen bartered for threshing machines, hayrakes, axle grease, and +such like baubles of Arcadian pastime.</p> + +<p>There were three topics on which one could always start an argument in +Westville—politics, religion, and the editor of the <i>Express</i>. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>A +year before Arnold Bruce, who had left Westville at eighteen and whom +the town had vaguely heard of as a newspaper man in Chicago and New +York but whom it had not seen since, had returned home and taken +charge of the <i>Express</i>, which had been willed him by the late editor, +his uncle. The <i>Express</i>, which had been a slippered, dozing, senile +sheet under old Jimmie Bruce, burst suddenly into a volcanic youth. +The new editor used huge, vociferous headlines instead of the mere +whispering, timorous types of his uncle; he wrote a rousing, +rough-and-ready English; occasionally he placed an important +editorial, set up in heavy-faced type and enclosed in a black border, +in the very centre of his first page; and from the very start he had +had the hardihood to attack the “established order” at several points +and to preach unorthodox political doctrines. The wealthiest citizens +were outraged, and hotly denounced Bruce as a “yellow journalist” and +a “red-mouthed demagogue.” It was commonly held by the better element +that his ultra-democracy was merely a mask, a pose, an advertising +scheme, to gather in the gullible subscriber and to force himself +sensationally into the public eye.</p> + +<p>But despite all hostile criticism of the paper, people read the +<i>Express</i>—many staid ones surreptitiously—for it had a snap, a go, a +tang, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>that at times almost took the breath. And despite the estimate +of its editor as a charlatan, the people had yielded to that +aggressive personage a rank of high importance in their midst.</p> + +<p>Bruce stepped forth from his stairway, crossed Main Street, and strode +up the shady Court House walk. On the left side of the walk, a-tiptoe +in an arid fountain, was poised a gracious nymph of cast-iron, so +chastely garbed as to bring to the cheek of elderly innocence no +faintest flush. On the walk’s right side stood a rigid statue, +suggesting tetanus in the model, of the city’s founder, Col. Davy +West, wearing a coonskin cap and leaning with conscious dignity upon a +long deer rifle.</p> + +<p>Bruce entered the dingy Court House, mounted a foot-worn wooden +stairway, browned with the ambrosial extract of two generations of +tobacco-chewing litigants, and passed into a damp and gloomy chamber. +This room was the office of the prosecuting attorney of Calloway +County. That the incumbent might not become too depressed by his +environment, the walls were cheered up by a steel engraving of Daniel +Webster, frowning with multitudinous thought, and by a crackled map of +Indiana—the latter dotted by industrious flies with myriad nameless +cities.</p> + +<p>Three men arose from about the flat-topped desk in the centre of the +room, the prosecutor, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Reverend Doctor Sherman, and a rather +smartly dressed man whom Bruce remembered to have seen once or twice +but whom he did not know. With the first two the editor shook hands, +and the third was introduced to him as Mr. Marcy, the agent of the +Acme Filter Company, which had installed the filtering plant of the +new water-works.</p> + +<p>Bruce turned in his brusque manner to the prosecuting attorney.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Suppose we all sit down first,” suggested the prosecutor.</p> + +<p>They did so, and Kennedy regarded Bruce with a solemn, weighty stare. +He was a lank, lantern-jawed, frock-coated gentleman of thirty-five, +with an upward rolling forelock and an Adam’s-apple that throbbed in +his throat like a petrified pulse. He was climbing the political +ladder, and he was carefully schooling himself into that dignity and +poise and appearance of importance which should distinguish the +deportment of the public man.</p> + +<p>“Well, what is it?” demanded Bruce shortly. “About the water-works?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” responded Kennedy. “The water-works, Mr. Bruce, is, I hardly +need say, a source of pride to us all. To you especially it has had a +large significance. You have made it a theme for a continuous +agitation in your <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>paper. You have argued and urged that, since the +city’s new water-works promised to be such a great success, Westville +should not halt with this one municipal enterprise, but should refuse +the new franchise the street railway company is going to apply for, +take over the railway, run it as a municipal——”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes,” interrupted Bruce impatiently. “But who’s dead? Who wants +the line of march changed to go by his grocery store?”</p> + +<p>“What I was saying was merely to recall how very important the +water-works has been to us,” the prosecutor returned, with increased +solemnity. He paused, and having gained that heightened stage effect +of a well-managed silence, he continued: “Mr. Bruce, something very +serious has occurred.”</p> + +<p>For all its ostentation the prosecutor’s manner was genuinely +impressive. Bruce looked quickly at the other two men. The agent was +ill at ease, the minister pale and agitated.</p> + +<p>“Come,” cried Bruce, “out with what you’ve got to tell me!”</p> + +<p>“It is a matter of the very first importance,” returned the +prosecutor, who was posing for a prominent place in the <i>Express’s</i> +account of this affair—for however much the public men of Westville +affected to look down upon the <i>Express</i>, they secretly preferred its +superior presentment of their doings. “Doctor Sherman, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>in his +capacity of president of the Voters’ Union, has just brought before me +some most distressing, most astounding evidence. It is evidence upon +which I must act both as a public official and as a member of the +Arrangements Committee, and evidence which concerns you both as a +committeeman and as an editor. It is painful to me to break——”</p> + +<p>“Let’s have it from first hands,” interrupted Bruce, irritated by the +verbal excelsior which the prosecutor so deliberately unwrapped from +about his fact.</p> + +<p>He turned to the minister, a slender man of hardly more than thirty, +with a high brow, the wide, sensitive mouth of the born orator, +fervently bright eyes, and the pallor of the devoted student—a face +that instantly explained why, though so young, he was Westville’s most +popular divine.</p> + +<p>“What’s it about, Doctor Sherman?” the editor asked. “Who’s the man?”</p> + +<p>There was no posing here for Bruce’s typewriter. The minister’s +concern was deep and sincere.</p> + +<p>“About the water-works, as Mr. Kennedy has said,” he answered in a +voice that trembled with agitation. “There has been some—some crooked +work.”</p> + +<p>“Crooked work?” ejaculated the editor, staring at the minister. +“Crooked work?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“You are certain of what you say?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then you have evidence?”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry—but—but I have.”</p> + +<p>The editor was leaning forward, his nostrils dilated, his eyes +gleaming sharply behind their thick glasses.</p> + +<p>“Who’s mixed up in it? Who’s the man?”</p> + +<p>The minister’s hands were tightly interlocked. For an instant he +seemed unable to speak.</p> + +<p>“Who’s the man?” repeated Bruce.</p> + +<p>The minister swallowed.</p> + +<p>“Doctor West,” he said.</p> + +<p>Bruce sprang up.</p> + +<p>“Doctor West?” he cried. “The superintendent of the water-works?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>If the editor’s concern for the city’s welfare was merely a political +and business pose, if he was merely an actor, at least he acted his +part well. “My God!” he breathed, and stood with eyes fixed upon the +young minister. Then suddenly he sat down again, his thick brows drew +together, and his heavy jaws set.</p> + +<p>“Let’s have the whole story,” he snapped out. “From the very +beginning.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot tell you how distressed I am by what I have just been forced +to do,” began the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>young clergyman. “I have always esteemed Doctor +West most highly, and my wife and his daughter have been the closest +friends since girlhood. To make my part in this affair clear, I must +recall to you that of late the chief attention of the Voters’ Union +has naturally been devoted to the water-works. I never imagined that +anything was wrong. But, speaking frankly, after the event, I must say +that Doctor West’s position was such as made it a simple matter for +him to defraud the city should he so desire.”</p> + +<p>“You mean because the council invested him with so much authority?” +demanded Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Yes. As I have said, I regarded Doctor West above all suspicion. But +a short time ago some matters—I need not detail them—aroused in me +the fear that Doctor West was using his office for—for——”</p> + +<p>“For graft?” supplied Bruce.</p> + +<p>The minister inclined his head.</p> + +<p>“Later, only a few weeks ago, a more definite fear came to me,” he +continued in his low, pained voice. “It happens that I have known Mr. +Marcy here for years; we were friends in college, though we had lost +track of one another till his business brought him here. A few small +circumstances—my suspicion was already on the alert—made me guess +that Mr. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>Marcy was about to give Doctor West a bribe for having +awarded the filter contract to his company. I got Mr. Marcy +alone—taxed him with his intention—worked upon his conscience——”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Marcy has stated,” the prosecutor interrupted to explain, “that +Doctor Sherman always had great influence over him.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Marcy corroborated this with a nod.</p> + +<p>“At length Mr. Marcy confessed,” Doctor Sherman went on. “He had +arranged to give Doctor West a certain sum of money immediately after +the filtering plant had been approved and payment had been made to the +company. After this confession I hesitated long upon what I should do. +On the one hand, I shrank from disgracing Doctor West. On the other, I +had a duty to the city. After a long struggle I decided that my +responsibility to the people of Westville should overbalance any +feeling I might have for any single individual.”</p> + +<p>“That was the only decision,” said Bruce. “Go on!”</p> + +<p>“But at the same time, to protect Doctor West’s reputation, I decided +to take no one into my plan; should his integrity reassert itself at +the last moment and cause him to refuse the bribe, the whole matter +would then remain locked up in my heart. I arranged with Mr. Marcy +that he should carry out his agreement <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>with Doctor West. Day before +yesterday, as you know, the council, on Doctor West’s recommendation, +formally approved the filtering plant, and yesterday a draft was sent +to the company. Mr. Marcy was to call at Doctor West’s home this +morning to conclude their secret bargain. Just before the appointed +hour I dropped in on Doctor West, and was there when Mr. Marcy called. +I said I would wait to finish my talk with Doctor West till they were +through their business, took a book, and went into an adjoining room. +I could see the two men through the partly opened door. After some +talk, Mr. Marcy drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to +Doctor West, saying in a low voice, ‘Here is that money we spoke +about.’”</p> + +<p>“And he took it?” Bruce interrupted.</p> + +<p>“Doctor West slipped the envelope unopened into his pocket, and +replied, ‘Thank you very much; it will come in very handy just now.’”</p> + +<p>“My God!” breathed the editor.</p> + +<p>“Though I had suspected Doctor West, I sat there stunned,” the +minister continued. “But after a minute or two I slipped out by +another door. I returned with a policeman, and found Doctor West still +with Mr. Marcy. The policeman arrested Doctor West, and found the +envelope upon his person. In it was two thousand dollars.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p><p>“Now, what do you think of that?” Kennedy demanded of the editor. +“Won’t the town be thunderstruck!”</p> + +<p>Bruce turned to the agent, who had sat through the recital, a mere +corroborative presence.</p> + +<p>“And this is all true?”</p> + +<p>“That is exactly the way it happened,” replied Mr. Marcy.</p> + +<p>Bruce looked back at the minister.</p> + +<p>“But didn’t he have anything to say for himself?”</p> + +<p>“I can answer that,” put in Kennedy. “I had him in here before I sent +him over to the jail. He admits practically every point that Doctor +Sherman has made. The only thing he says for himself is that he never +thought the money Mr. Marcy gave him was intended for a bribe.”</p> + +<p>Bruce stood up, his face hard and glowering, and his fist crashed +explosively down upon the table.</p> + +<p>“Of all the damned flimsy defenses that ever a man made, that’s the +limit!”</p> + +<p>“It certainly won’t go down with the people of Westville,” commented +the prosecutor. “And I can see the smile of the jury when he produces +that defense in court.”</p> + +<p>“I should say they would smile!” cried Bruce. “But what was his +motive?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p><p>“That’s plain enough,” answered the prosecutor. “We both know, Mr. +Bruce, that he has earned hardly anything from the practice of +medicine since we were boys. His salary as superintendent of the +water-works was much less than he has been spending. His property is +mortgaged practically to its full value. Everything has gone on those +experiments of his. It’s simply a case of a man being in a tight fix +for money.”</p> + +<p>Bruce was striding up and down the room, scowling and staring fiercely +at the worn linoleum that carpeted the prosecutor’s office.</p> + +<p>“I thought you’d take it rather hard,” said Kennedy, a little slyly. +“It sort of puts a spoke in that general municipal ownership scheme of +yours—eh?”</p> + +<p>Bruce paused belligerently before the prosecutor.</p> + +<p>“See here, Kennedy,” he snapped out. “Because a man you’ve banked on +is a crook, does that prove a principle is wrong?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess not,” Kennedy had to admit.</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose you cut out that kind of talk then. But what are you +going to do about the doctor?”</p> + +<p>“The grand jury is in session. I’m going straight before it with the +evidence. An hour from now and Doctor West will be indicted.”</p> + +<p>“And what about to-morrow’s show?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p><p>“What do you think we ought to do?”</p> + +<p>“What ought we to do!” Again the editor’s fist crashed upon the desk. +“The celebration was half in Doctor West’s honour. Do we want to meet +and hurrah for the man that sold us out? As for the water-works, it +looks as if, for all we know, he might have bought us a lot of old +junk. Do we want to hold a jubilee over a junk pile? You ask what we +ought to do. God, man, there’s only one thing to do, and that’s to +call the whole damned performance off!”</p> + +<p>“That’s my opinion,” said the prosecutor. “What do you think, Doctor +Sherman?”</p> + +<p>The young minister wiped his pale face.</p> + +<p>“It’s a most miserable affair. I’m sick because of the part I’ve been +forced to play—I’m sorry for Doctor West—and I’m particularly sorry +for his daughter—but I do not see that any other course would be +possible.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose we ought to consult Mr. Blake,” said Kennedy.</p> + +<p>“He’s not in town,” returned Bruce. “And we don’t need to consult him. +We three are a majority of the committee. The matter has to be settled +at once. And it’s settled all right!”</p> + +<p>The editor jerked out his watch, glanced at it, then reached for his +hat.</p> + +<p>“I’ll have this on the street in an hour—and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>if this town doesn’t go +wild, then I don’t know Westville!”</p> + +<p>He was making for the door, when the newspaper man in him recalled a +new detail of his story. He turned back.</p> + +<p>“How about this daughter of Doctor West?” he asked.</p> + +<p>The prosecutor looked at the minister.</p> + +<p>“Was she coming home for the celebration, do you know?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. She wrote Mrs. Sherman she was leaving New York this morning and +would get in here to-morrow on the Limited.”</p> + +<p>“What’s she like?” asked Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Haven’t you seen her?” asked Kennedy.</p> + +<p>“She hasn’t been home since I came back to Westville. When I left here +she was a tomboy—mostly legs and freckles.”</p> + +<p>The prosecutor’s lean face crinkled with a smile.</p> + +<p>“I guess you’ll find she’s grown right smart since then. She went to +one of those colleges back East; Vassar, I think it was. She got hold +of some of those new-fangled ideas the women in the East are crazy +over now—about going out in the world for themselves, and——”</p> + +<p>“Idiots—all of them!” snapped Bruce.</p> + +<p>“After she graduated, she studied law. When she was back home two +years ago she asked me what chance a woman would have to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>practise law +in Westville. A woman lawyer in Westville—oh, Lord!”</p> + +<p>The prosecutor leaned back and laughed at the excruciating humour of +the idea.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know the kind!” Bruce’s lips curled with contempt. +“Loud-voiced—aggressive—bony—perfect frights.”</p> + +<p>“Let me suggest,” put in Doctor Sherman, “that Miss West does not +belong in that classification.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I guess you’re a little wrong about Katherine West,” smiled +Kennedy.</p> + +<p>Bruce waved his hand peremptorily. “They’re all the same! But what’s +she doing in New York? Practising law?”</p> + +<p>“No. She’s working for an organization something like Doctor +Sherman’s—The Municipal League, I think she called it.”</p> + +<p>“Huh!” grunted Bruce. “Well, whatever she’s like, it’s a pretty mess +she’s coming back into!”</p> + +<p>With that the editor pulled his hat tightly down upon his forehead and +strode out of the Court House and past the speakers’ stand, across +whose front twin flags were being leisurely festooned. Back in his own +office he picked up the story he had finished an hour before. With a +sneer he tore it across and trampled it under foot. Then, jerking a +chair forward to his typewriter, his brow dark, his jaw set, he began +to thump fiercely upon the keys.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>KATHERINE COMES HOME</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">N</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">ext</span> morning when the Limited slowed down beside the old frame +station—a new one of brick was rising across the tracks—a young +woman descended from a Pullman at the front of the train. She was +lithe and graceful, rather tall and slender, and was dressed with +effective simplicity in a blue tailored suit and a tan straw hat with +a single blue quill. Her face was flushed, and there glowed an +expectant brightness in her brown eyes, as though happiness and +affection were upon the point of bubbling over.</p> + +<p>Standing beside her suit-case, she eagerly scanned the figures about +the station. Three or four swagger young drummers had scrambled off +the smoker, and these ambassadors of fashion as many hotel bus drivers +were inviting with importunate hospitality to honour their respective +board and bed. There was the shirt-sleeved figure of Jim Ludlow, +ticket agent and tenor of the Presbyterian choir. And leaning +cross-legged beneath the station eaves, giving the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>effect of +supporting the low roof, were half a dozen slowly masticating, soberly +contemplative gentlemen—loose-jointed caryatides, whose lank +sculpture forms the sole and invariable ornamentation of the façades +of all Western stations. But nowhere did the young woman’s expectant +eyes alight upon the person whom they sought.</p> + +<p>The joyous response to welcome, which had plainly trembled at the tips +of her being, subsided, and in disappointment she picked up her bag +and was starting for a street car, when up the long, broad platform +there came hurrying a short-legged little man, with a bloodshot, +watery eye. He paused hesitant at a couple of yards, smiled +tentatively, and the remnant of an old glove fumbled the brim of a +rumpled, semi-bald object that in its distant youth had probably been +a silk hat.</p> + +<p>The young woman smiled back and held out her hand.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Mr. Huggins.”</p> + +<p>“How de do, Miss Katherine,” he stammered.</p> + +<p>“Have you seen father anywhere?” she asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>“No. Your aunt just sent me word I was to meet you and fetch you home. +She couldn’t leave Doctor West.”</p> + +<p>“Is father ill?” she cried.</p> + +<p>The old cabman fumbled his ancient headgear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p><p>“No—he ain’t—he ain’t exactly sick. He’s just porely. I guess it’s +only—only a bad headache.”</p> + +<p>He hastily picked up her suit-case and led her past the sidling +admiration of the drummers, those sovereign critics of Western +femininity, to the back of the station where stood a tottering surrey +and a dingy gray nag, far gone in years, that leaned upon its shafts +as though on crutches. Katherine clambered in, and the drooping animal +doddered along a street thickly overhung with the exuberant May-green +of maples.</p> + +<p>She gazed with ardent eyes at the familiar frame cottages, in some of +which had lived school and high-school friends, sitting comfortably +back amid their little squares of close-cropped lawn. She liked New +York with that adoptive liking one acquires for the place one chooses +from among all others for the passing of one’s life; but her affection +remained warm and steadfast with this old town of her girlhood.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but it feels good to be back in Westville again!” she cried to +the cabman.</p> + +<p>“I reckon it must. I guess it’s all of two years sence you been home.”</p> + +<p>“Two years, yes. It’s going to be a great celebration this afternoon, +isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes’m—very big”—and he hastily struck the ancient steed. “Get-ep +there, Jenny!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Huggins’s mare turned off Station Avenue, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>and Katharine excitedly +stared ahead beneath the wide-boughed maples for the first glimpse of +her home. At length it came into view—one of those big, square, +old-fashioned wooden houses, built with no perceptible architectural +idea beyond commodious shelter. She had thought her father might +possibly stumble out to greet her, but no one stood waiting at the +paling gate.</p> + +<p>She sprang lightly from the carriage as it drew up beside the curb, +and leaving Mr. Huggins to follow with her bag she hurried up the +brick-paved path to the house. As she crossed the porch, a slight, +gray, Quakerish little lady, with a white kerchief folded across her +breast, pushed open the screen door. Her Katherine gathered into her +arms and kissed repeatedly.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad to see you, auntie!” she cried. “How are you?”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” the old woman answered in a thin, tremulous voice. “How +is thee?”</p> + +<p>“Me? Oh, you know nothing’s ever wrong with me!” She laughed in her +buoyant young strength. “But you, auntie?” She grew serious. “You look +very tired—and very, very worn and worried. But I suppose it’s the +strain of father’s headache—poor father! How is he?”</p> + +<p>“I—I think he’s feeling some better,” the old woman faltered. “He’s +still lying down.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p><p>They had entered the big, airy sitting-room. Katherine’s hat and coat +went flying upon the couch.</p> + +<p>“Now, before I so much as ask you a question, or tell you a thing, +Aunt Rachel, I’m going up to see dear old father.”</p> + +<p>She made for the stairway, but her aunt caught her arm in +consternation.</p> + +<p>“Wait, Katherine! Thee musn’t see him yet.”</p> + +<p>“Why, what’s the matter?” Katherine asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>“It—it would be better for him if thee didn’t disturb him.”</p> + +<p>“But, auntie—you know no one can soothe him as I can when he has a +headache!”</p> + +<p>“But he’s asleep just now. He didn’t sleep a minute all night.”</p> + +<p>“Then of course I’ll wait.” Katherine turned back. “Has he suffered +much——”</p> + +<p>She broke off. Her aunt was gazing at her in wide-eyed, helpless +misery.</p> + +<p>“Why—why—what’s the matter, auntie?”</p> + +<p>Her aunt did not answer her.</p> + +<p>“Tell me! What is it? What’s wrong?”</p> + +<p>Still the old woman did not speak.</p> + +<p>“Something has happened to father!” cried Katherine. She clutched her +aunt’s thin shoulders. “Has something happened to father?”</p> + +<p>The old woman trembled all over, and tears started from her mild eyes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p><p>“Yes,” she quavered.</p> + +<p>“But what is it?” Katherine asked frantically. “Is he very sick?”</p> + +<p>“It’s—it’s worse than that.”</p> + +<p>“Please! What is it then?”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t the heart to tell thee,” she said piteously, and she sank +into a chair and covered her face.</p> + +<p>Katherine caught her arm and fairly shook her in the intensity of her +demand.</p> + +<p>“Tell me! I can’t stand this another instant!”</p> + +<p>“There—there isn’t going to be any celebration.”</p> + +<p>“No celebration?”</p> + +<p>“Yesterday—thy father—was arrested.”</p> + +<p>“Arrested!”</p> + +<p>“And indicted for accepting a bribe.”</p> + +<p>Katherine shrank back.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” she whispered. “Oh!” Then her slender body tensed, and her dark +eyes flashed fire. “Father accept a bribe! It’s a lie! A lie!”</p> + +<p>“It hardly seems true to me, either.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a lie!” repeated Katherine. “But is he—is he locked up?”</p> + +<p>“They let me go his bail.”</p> + +<p>Again Katherine caught her aunt’s arm.</p> + +<p>“Come—tell me all about it!”</p> + +<p>“Please don’t make me. I—I can’t.”</p> + +<p>“But I must know!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p><p>“It’s in the newspapers—they’re on the centre-table.”</p> + +<p>Katherine turned to the table and seized a paper. At sight of the +sheet she had picked up, the old woman hurried across to her in +dismay.</p> + +<p>“Don’t read that <i>Express</i>!” she cried, and she sought to draw the +paper from Katherine’s hands. “Read the <i>Clarion</i>. It’s ever so much +kinder.”</p> + +<p>But Katherine had already seen the headline that ran across the top of +the <i>Express</i>. It staggered her. She gasped at the blow, but she held +on to the paper.</p> + +<p>“I’ll read the worst they have to say,” she said.</p> + +<p>Her aunt dropped into a chair and covered her eyes to avoid sight of +the girl’s suffering. The story, in its elements, was a commonplace to +Katherine; in her work with the Municipal League she had every few +days met with just such a tale as this. But that which is a +commonplace when strangers are involved, becomes a tragedy when loved +ones are its actors. So, as she read the old, old story, Katherine +trembled as with mortal pain.</p> + +<p>But sickening as was the story in itself, it was made even more +agonizing to her by the manner of the <i>Express’s</i> telling. Bruce’s +typewriter had never been more impassioned. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>The story was in +heavy-faced type, the lines two columns wide; and in a “box” in the +very centre of the first page was an editorial denouncing Doctor West +and demanding for him such severe punishment as would make future +traitors forever fear to sell their city. Article and editorial were +rousing and vivid, brilliant and bitter—as mercilessly stinging as a +salted whip-lash cutting into bare flesh.</p> + +<p>Katherine writhed with the pain of it. “Oh!” she cried. “It’s brutal! +Brutal! Who could have had the heart to write like that about father?”</p> + +<p>“The editor, Arnold Bruce,” answered her aunt.</p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s a brute! If I could tell him to his face——” Her whole +slender being flamed with anger and hatred, and she crushed the paper +in a fierce hand and flung it to the floor.</p> + +<p>Then, slowly, her face faded to an ashen gray. She steadied herself on +the back of a chair and stared in desperate, fearful supplication at +the bowed figure of the older woman.</p> + +<p>“Auntie?” she breathed.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>“Auntie”—eyes and voice were pleading—“auntie, the—the things—this +paper says—they never happened, did they?”</p> + +<p>The old head nodded.</p> + +<p>“Oh! oh!” she gasped. She wavered, sank <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>stricken into a chair, and +buried her face in her arms. “Poor father!” she moaned brokenly. “Poor +father!”</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment, then the old woman rose and gently put +a hand upon the quivering young shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Don’t, dear! Even if it did happen, I can’t believe it. Thy +father——”</p> + +<p>At that moment, overhead, there was a soft noise, as of feet placed +upon the floor. Katherine sprang up.</p> + +<p>“Father!” she breathed. There began a restless, slippered pacing. +“Father!” she repeated, and sprang for the stairway and rapidly ran +up.</p> + +<p>At her father’s door she paused, hand over her heart. She feared to +enter to her father—feared lest she should find his head bowed in +acknowledged shame. But she summoned her strength and noiselessly +opened the door. It was a large room, a hybrid of bedroom and study, +whose drawn shades had dimmed the brilliant morning into twilight. An +open side door gave a glimpse of glass jars, bellying retorts and +other paraphernalia of the laboratory.</p> + +<p>Walking down the room was a tall, stooping, white-haired figure in a +quilted dressing-gown. He reached the end of the room, turned about, +then sighted her in the doorway.</p> + +<p>“Katherine!” he cried with quavering joy, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>and started toward her; but +he came abruptly to a pause, hesitating, accused man that he was, to +make advances.</p> + +<p>Her sickening fear was for the instant swept away by a rising flood of +love. She sprang forward and threw her arms about his neck.</p> + +<p>“Father!” she sobbed. “Oh, father!”</p> + +<p>She felt his tears upon her forehead, felt his body quiver, and felt +his hand gently stroke her back.</p> + +<p>“You’ve heard—then?” he asked, at length.</p> + +<p>“Yes—from the papers.”</p> + +<p>He held her close, but for a moment did not speak.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t a—a very happy celebration—I’ve prepared for you.”</p> + +<p>She could only cry convulsively, “Poor father!”</p> + +<p>“You never dreamt,” he quavered, “your old father—could do a thing +like this—did you?”</p> + +<p>She did not answer. She trembled a moment longer on his shoulder; +then, slowly and with fear, she lifted her head and gazed into his +face. The face was worn—she thrilled with pain to see how sadly worn +it was!—but though tear-wet and working with emotion, it met her look +with steadiness. It was the same simple, kindly, open face that she +had known since childhood.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p><p>There was a sudden wild leaping within her. She clutched his +shoulders, and her voice rang out in joyous conviction:</p> + +<p>“Father—you are not guilty!”</p> + +<p>“You believe in me, then?”</p> + +<p>“You are not guilty!” she cried with mounting joy.</p> + +<p>He smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>“Why, of course not, my child.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, father!” And again she caught him in a close embrace.</p> + +<p>After a moment she leaned back in his arms.</p> + +<p>“I’m so happy—so happy! Forgive me, daddy dear, that I could doubt +you even for a minute.”</p> + +<p>“How could you help it? They say the evidence against me is very +strong.”</p> + +<p>“I should have believed you innocent against all the evidence in the +world! And I do, and shall—no matter what they may say!”</p> + +<p>“Bless you, Katherine!”</p> + +<p>“But come—tell me how it all came about. But, first, let’s brighten +up the room a little.”</p> + +<p>So great was her relief that her spirits had risen as though some +positive blessing had befallen her. She crossed lightly to the big bay +window, raised the shades and threw up the sashes. The sunlight +slanted down into the room and lay in a dazzling yellow square upon +the floor. The soft breeze sighed through the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>two tall pines without +and bore into them the perfumed freshness of the spring.</p> + +<p>“There now, isn’t that better?” she said, smiling brightly.</p> + +<p>“That’s just what your home-coming has done for me,” he said +gratefully—“let in the sunlight.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come—don’t try to turn the head of your offspring with +flattery! Now, sir, sit down,” and she pointed to a chair at his desk, +which stood within the bay window.</p> + +<p>“First,”—with his gentle smile—“if I may, I’d like to take a look at +my daughter.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose a father’s wish is a daughter’s command,” she complained. +“So go ahead.”</p> + +<p>He moved to the window, so that the light fell full upon her, and for +a long moment gazed into her face. The brow was low and broad. Over +the white temples the heavy dark hair waved softly down, to be +fastened in a simple knot low upon the neck, showing in its full +beauty the rare modelling of her head. The eyes were a rich, warm, +luminous brown, fringed with long lashes, and in them lurked all +manner of fathomless mysteries. The mouth was soft, yet full and +firm—a real mouth, such as Nature bestows upon her real women. It was +a face of freshness and youth and humour, and now was tremulous with a +smiling, tear-wet tenderness.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p><p>“I think,” said her father, slowly and softly, “that my daughter is +very beautiful.”</p> + +<p>“There—enough of your blarney!” She flushed with pleasure, and +pressed her fresh cheek against his withered one. “You dear old +father, you!”</p> + +<p>She drew him to his desk, which was strewn with a half-finished +manuscript on the typhoid bacillus, and upon which stood a faded +photograph of a young woman, near Katherine’s years and made in her +image, dressed in the tight-fitting “basque” of the early eighties. +Westville knew that Doctor West had loved his wife dearly, but the +town had never surmised a tenth of the grief that had closed darkly in +upon him when typhoid fever had carried her away while her young +womanhood was in its freshest bloom.</p> + +<p>Katherine pressed him down into his chair at the desk, sat down in one +beside it, and took his hand.</p> + +<p>“Now, father, tell me just how things stand.”</p> + +<p>“You know everything already,” said he.</p> + +<p>“Not everything. I know the charges of the other side, and I know your +innocence. But I do not know your explanation of the affair.”</p> + +<p>He ran his free hand through his silver hair, and his face grew +troubled.</p> + +<p>“My explanation agrees with what you have <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>read, except that I did not +know I was being bribed.”</p> + +<p>“H’m!” Her brow wrinkled thoughtfully and she was silent for a moment. +“Suppose we go back to the very beginning, father, and run over the +whole affair. Try to remember. In the early stages of negotiations, +did the agent say anything to you about money?”</p> + +<p>He did not speak for a minute or more.</p> + +<p>“Now that I think it over, he did say something about its being worth +my while if his filter was accepted.”</p> + +<p>“That was an overture to bribe you. And what did you say to him?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t remember. You see, at the time, his offer, if it was one, did +not make any impression on me. I believe I didn’t say anything to him +at all.”</p> + +<p>“But you approved his filter?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Marcy says in the <i>Express</i>, and you admit it, that he offered +you a bribe. You approved his filter. On the face of it, speaking +legally, that looks bad, father.”</p> + +<p>“But how could I honestly keep from approving his filter, when it was +the very best on the market for our water?” demanded Doctor West.</p> + +<p>“Then how did you come to accept that money?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><p>The old man’s face cleared.</p> + +<p>“I can explain that easily. Some time ago the agent said something +about the Acme Filter Company wishing to make a little donation to our +hospital. I’m one of the directors, you know. So, when he handed me +that envelope, I supposed it was the contribution to the +hospital—perhaps twenty-five or fifty dollars.”</p> + +<p>“And that is all?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the whole truth. But when I explained the matter to the +prosecuting attorney, he just smiled.”</p> + +<p>“I know it’s the truth, because you say it.” She affectionately patted +the hand that she held. “But, again speaking legally, it wouldn’t +sound very plausible to an outsider. But how do you explain the +situation?”</p> + +<p>“I think the whole affair must be just a mistake.”</p> + +<p>“Possibly. But if so, you’ll have to be able to prove it.” She thought +a space. “Could it be that this is a manufactured charge?”</p> + +<p>Doctor West’s eyes widened with amazement.</p> + +<p>“Why, of course not! You have forgotten that the man who makes the +charge is Mr. Sherman. You surely do not think he would let himself be +involved in anything that he did not believe to be in the highest +degree honourable?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><p>“I do not know him very well. During the four years he has been here, +I have met him only a few times.”</p> + +<p>“But you know what your dearest friend thinks of him.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know Elsie considers her husband to be an ecclesiastical Sir +Galahad. And I must admit that he has seemed to me the highest type of +the modern young minister.”</p> + +<p>“Then you agree with me, that Mr. Sherman is thoroughly honest in this +affair? That his only motive is a sense of public duty?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I cannot conceive of him knowingly doing a wrong.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what has forced me to think it’s only just a mistake,” said +her father.</p> + +<p>“You may be right.” She considered the idea. “But what does your +lawyer say?”</p> + +<p>His pale cheeks flushed.</p> + +<p>“I have no lawyer,” he said slowly.</p> + +<p>“I see. You were waiting to consult me about whom to retain.”</p> + +<p>He shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Then you have approached some one?”</p> + +<p>“I have spoken to Hopkins, and Williams, and Freeman. They all——” He +hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>“They all said they could not take my case.”</p> + +<p>“Could not take your case!” she cried. “Why not?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p><p>“They made different excuses. But their excuses were not their real +reason.”</p> + +<p>“And what was that?”</p> + +<p>The old man flushed yet more painfully.</p> + +<p>“I guess you do not fully realize the situation, Katherine. I don’t +need to tell you that a wave of popular feeling against political +corruption is sweeping across the country. This is the first big case +that has come out in Westville, and the city is stirred up over this +as it hasn’t been stirred in years. The way the <i>Express</i>——You saw +the <i>Express</i>?”</p> + +<p>Her hands instinctively clenched.</p> + +<p>“It was awful! Awful!”</p> + +<p>“The way the <i>Express</i> has handled it has especially—well, you +see——”</p> + +<p>“You mean those lawyers are afraid to take the case?”</p> + +<p>Doctor West nodded.</p> + +<p>Katherine’s dark eyes glowed with wrath.</p> + +<p>“Did you try any one else?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Green came to see me. But——”</p> + +<p>“Of course not! It would kill your case to have a shyster represent +you.” She gripped his hand, and her voice rang out: “Father, I’m glad +those men refused you. We’re going to get for you the biggest man, the +biggest lawyer, in Westville.”</p> + +<p>“You mean Mr. Blake?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Mr. Blake.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p>“I thought of him at first, of course. But I—well, I hesitated to +approach him.”</p> + +<p>“Hesitated? Why?”</p> + +<p>“Well, you see,” he stammered, “I remembered about your refusing him, +and I felt——”</p> + +<p>“That would never make any difference to him,” she cried. “He’s too +much of a gentleman. Besides, that was five years ago, and he has +forgotten it.”</p> + +<p>“Then you think he’ll take the case?”</p> + +<p>“Of course, he’ll take it! He’ll take it because he’s a big man, and +because you need him, and because he’s no coward. And with the biggest +man in Westville on your side, you’ll see how public opinion will +right-about face!”</p> + +<p>She sprang up, aglow with energy. “I’m going to see him this minute! +With his help, we’ll have this matter cleared up before you know it, +and”—smiling lightly—“just you see, daddy, all Westville will be out +there in the front yard, tramping over Aunt Rachel’s sweet williams, +begging to be allowed to come and kiss your hand!”</p> + +<p>He kissed her own. He rose, and a smile broke through the clouds of +his face.</p> + +<p>“You’ve been home only an hour, and I feel that a thousand years have +been lifted off me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right—and just keep on feeling a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>thousand years younger.” +She smiled caressingly, and began to twist a finger in a buttonhole of +his coat. “U’m—don’t you think, daddy, that such a very young +gentleman as you are, such a regular roaring young blade, +might—u’m—might——”</p> + +<p>“Might what, my dear?”</p> + +<p>“Might——” She leaned forward and whispered in his ear.</p> + +<p>A hand went to his throat.</p> + +<p>“Eh, why, is this one——”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid it is, daddy—very!”</p> + +<p>“We’ve been so upset I guess your aunt must have forgotten to put out +a clean one for me.”</p> + +<p>“And I suppose it never occurred to the profound scientific intellect +that it was possible for one to pull out a drawer and take out a +collar for one’s self.” She crossed to the bureau and came back with a +clean collar. “Now, sir—up with your chin!” With quick hands she +replaced the offending collar with the fresh one, tied the tie and +gave it a perfecting little pat. “There—that’s better! And now I must +be off. I’ll send around a few policemen to keep the crowds off Aunt +Rachel’s flower-beds.”</p> + +<p>And pressing on his pale cheek another kiss, and smiling at him from +the door, she hurried out.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>DOCTOR WEST’S LAWYER</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">K</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">atherine’s</span> refusal of Harrison Blake’s unforeseen proposal, during +the summer she had graduated from Vassar, had, until the present hour, +been the most painful experience of her life.</p> + +<p>Ever since that far-away autumn of her fourteenth year when Blake had +led an at-first forlorn crusade against “Blind Charlie” Peck and swept +that apparently unconquerable autocrat and his corrupt machine from +power, she had admired Blake as the ideal public man. He had seemed so +fine, so big already, and loomed so large in promise—it was the fall +following his proposal that he was elected lieutenant-governor—that +it had been a humiliation to her that she, so insignificant, so +unworthy, could not give him that intractable passion, love. But +though he had gone very pale at her stammered answer, he had borne his +disappointment like a gallant gentleman; and in the years since then +he had acquitted himself to perfection in that most difficult of +rôles, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>the lover who must be content to be mere friend.</p> + +<p>Katherine still retained her girlish admiration of Mr. Blake. Despite +his having been so conspicuous at the forefront of public affairs, no +scandal had ever soiled his name. His rectitude, so said people whose +memories ran back a generation, was due mainly to fine qualities +inherited from his mother, for his father had been a good-natured, +hearty, popular politician with no discoverable bias toward +over-scrupulosity. In fact, twenty years ago there had been a great +to-do touching the voting, through a plan of the elder Blake’s +devising, of a gang of negroes half a dozen times down in a +river-front ward. But his party had rushed loyally to his rescue, and +had vindicated him by sending him to Congress; and his sudden death on +the day after taking his seat had at the time abashed all accusation, +and had suffused his memory with a romantic afterglow of sentiment.</p> + +<p>Blake lived alone with his mother in a house adjoining the Wests’, and +a few moments after Katherine had left her father she turned into the +Blakes’ yard. The house stood far back in a spacious lawn, shady with +broad maples and aspiring pines, and set here and there with shrubs +and flower-beds and a fountain whose misty spray hung a golden aureole +upon the sunlight. It was quite worthy of Westville’s <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>most +distinguished citizen—a big, roomy house of brick, its sterner lines +all softened with cool ivy, and with a wide piazza crossing its entire +front and embracing its two sides.</p> + +<p>The hour was that at which Westville arose from its accustomed mid-day +dinner—which was the reason Katherine was calling at Blake’s home +instead of going downtown to his office. She was informed that he was +in. Telling the maid she would await him in his library, where she +knew he received all clients who called on business at his home, she +ascended the well-remembered stairway and entered a large, light room +with walls booked to the ceiling.</p> + +<p>Despite her declaration to her father that that old love episode had +been long forgotten by Mr. Blake, at this moment it was not forgotten +by her. She could not subdue a fluttering agitation over the +circumstance that she was about to appeal for succour to a man she had +once refused.</p> + +<p>She had but a moment to wait. Blake’s tall, straight figure entered +and strode rapidly across the room, his right hand outstretched.</p> + +<p>“What—you, Katherine! I’m so glad to see you!”</p> + +<p>She had risen. “And I to see you, Mr. Blake.” For all he had once +vowed himself her lover, she had never overcome her girlhood awe of +him sufficiently to use the more familiar “Harrison.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p><p>“I knew you were coming home, but I had not expected to see you so +soon. Please sit down again.”</p> + +<p>She resumed her soft leather-covered chair, and he took the swivel +chair at his great flat-topped library desk. His manner was most +cordial, but lurking beneath it Katherine sensed a certain +constraint—due perhaps, to their old relationship—perhaps due to +meeting a friend involved in a family disgrace.</p> + +<p>Blake was close upon forty, with a dark, strong, handsome face, +penetrating but pleasant eyes, and black hair slightly marked with +gray. He was well dressed but not too well dressed, as became a public +man whose following was largely of the country. His person gave an +immediate impression of a polished but not over-polished gentleman—of +a man who in acquiring a large grace of manner, has lost nothing of +virility and bigness and purpose.</p> + +<p>“It seems quite natural,” Katherine began, smiling, and trying to +speak lightly, “that each time I come home it is to congratulate you +upon some new honour.”</p> + +<p>“New honour?” queried he.</p> + +<p>“Oh, your name reaches even to New York! We hear that you are spoken +of to succeed Senator Grayson when he retires next year.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that!” He smiled—still with some constraint. “I won’t try to +make you believe <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>that I’m indifferent about the matter. But I don’t +need to tell you that there’s many a slip betwixt being ‘spoken of’ +and actually being chosen.”</p> + +<p>There was an instant of awkward silence. Then Katherine went straight +to the business of her visit.</p> + +<p>“Of course you know about father.”</p> + +<p>He nodded. “And I do not need to say, Katherine, how very, very sorry +I am.”</p> + +<p>“I was certain of your sympathy. Things look black on the surface for +him, but I want you to know that he is innocent.”</p> + +<p>“I am relieved to be assured of that,” he said, hesitatingly. “For, +frankly, as you say, things do look black.”</p> + +<p>She leaned forward and spoke rapidly, her hands tightly clasped.</p> + +<p>“I have come to see you, Mr. Blake, because you have always been our +friend—my friend, and a kinder friend than a young girl had any right +to expect—because I know you have the ability to bring out the truth +no matter how dark the circumstantial evidence may seem. I have come, +Mr. Blake, to ask you, to beg you, to be my father’s lawyer.”</p> + +<p>He stared at her, and his face grew pale.</p> + +<p>“To be your father’s lawyer?” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes—to be my father’s lawyer.”</p> + +<p>He turned in his chair and looked out to where <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>the fountain was +flinging its iridescent drapery to the wind. She gazed at his strong, +clean-cut profile in breathless expectation.</p> + +<p>“I again assure you he is innocent,” she urged pleadingly. “I know you +can clear him.”</p> + +<p>“You have evidence to prove his innocence?” asked Blake.</p> + +<p>“That you can easily uncover.”</p> + +<p>He slowly swung about. Though with all his powerful will he strove to +control himself, he was profoundly agitated, and he spoke with a very +great effort.</p> + +<p>“You have put me in a most embarrassing situation, Katherine.”</p> + +<p>She caught her breath.</p> + +<p>“You mean?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that I should like to help you, but—but——”</p> + +<p>“Yes? Yes?”</p> + +<p>“But I cannot.”</p> + +<p>“Cannot! You mean—you refuse his case?”</p> + +<p>“It pains me, but I must.”</p> + +<p>She grew as white as death.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” she breathed. “Oh!” She gazed at him, lips wide, in utter +dismay.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she seized his arm. “But you have not yet thought it +over—you have not considered,” she cried rapidly. “I cannot take no +for your answer. I beg you, I implore you, to take the case.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><p>He seemed to be struggling between two desires. A slender, well-knit +hand stretched out and clutched a ruler; his brow was moist; but he +kept silent.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake, I beg you, I implore you, to reconsider,” she feverishly +pursued. “Do you not see what it will mean to my father? If you take +the case, he is as good as cleared!”</p> + +<p>His voice came forth low and husky. “It is because it is beyond my +power to clear him that I refuse.”</p> + +<p>“Beyond your power?”</p> + +<p>“Listen, Katherine,” he answered. “I am glad you believe your father +innocent. The faith you have is the faith a daughter ought to have. I +do not want to hurt you, but I must tell you the truth—I do not share +your faith.”</p> + +<p>“You refuse, then, because you think him guilty?”</p> + +<p>He inclined his head. “The evidence is conclusive. It is beyond my +power, beyond the power of any lawyer, to clear him.”</p> + +<p>This sudden failure of the aid she had so confidently counted as +already hers, was a blow that for the moment completely stunned her. +She sank back in her chair and her head dropped down into her hands.</p> + +<p>Blake wiped his face with his handkerchief. After a moment, he went on +in an agitated, persuasive voice:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p><p>“I do not want you to think, because I refuse, that I am any less your +friend. If I took the case, and did my best, your father would be +convicted just the same. I am going to open my heart to you, +Katherine. I should like very much to be chosen for that senatorship. +Naturally, I do not wish to do any useless thing that will impair my +chances. Now for me, an aspirant for public favour, to champion +against the aroused public the case of a man who has—forgive me the +word—who has betrayed that public, and in the end to lose that case, +as I most certainly should—it would be nothing less than political +suicide. Your father would gain nothing. I would lose—perhaps +everything. Don’t you see?”</p> + +<p>“I follow your reasons,” she said brokenly into her hands, “I do not +blame you—I accept your answer—but I still believe my father +innocent.”</p> + +<p>“And for that faith, as I told you, I admire and honour you.”</p> + +<p>She slowly rose. He likewise stood up.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I do not know,” she answered dully. “I was so confident of your aid, +that I had thought of no alternative.”</p> + +<p>“Your father has tried other lawyers?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. They have all refused. You can guess their reason.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>He was silent for an instant.</p> + +<p>“Why not take the case yourself?”</p> + +<p>“I take the case!” cried Katherine, amazed.</p> + +<p>“Yes. You are a lawyer.”</p> + +<p>“But I have never handled a case in court! I am not even admitted to +the bar of the state. And, besides, a woman lawyer in Westville—— +No, it’s quite out of the question.”</p> + +<p>“I was only suggesting it, you know,” he said apologetically.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I realized you did not mean it seriously.”</p> + +<p>Her face grew ashen as her failure came to her afresh. She gazed at +him with a final desperation.</p> + +<p>“Then your answer—it is final?”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry, but it is final,” said he.</p> + +<p>Her head dropped.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” she said dully. “Good-by.” And she started away.</p> + +<p>“Wait, Katherine.”</p> + +<p>She paused, and he came to her side. His features were gray-hued and +were twitching strangely; for an instant she had the wild impression +that his old love for her still lived.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry that—that the first time you asked aid of me—I should +fail you. But but——”</p> + +<p>“I understand.”</p> + +<p>“One word more.” But he let several moments <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>pass before he spoke it, +and he wet his lips continually. “Remember, I am still your friend. +Though I cannot take the case, I shall be glad, in a private way, to +advise you upon any matters you may care to lay before me.”</p> + +<p>“You are very good.”</p> + +<p>“Then you accept?”</p> + +<p>“How can I refuse? Thank you.”</p> + +<p>He accompanied her down the stairway and to the door. Heavy-hearted, +she returned home. This was sad news to bring her father, whom but +half an hour before she had so confidently cheered; and she knew not +in what fresh direction to turn for aid.</p> + +<p>She went straight up to her father’s room. With him she found a +stranger, who had a vague, far-distant familiarity.</p> + +<p>The two men rose.</p> + +<p>“This is my daughter,” said Doctor West.</p> + +<p>The stranger bowed slightly.</p> + +<p>“I have heard of Miss West,” he said, and in his manner Katherine’s +quick instinct read strong preconceived disapprobation.</p> + +<p>“And, Katherine,” continued her father, “this is Mr. Bruce.”</p> + +<p>She stopped short.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bruce of the <i>Express</i>?”</p> + +<p>“Of the <i>Express</i>,” Bruce calmly repeated.</p> + +<p>Her dejected figure grew suddenly tense, and her cheeks glowed with +hot colour. She <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>moved up before the editor and gazed with flashing +eyes into his square-jawed face.</p> + +<p>“So you are the man who wrote those brutal things about father?”</p> + +<p>He bristled at her hostile tone and manner, and there was a quick +snapping behind the heavy glasses.</p> + +<p>“I am the man who wrote those true things about your father,” he said +with cold emphasis.</p> + +<p>“And after that you dare come into this house!”</p> + +<p>“Pardon me, Miss West, but a newspaper man dares go wherever his +business takes him.”</p> + +<p>She was trembling all over.</p> + +<p>“Then let me inform you that you have no business here. Neither my +father nor myself has anything whatever to say to yellow journalists!”</p> + +<p>“Katherine! Katherine!” interjected her father.</p> + +<p>Bruce bowed, his face a dull red.</p> + +<p>“I shall leave, Miss West, just as soon as Doctor West answers my last +question. I called to see if he wished to make any statement, and I +was asking him about his lawyer. He told me he had as yet secured +none, but that you were applying to Mr. Blake.”</p> + +<p>Doctor West stepped toward her eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Katherine, what did he say? Will he take the case?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p><p>She turned from Bruce, and as she looked into the white, worn face of +her father, the fire of her anger went out.</p> + +<p>“He said—he said——”</p> + +<p>“Yes—yes?”</p> + +<p>She put her arms about him.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you mind, father dear, what he said.”</p> + +<p>Doctor West grew yet more pale.</p> + +<p>“Then—he said—the same as the others?”</p> + +<p>She held him tight.</p> + +<p>“Dear daddy!”</p> + +<p>“Then—he refused?”</p> + +<p>“Yes—but don’t you mind it,” she tried to say bravely.</p> + +<p>Without a sound, the old man’s head dropped upon his chest. He held to +Katherine a moment; then he moved waveringly to an old haircloth sofa, +sank down upon it and bowed his face into his hands.</p> + +<p>Bruce broke the silence.</p> + +<p>“I am to understand, then, that your father has no lawyer?”</p> + +<p>Katherine wheeled from the bowed figure, and her anger leaped +instantly to a white heat.</p> + +<p>“And why has he no lawyer?” she cried. “Because of the inhuman things +you wrote about him!”</p> + +<p>“You forget, Miss West, that I am running a newspaper, and it is my +business to print the news.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>“The news, yes; but not a malignant, ferocious distortion of the news! +Look at my father there. Does it not fill your soul with shame to +think of the black injustice you have done him?”</p> + +<p>“Mere sentiment! Understand, I do not let conventional sentiment stand +between me and my duty.”</p> + +<p>“Your duty!” There was a world of scorn in her voice. “And, pray, what +is your duty?”</p> + +<p>“Part of it is to establish, and maintain, decent standards of public +service in this town.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t hide behind that hypocritical pretence! I’ve heard about you. I +know the sort of man you are. You saw a safe chance for a yellow story +for your yellow newspaper, a safe chance to gain prominence by yelping +at the head of the pack. If he had been a rich man, if he had had a +strong political party behind him, would you have dared assail him as +you have? Never! Oh, it was brutal—infamous—cowardly!”</p> + +<p>There was an angry fire behind the editor’s thick glasses, and his +square chin thrust itself out. He took a step nearer.</p> + +<p>“Listen to me!” he commanded in a slow, defiant voice. “Your opinion +is to me a matter of complete indifference. I tell you that a man who +betrays his city is a traitor, and that I would treat an old traitor +exactly as I would treat a young traitor, I tell you that I take it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>as a sign of an awakening public conscience when reputable lawyers +refuse to defend a man who has done what your father has done. And, +finally, I predict that, try as you may, you will not be able to find +a decent lawyer who will dare to take his case. And I glory in it, and +consider it the result of my work!” He bowed to her. “And now, Miss +West, I wish you good afternoon.”</p> + +<p>She stood quivering, gasping, while he crossed to the door. As his +hand fell upon the knob she sprang forward.</p> + +<p>“Wait!” she cried. “Wait! He has a lawyer!”</p> + +<p>He paused.</p> + +<p>“Indeed! And whom?”</p> + +<p>“One who is going to make you take back every cowardly word you have +printed!”</p> + +<p>“Who is it, Katherine?” It was her father who spoke.</p> + +<p>She turned. Doctor West had raised his head, and in his eyes was an +eager, hopeful light. She bent over him and slipped an arm about his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>“Father dear,” she quavered, “since we can get no one else, will you +take me?”</p> + +<p>“Take you?” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Because,” she quavered on, “whether you will or not, I’m going to +stay in Westville and be your lawyer.”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>KATHERINE PREPARES FOR BATTLE</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">F</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">or</span> a long space after Bruce had gone Katherine sat quiveringly upon +the old haircloth sofa beside her father, holding his hands tightly, +caressingly. Her words tumbled hotly from her lips—words of love of +him—of resentment of the injustice which he suffered—and, fiercest +of all, of wrath against Editor Bruce, who had so ruthlessly, and for +such selfish ends, incited the popular feeling against him. She would +make such a fight as Westville had never seen! She would show those +lawyers who had been reduced to cowards by Bruce’s demagogy! She would +bring the town humiliated to her father’s feet!</p> + +<p>But emotion has not only peaks, but plains, and dark valleys. As she +cooled and her passion descended to a less exalted level, she began to +see the difficulties of, and her unfitness for, the rôle she had so +impulsively accepted. An uneasiness for the future crept upon her. As +she had told Mr. Blake, she had never handled a case in court. True, +she had been a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> member of the bar for two years, but her duties with +the Municipal League had consisted almost entirely in working up +evidence in cases of municipal corruption for the use of her legal +superiors. An untried lawyer, and a woman lawyer at that—surely a +weak reed for her father to lean upon!</p> + +<p>But she had thrown down the gage of battle; she had to fight, since +there was no other champion; and even in this hour of emotion, when +tears were so plenteous and every word was accompanied by a caress, +she began to plan the preliminaries of her struggle.</p> + +<p>“I shall write to-night to the league for a leave of absence,” she +said. “One of the things I must see to at once is to get admitted to +the state bar. Do you know when your case is to come up?”</p> + +<p>“It has been put over to the September term of court.”</p> + +<p>“That gives me four months.”</p> + +<p>She was silently thoughtful for a space. “I’ve got to work hard, hard! +upon your case. As I see it now, I am inclined to agree with you that +the situation has arisen from a misunderstanding—that the agent +thought you expected a bribe, and that you thought the bribe a small +donation to the hospital.”</p> + +<p>“I’m certain that’s how it is,” said her father.</p> + +<p>“Then the thing to do is to see Doctor Sherman, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>and if possible the +agent, have them repeat their testimony and try to search out in it +the clue to the mistake. And that I shall see to at once.”</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Katherine left the house. After walking ten minutes +through the quiet, maple-shaded back streets she reached the Wabash +Avenue Church, whose rather ponderous pile of Bedford stone was the +most ambitious and most frequented place of worship in Westville, and +whose bulk was being added to by a lecture room now rising against its +side.</p> + +<p>Katherine went up a gravelled walk toward a cottage that stood beneath +the church’s shadow. The house’s front was covered with a +wide-spreading rose vine, a tapestry of rich green which June would +gorgeously embroider with sprays of heart-red roses. The cottage +looked what Katherine knew it was, a bower of lovers.</p> + +<p>Her ring was answered by a fair, fragile young woman whose eyes were +the colour of faith and loyalty. A faint colour crept into the young +woman’s pale cheeks.</p> + +<p>“Why—Katherine—why—why—I don’t know what you think of us, +but—but——” She could stammer out no more, but stood in the doorway +in distressed uncertainty.</p> + +<p>Katherine’s answer was to stretch out her arms. “Elsie!”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> Instantly +the two old friends were in a close embrace.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t slept, Katherine,” sobbed Mrs. Sherman, “for thinking of +what you would think——”</p> + +<p>“I think that, whatever has happened, I love you just the same.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you for saying it, Katherine.” Mrs. Sherman gazed at her in +tearful gratitude. “I can’t tell you how we have suffered over +this—this affair. Oh, if you only knew!”</p> + +<p>It was instinctive with Katherine to soothe the pain of others, though +suffering herself. “I am certain Doctor Sherman acted from the highest +motives,” she assured the young wife. “So say no more about it.”</p> + +<p>They had entered the little sitting-room, hung with soft white muslin +curtains. “But at the same time, Elsie, I cannot believe my father +guilty,” Katherine went on. “And though I honour your husband, why, +even the noblest man can be mistaken. My hope of proving my father’s +innocence is based on the belief that Doctor Sherman may somehow have +made a mistake. At any rate, I’d like to talk over his evidence with +him.”</p> + +<p>“He’s trying to work on his sermon, though he’s too worn to think. +I’ll bring him right in.”</p> + +<p>She passed through a door into the study, and a moment later reëntered +with Doctor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> Sherman. The present meeting would have been painful to +an ordinary person; doubly so was it to such a hyper-sensitive nature. +The young clergyman stood hesitant just within the doorway, his usual +pallor greatly deepened, his thin fingers intertwisted—in doubt how +to greet Katherine till she stretched out her hand to him.</p> + +<p>“I want you to understand, Katherine dear,” little Mrs. Sherman put in +quickly, with a look of adoration at her husband, “that Edgar reached +the decision to take the action he did only after days of agony. You +know, Katherine, Doctor West was always as kind to me as another +father, and I loved him almost like one. At first I begged Edgar not +to do anything. Edgar walked the floor for nights—suffering!—oh, how +you suffered, Edgar!”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it a little incongruous,” said Doctor Sherman, smiling wanly at +her, “for the instrument that struck the blow to complain, in the +presence of the victim, of <i>his</i> suffering?”</p> + +<p>“But I want her to know it!” persisted the wife. “She must know it to +do you justice, dear! It seemed at first disloyal—but finally Edgar +decided that his duty to the city——”</p> + +<p>“Please say no more, Elsie.” Katherine turned to the pale young +minister. “Doctor Sherman, I have not come to utter one single word of +recrimination. I have come merely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> to ask you to tell me all you know +about the case.”</p> + +<p>“I shall be glad to do so.”</p> + +<p>“And could I also talk with Mr. Marcy, the agent?”</p> + +<p>“He has left the city, and will not return till the trial.”</p> + +<p>Katherine was disappointed by this news. Doctor Sherman, though +obviously pained by the task, rehearsed in minutest detail the charges +he had made against Doctor West, which charges he would later have to +repeat upon the witness stand. Also he recounted Mr. Marcy’s story. +Katherine scrutinized every point in these two stories for the loose +end, the loop-hole, the flaw, she had thought to find. But flaw there +was none. The stories were perfectly straightforward.</p> + +<p>Katherine walked slowly away, still going over and over Doctor +Sherman’s testimony. Doctor Sherman was telling the indubitable +truth—yet her father was indubitably innocent. It was a puzzling +case, this her first case—a puzzling, most puzzling case.</p> + +<p>When she reached home she was told by her aunt that a gentleman was +waiting to see her. She entered the big, old-fashioned parlour, fresh +and tasteful despite the stiff black walnut that, in the days of her +mother’s marriage, had been spread throughout the land as beauty by +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> gentlemen who dealt conjointly in furniture and coffins.</p> + +<p>From a chair there rose a youthful and somewhat corpulent presence, +with a chubby and very serious pink face that sat in a glossy high +collar as in a cup. He smiled with a blushful but ingratiating +dignity.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you remember me? I’m Charlie Horn.”</p> + +<p>“Oh!” And instinctively, as if to identify him by Charlie Horn’s +well-remembered strawberry-marks, Katherine glanced at his hands. But +they were clean, and the warts were gone. She looked at him in doubt. +“You can’t be Nellie Horn’s little brother?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not so little,” he said, with some resentment. “Since you knew +me,” he added a little grandiloquently, “I’ve graduated from +Bloomington.”</p> + +<p>“Please pardon me! It was kind of you to call, and so soon.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you see I came on business. I suppose you have seen this +afternoon’s <i>Express</i>?”</p> + +<p>She instinctively stiffened.</p> + +<p>“I have not.”</p> + +<p>He drew out a copy of the <i>Express</i>, opened it, and pointed a plump, +pinkish forefinger at the beginning of an article on the first page.</p> + +<p>“You see the <i>Express</i> says you are going to be your father’s lawyer.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p><p>Katharine read the indicated paragraphs. Her colour heightened. The +statement was blunt and bare, but between the lines she read the +contemptuous disapproval of the “new woman” that a few hours since +Bruce had displayed before her. Again her anger toward Bruce flared +up.</p> + +<p>“I am a reporter for the <i>Clarion</i>,” young Charlie Horn announced, +striving not to appear too proud. “And I’ve come to interview you.”</p> + +<p>“Interview me?” she cried in dismay. “What about?”</p> + +<p>“Well, you see,” said he, with his benign smile, “you’re the first +woman lawyer that’s ever been in Westville. It’s almost a bigger +sensation than your fath—you see, it’s a big story.”</p> + +<p>He drew from his pocket a bunch of copy paper. “I want you to tell me +about how you are going to handle the case. And about what you think a +woman lawyer’s prospects are in Westville. And about what you think +will be woman’s status in future society. And you might tell me,” +concluded young Charlie Horn, “who your favourite author is, and what +you think of golf. That last will interest our readers, for our +country club is very popular.”</p> + +<p>It had been the experience of Nellie Horn’s brother that the good +people of Westville were quite willing—nay, even had a subdued +eagerness—to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>discourse about themselves, and whom they had visited +over Sunday, and who was “Sundaying” with them, and what beauties had +impressed them most at Niagara Falls; and so that confident young +ambassador from the <i>Clarion</i> was somewhat dazed when, a moment later, +he found himself standing alone on the West doorstep with a dim sense +of having been politely and decisively wished good afternoon.</p> + +<p>But behind him amid the stiff, dark, solemn-visaged furniture +(Calvinists, every chair of them!) he left a person far more dazed +than himself. Charlie Horn’s call had brought sharply home to +Katherine a question that, in the press of affairs, she hardly had as +yet considered—how was Westville going to take to a woman lawyer +being in its midst? She realized, with a chill of apprehension, how +profoundly this question concerned her next few months. Dear, +bustling, respectable Westville, she well knew, clung to its own idea +of woman’s sphere as to a thing divinely ordered, and to seek to leave +which was scarcely less than rebellion against high God. In +patriarchal days, when heaven’s justice had been prompter, such a +disobedient one would suddenly have found herself rebuked into a bit +of saline statuary.</p> + +<p>Katherine vividly recalled, when she had announced her intention to +study law, what a raising of hands there was, what a loud regretting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>that she had not a mother. But since she had not settled in +Westville, and since she had not been actively practising in New York, +the town had become partially reconciled. But this step of hers was +new, without a precedent. How would Westville take it?</p> + +<p>Her brain burned with this and other matters all afternoon, all +evening, and till the dawn began to edge in and crowd the shadows from +her room. But when she met her father at the breakfast table her face +was fresh and smiling.</p> + +<p>“Well, how is my client this morning?” she asked gaily. “Do you +realize, daddy, that you are my first really, truly client?”</p> + +<p>“And I suppose you’ll be charging me something outrageous as a fee!”</p> + +<p>“Something like this”—kissing him on the ear. “But how do you feel?”</p> + +<p>“Certain that my lawyer will win my case.” He smiled. “And how are +you?”</p> + +<p>“Brimful of ideas.”</p> + +<p>“Yes? About the——”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And about you. First, answer a few of your counsel’s questions. +Have you been doing much at your scientific work of late?”</p> + +<p>“The last two months, since the water-works has been practically +completed, I have spent almost my whole time at it.”</p> + +<p>“And your work was interesting?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p><p>“Very. You see, I think I am on the verge of discovering that the +typhoid bacillus——”</p> + +<p>“You’ll tell me all about that later. Now the first order of your +attorney is, just as soon as you have finished your coffee and folded +your napkin, back you go to your laboratory.”</p> + +<p>“But, Katherine, with this affair——”</p> + +<p>“This affair, worry and all, has been shifted off upon your eminent +counsel. Work will keep you from worry, so back you go to your darling +germs.”</p> + +<p>“You’re mighty good, dear, but——”</p> + +<p>“No argument! You’ve got to do just what your lawyer tells you. And +now,” she added “as I may have to be seeing a lot of people, and as +having people about the house may interrupt your work, I’m going to +take an office.”</p> + +<p>He stared at her.</p> + +<p>“Take an office?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Who knows—I may pick up a few other cases. If I do, I know who +can use the money.”</p> + +<p>“But open an office in Westville! Why, the people——Won’t it be a +little more unpleasant——” He paused doubtfully. “Did you see what +the <i>Express</i> had to say about you?”</p> + +<p>She flushed, but smiled sweetly.</p> + +<p>“What the <i>Express</i> said is one reason why I’m going to open an +office.”</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p><p>“I’m not going to let fear of that Mr. Bruce dictate my life. And +since I’m going to be a lawyer, I’m going to be the whole thing. And +what’s more, I’m going to act as though I were doing the most ordinary +thing in the world. And if Mr. Bruce and the town want to talk, why, +we’ll just let ’em talk!”</p> + +<p>“But—but—aren’t you afraid?”</p> + +<p>“Of course I’m afraid,” she answered promptly. “But when I realize +that I’m afraid to do a thing, I’m certain that that is just exactly +the thing for me to do. Oh, don’t look so worried, dear”—she leaned +across and kissed him—“for I’m going to be the perfectest, properest, +politest lady that ever scuttled a convention. And nothing is going to +happen to me—nothing at all.”</p> + +<p>Breakfast finished, Katherine despotically led her father up to his +laboratory. A little later she set out for downtown, looking very +fresh in a blue summer dress that had the rare qualities of simplicity +and grace. Her colour was perhaps a little warmer than was usual, but +she walked along beneath the maples with tranquil mien, seemingly +unconscious of some people she passed, giving others a clear, direct +glance, smiling and speaking to friends and acquaintances in her most +easy manner.</p> + +<p>As she turned into Main Street the intelligence that she was coming +seemed in some <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>mysterious way to speed before her. Those exemplars of +male fashion, the dry goods clerks, craned furtively about front +doors. Bare-armed and aproned proprietors of grocery stores and their +hirelings appeared beneath the awnings and displayed an unprecedented +concern in trying to resuscitate, with aid of sprinkling-cans, bunches +of expiring radishes and young onions. Owners of amiable steeds that +dozed beside the curb hurried out of cavernous doors, the fear of +run-away writ large upon their countenances, to see if a buckle was +not loose or a tug perchance unfastened. Behind her, as she passed, +Main Street stood statued in mid-action, strap in motionless hand, +sprinkling-can tilting its entire contents of restorative over a box +of clothes-pins, and gaped and stared. This was epochal for Westville. +Never before had a real, live, practising woman lawyer trod the cement +walk of Main Street.</p> + +<p>When Katherine came to Court House Square, she crossed to the south +side, passed the <i>Express</i> Building, and made for the Hollingsworth +Block, whose first floor was occupied by the New York Store’s +“glittering array of vast and profuse fashion.” Above this alluring +pageant were two floors of offices; and up the narrow stairway leading +thereunto Katherine mounted. She entered a door marked “Hosea +Hollingsworth. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>Attorney-at-Law. Mortgages. Loans. Farms.” In the room +were a table, three chairs, a case of law books, a desk, on the top of +the desk a “plug” hat, so venerable that it looked a very +great-grandsire of hats, and two cuspidors marked with chromatic +evidence that they were not present for ornament alone.</p> + +<p>From the desk there rose a man, perhaps seventy, lean, tall, +smooth-shaven, slightly stooped, dressed in a rusty and wrinkled +“Prince Albert” coat, and with a countenance that looked a rank +plagiarism of the mask of Voltaire. In one corner of his thin mouth, +half chewed away, was an unlighted cigar.</p> + +<p>“I believe this is Mr. Hollingsworth?” said Katherine. The question +was purely formal, for his lank figure was one of her earliest +memories.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Come right in,” he returned in a high, nasal voice.</p> + +<p>She drew a chair away from the environs of the cuspidors and sat down. +He resumed his place at his desk and peered at her through his +spectacles, and a dry, almost imperceptible smile played among the +fine wrinkles of his leathery face.</p> + +<p>“And I believe this is Katherine West—our lady lawyer,” he remarked. +“I read in the <i>Express</i> how you——”</p> + +<p>Bruce was on her nerves. She could not restrain a sudden flare of +temper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> “The editor of that paper is a cad!”</p> + +<p>“Well, he ain’t exactly what you might call a hand-raised gentleman,” +the old lawyer admitted. “At least, I never heard of his exerting +himself so hard to be polite that he strained any tendons.”</p> + +<p>“You know him, then?”</p> + +<p>“A little. He’s my nephew.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! I remember.”</p> + +<p>“And we live together,” the old man loquaciously drawled on, eying her +closely with a smile that might have been either good-natured or +satirical. “Batch it—with a nigger who saves us work by stealing +things we’d otherwise have to take care of. We scrap most of the time. +I make fun of him, and he gets sore. The trouble with the editor of +the <i>Express</i> is, he had a doting ma. He should have had an almighty +lot of thrashing when a boy, and instead he never tasted beech limb +once. He’s suffering from the spared rod.”</p> + +<p>Katherine had a shrinking from this old man; an aversion which in her +mature years she had had no occasion to examine, but which she had +inherited unanalyzed from her childhood, when old Hosie Hollingsworth +had been the chief scandal of the town—an infidel, who had dared +challenge the creation of the earth in seven days, and yet was not +stricken down by a fiery bolt from heaven!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> She did not pursue the +subject of Bruce, but went directly to her business.</p> + +<p>“I understand that you have an office to rent.”</p> + +<p>“So I have. Like to see it?”</p> + +<p>“That is what I called for.”</p> + +<p>“Just come along with me.”</p> + +<p>He rose, and Katherine followed him to the floor above and into a room +furnished much as the one she had just left.</p> + +<p>“This office was last used,” commented old Hosie, “by a young fellow +who taught school down in Buck Creek Township and got money to study +law with. He tried law for a while.” The old man’s thin prehensile +lips shifted his cigar to the other side of his mouth. “He’s down in +Buck Creek Township teaching school to get money to pay his back +office rent.”</p> + +<p>“How about the furniture?” asked Katherine.</p> + +<p>“That was his. He left it in part payment. You can use it if you want +to.”</p> + +<p>“But I don’t want those things about”—pointing gingerly to a pair of +cuspidors.</p> + +<p>“All right. Though I don’t see how you expect to run a law office in +Westville without ’em.” He bent over and took them in his hands. “I’ll +take ’em along. I need a few more, for my business is picking up.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I can have possession at once.”</p> + +<p>“Whenever you please.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>Standing with the cuspidors in his two hands the old lawyer looked her +over. He slowly grinned, and a dry cackle came out of his lean throat.</p> + +<p>“I was born out there in Buck Creek Township myself,” he said. “Folks +all Quakers, same as your ma’s and your Aunt Rachel’s. I was brought +up on plowing, husking corn and going to meeting. Never smiled till +after I was twenty; wore a halo, size too large, that slipped down and +made my ears stick out. My grandfather’s name was Elijah, my father’s +Elisha. My father had twelve sons, and beginning with me, Hosea, he +named ’em all in order after the minor prophets. Being brought up in a +houseful of prophets, naturally a lot of the gift of prophecy sort of +got rubbed off on me.”</p> + +<p>“Well?” said Katherine impatiently, not seeing the pertinence of this +autobiography.</p> + +<p>Again he shifted his cigar. “Well, when I prophesy, it’s inspired,” he +went on. “And you can take it as the word that came unto Hosea, that a +woman lawyer settling in Westville is going to raise the very dickens +in this old town!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE LADY LAWYER</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">W</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">hen</span> old Hosie had withdrawn with his expectorative plunder, Katherine +sat down at the desk and gazed thoughtfully out of her window, taking +in the tarnished dome of the Court House that rose lustreless above +the elm tops and the heavy-boned farmhorses that stood about the iron +hitch-racks of the Square, stamping and switching their tails in +dozing warfare against the flies.</p> + +<p>Once more, she began to go over the case. Having decided to test all +possible theories, she for the moment pigeon-holed the idea of a +mistake, and began to seek for other explanations. For a space she +vacantly watched the workmen tearing down the speakers’ stand. But +presently her eyes began to glow, and she sprang up and excitedly +paced the little office.</p> + +<p>Perhaps her father had unwittingly and innocently become involved in +some large system of corruption! Perhaps this case was the first +symptom of the existence of some deep-hidden municipal disease!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p><p>It seemed possible—very possible. Her two years with the Municipal +League had taught her how common were astute dishonest practices. The +idea filled her. She began to burn with a feverish hope. But from the +first moment she was sufficiently cool-headed to realize that to +follow up the idea she required intimate knowledge of Westville +political conditions.</p> + +<p>Here she felt herself greatly handicapped. Owing to her long residence +away from Westville she was practically in ignorance of public +affairs—and she faced the further difficulty of having no one to whom +she could turn for information. Her father she knew could be of little +service; expert though he was in his specialty, he was blind to evil +in men. As for Blake, she did not care to ask aid from him so soon +after his refusal of assistance. And as for others, she felt that all +who could give her information were either hostile to her father or +critical of herself.</p> + +<p>For days the idea possessed her mind. She kept it to herself, and, her +suspicious eyes sweeping in all directions, she studied as best she +could to find some evidence or clue to evidence, that would +corroborate her conjecture. In her excited hope, she strove, while she +thought and worked, to be indifferent to what the town might think +about her. But she was well aware that Old Hosie’s prophecy was swift +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>in coming true—that a storm was raging, a storm of her own sex. It +should be explained, however, in justice to them, that they forgot the +fact, or never really knew it, that she had been forced to take her +father’s case. To be sure, there was no open insult, no direct attack, +no face-to-face denunciation; but piazzas buzzed indignantly with her +name, and at the meeting of the Ladies’ Aid the poor were forgotten, +as at the Missionary Society were the unbibled heathen upon the +foreign shore.</p> + +<p>Fragments of her sisters’ pronouncements were wafted to Katherine’s +ears. “No self-respecting, womanly woman would ever think of wanting +to be a lawyer”—“A forward, brazen, unwomanly young person”—“A +disgrace to the town, a disgrace to our sex”—“Think of the example +she sets to impressionable young girls; they’ll want to break away and +do all sorts of unwomanly things”—“Everybody knows her reason for +being a lawyer is only that it gives her a greater chance to be with +the men.”</p> + +<p>Katherine heard, her mouth hardened, a certain defiance came into her +manner. But she went straight ahead seeking evidence to support her +suspicion.</p> + +<p>Every day made her feel more keenly her need of intimate knowledge +about the city’s political affairs; then, unexpectedly, and from an +unexpected quarter, an informant stepped <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>out upon her stage. Several +times Old Hosie Hollingsworth had spoken casually when they had +chanced to pass in the building or on the street. One day his lean, +stooped figure appeared in her office and helped itself to a chair.</p> + +<p>“I see you haven’t exactly made what Charlie Horn, in his dramatic +criticisms, calls an uproarious and unprecedented success,” he +remarked, after a few preliminaries.</p> + +<p>“I have not been sufficiently interested to notice,” was her crisp +response.</p> + +<p>“That’s right; keep your back up,” said he. “I’ve been agin about +everything that’s popular, and for everything that’s unpopular, that +ever happened in this town. I’ve been an ‘agin-er’ for fifty years. +They’d have tarred and feathered me long ago if there’d been any +leading citizen unstingy enough to have donated the tar. Then, too, +I’ve had a little money, and going through the needle’s eye is easy +business compared to losing the respect of Westville so long as you’ve +got money—unless, of course,” he added, “you’re a female lawyer. I +tell you, there’s no more fun than stirring up the animals in this old +town. Any one unpopular in Westville is worth being friends with, and +so if you’re willing——”</p> + +<p>He held out his thin, bony hand. Katherine, with no very marked +enthusiasm, took it. Then <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>her eyes gleamed with a new light; and +obeying an impulse she asked:</p> + +<p>“Are you acquainted with political conditions in Westville?”</p> + +<p>“Me acquainted with——” He cackled. “Why, I’ve been setting at my +office window looking down on the political circus of this town ever +since Noah run aground on Mount Ararat.”</p> + +<p>She leaned forward eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Then you know how things stand?”</p> + +<p>“To a T.”</p> + +<p>“Tell me, is there any rotten politics, any graft or corruption going +on?” She flushed. “Of course, I mean except what’s charged against my +father.”</p> + +<p>“When Blind Charlie Peck was in power, there was more graft and +dirty——”</p> + +<p>“Not then, but now?” she interrupted.</p> + +<p>“Now? Well, of course you know that since Blake run Blind Charlie out +of business ten years ago, Blake has been the big gun in this town.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know.”</p> + +<p>“Then you must know that in the last ten years Westville has been +text, sermon, and doxology for all the reformers in the state.”</p> + +<p>“But could not corruption be going on without Mr. Blake knowing it? +Could not Mr. Peck be secretly carrying out some scheme?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p><p>“Blind Charlie? Blind Charlie ain’t dead yet, not by a long sight—and +as long as there’s a breath in his carcass, that good-natured old +blackguard is likely to be a dangerous customer. But though Charlie’s +still the boss of his party, he controls no offices, and has got no +real power. He’s as helpless as Satan was after he’d been kicked out +of heaven and before he’d landed that big job he holds on the floor +below. Nowadays, Charlie just sits in his side office over at the +Tippecanoe House playing seven-up from breakfast till bedtime.”</p> + +<p>“Then you think there’s no corrupt politics in Westville?” she asked +in a sinking voice.</p> + +<p>“Not an ounce of ’em!” said Old Hosie with decision.</p> + +<p>This agreed with the conviction that had been growing upon Katherine +during the last few days. While she had entertained suspicion of there +being corruption, she had several times considered the advisability of +putting a detective on the case. But this idea she now abandoned.</p> + +<p>After this talk with the old lawyer, Katherine was forced back again +upon misunderstanding. She went carefully over the records of her +father’s department, on file in the Court House, seeking some item +that would cast light upon the puzzle. She went over and over the +indictment, seeking some loose end, some overlooked <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>inconsistency, +that would yield her at least a clue.</p> + +<p>For days she kept doggedly at this work, steeling herself against the +disapprobation of the town. But she found nothing. Then, in a flash, +an overlooked point recurred to her. The trouble, so went her theory, +was all due to a confusion of the bribe with the donation to the +hospital. Where was that donation?</p> + +<p>Here was a matter that might at last lead to a solution of the +difficulty. Again on fire with hope, she interviewed her father. He +was certain that a donation had been promised, he had thought the +envelope handed him by Mr. Marcy contained the gift—but of the +donation itself he knew no more. She interviewed Doctor Sherman; he +had heard Mr. Marcy refer to a donation but knew nothing about the +matter. She tried to get in communication with Mr. Marcy, only to +learn that he was in England studying some new filtering plants +recently installed in that country. Undiscouraged, she one day stepped +off the train in St. Louis, the home of the Acme Filter, and appeared +in the office of the company.</p> + +<p>The general manager, a gentleman who ran to portliness in his figure, +his jewellery and his courtesy, seemed perfectly acquainted with the +case. In exculpation of himself and his company, he said that they +were constantly being <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>held up by every variety of official from a +county commissioner to a mayor, and they were simply forced to give +“presents” in order to do business.</p> + +<p>“But my father’s defense,” put in Katherine, “was that he thought this +‘present’ was in reality a donation to the hospital. Was anything said +to my father about a donation?”</p> + +<p>“I believe there was.”</p> + +<p>“That corroborates my father!” Katherine exclaimed eagerly. “Would you +make that statement at the trial—or at least give me an affidavit to +that effect?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be glad to give you an affidavit. But I should explain that the +‘present’ and the donation were two distinctly separate affairs.”</p> + +<p>“Then what became of the donation?” Katherine cried triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“It was sent,” said the manager.</p> + +<p>“Sent?”</p> + +<p>“I sent it myself,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>Katherine left St. Louis more puzzled than before. What had become of +the check, if it had really been sent? Home again, she ransacked her +father’s desk with his aid, and in a bottom drawer they found a heap +of long-neglected mail.</p> + +<p>Doctor West at first scratched his head in perplexity. “I remember +now,” he said. “I never was much of a hand to keep up with my letters, +and for the few days before that celebration <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>I was so excited that I +just threw everything——”</p> + +<p>But Katherine had torn open an envelope and was holding in her hands a +fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter Company.</p> + +<p>“What was the date of your arrest?” she asked sharply. “The date Mr. +Marcy gave you that money?”</p> + +<p>“The fifteenth of May.”</p> + +<p>“This check is dated the twelfth of May. The envelope shows it was +received in Westville on the thirteenth.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what of that?”</p> + +<p>“Only this,” said Katherine slowly, and with a chill at her heart, +“that the prosecution can charge, and we cannot disprove the charge, +that the real donation was already in your possession at the time you +accepted what you say you believed was the donation.”</p> + +<p>Then, with a rush, a great temptation assailed Katherine—to destroy +this piece of evidence unfavourable to her father which she held in +her hands. For several moments the struggle continued fiercely. But +she had made a vow with herself when she had entered law that she was +going to keep free from the trickery and dishonourable practices so +common in her profession. She was going to be an honest lawyer, or be +no lawyer at all. And so, at length, she laid the check before her +father.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>“Just indorse it, and we’ll send it in to the hospital,” she said.</p> + +<p>Afterward it occurred to her that to have destroyed the check would at +the best have helped but little, for the prosecution, if it so +desired, could introduce witnesses to prove that the donation had been +sent. Suspicion of having destroyed or suppressed the check would then +inevitably have rested upon her father.</p> + +<p>This discovery of the check was a heavy blow, but Katherine went +doggedly back to the first beginnings; and as the weeks crept slowly +by she continued without remission her desperate search for a clue +which, followed up, would make clear to every one that the whole +affair was merely a mistake. But the only development of the summer +which bore at all upon the case—and that bearing seemed to Katherine +indirect—was that, since early June, the service of the water-works +had steadily been deteriorating. There was frequently a shortage in +the supply, and the filtering plant, the direct cause of Doctor West’s +disgrace, had proved so complete a failure that its use had been +discontinued. The water was often murky and unpleasant to the taste. +Moreover, all kinds of other faults began to develop in the plant. The +city complained loudly of the quality of the water and the failure of +the system. It was like one of these new-fangled toys, averred <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>the +street corners, that runs like a miracle while the paint is on it and +then with a whiz and a whir goes all to thunder.</p> + +<p>But to this mere by-product of the case Katherine gave little thought. +She had to keep desperately upon the case itself. At times, feeling +herself so alone, making no inch of headway, her spirits sank very low +indeed. What made the case so wearing on the soul was that she was +groping in the dark. She was fighting an invisible enemy, even though +it was no more than a misunderstanding—an enemy whom, strive as she +would, she could not clutch, with whom she could not grapple. Again +and again she prayed for a foe in the open. Had there been a fight, no +matter how bitter, her part would have been far, far easier—for in +fight there is action and excitement and the lifting hope of victory.</p> + +<p>It took courage to work as she did, weary week upon weary week, and +discover nothing. It took courage not to slink away at the town’s +disapprobation. At times, in the bitterness of her heart, she wished +she were out of it all, and could just rest, and be friends with every +one. In such moods it would creep coldly in upon her that there could +be but one solution to the case—that after all her father must be +guilty. But when she would go home and look into his thoughtful, +unworldy old face, that <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>solution would instantly become impossible; +and she would cast out doubt and despair and renew her determination.</p> + +<p>The weeks dragged heavily on—hot and dusty after the first of July, +and so dry that out in the country the caked earth was a fine network +of zigzagging fissures, and the farmers, gazing despondently upon +their shrivelling corn, watched with vain hope for a rescuing cloud to +darken the clear, hard, brilliant heavens. At length the summer burned +to its close; the opening day of the September term of court was close +at hand. But still the case stood just as on the day Katherine had +stepped so joyously from the Limited. The evidence of Sherman was +unshaken. The charges of Bruce had no answer.</p> + +<p>One afternoon—her father’s case was set for two days later—as +Katherine left her office, desperate, not knowing which way to turn, +her nerves worn fine and thin by the long strain, she saw her father’s +name on the front page of the <i>Express</i>. She bought a copy. In the +centre of the first page, in a “box” and set in heavy-faced type, was +an editorial in Bruce’s most rousing style, trying her father in +advance, declaring him flagrantly guilty, and demanding for him the +law’s extremest penalty.</p> + +<p>That editorial unloosed her long-collected wrath—wrath that had many +a reason. In Bruce’s person Katherine had from the first <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>seen the +summing up, the leader, of the bitterness against her father. All +summer he had continued his sharp attacks, and the virulence of these +had helped keep the town wrought up against Doctor West. Moreover, +Katherine despised Bruce as a powerful, ruthless, demagogic hypocrite. +And to her hostility against him in her father’s behalf and to her +contempt for his quack radicalism, was added the bitter implacability +of the woman who feels herself scorned. The town’s attitude toward her +she resented. But Bruce she hated, and him she prayed with all her +soul that she might humble.</p> + +<p>She crushed the <i>Express</i>, flung it from her into the gutter, and +walked home all a-tremble. Her aunt met her in the hall as she was +laying off her hat. A spot burned faintly in either withered cheek of +the old woman.</p> + +<p>“Who does thee think is here?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Who?” Katherine repeated mechanically, her wrath too high for +interest in anything else.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bruce. Upstairs with thy father.”</p> + +<p>“What!” cried Katherine.</p> + +<p>Her hat missed the hook and fell to the floor, and she went springing +up the stairway. The next instant she flung open her father’s door, +and walked straight up to Bruce, before whom she paused, bosom +heaving, eyes on fire.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here?” she demanded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p><p>His powerful figure rose, and his square-hewn face looked directly +into her own.</p> + +<p>“Interviewing your father,” he returned with his aggressive calm.</p> + +<p>“He was asking me to confess,” explained Doctor West.</p> + +<p>“Confess?” cried Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Just so,” replied Bruce. “His guilt is undoubted, so he might as well +confess.”</p> + +<p>Scorn flamed at him.</p> + +<p>“I see! You are trying to get a confession out of him, in advance of +the trial, as a big feature for your terrible paper!”</p> + +<p>She moved a pace nearer him. All the suppressed anger, all the hidden +anguish, of the last three months burst up volcanically.</p> + +<p>“Oh! oh!” she cried breathlessly. “I never dreamt till I met you that +a man could be so low, so heartless, as to hound an old man as you +have hounded my father—and all for the sake of a yellow newspaper +sensation. But he’s a safe man for you to attack. Yes, he’s safe—old, +unpopular, helpless!”</p> + +<p>Bruce’s heavy brows lowered. He did not give back a step before her +ireful figure.</p> + +<p>“And because he’s old and unpopular I should not attack him, eh?” he +demanded. “Because he’s down, I should not hit him? That’s your +woman’s reasoning, is it? Well, let me tell you,” and his gray eyes +flashed, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>his voice had a crunching tone—“that I believe when +you’ve got an enemy of society down, don’t, because you pity him, let +him up to go and do the same thing again. While you’ve got him down, +keep on hitting him till you’ve got him finished!”</p> + +<p>“Like the brute that you are!” she cried. “But, like the coward you +are, you first very carefully choose your ‘enemy of society.’ You were +careful to choose one who could not hit back!”</p> + +<p>“I did not choose your father. He thrust himself upon the town’s +attention. And I consider neither his weakness nor his strength. I +consider only the fact that your father has done the city a greater +injury than any man who ever lived in Westville.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a lie! I tell you it’s a lie!”</p> + +<p>“It’s the truth!” he declared harshly, dominantly. “His swindling +Westville by giving us a worthless filtering-plant in return for a +bribe—why, that is the smallest evil he has done the town. Before +that time, Westville was on the verge of making great municipal +advances—on the verge of becoming a model and a leader for the small +cities of the Middle West. And now all that grand development is +ruined—and ruined by that man, your father!” He excitedly jerked a +paper from his pocket and held it out to her. “If you want to see +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>what he has brought us to, read that editorial in the <i>Clarion</i>!”</p> + +<p>She fixed him with glittering eyes.</p> + +<p>“I have read one cowardly editorial to-day in a Westville paper. That +is enough.”</p> + +<p>“Read that, I say!” he commanded.</p> + +<p>For answer she took the <i>Clarion</i> and tossed it into the waste-basket. +She glared at him, quivering all over, in her hands a convulsive itch +for physical vengeance.</p> + +<p>“If I thought that in all your fine talk about the city there was one +single word of sincerity, I might respect you,” she said with slow and +scathing contempt. “But your words are the words of a mere poseur—of +a man who twists the truth to fit his desires—of a man who deals in +the ideas that seem to him most profitable—of a man who cares not how +poor, how innocent, is the body he uses as a stepping stone for his +clambering greed and ambition. Oh, I know you—I have watched you—I +have read you. You are a mere self-seeker! You are a demagogue! You +are a liar! And, on top of that, you are a coward!”</p> + +<p>Whatever Arnold Bruce was, he was a man with a temper. Fury was +blazing behind his heavy spectacles.</p> + +<p>“Go on! I care <i>that</i> for the words of a woman who has so little +taste, so little sense, so little modesty, as to leave the sphere——”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p><p>“You boor!” gasped Katharine.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I am. At least I am not afraid to speak the truth straight +out even to a woman. You are all wrong. You are unwomanly. You are +unsexed. Your pretensions as a lawyer are utterly preposterous, as the +trial on Thursday will show you. And the condemnation of the town is +not half as severe a rebuke——”</p> + +<p>“Stop!” gasped Katherine. A wild defiance surged up and overmastered +her, her nerves broke, and her hot words tumbled out hysterically. +“You think you are a God-anointed critic of humanity, but you are only +a heartless, conceited cad! Just wait—I’ll show you what your +judgment of me is worth! I am going to clear my father! I am going to +make this Westville that condemns me kneel at my feet! and as for +you—you can think what you please! But don’t you ever dare to speak +to my father again—don’t you ever dare speak to me again—don’t you +ever dare enter this house again! Now go! Go! I say. Go! Go! Go!”</p> + +<p>His face had grown purple; he seemed to be choking. For a space he +gazed at her. Then without answering he bowed slightly and was gone.</p> + +<p>She glared a moment at the door. Then suddenly she collapsed upon the +floor, her head and arms on the old haircloth sofa, and her whole body +shook with silent sobs. Doctor <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>West, first gazing at her a little +helplessly, sat down upon the sofa, and softly stroked her hair. For a +time there were no words—only her convulsive breathing, her choking +sobs.</p> + +<p>Presently he said gently:</p> + +<p>“I’m sure you’ll do everything you said.”</p> + +<p>“No—that’s the trouble,” she moaned. “What I said—was—was just a +big bluff. I won’t do any—of those things. Your trial is two days +off—and, father, I haven’t one bit of evidence—I don’t know what +we’re going to do—and the jury will have to—oh, father, father, that +man was right; I’m just—just a great big failure!”</p> + +<p>Again she shook with sobs. The old man continued to sit beside her, +softly stroking her thick brown hair.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE MASK FALLS</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">B</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">ut</span> presently the sobs subsided, as though shut off by main force, and +Katherine rose to her feet. She wiped her eyes and looked at her +father, a wan smile on her reddened, still tremulous face.</p> + +<p>“What a hope-inspiring lawyer you have, father!”</p> + +<p>“I would not want a truer,” said he loyally.</p> + +<p>“We won’t have one of these cloud-bursts again, I promise you. But +when you have been under a strain for months, and things are stretched +tighter and tighter, and at last something makes things snap, why you +just can’t help—well,” she ended, “a man would have done something +else, I suppose, but it might have been just as bad.”</p> + +<p>“Worse!” avowed her father.</p> + +<p>“Anyhow, it’s all over. I’ll just repair some of the worst ravages of +the storm, and then we’ll talk about our programme for the trial.”</p> + +<p>As she was arranging her hair before her <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>father’s mirror, she saw, in +the glass, the old man stoop and take something from the waste-basket. +Turning his back to her, he cautiously examined the object.</p> + +<p>She left the mirror and came up behind him.</p> + +<p>“What are you looking at, dear?”</p> + +<p>He started, and glanced up.</p> + +<p>“Oh—er—that editorial Mr. Bruce referred to.” He rubbed his head +dazedly. “If that should happen, with me even indirectly the cause of +it—why, Katherine, it really would be pretty bad!” He held out the +<i>Clarion</i>. “Perhaps, after all, you had better read it.”</p> + +<p>She took the paper. The <i>Clarion</i> had from the first opposed the +city’s owning the water-works, and the editorial declared that the +present situation gave the paper, and all those who had held a similar +opinion, their long-awaited triumph and vindication. “This failure is +only what invariably happens whenever a city tries municipal +ownership,” declared the editorial. “The situation has grown so +unbearably acute that the city’s only hope of good water lies in the +sale of the system to some private concern, which will give us that +superior service which is always afforded by private capital. +Westville is upon the eve of a city election, and we most emphatically +urge upon both parties that they make the chief plank of their +platforms the immediate <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>sale of our utterly discredited water-works +to some private company.”</p> + +<p>The editorial did not stir Katherine as it had appeared to stir Bruce, +nor even in the milder degree it had stirred Doctor West. She was +interested in the water-works only in so far as it concerned her +father, and the <i>Clarion’s</i> proposal had no apparent bearing on his +guilt or innocence.</p> + +<p>She laid the <i>Clarion</i> on the table, without comment, and proceeded to +discuss the coming trial. The only course she had to suggest was that +they plead for a postponement on the ground that they needed more time +in which to prepare their defense. If that plea were denied, then +before them seemed certain conviction. On that plea, then, they +decided to place all their hope.</p> + +<p>When this matter had been talked out Doctor West took the <i>Clarion</i> +from the table and again read the editorial with troubled face, while +Katherine walked to and fro across the floor, her mind all on the +trial.</p> + +<p>“If the town does sell, it will be too bad!” he sighed.</p> + +<p>“I suppose so,” said Katherine mechanically.</p> + +<p>“It has reached me that people are saying that the system isn’t worth +anything like what we paid for it.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so?” she asked absently.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>Doctor West drew himself up and his faded cheeks flushed indignantly.</p> + +<p>“No, it is not so. I don’t know what’s wrong, but it’s the very best +system of its size in the Middle West!”</p> + +<p>She paused.</p> + +<p>“Forgive me—I wasn’t paying any attention to what I was saying. I’m +sure it is.”</p> + +<p>She resumed her pacing.</p> + +<p>“But if they sell out to some company,” Doctor West continued, “the +company will probably get it for a third, or less, of what it is +actually worth.”</p> + +<p>“So, if some corporation has been secretly wanting to buy it,” +commented Katherine, “things could not have worked out better for the +corporation if they had been planned.”</p> + +<p>She came to a sudden pause, and stood gazing at her father, her lips +slowly parting.</p> + +<p>“It could not have worked out better for the corporation if it had +been planned,” she repeated.</p> + +<p>“No,” said Doctor West.</p> + +<p>She picked up the <i>Clarion</i>, quickly read the editorial, and laid the +paper aside.</p> + +<p>“Father!” Her voice was a low, startled cry.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>She moved slowly toward him, in her face a breathless look, and caught +his shoulders with tense hands.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p><p>“<i>Perhaps it was planned!</i>”</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>Her voice rang out more loudly:</p> + +<p>“<i>Perhaps it was planned!</i>”</p> + +<p>“But Katherine—what do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Let me think. Let me think.” She began feverishly to pace the room. +“Oh, why did I not think of this before!” she cried to herself. “I +thought of graft—political corruption—everything else. But it never +occurred to me that there might be a plan, a subtle, deep-laid plan, +to steal the water-works!”</p> + +<p>Doctor West watched her rather dazedly as she went up and down the +floor, her brows knit, her lips moving in self-communion. Her +connection with the Municipal League in New York had given her an +intimate knowledge of the devious means by which public service +corporations sometimes gain their end. Her mind flashed over all the +situation’s possibilities.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she paused before her father, face flushed, triumph in her +eyes.</p> + +<p>“Father, <i>it was planned!</i>”</p> + +<p>“Eh?” said he.</p> + +<p>“Father,” she demanded excitedly, “do you know what the great public +service corporations are doing now?” Her words rushed on, not waiting +for an answer. “They have got hold of almost all the valuable public +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>utilities in the great cities, and now they are turning to a fresh +field—the small cities. Westville is a rich chance in a small way. It +has only thirty thousand inhabitants now. But it is growing. Some day +it will have fifty thousand—a hundred thousand.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what people say.”</p> + +<p>“If a private company could get hold of the water-works, the system +would not only be richly profitable at once, but it would be worth a +fortune as the city grows. Now if a company, a clever company, wanted +to buy in the water-works, what would be their first move?”</p> + +<p>“To make an offer, I suppose.”</p> + +<p>“Never! Their first step would be to try to make the people want to +sell. And how would they try to make the people want to sell?”</p> + +<p>“Why—why——”</p> + +<p>“By making the water-works fail!” Her excitement was mounting; she +caught his shoulders. “Fail so badly that the people would be +disgusted, just as they now are, and willing to sell at any price. And +now, father—and now, father—” he could feel her quivering all +over—“listen to me! We’re coming to the point! How would they make +the water-works fail?”</p> + +<p>He could only blink at her.</p> + +<p>“They’d make it fail by removing from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>office, and so disgracing him +that everything he had done would be discredited, the one +incorruptible man whose care and knowledge had made it a success! +Don’t you see, father? Don’t you see?”</p> + +<p>“Bless me,” said the old man, “if I know what you’re talking about!”</p> + +<p>“With you out of the way, whom they knew they could not corrupt, they +could buy under officials to attend to the details of making the water +bad and the plant itself a failure—just exactly what has been done. +You are not the real victim. You are just an obstruction—something +that they had to get out of the way. The real victim is Westville! +It’s a plan to rob the city!”</p> + +<p>His gray eyes were catching the light that blazed from hers.</p> + +<p>“I begin to see,” he said. “It hardly seems possible people would do +such things. But perhaps you’re right. What are you going to do?”</p> + +<p>“Fight!”</p> + +<p>“Fight?” He looked admiringly at her glowing figure. “But if there is +a strong company behind all this, for you to fight it alone—it will +be an awful big fight!”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care how big the fight is!” she cried exultantly. “What has +almost broken my heart till now is that there has been no one to +fight!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p><p>A shadow fell on the old man’s face.</p> + +<p>“But after all, Katherine, it is all only a guess.”</p> + +<p>“Of course it is only a guess!” she cried. “But I have tested every +other possible solution. This is the only one left, and it fits every +known circumstance of the case. It is only a guess—but I’ll stake my +life on its being the right guess!” Her voice rose. “Oh, father, we’re +on the right track at last! We’re going to clear you! Don’t you ever +doubt that. We’re going to clear you!”</p> + +<p>There was no resisting the ringing confidence in her voice, the fire +of her enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>“Katherine!” he cried, and opened his arms.</p> + +<p>She rushed into them. “We’re going to clear you, father! And, oh, +won’t it be fine! Won’t it be fine!”</p> + +<p>For a space they held each other close, then they parted.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do first?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Try to find the person, or corporation, behind the scheme.”</p> + +<p>“And how will you do that?”</p> + +<p>“First, I shall talk it over with Mr. Blake. You know he told me to +come to him if I ever wished his advice. He knows the situation +here—he has the interests of Westville at heart—and I know he will +help us. I’m not going to lose a second, so I’m off to see him now.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p><p>She rushed downstairs. But she did have to lose a second, and many of +them, for when she called up Mr. Blake’s office on the telephone, the +answer came back that Mr. Blake was in the capital and would not +return till the following day on the one forty-five. It occurred to +Katherine to advise with old Hosie Hollingsworth, for during the long +summer her blind, childish shrinking had changed to warm liking of the +dry old lawyer; and she had discovered, too, that the heresies it had +been his delight to utter a generation before—and on which he still +prided himself—were now a part of the belief of many an orthodox +divine.</p> + +<p>But she decided against conferring with Old Hosie. Her adviser and +leader must be a man more actively in the current of modern affairs. +No, Blake was her great hope, and precious and few as were the hours +before the trial, there was nothing for it but to wait for his return.</p> + +<p>She went up to her room, and her excited mind, now half inspired, went +feverishly over the situation and all who were in any wise concerned +in it. She thought of the fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter +Company. With her new viewpoint she now understood the whole +bewildering business of that check. The company, or at least one of +its officers, was somehow in on the deal, and there had been some +careful scheming behind the sending of that fifty dollars. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>The +company had been confronted with two obvious difficulties. First, it +had to make certain that the check would not be received until after +the two thousand dollars was in the hands of her father. Second, the +date of the check and the date of the Westville postmark must be +earlier than the day the two thousand dollars was delivered—else +Doctor West could produce check and envelope to prove that the check +had not arrived until after he had already accepted what he thought +was the donation, and thus perhaps ruin the whole scheme. What had +been done, Katherine now clearly perceived, was that some one, most +probably an assistant of her father, had been bought over to look out +for the arrival of the letter, to hold it back until the critical day +had passed, and then slip it into her father’s neglected mail.</p> + +<p>Her mind raced on to further matters, further persons, connected with +the situation. When she came to Bruce her hands clenched the arms of +her wicker rocking chair. In a flash the whole man was plain to her, +and her second great discovery of the day was made.</p> + +<p>Bruce was an agent of the hidden corporation!</p> + +<p>The motive behind his fierce desire to destroy her father was at last +apparent. To destroy Doctor West was his part in the conspiracy. As +for his rabid advocacy of municipal ownership, and all his fine talk +about the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>city’s betterment, that was mere sham—merely the virtuous +front behind which he could work out his purpose unsuspected. No one +could quote the scripture of civic improvement more loudly than the +civic despoiler. She always had distrusted him. Now she knew him. Many +a time through the night her mind flashed back to him from other +matters and she thrilled with a vengeful joy at the thought of tearing +aside his mask.</p> + +<p>It was a long and feverish night to Katherine, and a long and feverish +forenoon. At a quarter to two she was in Blake’s office, which was +furnished with just that balance between simplicity and richness +appropriate to a growing great man with a constituency half of the +city and half of the country. She had sat some time at a window +looking down upon the Square, its foliage now a dusty, shrivelled +brown, when Blake came in. He had not been told that she was waiting, +and at sight of her he came to a sudden pause. But the next instant he +had crossed the room and was shaking her hand.</p> + +<p>For that first instant Katherine’s eyes and mind, which during the +last twenty-four hours had had an almost more than mortal clearness, +had an impression that he was strangely agitated. But the moment over, +the impression was gone.</p> + +<p>He placed a chair for her at the corner of his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>desk and himself sat +down, his dark, strong, handsome face fixed on hers.</p> + +<p>“Now, how can I serve you, Katherine?”</p> + +<p>There were rings about her eyes, but excitement gave her colour.</p> + +<p>“You know that to-morrow is father’s trial?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. You must have a hard, hard fight before you.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not so hard as you may think.” She tried to keep her tugging +excitement in leash.</p> + +<p>“I hope not,” said he.</p> + +<p>“I think it may prove easy—if you will help me.”</p> + +<p>“Help you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I have come to ask you that again.”</p> + +<p>“Well—you see—as I told you——”</p> + +<p>“But the situation has changed since I first came to you,” she put in +quickly, not quite able to restrain a little laugh. “I have found +something out!”</p> + +<p>He started. “You have found—you say——”</p> + +<p>“I have found something out!”</p> + +<p>She smiled at him happily, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“And that?” said he.</p> + +<p>She leaned forward.</p> + +<p>“I do not need to tell you, for you know it, that the big corporations +have discovered a new gold mine—or rather, thousands of little gold +mines. That all over the country they <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>have gained control, and are +working to gain control, of the street-car lines, gas works and other +public utilities in the smaller cities.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>She spoke excitedly, putting the case more definitely than it really +was, to better the chance of winning his aid.</p> + +<p>“Well, I have just discovered that there is a plan on foot, directed +by a hidden some one, to seize the water-works of Westville. I have +discovered that my father is not guilty. He is the victim of a trick +to ruin the water-works and make the people willing to sell. The first +thing to do is to find the man behind the scheme. I want you to help +me find this man.”</p> + +<p>A greenish pallor had overspread his features.</p> + +<p>“And you want me—to find this man?” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“Yes. I know you will take this up, simply because of your interest in +the city. But there is another reason—it would help you in your +larger ambition. If you could disclose this scheme, save the city, +become the hero of a great popular gratitude, think how it would help +your senatorial chances!”</p> + +<p>He did not at once reply, but sat staring at her.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you see?” she cried.</p> + +<p>“I—I see.”</p> + +<p>“Why, it would turn your chance for the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>Senate into a certainty! It +would—but, Mr. Blake, what’s the matter?”</p> + +<p>“Matter,” he repeated, huskily. “Why—why nothing.”</p> + +<p>She gazed at him with deep concern. “But you look almost sick.”</p> + +<p>In his eyes there struggled a wild look. Her gaze became fixed upon +his face, so strangely altered. In her present high-wrought state all +her senses were excited to their intensest keenness.</p> + +<p>There was a moment of silence—eyes into eyes. Then she stood slowly +up, and one hand reached slowly out and clutched his arm.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake!” she whispered, in an awed and terrified tone. She +continued to stare into his eyes. “Mr. Blake!” she repeated.</p> + +<p>She felt a tensing of his body, as of a man who seeks to master +himself with a mighty effort. He tried to smile, though his greenish +pallor did not leave him.</p> + +<p>“It is my turn,” he said, “to ask what is the matter with you, +Katherine.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake!” She loosed her hold upon his arm, and shrank away.</p> + +<p>He rose.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” he repeated. “You seem upset. I suppose it is +the nervous strain of to-morrow’s trial.”</p> + +<p>In her face was stupefied horror.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p><p>“It is what—what I have discovered.”</p> + +<p>“What you call your discovery would be most valuable, if true. But it +is just a dream, Katherine—a crazy, crazy dream.”</p> + +<p>She still was looking straight into his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake, it is true,” she said slowly, almost breathlessly. “For I +have found the man behind the plan.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed! And who?”</p> + +<p>“I think you know him, Mr. Blake.”</p> + +<p>“I?”</p> + +<p>“Better than any one else.”</p> + +<p>His smile had left him.</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>She continued to stare at him for a moment in silence. Then she slowly +raised her arm and pointed at him.</p> + +<p>The silence continued for several moments, each gazing at the other. +He had put one hand upon his desk and was leaning heavily upon it. He +looked like a man sick unto death. But soon a shiver ran through him; +he swallowed, gripped himself in a strong control, and smiled again +his strained, unnatural smile.</p> + +<p>“Katherine, Katherine,” he tried to say it reprovingly and +indulgently, but there was a quaver in his voice. “You have gone quite +out of your head!”</p> + +<p>“It is true!” she cried. “All unintentionally I have followed one of +the oldest of police <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>expedients. I have suddenly confronted the +criminal with his crime, and I have surprised his guilt upon his +face!”</p> + +<p>“What you say is absurd. I can explain it only on the theory that you +are quite out of your mind.”</p> + +<p>“Never before was I so much in it!”</p> + +<p>In this moment when she felt that the hidden enemy she had striven so +long to find was at last revealed to her, she felt more of anguish +than of triumph.</p> + +<p>“Oh, how could you do such a thing, Mr. Blake?” she burst out. “How +could you do it?”</p> + +<p>He shook his head, and tried to smile at her perversity—but the smile +was a wan failure.</p> + +<p>“I see—I see!” she cried in her pain. “It is just the old story. A +good man rises to power through being the champion of the people—and, +once in power, the opportunities, the temptation, are too much for +him. But I never—no, never!—thought that such a thing would happen +with you!”</p> + +<p>He strove for the injured air of the misjudged old friend.</p> + +<p>“Again I must say that I can only explain your charges by supposing +that you are out of your head.”</p> + +<p>“Here in Westville you believe it is not <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>woman’s business to think +about politics,” Katherine went on, in her voice of pain. “But I could +not help thinking about them, and watching them. I have lost my faith +in the old parties, but I had kept my faith in some of their leaders. +I believe some of them honest, devoted, indomitable. And of them all, +the one I admired most, ranked highest, was you. And now—and now—oh, +Mr. Blake!—to learn that you——”</p> + +<p>“Katherine! Katherine!” And he raised his hands with the manner of +exasperated, yet indulgent, helplessness.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake, you know you are now only playing a part! And you know +that I know it!” She moved up to him eagerly. “Listen to me,” she +pleaded rapidly. “You have only started on this, you have not gone too +far to turn back. You have done no real wrong as yet, save to my +father, and I know my father will forgive you. Drop your plan—let my +father be honourably cleared—and everything will be just as before!”</p> + +<p>For a space he seemed shaken by her words. She watched him, +breathless, awaiting the outcome of the battle she felt was waging +within him.</p> + +<p>“Drop the plan—do!—do!—I beg you!” she cried.</p> + +<p>His dark face twitched; a quivering ran <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>through his body. Then by a +mighty effort he partially regained his mastery.</p> + +<p>“There is no plan for me to drop,” he said huskily.</p> + +<p>“You still cling to the part you are playing?”</p> + +<p>“I am playing no part; you are all wrong about me,” he continued. +“Your charges are so absurd that it would be foolish to deny them. +They are merely the ravings of an hysterical woman.”</p> + +<p>“And this is your answer?”</p> + +<p>“That is my answer.”</p> + +<p>She gazed at him for a long moment. Then she sighed.</p> + +<p>“I’m so sorry!” she said; and she turned away and moved toward the +door.</p> + +<p>She gave him a parting look, as he stood pale, quivering, yet +controlled, behind his desk. In this last moment she remembered the +gallant fight this man had made against Blind Charlie Peck; she +remembered that fragrant, far-distant night of June when he had asked +her to marry him; and she felt as though she were gazing for the last +time upon a dear dead face.</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry—oh, so sorry!” she said tremulously. “Good-by.” And +turning, she walked with bowed head out of his office.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE EDITOR OF THE <i>EXPRESS</i></h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">K</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">atherine</span> stumbled down into the dusty, quivering heat of the Square. +She was still awed and dumfounded by her discovery; she could not as +yet realize its full significance and whither it would lead; but her +mind was a ferment of thoughts that were unfinished and questions that +did not await reply.</p> + +<p>How had a man once so splendid come to sell his soul for money or +ambition? What would Westville think and do, Westville who worshipped +him, if it but knew the truth? How was she to give battle to an +antagonist, so able in himself, so powerfully supported by the public? +What a strange caprice of fate it was that had given her as the man +she must fight, defeat, or be defeated by, her former idol, her former +lover!</p> + +<p>Shaken with emotion, her mind shot through with these fragmentary +thoughts, she turned into a side street. But she had walked beneath +its withered maples no more than a block or <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>two, when her largest +immediate problem, her father’s trial on the morrow, thrust itself +into her consciousness, and the pressing need of further action drove +all this spasmodic speculation from her mind. She began to think upon +what she should next do. Almost instantly her mind darted to the man +whom she had definitely connected with the plot against her father, +Arnold Bruce, and she turned back toward the Square, afire with a new +idea.</p> + +<p>She had made great advance through suddenly, though unintentionally, +confronting Blake with knowledge of his guilt. Might she not make some +further advance, gain some new clue, by confronting Bruce in similar +manner?</p> + +<p>Ten minutes after she had left the office of Harrison Blake, Katherine +entered the <i>Express</i> Building. From the first floor sounded a deep +and continuous thunder; that afternoon’s issue was coming from the +press. She lifted her skirts and gingerly mounted the stairway, over +which the <i>Express’s</i> “devil” was occasionally seen to make +incantations with the stub of an undisturbing broom.</p> + +<p>At the head of the stairway a door stood open. This she entered, and +found herself in the general editorial room, ankle-deep with dirt and +paper. The air of the place told that the day’s work was done. In one +corner a telegraph sounder was chattering its tardy world-gossip <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>to +unheeding ears. In the centre at a long table, typewriters before +them, three shirt-sleeved young men sprawled at ease reading the +<i>Express</i>, which the “devil” had just brought them from the nether +regions, moist with the black spittle of the beast that there roared +and rumbled.</p> + +<p>At sight of her tall, fresh figure, a red spot in her either cheek, +defiance in her brown eyes, Billy Harper, quicker than the rest, +sprang up and crossed the room.</p> + +<p>“Miss West, I believe,” he said. “Can I do anything for you?”</p> + +<p>“I wish to speak with Mr. Bruce,” was her cold reply.</p> + +<p>“This way,” and Billy led her across the wilderness of proofs, +discarded copy and old newspapers, to a door beside the stairway that +led down into the press-room. “Just go right in,” he said.</p> + +<p>She entered. Bruce, his shirt-sleeves rolled up and his bared +fore-arms grimy, sat glancing through the <i>Express</i>, his feet crossed +on his littered desk, a black pipe hanging from one corner of his +mouth. He did not look round but turned another page.</p> + +<p>“Well, what’s the matter?” he grunted between his teeth.</p> + +<p>“I should like a few words with you,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p><p>“Eh!” His head twisted about. “Miss West!”</p> + +<p>His feet suddenly dropped to the floor, and he stood up and laid the +pipe upon his desk. For the moment he was uncertain how to receive +her, but the bright, hard look in her eyes fixed his attitude.</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” he said in a brusque, businesslike tone. He placed the +atlas-bottomed chair near his own. “Be seated.”</p> + +<p>She sat down, and he took his own chair.</p> + +<p>“I am at your service,” he said.</p> + +<p>Her cheeks slowly gathered a higher colour, her eyes gleamed with a +pre-triumphant fire, and she looked straight into his square, rather +massive face. Over Blake she had felt an infinity of regret and pain. +For this man she felt only boundless hatred, and she thrilled with a +vengeful, exultant joy that she was about to unmask him—that later +she might crush him utterly.</p> + +<p>“I am at your service,” he repeated.</p> + +<p>She slowly wet her lips and gathered herself to strike, alert to watch +the effects of her blow.</p> + +<p>“I have called, Mr. Bruce,” she said with slow distinctness, “to let +you know that I know that a conspiracy is under way to steal the +water-works! And to let you know that I know that you are near its +centre!”</p> + +<p>He started.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>“What?” he cried.</p> + +<p>Her devouring gaze did not lose a change of feature, not so much as +the shifting in the pupil of his eye.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know your plot!” she went on rapidly. “It’s every detail! The +first step was to ruin the water-works, so the city would sell and +sell cheap. The first step toward ruining the system was to get my +father out of the way. And so this charge against my father was +trumped up to ruin him. The leader of the whole plot is Mr. Blake; his +right hand man yourself. Oh, I know every detail of your infamous +scheme!”</p> + +<p>He stared at her. His lips had slowly parted.</p> + +<p>“What—you say that Mr. Blake——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you are trying to play your part of innocence well, but you +cannot deceive me!” she cried with fierce contempt. “Yes, Mr. Blake is +the head of it. I just came from his office. There’s not a doubt in +the world of his guilt. He has admitted it. Oh——”</p> + +<p>“Admitted it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, admitted it! Oh, it was a fine and easy way to make a +fortune—to dupe the city into selling at a fraction of its value a +business that run privately will pay an immense and ever-growing +profit.”</p> + +<p>He had stood up and was scratching his bristling hair.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p><p>“My God! My God!” he whispered.</p> + +<p>She rose.</p> + +<p>“And you!” she cried, glaring at him, her voice mounting to a climax +of scorn, “You! Don’t walk the room”—he had begun to do so—“but look +me in the face. To think how you have attacked my father, maligned +him, covered him with dishonour! And for what? To help you carry +through a dirty trick to rob the city! Oh, I wish I had the words to +tell you——”</p> + +<p>But he had begun again to pace the little room, scratching his head, +his eyes gleaming behind the heavy glasses.</p> + +<p>“Listen to me!” she commanded.</p> + +<p>“Oh, give me all the hell you want to!” he cried out. “Only don’t ask +me to listen to you!”</p> + +<p>He paused abruptly before her, and, eyes half-closed, stared +piercingly into her face. As she returned his stare, it began to dawn +upon her that he did not seem much taken aback. At least his guilt +bore no near likeness to that of Mr. Blake.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he made a lunge for the door, jerked it open, and his voice +descended the stairway, out-thundering the press.</p> + +<p>“Jake! Oh, Jake!”</p> + +<p>A lesser roar ascended:</p> + +<p>“Yes!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>“Stop the press! Rip open the forms! Get the men at the linotypes! And +be alive down there, every damned soul of you! And you, Billy Harper, +I’ll want you here in two minutes!”</p> + +<p>He slammed the door, and turned on Katherine. She had looked upon +excitement before, but never such excitement as was flaming in his +face.</p> + +<p>“Now give me all the details!” he cried.</p> + +<p>She it was that was taken aback.</p> + +<p>“I—I don’t understand,” she said.</p> + +<p>“No time to explain now. Looks like I’ve been all wrong about your +father—perhaps a little wrong about you—and perhaps you’ve been a +little wrong about me. Let it go at that. Now for the details. Quick!”</p> + +<p>“But—but what are you going to do?”</p> + +<p>“Going to get out an extra! It’s the hottest story that ever came down +the pike! It’ll make the <i>Express</i>, and”—he seized her hand in his +grimy ones, his eyes blazed, and an exultant laugh leaped from his +deep chest—“and we’ll simply rip this old town wide open!”</p> + +<p>Katherine stared at him in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>“Oh, won’t this wake the old town up!” he murmured to himself.</p> + +<p>He dropped into his chair, jerked some loose copy paper toward him, +and seized a pencil.</p> + +<p>“Now quick! The details!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p><p>“You mean—you are going to print this?” she stammered.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I say so!” he answered sharply.</p> + +<p>“Then you really had nothing to do with Mr. Blake’s——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, hell! I beg pardon. But this is no time for explanations. Come, +come”—he rapped his desk with his knuckles—“don’t you know what +getting out an extra is? Every second is worth half your lifetime. Out +with the story!”</p> + +<p>Katherine sank rather weakly into her chair, beginning to see new +things in this face she had so lately loathed.</p> + +<p>“The fact of the matter is,” she confessed, “I guess I stated my +information a little more definitely than it really is.”</p> + +<p>“You mean you haven’t the facts?”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not. Not yet.”</p> + +<p>“Nothing definite I could hinge a story on?”</p> + +<p>She shook her head. “I didn’t come prepared for—for things to take +this turn. It would spoil everything to have this made public before I +had my case worked up.”</p> + +<p>“Then there’s no extra!”</p> + +<p>He flung down his pencil and sprang up. “Nothing doing, Billy,” he +called to Harper, who that instant opened the door; “go on back with +you.” He began to walk up and down the little office, scowling, hands +clenched in his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>trousers’ pockets. After a moment he stopped short, +and looked at Katherine half savagely.</p> + +<p>“I suppose you don’t know what it means to a newspaper man to have a +big story laid in his hands and then suddenly jerked out?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose it is something of a disappointment.”</p> + +<p>“Disappointment!” The word came out half groan, half sneer. “Rot! If +you were waiting in church and the bridegroom didn’t show up, if you +were——oh, I can’t make you understand the feeling!”</p> + +<p>He dropped back into his chair and scratched viciously at the copy +paper with his heavy black pencil. She watched him in a sort of +fascination, till he abruptly looked up. Suspicion glinted behind the +heavy glasses.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure, Miss West,” he asked slowly “that this whole affair +isn’t just a little game?”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“That your whole story is nothing but a hoax? Nothing but a trick to +get out of a tight hole by calling another man a thief?”</p> + +<p>Her eyes flashed.</p> + +<p>“You mean that I am telling a lie?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you lawyers doubtless have a better-tasting word for it. You +would call it, say, a ‘professional expedient.’”</p> + +<p>She was still not sufficiently recovered from her astonishment to be +angry. Besides, she <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>felt herself by an unexpected turn put in the +wrong regarding Bruce.</p> + +<p>“What I have said to you is the absolute truth,” she declared. “Here +is the situation—believe me or not, just as you please. I ask you, +for the moment, to accept the proposition that my father is the victim +of a plot to steal the water-works, and then see how everything fits +in with that theory. And bear in mind, as an item worth considering, +my father’s long and honourable career—never a dishonouring word +against him till this charge came.” And she went on and outlined, more +fully than on yesterday before her father, the reasoning that had led +her to her conclusion. “Now, does not that sound possible?” she +demanded.</p> + +<p>He had watched her with keen, half-closed eyes.</p> + +<p>“H’m. You reason well,” he conceded.</p> + +<p>“That’s a lawyer’s business,” she retorted. “So much for theory. Now +for facts.” And she continued and gave him her experience of half an +hour before with Blake, the editor’s boring gaze fixed on her all the +while. “Now I ask you this question: Is it likely that even a poor +water system could fail so quickly and so completely as ours has done, +unless some powerful person was secretly working to make it fail? Do +you not see it never could? We <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>all would have seen it, but we’ve all +been too busy, too blind, and thought too well of our town, to suspect +such a thing.”</p> + +<p>His eyes were still boring into her.</p> + +<p>“But how about Doctor Sherman?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I believe that Doctor Sherman is an innocent tool of the conspiracy, +just as my father is its innocent victim,” she answered promptly.</p> + +<p>Bruce sat with the same fixed look, and made no reply.</p> + +<p>“I have stated my theory, and I have stated my facts,” said Katherine. +“I have no court evidence, but I am going to have it. As I remarked +before, you can believe what I have said, or not believe it. It’s all +the same to me.” She stood up. “I wish you good afternoon.”</p> + +<p>He quickly rose.</p> + +<p>“Hold on!” he said.</p> + +<p>She paused at the door. He strode to and fro across the little office, +scowling with thought. Then he paused at the window and looked out.</p> + +<p>“Well?” she demanded.</p> + +<p>He wheeled about.</p> + +<p>“It sounds plausible.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” she said crisply. “I could hardly expect a man who has +been the champion of error, to admit that he has been wrong and accept +the truth. Good afternoon.”</p> + +<p>Again she reached for the door-knob.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p><p>“Wait!” he cried. There was a ring of resentment in his voice, but his +square face that had been grudgingly non-committal was now aglow with +excitement. “Of course you’re right!” he exclaimed. “There’s a damned +infernal conspiracy! Now what can I do to help?”</p> + +<p>“Help?” she asked blankly.</p> + +<p>“Help work up the evidence? Help reveal the conspiracy?”</p> + +<p>She had not yet quite got her bearings concerning this new Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Help? Why should you help? Oh, I see,” she said coldly; “it would +make a nice sensational story for your paper.”</p> + +<p>He flushed at her cutting words, and his square jaw set.</p> + +<p>“I suppose I might follow your example of a minute ago and say that I +don’t care what you think. But I don’t mind telling you a few things, +and giving you a chance to understand me if you want to. I was on a +Chicago paper, and had a big place that was growing bigger. I could +have sold the <i>Express</i> when my uncle left it to me, and stayed there; +but I saw a chance, with a paper of my own, to try out some of my own +ideas, so I came to Westville. My idea of a newspaper is that its +function is to serve the people—make them think—bring them new +ideas—to be ever watching their interests. Of course, I want to make +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>money—I’ve got to, or go to smash; but I’d rather run a candy store +than run a sleepy, apologetic, afraid-of-a-mouse, mere money-making +sheet like the <i>Clarion</i>, that would never breathe a word against the +devil’s fair name so long as he carried a half-inch ad. You called me +a yellow journalist yesterday. Well, if to tell the truth in the +hardest way I know how, to tell it so that it will hit people square +between the eyes and make ’em sit up and look around ’em—if that is +yellow then I’m certainly a yellow journalist, and I thank God +Almighty for inventing the breed!”</p> + +<p>As Katherine listened to his snappy, vibrant words, as she looked at +his powerful, dominant figure, and into his determined face with its +flashing eyes, she felt a reluctant warmth creep through her being.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps—I may have been mistaken about you,” she said.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you may!” he returned grimly. “Perhaps as much as I was about +your father. And, speaking of your father, I don’t mind adding +something more. Ever since I took charge of the <i>Express</i>, I’ve been +advocating municipal ownership of every public utility. The +water-works, which were apparently so satisfactory, were a good start; +I used them constantly as a text for working up municipal ownership +sentiment. The franchises of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>the Westville Traction Company expire +next year, and I had been making a campaign against renewing the +franchises and in favour of the city taking over the system and +running it. Opinion ran high in favour of the scheme. But Doctor +West’s seeming dishonesty completely killed the municipal ownership +idea. That was my pet, and if I was bitter toward your father—well, I +couldn’t help it. And now,” he added rather brusquely, “I’ve explained +myself to you. To repeat your words, you can believe me or not, just +as you like.”</p> + +<p>There was no resisting the impression of the man’s sincerity.</p> + +<p>“I suppose,” said Katherine, “that I should apologize for—for the +things I’ve called you. My only excuse is that your mistake about my +father helped cause my mistake about you.”</p> + +<p>“And I,” returned he, “am not only willing to take back, publicly, in +my paper, what I have said against your father, but am willing to +print your statement about——”</p> + +<p>“You must not print a word till I get my evidence,” she put in +quickly. “Printing it prematurely might ruin my case.”</p> + +<p>“Very well. And as for what I have said about you, I take back +everything—except——” He paused; she saw disapprobation in his eyes. +“Except the plain truth I told you that being a lawyer is no work for +a woman.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p><p>“You are very dogmatic!” said she hotly.</p> + +<p>“I am very right,” he returned. “Excuse my saying it, but you appear +to have too many good qualities as a woman to spoil it all by going +out of your sphere and trying——”</p> + +<p>“Why—why——” She stood gasping. “Do you know what your uncle told me +about you?”</p> + +<p>“Old Hosie?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Hosie’s an old fool!”</p> + +<p>“He said that the trouble with you was that you had not been thrashed +enough as a boy. And he was right, too!”</p> + +<p>She turned quickly to the door, but he stepped before her.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get mad because of a little truth. Remember, I want to help +you.”</p> + +<p>“I think,” said she, “that we’re better suited to fight each other +than to help each other. I’m not so sure I want your help.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not so sure you can avoid taking it,” he retorted. “This isn’t +your father’s case alone. It’s the city’s case, too, and I’ve got a +right to mix in. Now do you want me?”</p> + +<p>She looked at him a moment.</p> + +<p>“I’ll think it over. For the present, good afternoon.”</p> + +<p>He hesitated, then held out his hand. She hesitated, then took it. +After which, he opened the door for her and bowed her out.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE PRICE OF A MAN</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">W</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">hen,</span> half an hour before, Katherine walked with bowed head out of +Harrison Blake’s office, Blake gazed fixedly after her for a moment, +and his face, now that he was private, deepened its sickly, ashen hue. +Then he strode feverishly up and down the room, lips twitching +nervously, hands clinching and unclinching. Then he unlocked a cabinet +against the wall, poured out a drink from a squat, black bottle, +gulped it down, and returned the bottle, forgetting to close the +cabinet. After which he dropped into his chair, gripped his face in +his two hands, and sat at his desk breathing deeply, but otherwise +without motion.</p> + +<p>Presently his door opened.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Brown is here to see you,” announced a voice.</p> + +<p>He slowly raised his head, and stared an instant at his stenographer +in dumfounded silence.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Brown!” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said the young woman.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p><p>He continued to stare at her in sickly stupefaction.</p> + +<p>“Shall I tell him you’ll see him later?”</p> + +<p>“Show him in,” said Blake. “But, no—wait till I ring.”</p> + +<p>He passed his hand across his moist and pallid face, paced his room +again several times, then touched a button and stood stiffly erect +beside his desk. The next moment the door closed behind a short, +rather chubby man with an egg-shell dome and a circlet of grayish +hair. He had eyes that twinkled with good fellowship and a cheery, +fatherly manner.</p> + +<p>“Well, well, Mr. Blake; mighty glad to see you!” he exclaimed as he +crossed the room.</p> + +<p>Blake, still pale, but now with tense composure, took the hand of his +visitor.</p> + +<p>“This is a surprise, Mr. Brown,” said he. “How do you happen to be in +Westville?”</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown disposed himself comfortably in the chair that Katherine had +so lately occupied.</p> + +<p>“To-morrow’s the trial of that Doctor West, isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I thought I’d better be on the ground to see how it came out.”</p> + +<p>Blake did not respond at once; but, lips very tight together, sat +gazing at the ruddy face of his visitor.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p><p>“Everything’s going all right, isn’t it?” asked Mr. Brown in his +cheery voice.</p> + +<p>“About the trial, you mean?” Blake asked with an effort.</p> + +<p>“Of course. The letter I had from you yesterday assured me conviction +was certain. Things still stand the same way, I suppose?”</p> + +<p>Blake’s whole body was taut. His dark eyes were fixed upon Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>“They do not,” he said quietly.</p> + +<p>“Not stand the same way?” cried Mr. Brown, half rising from his chair. +“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid,” replied Blake with his strained quiet, “that the +prosecution will not make out a case.”</p> + +<p>“Not make out a case?”</p> + +<p>“To-morrow Doctor West is going to be cleared.”</p> + +<p>“Cleared? Cleared?” Mr. Brown stared. “Now what the devil—see here, +Blake, how’s that going to happen?”</p> + +<p>Blake’s tense figure had leaned forward.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to happen, Mr. Brown,” he burst out, with a flashing of +his dark eyes, “because I’m tired of doing your dirty work, and the +dirty work of the National Electric & Water Company!”</p> + +<p>“You mean you’re going to see he’s cleared?”</p> + +<p>“I mean I’m going to see he’s cleared!”</p> + +<p>“What—you?” ejaculated Mr. Brown, still <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>staring. “Why, only in your +letter yesterday you were all for the plan! What’s come over you?”</p> + +<p>“If you’d gone through what I’ve just gone through——” Blake abruptly +checked his passionate reference to his scene with Katherine. “I say +enough when I say that I’m going to see that Doctor West is cleared. +There you have it.”</p> + +<p>No further word was spoken for a moment. The two men, leaning toward +each other, gazed straight into one another’s eyes. Blake’s powerful, +handsome face was blazing and defiant. The fatherly kindness had +disappeared from the other, and it was keen and hard.</p> + +<p>“So,” said Mr. Brown, cuttingly, and with an infinity of contempt, “it +appears that Mr. Harrison Blake is the owner of a white liver.”</p> + +<p>“You know that’s a lie!” Blake fiercely retorted. “You know I’ve got +as much courage as you and your infernal company put together!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you have, have you? From the way you’re turning tail——”</p> + +<p>“To turn tail upon a dirty job is no cowardice!”</p> + +<p>“But there have been plenty of dirty jobs you haven’t run from. You’ve +put through many a one in the last two or three years on the quiet.”</p> + +<p>“But never one like this.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>“You knew exactly what the job was when you made the bargain with us.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And my stomach rose against it even then.”</p> + +<p>“Then why the devil did you tie up with us?”</p> + +<p>“Because your big promises dazzled me! Because you took me up on a +high mountain and showed me the kingdoms of the earth!”</p> + +<p>“Well, you then thought the kingdoms were pretty good looking +property.”</p> + +<p>“Good enough to make me forget the sort of thing I was doing. Good +enough to blind me as to how things might come out. But I see now! And +I’m through with it all!”</p> + +<p>The chubby little man’s eyes were on fire. But he was too experienced +in his trade to allow much liberty to anger.</p> + +<p>“And that’s final—that’s where you stand?” he asked with comparative +calm.</p> + +<p>“That’s where I stand!” cried Blake. “I may have got started crooked, +but I’m through with this kind of business now! I’m going back to +clean ways! And you, Mr. Brown, you might as well say good-by!”</p> + +<p>But Mr. Brown was an old campaigner. He never abandoned a battle +merely because it apparently seemed lost. He now leaned back in his +chair, slowly crossed his short legs, and thoughtfully regarded +Blake’s excited features. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>His own countenance had changed its aspect; +it had shed its recent hardness, and had not resumed its original +cheeriness. It was eminently a reasonable face.</p> + +<p>“Come, let’s talk this whole matter over in a calm manner,” he began +in a rather soothing tone. “Neither of us wants to be too hasty. There +are a few points I’d like to call your attention to, if you’ll let +me.”</p> + +<p>“Go ahead with your points,” said Blake. “But they won’t change my +decision.”</p> + +<p>“First, let’s talk about the company,” Mr. Brown went on in his mild, +persuasive manner. “Frankly, you’ve put the company in a hole. +Believing that you would keep your end of the bargain, the company has +invested a lot of money and started a lot of projects. We bought up +practically all the stock of the Westville street car lines, when that +municipal ownership talk drove the price so low, because we expected +to get a new franchise through your smashing this municipal ownership +fallacy. We have counted on big things from the water-works when you +got hold of it for us. And we have plans on foot in several other +cities of the state, and we’ve been counting on the failure of +municipal ownership in Westville to have a big influence on those +cities and to help us in getting what we want. In one way and another +this deal here means an awful lot to the company. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>Your failing us at +the last moment means to the company——”</p> + +<p>“I understand all that,” interrupted Blake.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a point for you to consider then: Since the company has banked +so much upon your promise, since it will lose so heavily if you +repudiate your word, are you not bound in honour to stand by your +agreement?”</p> + +<p>Blake opened his lips, but Mr. Brown raised a hand.</p> + +<p>“Don’t answer now. I just leave that for you to think upon. So much +for the company. Now for yourself. We promised you if you carried this +deal through—and you know how able we are to keep our promise!—we +promised you Grayson’s seat in the Senate. And after that, with your +ability and our support, who knows where you’d stop?” Mr. Brown’s +voice became yet more soft and persuasive. “Isn’t that a lot to throw +overboard because of a scruple?”</p> + +<p>“I can win all that, or part of it, by being loyal to the people,” +Blake replied doggedly, but in a rather unsteady tone.</p> + +<p>“Come, come, Mr. Blake,” said Brown reprovingly, “you know you’re not +talking sense. You know that the only quick and sure way of getting +the big offices is by the help of the corporations. So you realize +what you’re losing.”</p> + +<p>Blake’s face had become drawn and pale. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>He closed his eyes, as though +to shut out the visions of the kingdoms Mr. Brown had conjured up.</p> + +<p>“I’m ready to lose it!” he cried.</p> + +<p>“All right, then,” Mr. Brown went mildly on. “So much for what we +lose, and what you lose. Now for the next point, the action you intend +to take regarding Doctor West. Do you mind telling me just how you +propose to undo what you have done so far?”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t thought it out yet. But I can do it.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” pursued Mr. Brown blandly, “you propose to do it so that +you will appear in no way to be involved?”</p> + +<p>Blake was thinking of Katherine’s accusation. “Of course.”</p> + +<p>“Just suppose you think about that point for a minute or two.”</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence. When Mr. Brown next spoke he spoke very +slowly and accompanied each word with a gentle tap of his forefinger +on the desk.</p> + +<p>“Can you think of a single way to clear Doctor West without +incriminating yourself?”</p> + +<p>Blake gave a start.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?”</p> + +<p>“Can you get Doctor West out of his trouble without showing who got +him into his trouble? Just think that over.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p><p>During the moment of silence Blake grew yet more pale.</p> + +<p>“I’ll kill the case somehow!” he breathed.</p> + +<p>“But the case looks very strong against Doctor West. Everybody +believes him guilty. Do you think you can suddenly, within twenty-four +hours, reverse the whole situation, and not run some risk of having +suspicion shift around to you?”</p> + +<p>Blake’s eyes fell to his desk, and he sat staring whitely at it.</p> + +<p>“And there’s still another matter,” pursued the gentle voice of Mr. +Brown, now grown apologetic. “I wouldn’t think of mentioning it, but I +want you to have every consideration before you. I believe I never +told you that the National Electric & Water Company own the majority +stock of the Acme Filter Company.”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t know that.”</p> + +<p>“It was because of that mutual relationship that I was able to help +out your little plan by getting Marcy to do what he did. Now if some +of our directors should feel sore at the way you’ve thrown us down, +they might take it into their minds to make things unpleasant for +you.”</p> + +<p>“Unpleasant? How?”</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown’s fatherly smile had now come back. It was full of concern +for Blake.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’d hate, for instance, to see them use <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>their pressure to +drive Mr. Marcy to make a statement.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Marcy? A statement?”</p> + +<p>“Because,” continued Mr. Brown in his tone of fatherly concern, “after +Mr. Marcy had stated what he knows about this case, I’m afraid there +wouldn’t be much chance for you to win any high places by being loyal +to the people.”</p> + +<p>For a moment after this velvet threat Blake held upon Mr. Brown an +open-lipped, ashen face. Then, without a word, he leaned his elbows +upon his desk and buried his face in his hands. For a long space there +was silence in the room. Mr. Brown’s eyes, kind no longer, but keenest +of the keen, watched the form before him, timing the right second to +strike again.</p> + +<p>At length he recrossed his legs.</p> + +<p>“Of course it’s up to you to decide, and what you say goes,” he went +on in his amiable voice. “But speaking impartially, and as a friend, +it strikes me that you’ve gone too far in this matter to draw back. It +strikes me that the best and only thing is to go straight ahead.”</p> + +<p>Blake’s head remained bowed in his hands, and he did not speak.</p> + +<p>“And, of course,” pursued Mr. Brown, “if you should decide in favour +of the original agreement, our promise still stands good—Senate and +all.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Brown said no more, but sat watching his man. Again there was a +long silence. Then Blake raised his face—and a changed face it was +indeed from that which had fallen into his hands. It bore the marks of +a mighty struggle, but it was hard and resolute—the face of a man who +has cast all hesitancy behind.</p> + +<p>“The agreement still stands,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Then you’re ready to go ahead?”</p> + +<p>“To the very end,” said Blake.</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown nodded. “I was sure you’d decide that way,” said he.</p> + +<p>“I want to thank you for what you’ve said to bring me around,” Blake +continued in his new incisive tone. “But it is only fair to tell you +that this was only a spell—not the first one, in fact—and that I +would have come to my senses anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“Of course, of course.” It was not the policy of Mr. Brown, once the +victory was won, to discuss to whom the victory belonged.</p> + +<p>Blake’s eyes were keen and penetrating.</p> + +<p>“And you say that the things I said a little while back will not +affect your attitude toward me in the future?”</p> + +<p>“Those things? Why, they’ve already passed out of my other ear! Oh, +it’s no new experience,” he went on with his comforting air of +good-fellowship, “for me to run into one of our political friends when +he’s sick with a bad case of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>conscience. They all have it now and +then, and they all pull out of it. No, don’t you worry about the +future. You’re O. K. with us.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you.”</p> + +<p>“And now, since everything is so pleasantly cleared up,” continued Mr. +Brown, “let’s go back to my first question. I suppose everything looks +all right for the trial to-morrow?”</p> + +<p>Blake hesitated a moment, then told of Katherine’s discovery. “But +it’s no more than a surmise,” he ended.</p> + +<p>“Has she guessed any other of the parties implicated?” Mr. Brown asked +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“I’m certain she has not.”</p> + +<p>“Is she likely to raise a row to-morrow?”</p> + +<p>“I hardly see how she can.”</p> + +<p>“All the same, we’d better do something to quiet her,” returned Mr. +Brown meaningly.</p> + +<p>Blake flashed a quick look at the other.</p> + +<p>“See here—I’ll not have her touched!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown’s scanty eyebrows lifted.</p> + +<p>“Hello! You seem very tender about her!”</p> + +<p>Blake looked at him sternly a moment. Then he said stiffly: “I once +asked Miss West to marry me.”</p> + +<p>“Eh—you don’t say!” exclaimed the other, amazed. “That is certainly a +queer situation for you!” He rubbed his naked dome. “And you still +feel——”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p><p>“What I feel is my own affair!” Blake cut in sharply.</p> + +<p>“Of course, of course!” agreed Mr. Brown quickly. “I beg your pardon!”</p> + +<p>Blake ignored the apology.</p> + +<p>“It might be well for you not to see me openly again like this. With +Miss West watching me——”</p> + +<p>“She might see us together, and suspect things. I understand. Needn’t +worry about that. You may not see me again for a year. I’m +here—there—everywhere. But before I go, how do things look for the +election?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll carry the city easily.”</p> + +<p>“Who’ll you put up for mayor?”</p> + +<p>“Probably Kennedy, the prosecuting attorney.”</p> + +<p>“Is he safe?”</p> + +<p>“He’ll do what he’s told.”</p> + +<p>“That’s good. Is he strong with the people?”</p> + +<p>“Fairly so. But the party will carry him through.”</p> + +<p>“H’m.” Mr. Brown was thoughtful for a space. “This is your end of the +game, of course, and I make it a point not to interfere with another +man’s work. The only time I’ve butted in here was when I helped you +about getting Marcy. But still, I hope you don’t mind my making a +suggestion.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to have the next mayor and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>council, you know. Simply got +to have them. We don’t want to run any risk, however small. If you +think there’s one chance in a thousand of Kennedy losing out, suppose +you have yourself nominated.”</p> + +<p>“Me?” exclaimed Blake.</p> + +<p>“It strikes you as a come-down, of course. But you can do it +gracefully—in the interest of the city, and all that, you know. You +can turn it into a popular hit. Then you can resign as soon as our +business is put through.”</p> + +<p>“There may be something in it,” commented Blake.</p> + +<p>“It’s only a suggestion. Just think it over, and use your own +judgment.” He stood up. “Well, I guess that’s all we need to say to +one another. The whole situation here is entirely in your hands. Do as +you please, and we ask no questions about how you do it. We’re not +interested in methods, only in results.”</p> + +<p>He clapped Blake heartily upon the shoulder. “And it looks as though +we all were going to get results! Especially you! Why, you, with this +trial successfully over—with the election won—with the goods +delivered——”</p> + +<p>He suddenly broke off, for the tail of his eye had sighted Blake’s +open cabinet.</p> + +<p>“Will you allow me a liberty?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” replied Blake, in the dark as to his visitor’s purpose.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Brown crossed to the cabinet, and returned with the squat, black +bottle and two small glasses. He tilted an inch into each tumbler, +gave one to Blake, and raised the other on high. His face was +illumined with his fatherly smile.</p> + +<p>“To our new Senator!” he said.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>SUNSET AT THE SYCAMORES</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">W</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">hen</span> the door had closed behind the pleasant figure of Mr. Brown, +Blake pressed the button upon his desk. His stenographer appeared.</p> + +<p>“I have some important matters to consider,” he said. “Do not allow me +to be disturbed until Doctor and Mrs. Sherman come with the car.”</p> + +<p>His privacy thus secured, Blake sat at his desk, staring fixedly +before him. His brow was compressed into wrinkles, his dark face, +still showing a yellowish pallor, was hard and set. He reviewed the +entire situation, and as his consuming ambition contemplated the +glories of success, and the success after that, and the succession of +successes that led up and ever up, his every nerve was afire with an +excruciating, impatient pleasure.</p> + +<p>For a space while Katherine had confronted him, and for a space after +she had gone, he had shrunk from this business he was carrying +through. But he had spoken truthfully to Mr. Brown when he had said +that his revulsion was <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>but a temporary feeling, and that of his own +accord he would have come back to his original decision. He had had +such revulsions before, and each time he had swung as surely back to +his purpose as does the disturbed needle to the magnetic pole.</p> + +<p>Westville considered Harrison Blake a happy blend of the best of his +father and mother; whereas, in point of fact, his father and his +mother lived in him with their personalities almost intact. There was +his mother, with her idealism and her high sense of honour; and his +father, with his boundless ambition and his lack of principles. In the +earlier years of Blake’s manhood his mother’s qualities had dominated. +He had sincerely tried to do great work for Westville, and had done +it; and the reputation he had then made, and the gratitude he had then +won, were the seed from which had grown the great esteem with which +Westville now regarded him.</p> + +<p>But a few years back he had found that rise, through virtue, was slow +and beset with barriers. His ambition had become impatient. Now that +he was a figure of local power and importance, temptation began to +assail him with offers of rapid elevation if only he would be +complaisant. In this situation, the father in him rose into the +ascendency; he had compromised and yielded, though always managing <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>to +keep his dubious transactions secret. And now at length ambition ruled +him—though as yet not undisturbed, for conscience sometimes rose in +unexpected revolt and gave him many a bitter battle.</p> + +<p>When his stenographer told Blake that Doctor and Mrs. Sherman were +waiting at the curb, he descended with something more like his usual +cast of countenance. Elsie and her husband were in the tonneau, and as +Blake crossed the sidewalk to the car she stretched out a nervous hand +and gave him a worn, excited smile.</p> + +<p>“It is so good of you to take us out to The Sycamores for over night!” +she exclaimed. “It’s such a pleasure—and such a relief!”</p> + +<p>She did not need to explain that it was a relief because the motion, +the company, the change of scene, would help crowd from her mind the +dread of to-morrow when her husband would have to take the stand +against Doctor West; she did not need to explain this, because Blake’s +eyes read it all in her pale, feverish face.</p> + +<p>Blake shook hands with Doctor Sherman, dismissed his chauffeur, and +took the wheel. They spun out of the city and down into the River +Road—the favourite drive with Westville folk—which followed the +stream in broad sweeping curves and ran through arcades of +thick-bodied, bowing willows and sycamores <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>lofty and severe, their +foliage now a drought-crisped brown. After half an hour the car turned +through a stone gateway into a grove of beech and elm and sycamore. At +a comfortable distance apart were perhaps a dozen houses whose outer +walls were slabs of trees with the bark still on. This was The +Sycamores, a little summer resort established by a small group of the +select families of Westville.</p> + +<p>Blake stopped the car before one of these houses—“cabins” their +owners called them, though their primitiveness was all in that outer +shell of bark. A rather tall, straight, white-haired old lady, with a +sweet nobility and strength of face, was on the little porch to greet +them. She welcomed Elsie and her husband warmly and graciously. Then +with no relaxation of her natural dignity into emotional effusion, she +embraced her son and kissed him—for to her, as to Westville, he was +the same man as five years before, and to him she had given not only +the love a mother gives her only son, but the love she had formerly +borne her husband who, during his last years, had been to her a bitter +grief. Blake returned the kiss with no less feeling. His love of his +mother was the talk of Westville; it was the one noble sentiment which +he still allowed to sway him with all its original sincerity and +might.</p> + +<p>They had tea out upon the porch, with its <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>view of the river twinkling +down the easy hill between the trees. Mrs. Blake, seeing how agitated +Elsie was, and under what a strain was Doctor Sherman, and guessing +the cause, deftly guided the conversation away from to-morrow’s trial. +She led the talk around to the lecture room which was being added to +Doctor Sherman’s church—a topic of high interest to them all, for she +was a member of the church, Blake was chairman of the building +committee, and Doctor Sherman was treasurer of the committee and +active director of the work. This manœuvre had but moderate +success. Blake carried his part of the conversation well enough, and +Elsie talked with a feverish interest which was too great a drain upon +her meagre strength. But the stress of Doctor Sherman, which he strove +to conceal, seemed to grow greater rather than decrease.</p> + +<p>Presently Blake excused himself and Doctor Sherman, and the two men +strolled down a winding, root-obstructed path toward the river. As +they left the cabin behind them, Blake’s manner became cold and hard, +as in his office, and Doctor Sherman’s agitation, which he had with +such an effort kept in hand, began to escape his control. Once he +stumbled over the twisted root which a beech thrust across their path +and would have fallen had not Blake put out a swift hand and caught +him. Yet at this neither <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>uttered a word, and in silence they +continued walking on till they reached a retired spot upon the river’s +bank.</p> + +<p>Here Doctor Sherman sank to a seat upon a mossy, rotting log. Blake, +erect, but leaning lightly against the scaling, mottled body of a +giant sycamore, at first gave no heed to his companion. He gazed +straight ahead down the river, emaciated by the drought till the +bowlders of its bottom protruded through the surface like so many +bones—with the ranks of austere sycamores keeping their stately watch +on either bank—with the sun, blood red in the September haze, +suspended above the river’s west-most reach.</p> + +<p>Thus the pair remained for several moments. Then Blake looked slowly +about at the minister.</p> + +<p>“I brought you down here because there is something I want to tell +you,” he said calmly.</p> + +<p>“I supposed so; go ahead,” responded Doctor Sherman in a choked voice, +his eyes upon the ground.</p> + +<p>“You seem somewhat disturbed,” remarked Blake in the same cold, even +tone.</p> + +<p>“Disturbed!” cried Doctor Sherman. “Disturbed!”</p> + +<p>His voice told how preposterously inadequate was the word. He did not +lift his eyes, but sat silent a moment, his white hands crushing one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>another, his face bent upon the rotted wood beneath his feet.</p> + +<p>“It’s that business to-morrow!” he groaned; and at that he suddenly +sprang up and confronted Blake. His fine face was wildly haggard and +was working in convulsive agony. “My God,” he burst out, “when I look +back at myself as I was four years ago, and then look at myself as I +am to-day—oh, I’m sick, sick!” A hand gripped the cloth over his +breast. “Why, when I came to Westville I was on fire to serve God with +all my heart and never a compromise! On fire to preach the new gospel +that the way to make people better is to make this an easier world for +people to be better in!”</p> + +<p>That passion-shaken figure was not a pleasant thing to look upon. +Blake turned his eyes back to the glistening river and the sun, and +steeled himself.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I remember you preached some great sermons in those days,” he +commented in his cold voice. “And what happened to you?”</p> + +<p>“You know what happened to me!” cried the young minister with his wild +passion. “You know well enough, even if you were not in that group of +prominent members who gave me to understand that I’d either have to +change my sermons or they’d have to change their minister!”</p> + +<p>“At least they gave you a choice,” returned Blake.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>“And I made the wrong choice! I was at the beginning of my career—the +church here seemed a great chance for so young a man—and I did not +want to fail at the very beginning. And so—and so—I compromised!”</p> + +<p>“Do you suppose you are the first man that has ever made a +compromise?”</p> + +<p>“That compromise was the direct cause of to-morrow!” the young +clergyman went on in his passionate remorse. “That compromise was the +beginning of my fall. After the prominent members took me up, favoured +me, it became easy to blink my eyes at their business methods. And +then it became easy for me to convince myself that it would be all +right for me to gamble in stocks.”</p> + +<p>“That was your great mistake,” said the dry voice of the motionless +figure against the tree. “A minister has no business to fool with the +stock market.”</p> + +<p>“But what was I to do?” Doctor Sherman cried desperately. “No money +behind me—the salary of a dry goods clerk—my wife up there, whom I +love better than my own life, needing delicacies, attention, a long +stay in Colorado—what other chance, I ask you, did I have of getting +the money?”</p> + +<p>“Well, at any rate, you should have kept your fingers off that church +building fund.”</p> + +<p>“God, don’t I realize that! But with the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>market falling, and all the +little I had about to be swept away, what else was a half frantic man +to do but to try to save himself with any money he could put his hands +upon?”</p> + +<p>Blake shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>“Well, if luck was against you when that church money was also swept +away, luck was certainly with you when it happened that I was the one +to discover what you had done.”</p> + +<p>“So I thought, when you offered to replace the money and cover the +whole thing up. But, God, I never dreamed you’d exact such a price in +return!”</p> + +<p>He gripped Blake’s arm and shook it. His voice was a half-muffled +shriek.</p> + +<p>“If you wanted the water-works, if you wanted to do this to Doctor +West, why did you pick on me to bring the accusation? There are men +who would never have minded it—men without conscience and without +character!”</p> + +<p>Blake steadfastly kept his steely gaze upon the river.</p> + +<p>“I believe I have answered that a number of times,” he replied in his +hard, even tone. “I picked you because I needed a man of character to +give the charges weight. A minister, the president of our reform +body—no one else would serve so well. And I picked you +because—pardon me, if in my directness I seem brutal—I picked you +because you were all ready <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>to my hand; you were in a situation where +you dared not refuse me. Also I picked you, instead of a man with no +character to lose, because I knew that you, having a character to lose +and not wanting to lose it, would be less likely than any one else +ever to break down and confess. I hope my answer is sufficiently +explicit.”</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherman stared at the erect, immobile figure.</p> + +<p>“And you still intend,” he asked in a dry, husky voice, “you still +intend to force me to go upon the stand to-morrow and commit——”</p> + +<p>“I would not use so unpleasant a word if I were you.”</p> + +<p>“But you are going to force me to do it?”</p> + +<p>“I am not going to force you. You referred a few minutes ago to the +time when you had a choice. Well, here is another time when you have a +choice.”</p> + +<p>“Choice?” cried Doctor Sherman eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Yes. You can testify, or not testify, as you please. Only in reaching +your decision,” added the dry, emotionless voice, “I suggest that you +do not forget that I have in my possession your signed confession of +that embezzlement.”</p> + +<p>“And you call that a choice?” cried Doctor Sherman. “When, if I +refuse, you’ll expose me, ruin me forever, kill Elsie’s love for me! +Do you call that a choice?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p><p>“A choice, certainly. Perhaps you are inclined not to testify. If so, +very well. But before you make your decision I desire to inform you of +one fact. You will remember that I said in the beginning that I +brought you down here to tell you something.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. What is it?”</p> + +<p>“Merely this. That Miss West has discovered that I am behind this +affair.”</p> + +<p>“What!” Doctor Sherman fell back a step, and his face filled with +sudden terror. “Then—she knows everything?”</p> + +<p>“She knows little, but she suspects much. For instance, since she +knows that this is a plot, she is likely to suspect that every person +in any way connected with the affair is guilty of conspiracy.”</p> + +<p>“Even—even me?”</p> + +<p>“Even you.”</p> + +<p>“Then—you think?”</p> + +<p>Blake turned his face sharply about upon Doctor Sherman—the first +time since the beginning of their colloquy. It was his father’s +face—his father in one of his most relentless, overriding moods—the +face of a man whom nothing can stop.</p> + +<p>“I think,” said he slowly, driving each word home, “that the only +chance for people who want to come out of this affair with a clean +name is to stick the thing right through as we planned.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><p>Doctor Sherman did not speak.</p> + +<p>“I tell you about Miss West for two reasons. First, in order to let +you know the danger you’re in. Second, in order, in case you decided +to testify, that you may be forewarned and be prepared to outface her. +I believe you understand everything now?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” was the almost breathless response.</p> + +<p>“Then may I be allowed to ask what you are going to do—testify, or +not testify?”</p> + +<p>The minister’s hands opened and closed. He swallowed with difficulty.</p> + +<p>“Testify, or not testify?” Blake insisted.</p> + +<p>“Testify,” whispered Doctor Sherman.</p> + +<p>“Just as you choose,” said Blake coldly.</p> + +<p>The minister sank back to his seat upon the mossy log, and bowed his +head into his hands. “Oh, my God!” he breathed.</p> + +<p>There followed a silence, during which Blake gazed upon the huddled +figure. Then he turned his set face down the glittering, dwindled +stream, and, one shoulder lightly against the sycamore, he watched the +sun there at the river’s end sink softly down into its golden slumber.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE TRIAL</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">K</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">atherine’s</span> first thought, on leaving Bruce’s office, was to lay her +discovery before Doctor Sherman. She was certain that with her +new-found knowledge, and with her entirely new point of view, they +could quickly discover wherein he had been duped—for she still held +him to be an unwitting tool—and thus quickly clear up the whole case. +But for reasons already known she failed to find him; and learning +that he had gone away with Blake, she well knew Blake would keep him +out of her reach until the trial was over.</p> + +<p>In sharpest disappointment, Katherine went home. With the trial so few +hours away, with all her new discoveries buzzing chaotically in her +head, she felt the need of advising with some one about the situation. +Bruce’s offer of assistance recurred to her, and she found herself +analyzing the editor again, just as she had done when she had walked +away from his office. She rebelled against him in her every fibre, yet +at the same time she felt a reluctant liking <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>for him. He was a man +with big dreams, a rough-and-ready idealist, an idealist with sharply +marked limitations, some areas of his mind very broad, some +dogmatically narrow. Opinionated, obstinate, impulsive, of not very +sound judgment, yet dictatorial because supremely certain of his +rightness—courageous, unselfish, sincere—that was the way she now +saw the editor of the <i>Express</i>.</p> + +<p>But he had sneered at her, sharply criticized her, and she hotly +spurned the thought of asking his aid. Instead of him, she that +evening summoned Old Hosie Hollingsworth to her house, and to the old +lawyer she told everything. Old Hosie was convinced that she was +right, and was astounded.</p> + +<p>“And to think that the good folks of this town used to denounce me as +a worshipper of strange gods!” he ejaculated. “Gee, what’ll they say +when they learn that the idol they’ve been wearing out their knee-caps +on has got clay feet that run clear up to his Adam’s-apple!”</p> + +<p>They decided that it would be a mistake for Katherine to try to use +her new theories and discoveries openly in defence of her father. She +had too little evidence, and any unsupported charges hurled against +Blake would leave that gentleman unharmed and would come whirling back +upon Katherine as a boomerang of popular indignation. She dared not +breathe a word <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>against the city’s favourite until she had +incontrovertible proof. Under the circumstances, the best course +seemed for her to ask for a postponement on the morrow to enable her +to work up further evidence.</p> + +<p>“Only,” warned Hosie, “you must remember that the chances are that +Blake has already slipped the proper word to Judge Kellog, and +there’ll be no postponement.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll have to depend upon tangling up that Mr. Marcy on the +stand.”</p> + +<p>“And Doctor Sherman?”</p> + +<p>“There’ll be no chance of entangling him. He’ll tell a straightforward +story. How could he tell any other? Don’t you see how he’s been +used?—been made spectator to a skilfully laid scheme which he +honestly believes to be a genuine case of bribery?”</p> + +<p>At parting Old Hosie held her hand a moment.</p> + +<p>“D’you remember the prophecy I made the day you took your office—that +you would raise the dickens in this old town?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s coming true—as sure as plug hats don’t grow on fig +trees! Only not in the way I meant then. Not as a freak. But as a +lawyer.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you.” She smiled and slowly shook her head. “But I’m afraid it +won’t come true to-morrow.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p><p>“Of course a prophecy is no good, unless you do your best.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m going to do my best,” she assured him.</p> + +<p>The next morning, on the long awaited day, Katherine set out for the +Court House, throbbing alternately with hope and fear of the outcome. +Mixed with these was a perturbation of a very different sort—an +ever-growing stage-fright. For this last there was good reason. Trials +were a form of recreation as popular in Calloway County as +gladiatorial contests in ancient Rome, and this trial—in the lack of +a sensational murder in the county during the year—was the greatest +of the twelvemonth. Moreover, it was given added interest by the fact +that, for the first time in recorded history, Calloway County was +going to see in action that weirdest product of whirling change, a +woman lawyer.</p> + +<p>Hub to hub about the hitch-racks of the Square were jammed buggies, +surries, spring wagons and other country equipages. The court-room was +packed an hour before the trial, and in the corridor were craning, +straining, elbowing folk who had come too late. In the open +windows—the court-room was on the ground floor—were the busts of +eager citizens whose feet were pedestaled on boxes, the sale of which +had been a harvest of small coin to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>neighbouring grocers; and in the +trees without youths of simian habit clung to advantageous limbs and +strained to get a view of the proceedings. Old Judge Kellog who +usually dozed on his twenty-first vertebra through testimony and +argument—once a young fledgling of a lawyer, sailing aloft in the +empyrean of his eloquence, had been brought tumbling confusedly to +earth by the snoring of the bench—attested to the unusualness of the +occasion by being upright and awake. And Bud White, the clerk, called +the court to order, not with his usual masterpiece of mumbled +unintelligibility, brought to perfection by long years of practice, +but with real words that could have been understood had only the +audience been listening.</p> + +<p>But their attention was all fixed upon the counsel for the defence. +Katherine, in a plain white shirt waist and a black sailor, sat at a +table alone with her father. Doctor West was painfully nervous; his +long fingers were constantly twisting among themselves. Katherine was +under an even greater strain. She realized with an intenser keenness +now that the moment for action was at hand, that this was her first +case, that her father’s reputation, his happiness, perhaps even his +life, were at stake; and she was well aware that all this theatre of +people, whose eyes she felt burning into her back, regarded <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>her as +the final curiosity of nature. Behind her, with young Harper at his +side, she had caught a glimpse of Arnold Bruce, eying her critically +and sceptically she thought; and in the audience she had glimpsed the +fixed, inscrutable face of Harrison Blake.</p> + +<p>But she clung blindly to her determination, and as Bud White sat down, +she forced herself to rise. A deep hush spread through the court-room. +She stood trembling, swallowing, voiceless, a statue of stage-fright, +wildly hating herself for her impotence. For a dizzy, agonizing moment +she saw herself a miserable failure—saw the crowd laughing at her as +they filed out.</p> + +<p>A youthful voice, from a balcony seat in an elm tree, floated in +through the open window:</p> + +<p>“Speak your piece, little girl, or set down.”</p> + +<p>There was a titter. She stiffened.</p> + +<p>“Your—your Honour,” she stammered, “I move a postponement in order to +allow the defence more time to prepare its case.”</p> + +<p>Judge Kellog fingered his patriarchal beard. Katherine stood hardly +breathing while she waited his momentous words. But his answer was as +Old Hosie had predicted.</p> + +<p>“In view of the fact that the defence has already had four months in +which to prepare its case,” said he, “I shall have to deny the motion +and order the trial to proceed.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p><p>Katherine sat down. The hope of deferment was gone. There remained +only to fight.</p> + +<p>A jury was quickly chosen; Katherine felt that her case would stand as +good a chance with any one selection of twelve men as with any other. +Kennedy then stepped forward. With an air that was a blend of his +pretentious—if rather raw-boned—dignity as a coming statesman, of +extreme deference toward Katherine’s sex, and of the sense of his +personal belittlement in being pitted against such a legal weakling, +he outlined to the jury what he expected to prove. After which, he +called Mr. Marcy to the stand.</p> + +<p>The agent of the filter company gave his evidence with that degree of +shame-facedness proper to the man, turned state’s witness, who has +been an accomplice in the dishonourable proceedings he is relating. It +all sounded and looked so true—so very, very true!</p> + +<p>When Katherine came to cross-examine him, she gazed at him steadily a +moment. She knew that he was lying, and she knew that he knew that she +knew he was lying. But he met her gaze with precisely the abashed, +guilty air appropriate to his rôle.</p> + +<p>What she considered her greatest chance was now before her. Calling up +all her wits, she put to Mr. Marcy questions that held distant, hidden +traps. But when she led him along the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>devious, unsuspicious path that +conducted to the trap and then suddenly shot at him the question that +should have plunged him into it, he very quietly and nimbly walked +around the pitfall. Again and again she tried to involve him, but ever +with the same result. He was abashed, ready to answer—and always +elusive. At the end she had gained nothing from him, and for a minute +stood looking silently at him in baffled exasperation.</p> + +<p>“Have you any further questions to ask the witness?” old Judge Kellog +prompted her, with a gentle impatience.</p> + +<p>For a moment, stung by this witness’s defeat of her, she had an +impulse to turn about, point her finger at Blake in the audience, and +cry out the truth to the court-room and announce what was her real +line of defence. But she realized the uproar that would follow if she +dared attack Blake without evidence, and she controlled herself.</p> + +<p>“That is all, Your Honour,” she said.</p> + +<p>Mr. Marcy was dismissed. The lean, frock-coated figure of Mr. Kennedy +arose.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman,” he called.</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherman seemed to experience some difficulty in making his way +up to the witness stand. When he faced about and sat down the +difficulty was explained to the crowd. He was plainly a sick man. +Whispers of sympathy ran <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>about the court-room. Every one knew how he +had sacrificed a friend to his sense of civic duty, and everyone knew +what pain that act must have caused a man with such a high-strung +conscience.</p> + +<p>With his hands tightly gripping the arms of his chair, his bright and +hollow eyes fastened upon the prosecutor, Doctor Sherman began in a +low voice to deliver his direct testimony. Katherine listened to him +rather mechanically at first, even with a twinge of sympathy for his +obvious distress.</p> + +<p>But though her attention was centred here in the court-room, her brain +was subconsciously ranging swiftly over all the details of the case. +Far down in the depths of her mind the question was faintly suggesting +itself, if one witness is a guilty participant in the plot, then why +not possibly the other?—when she saw Doctor Sherman give a quick +glance in the direction where she knew sat Harrison Blake. That glance +brought the question surging up to the surface of her conscious mind, +and she sat bewildered, mentally gasping. She did not see how it could +be, she could not understand his motive—but in the sickly face of +Doctor Sherman, in his strained manner, she now read guilt.</p> + +<p>Thrilling with an unexpected hope, Katherine rose and tried to keep +herself before the eyes of Doctor Sherman like an accusing conscience. +But he avoided her gaze, and told his story in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>every detail just as +when Doctor West had been first accused. When Kennedy turned him over +for cross-examination, Katherine walked up before him and looked him +straight in the eyes a full moment without speaking. He could no +longer avoid her gaze. In his eyes she read something that seemed to +her like mortal terror.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman,” she said slowly, clearly, “is there nothing you +would like to add to your testimony?”</p> + +<p>His words were a long time coming. Katherine’s life hung suspended +while she waited his answer.</p> + +<p>“Nothing,” he said.</p> + +<p>“There is no fact, no detail, that you may have omitted in your direct +testimony, that you now desire to supply?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing.”</p> + +<p>She took a step nearer, bent on him a yet more searching gaze, and put +into her voice its all of conscience-stirring power.</p> + +<p>“You wish to go on record then, before this court, before this +audience, before the God whom you have appealed to in your oath, as +having told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”</p> + +<p>He averted his eyes and was silent a moment. For that moment Blake, +back in the audience, did not breathe. To the crowd it seemed that +Doctor Sherman was searching his mind for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>some possible trivial +omission. To Katherine it seemed that he was in the throes of a final +struggle.</p> + +<p>“You wish thus to go on record?” she solemnly insisted.</p> + +<p>He looked back at her.</p> + +<p>“I do,” he breathed.</p> + +<p>She realized now how desperate was this man’s determination, how +tightly his lips were locked. But she had picked up another thread of +this tangled skein, and that made her exult with a new hope. She went +spiritedly at the cross-examination of Doctor Sherman, striving to +break him down. So sharp, so rigid, so searching were her questions, +that there were murmurs in the audience against such treatment of a +sincere, high-minded man of God. But the swiftness and cleverness of +her attack availed her nothing. Doctor Sherman, nerved by last +evening’s talk beside the river, made never a slip.</p> + +<p>From the moment she reluctantly discharged him she felt that her +chance—her chance for that day, at least—was gone. But she was there +to fight to the end, and she put her only witness, her father, upon +the stand. His defence, that he was the victim of a misunderstanding, +was smiled at by the court-room—and smiled at with apparently good +reason, since Kennedy, in anticipation of the line of defense, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>had +introduced the check from the Acme Filter Company which Dr. West had +turned over to the hospital board, to prove that the donation from the +filter company had been in Dr. West’s hands at the time he had +received the bribe from Mr. Marcy. Dr. West testified that the letter +containing this check had not been opened until many days after his +arrest, and Katharine took the stand and swore that it was she herself +who had opened the envelope. But even while she testified she saw that +she was not believed; and she had to admit within herself that her +father’s story appeared absurdly implausible, compared to the +truth-visaged falsehoods of the prosecution.</p> + +<p>But when the evidence was all in and the time for argument was come, +Katherine called up her every resource, she remembered that truth was +on her side, and she presented the case clearly and logically, and +ended with a strong and eloquent plea for her father. As she sat down, +there was a profound hush in the court-room.</p> + +<p>Her father squeezed her hand. Tears stood in his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Whatever happens,” he whispered, “I’m proud of my daughter.”</p> + +<p>Kennedy’s address was brief and perfunctory, for the case seemed too +easy to warrant his exertion. Still stimulated by the emotion aroused +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>by her own speech and the sense of the righteousness of her cause, +Katherine watched the jury go out with a fluttering hope. She still +clung to hope when, after a short absence, the jury filed back in. She +rose and held her breath while they took their seats.</p> + +<p>“You have reached a verdict, gentlemen?” asked Judge Kellog.</p> + +<p>“We have,” answered the foreman.</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“We find the defendant guilty.”</p> + +<p>Doctor West let out a little moan, and his head fell forward into his +arms. Katherine bent over him and whispered a word of comfort into his +ear; then rose and made a motion for a new trial. Judge Kellog denied +the motion, and haltingly asked Doctor West to step forward to the +bar. Doctor West did so, and the two old men, who had been friends +since childhood, looked at each other for a space. Then in a husky +voice Judge Kellog pronounced sentence: One thousand dollars fine and +six months in the county jail.</p> + +<p>It was a light sentence—but enough to blacken an honest name for +life, enough to break a sensitive heart like Doctor West’s.</p> + +<p>A little later Katherine, holding an arm of her father tightly within +her own, walked with him and fat, good-natured Sheriff Nichols over to +the old brick county jail. And yet a little <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>later, erect, eyes +straight before her, she came down the jail steps and started +homeward.</p> + +<p>As she was passing along the Square, immediately before her Harrison +Blake came out of his stairway and started across the sidewalk to his +waiting car. Discretion urged her to silence; but passion was the +stronger. She stepped squarely up before him and flashed him a blazing +look.</p> + +<p>“Well—and so you think you’ve won!” she cried in a low voice.</p> + +<p>His colour changed, but instantly he was master of himself.</p> + +<p>“What, Katherine, you still persist in that absurd idea of yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, drop that pretence! We know each other too well for that!” She +moved nearer and, trembling from head to foot, her passionate defiance +burst all bounds. “You think you have won, don’t you!” she hotly +cried. “Well, let me tell you that this affair is not merely a battle +that was to-day won and ended! It’s a war—and I have just begun to +fight!”</p> + +<p>And sweeping quickly past him, she walked on into Main Street and down +it through the staring crowds—very erect, a red spot in either cheek, +her eyes defiantly meeting every eye.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT BRUCE’S DOOR</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">O</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">n</span> the following morning Bruce had just finished an editorial on +Doctor West’s trial, and was busily thumping out an editorial on the +local political situation—the Republican and Democratic conventions +were both but a few days off—when, lifting his scowling gaze to his +window while searching for the particular word he needed, he saw +Katherine passing along the sidewalk across the street. Her face was +fresh, her step springy; hers was any but a downcast figure. +Forgetting his editorial, he watched her turn the corner of the Square +and go up the broad, worn steps of the dingy old county jail.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do we think of her?” queried a voice at his elbow.</p> + +<p>Bruce turned abruptly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s you, Billy. D’you see Blake?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.” The young fellow sank loungingly into the atlas-seated chair. +“He wouldn’t say anything definite. Said it was up to the convention +to pick the candidates. But it’s plain <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>Kennedy’s his choice for +mayor, and we’ll be playing perfectly safe in predicting Kennedy’s +nomination.”</p> + +<p>“And Peck?”</p> + +<p>“Blind Charlie said it was too early to make any forecasts. In doubt +as to whom they’d put forward for mayor.”</p> + +<p>“Would Blake say anything about Doctor West’s conviction?”</p> + +<p>“Sorry for Doctor West’s sake—but the case was clear—trial fair—a +wholesome example to the city—and some more of that line of talk.”</p> + +<p>Bruce grunted.</p> + +<p>The reporter leisurely lit a cigarette.</p> + +<p>“But how about the lady lawyer, eh?” He playfully prodded his +superior’s calf with his pointed shoe. “I suppose you’ll fire me off +your rotten old sheet for saying it, but I still think she made a +damned good showing considering that she had no case—and considering +also that she was a woman.” Again he thrust his toe into his chief. +“Considering she was a woman—eh, Arn?”</p> + +<p>“Shut up, Billy, or I <i>will</i> fire you,” growled Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Oh, all right,” answered the other cheerfully. “After half a year of +the nerve-racking social whirl of this metropolis, I think it would be +sort of restful to be back in dear, little, quiet <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>Chicago. But +seriously now, Arn, you’ve got to admit she’s good-looking?”</p> + +<p>“Good looks don’t make a lawyer!” retorted Bruce.</p> + +<p>“But she’s clever—got ideas—opinions of her own, and strong ones +too.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps.”</p> + +<p>The reporter blew out a cloud of smoke.</p> + +<p>“Arn, I’ve been thinking about a very interesting possibility.”</p> + +<p>“Well, make it short, and get in there and write your story!”</p> + +<p>“I’ve been thinking,” continued Billy meditatively, “over what an +interesting situation it would make if the super-masculine editor of +the <i>Express</i> should fall in love with the lady law——”</p> + +<p>Bruce sprang up.</p> + +<p>“Confound you, Billy! If I don’t crack that empty little——”</p> + +<p>But Billy, tilted back in his chair, held out his cigarette case +imperturbably.</p> + +<p>“Take one, Arn. You’ll find them very soothing for the nerves.”</p> + +<p>“You impertinent little pup, you!” He grabbed Billy by his long hair, +held him a moment—then grinned affectionately and took a cigarette. +“You’re the worst ever!” He dropped back into his chair. “Now shut +up!”</p> + +<p>“All right. But speaking impersonally, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>with the unemotional +aloofness of a critic, you’ll have to admit that it would make a good +dramatic situation.”</p> + +<p>“Blast you!” cried the editor. “Shall I fire you, or chuck you through +the window?”</p> + +<p>“Inasmuch as our foremost scientists are uniformly agreed that certain +unpleasant results may eventuate when the force of gravitation brings +a human organism into sudden and severe juxtaposition with a cement +sidewalk, I humbly suggest that you fire me. Besides, that act will +automatically avenge me, for then your yellow old newspaper will go +plum to blazes!”</p> + +<p>“For God’s sake, Billy, get out of here and let me work!”</p> + +<p>“But, seriously, Arn—I really am serious now”—and all the mischief +had gone out of the reporter’s eyes—“that Miss West would have put up +a stunning fight if she had had any sort of a case. But she had +nothing to fight with. They certainly had the goods on her old man!”</p> + +<p>Bruce turned from his machine and regarded the reporter thoughtfully. +Then he crossed and closed the door which was slightly ajar, and again +fixed his eyes searchingly on young Harper.</p> + +<p>“Billy,” he said in a low, impressive voice, “can you keep a big +secret?”</p> + +<p>At Bruce’s searching, thoughtful gaze a look of humility crept into +Billy’s face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><p>“Oh, I know you’ve got every right to doubt me,” he acknowledged. “I +certainly did leak a lot at the mouth in Chicago when I was boozing so +much. But you know since you pulled me out of that wild bunch I was +drinking my way to hell with and brought me down here, I’ve been +screwed tight as a board to the water-wagon!”</p> + +<p>“I know it, Billy. I shouldn’t for an instant——”</p> + +<p>“And, Arn,” interrupted Billy, putting his arm contritely across the +other’s shoulder, “even though I do joke at you a little—simply can’t +help it—you know how eternally grateful I am to you! You’re giving me +the chance of my life to make a man of myself. People in this town +don’t half appreciate you; they don’t know you for what I know +you—the best fellow that ever happened!”</p> + +<p>“There, there! Cut it out, cut it out!” said Bruce gruffly, gripping +the other’s hand.</p> + +<p>“That’s always the way,” said Billy, resentfully. “Your only fault is +that you are so infernally bull-headed that a fellow can’t even thank +you.”</p> + +<p>“You’re thanking me the right way when you keep yourself bolted fast +to the water-cart. What I started out to tell you, what I want you to +keep secret, is this: They put the wrong man in jail yesterday.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p><p>“What!” ejaculated Billy, springing up.</p> + +<p>“I tell you this much because I want you to keep your eye on the +story. Hell’s likely to break loose there any time, and I want you to +be ready to handle it in case I should have to be off the job.”</p> + +<p>“Good God, old man!” Billy stared at him. “What’s behind all this? If +Doctor West’s the wrong man, then who’s the right one?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell you any more now.”</p> + +<p>“But how did you find this out?”</p> + +<p>“I said I couldn’t tell you any more.”</p> + +<p>A knowing look came slowly into Billy’s face.</p> + +<p>“H’m. So that was what Miss West called here about day before +yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“Get in there and write your story,” said Bruce shortly, and again sat +down before his typewriter.</p> + +<p>Billy stood rubbing his head dazedly for a long space, then he slowly +moved to the door. He opened it and paused.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I say, Arn,” he remarked in an innocent tone.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>“After all,” he drawled, “it would make an interesting dramatic +situation, wouldn’t it?”</p> + +<p>Bruce whirled about and threw a statesman’s year book, but young +Harper was already on the safe side of the door; and the incorrigible +Billy <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>was saved from any further acts of reprisal being attempted +upon his person by the ringing of Bruce’s telephone.</p> + +<p>Bruce picked up the instrument.</p> + +<p>“Hello. Who’s this?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Peck,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“What! You don’t mean ‘Blind Charlie’?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I called up to see if you could come over to the hotel for a +little talk about politics.”</p> + +<p>“If you want to talk to me you know where to find me! Good-by!”</p> + +<p>“Wait! Wait! What time will you be in?”</p> + +<p>“The paper goes to press at two-thirty. Any time after then.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll drop around before three.”</p> + +<p>Four hours later Bruce was glancing through that afternoon’s paper, +damp from the press, when there entered his office a stout, half-bald +man of sixty-five, with loose, wrinkled, pouchy skin, drooping nose, +and a mouth—stained faintly brown at its corners—whose cunning was +not entirely masked by a good-natured smile. One eye had a shrewd and +beady brightness; the gray film over the other announced it without +sight. This was “Blind Charlie” Peck, the king of Calloway County +politics until Blake had hurled him from his throne.</p> + +<p>Bruce greeted the fallen monarch curtly and asked him to sit down. +Bruce did not resume <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>his seat, but half leaned against his desk and +eyed Blind Charlie with open disfavour.</p> + +<p>The old man settled himself and smiled his good-natured smile at the +editor.</p> + +<p>“Well, Mr. Bruce, this is mighty dry weather we’re having.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“Well—well—” said the old man, a little taken aback, “you certainly +do jump into the middle of things.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve found that the quickest way to get there,” retorted Bruce. “You +know there’s no use in you and me wasting any words. You know well +enough what I think of you.”</p> + +<p>“I ought to,” returned Blind Charlie, dryly, but with good humour. +“You’ve said it often enough.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that there may be no mistake about it, I’ll say it once more. +You’re a good-natured, good-hearted, cunning, unprincipled, hardened +old rascal of a politician. Now if you don’t want to say what you came +here to say, the same route that brings you in here takes you out.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come,” said the old man, soothingly. “I think you have said a +lot of harder things than were strictly necessary—especially since we +both belong to the same party.”</p> + +<p>“That’s one reason I’ve said them. You’ve been running the party most +of your life—you’re <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>still running it—and see what you’ve made of +it. Every decent member is ashamed of it! It stinks all through the +state!”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie’s face did not lose its smile of imperturbable good +nature. It was a tradition of Calloway County that he had never lost +his temper.</p> + +<p>“You’re a very young man, Mr. Bruce,” said the old politician, “and +young blood loves strong language. But suppose we get away from +personalities, and get away from the party’s past and talk about its +present and its future.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see that it has any present or future to talk about, with you +at the helm.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, come now! Granted that my ways haven’t been the best for the +party. Granted that you don’t like me. Is that any reason we shouldn’t +at least talk things over? Now, I admit we don’t stand the shadow of a +ghost’s show this election unless we make some changes. You represent +the element in the party that has talked most for changes, and I have +come to get your views.”</p> + +<p>Bruce studied the loose-skinned, flabby face, wondering what was going +on behind that old mask.</p> + +<p>“What are your own views?” he demanded shortly.</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie had taken out a plug of tobacco and with a jack-knife +had cut off a thin slice. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>This, held between thumb and knife-blade, +he now slowly transferred to his mouth.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they’re nearer your own than you think. I see, too, that the +old ways won’t serve us now. Blake will put up a good ticket. I hear +Kennedy is to be his mayor. The whole ticket will be men who’ll be +respectable, but they’ll see that Blake gets what he wants. Isn’t that +so?”</p> + +<p>Bruce thought suddenly of Blake’s scheme to capture the water-works.</p> + +<p>“Very likely,” he admitted.</p> + +<p>“Now between ourselves,” the old man went on confidingly, “we know +that Blake has been getting what he wants for years—of course in a +quiet, moderate way. Did you ever think of this, how the people here +call me a ‘boss’ but never think of Blake as one? Blake’s an ‘eminent +citizen.’ When the fact is, he’s a stronger, cleverer boss than I ever +was. My way is the old way; it’s mostly out of date. Blake’s way is +the new way. He’s found out that the best method to get the people is +to be clean, or to seem clean. If I wanted a thing I used to go out +and grab it. If Blake wants a thing he makes it appear that he’s +willing to go to considerable personal trouble to take it in order to +do a favour to the city, and the people fall all over themselves to +give it to him. He’s got the churches lined up as solid behind him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>as I used to have the saloons. Now I know we can’t beat Blake with +the kind of a ticket our party has been putting up. And I know we +can’t beat Blake with a respectable ticket, for between our +respectables——”</p> + +<p>“Charlie Peck’s respectables!” Bruce interrupted ironically.</p> + +<p>“And Blake’s respectables,” the old man continued imperturbably, “the +people will choose Blake’s. Are my conclusions right so far?”</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t be more right. What next?”</p> + +<p>“As I figure it out, our only chance, and that a bare fighting chance, +is to put up men who are not only irreproachable, but who are radicals +and fighters. We’ve got to do something new, big, sensational, or +we’re lost.”</p> + +<p>“Well?” said Bruce.</p> + +<p>“I was thinking,” said Blind Charlie, “that our best move would be to +run you for mayor.”</p> + +<p>“Me?” cried Bruce, starting forward.</p> + +<p>“Yes. You’ve got ideas. And you’re a fighter.”</p> + +<p>Bruce scrutinized the old face, all suspicion.</p> + +<p>“See here, Charlie,” he said abruptly, “what the hell’s your game?”</p> + +<p>“My game?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, come! Don’t expect me to believe in you when you pose as a +reformer!”</p> + +<p>“See here, Bruce,” said the other a little sharply, “you’ve called me +about every dirty <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>word lying around handy in the Middle West. But you +never called me a hypocrite.”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m not coming to you now pretending that I’ve been holding a +little private revival, and that I’ve been washed in the blood of the +Lamb.”</p> + +<p>“Then what’s behind this? What’s in it for you?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you—though of course I can’t make you believe me if you +don’t want to. I’m getting pretty old—I’m sixty-seven. I may not live +till another campaign. I’d like to see the party win once more before +I go. That’s one thing. Another is, I’ve got it in for Blake, and want +to see him licked. I can’t do either in my way. I can possibly do both +in your way. Mere personal satisfaction like this would have been +mighty little for me to have got out of an election in the old days. +But it’s better than nothing at all”—smiling good-naturedly—“even to +a cunning, unprincipled, hardened old rascal of a politician.”</p> + +<p>“But what’s the string tied to this offer?”</p> + +<p>“None. You can name the ticket, write the platform——”</p> + +<p>“It would be a radical one!” warned Bruce.</p> + +<p>“It would have to be radical. Our only chance is in creating a +sensation.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>“And if elected?”</p> + +<p>“You shall make every appointment without let or hindrance. I know I’d +be a fool to try to bind you in any way.”</p> + +<p>Bruce was silent a long time, studying the wrinkled old face.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you say?” queried Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>“Frankly, I don’t like being mixed up with you.”</p> + +<p>“But you believe in using existing party machinery, don’t you? You’ve +said so in the <i>Express</i>.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. But I also have said that I don’t believe in using it the way +you have.”</p> + +<p>“Well, here’s your chance to take it and use it your own way.”</p> + +<p>“But what show would I stand? Feeling in town is running strong +against radical ideas.”</p> + +<p>“I know, I know. But you are a fighter, and with your energy you might +turn the current. Besides, something big may happen before election.”</p> + +<p>That same thought had been pulsing excitedly in Bruce’s brain these +last few minutes. If Katherine could only get her evidence!</p> + +<p>Bruce moved to the window and looked out so that that keen one eye of +Blind Charlie might not perceive the exultation he could no longer +keep out of his face. Bruce did not see the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>tarnished dome of the +Court House—nor the grove of broad elms, shrivelled and dusty—nor +the enclosing quadrangle of somnolent, drooping farm horses. He was +seeing this town shaken as by an explosion. He was seeing cataclysmic +battle, with Blind Charlie become a nonentity, Blake completely +annihilated, and himself victorious at the front. And, dream of his +dreams! he was seeing himself free to reshape Westville upon his own +ideals.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you say?” asked Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>Controlling himself, Bruce turned about.</p> + +<p>“I accept, upon the conditions you have named. But at the first sign +of an attempt to limit those conditions, I throw the whole business +overboard.”</p> + +<p>“There will be no such attempt, so we can consider the matter +settled.” Blind Charlie held out his hand, which Bruce, with some +hesitation, accepted. “I congratulate you, I congratulate myself, I +congratulate the party. With you as leader, I think we’ve all got a +fighting chance to win.”</p> + +<p>They discussed details of Bruce’s candidacy, they discussed the +convention; and a little later Blind Charlie departed. Bruce, fists +deep in trousers pockets, paced up and down his little office, or sat +far down in his chair gazing at nothing, in excited, searching +thought. Billy Harper and other members of the staff, who <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>came in to +him with questions, were answered absently with monosyllables. At +length, when the Court House clock droned the hour of five through the +hot, burnt-out air, Bruce washed his hands and brawny fore-arms at the +old iron sink in the rear of the reporter’s room, put on his coat, and +strode up Main Street. But instead of following his habit and turning +off into Station Avenue, where was situated the house in which he and +Old Hosie ate and slept and had their quarrels, he continued his way +and turned into an avenue beyond—on his face the flush of defiant +firmness of the bold man who finds himself doing the exact thing he +had sworn that he would never do.</p> + +<p>He swung open the gate of the West yard, and with firm step went up to +the house and rang the bell. When the screen swung open Katherine +herself was in the doorway—looking rather excited, trimly dressed, on +her head a little hat wound with a veil.</p> + +<p>“May I come in?” he asked shortly.</p> + +<p>“Why, certainly,” and she stepped aside.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know.”</p> + +<p>He bowed and entered the parlour and stood rather stiffly in the +centre of the room.</p> + +<p>“My reason for daring to violate your prohibition of three days ago, +and enter this house, is that I have something to tell you that may +prove to have some bearing upon your father’s case.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><p>“Please sit down. When I apologized to you I considered the apology as +equivalent to removing all signs against trespassing.”</p> + +<p>They sat down, and for a moment they gazed at each other, still +feeling themselves antagonists, though allies—she smilingly at her +ease, he grimly serious.</p> + +<p>“Now, please, what is it?” she asked.</p> + +<p>Bruce, speaking reservedly at first, told her of Blind Charlie’s +offer. As he spoke he warmed up and was quite excited when he ended. +“And now,” he cried, “don’t you see how this works in with the fight +to clear your father? It’s a great opportunity—haven’t thought out +yet just how we can use it—that will depend upon developments, +perhaps—but it’s a great opportunity! We’ll sweep Blake completely +and utterly from power, reinstate your father in position and honour, +and make Westville the finest city of the Middle West!”</p> + +<p>But she did not seem to be fired by the torch of his enthusiasm. In +fact, there was a thoughtful, questioning look upon her face.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you think of it?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>“I have been given to understand,” she said pleasantly, “that it is +unwomanly to have opinions upon politics.”</p> + +<p>He winced.</p> + +<p>“This is hardly the time for sarcasm. What do you think?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p><p>“If you want my frank opinion, I am rather inclined to beware of +Greeks bearing gifts,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“When a political boss, and a boss notoriously corrupt, offers an +office to a good man, I think the good man should be very, very +suspicious.”</p> + +<p>“You think Peck has some secret corrupt purpose? I’ve been +scrutinizing the offer for two hours. I know the ins and outs of the +local political situation from A to Z. I know all Peck’s tricks. But I +have not found the least trace of a hidden motive.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you haven’t found it because it’s hidden so shrewdly, so +deeply, that it can’t be seen.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t found it because it’s not there to find!” retorted Bruce. +“Peck’s motive is just what he told me; I’m convinced he was telling +the truth. It’s a plain case, and not an uncommon case, of a +politician preferring the chance of victory with a good ticket, to +certain defeat with a ticket more to his liking.”</p> + +<p>“I judge, then, that you are inclined to accept.”</p> + +<p>“I have accepted,” said Bruce.</p> + +<p>“I hope it will turn out better than worst suspicion might make us +fear.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it will!” he declared. “And mark me, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>it’s going to turn out a +far bigger thing for your father than you seem to realize.”</p> + +<p>“I hope that more fervently than do you!”</p> + +<p>“I suppose you are going to keep up your fight for your father?”</p> + +<p>“I expect to do what I can,” she answered calmly.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> + +<p>She smiled sweetly, apologetically.</p> + +<p>“You forget only one day has passed since the trial. You can hardly +expect a woman’s mind to lay new plans as quickly as a man’s.”</p> + +<p>Bruce looked at her sharply, as though there might be irony in this; +but her face was without guile. She glanced at her watch.</p> + +<p>“Pardon me,” he said, noticing this action and standing up. “You have +your hat on; you were going out?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And I’m afraid I must ask you to excuse me.” She gave him her +hand. “I hope you don’t mind my saying it, but if I were you I’d keep +all the eyes I’ve got on Mr. Peck.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’ll not let him fool me!” he answered confidently.</p> + +<p>As he walked out of the yard he was somewhat surprised to see the +ancient equipage of Mr. Huggins waiting beside the curb. And he was +rather more surprised when a few minutes later, as he neared his home, +Mr. Huggins drove past him toward the station, with Katherine in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>seat behind him. In response to her possessed little nod he amazedly +lifted his hat. “Now what the devil is she up to?” he ejaculated, and +stared after her till the old carriage turned in beside the station +platform. As he reached his gate the eastbound Limited came roaring +into the station. The truth dawned upon him. “By God,” he cried, “if +she isn’t going back to New York!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE DESERTER</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">B</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">ruce</span> was incensed at the cool manner in which Katherine had taken +leave of him without so much as hinting at her purpose. In offering +her aid and telling her his plans he had made certain advances. She +had responded to these overtures by telling nothing. He felt he had +been snubbed, and he resented such treatment all the more from a woman +toward whom he had somewhat relaxed his dignity and his principles.</p> + +<p>As he sat alone on his porch that night he breathed out along with his +smoke an accompanying fire of profanity; but for all his wrath, he +could not keep the questions from arising. Why had she gone? What was +she going to do? Was she coming back? Had she given up her father’s +case, and had she been silent to him that afternoon about her going +for the simple reason that she had been ashamed to acknowledge her +retreat?</p> + +<p>He waited impatiently for the return of his uncle, who had been absent +that evening from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>supper. He thought that Hosie might answer these +questions since he knew the old man to be on friendly terms with +Katherine. But when Old Hosie did shuffle up the gravel walk, he was +almost as much at a loss as his nephew. True, a note from Katherine +had been thrust under his door telling him she wished to talk with him +that afternoon; but he had spent the day looking at farms and had not +found the note till his return from the country half an hour before.</p> + +<p>Bruce flung away his cigar in exasperation, and the dry night air was +vibrant with half-whispered but perfervid curses. She was irritating, +erratic, irrational, irresponsible—preposterous, simply +preposterous—damn that kind of women anyhow! They pretended to be a +lot, but there wasn’t a damned thing to them!</p> + +<p>But he could not subdue his curiosity, though he fervently informed +himself of the thousand and one kinds of an unblessed fool he was for +bothering his head about her. Nor could he banish her image. Her +figure kept rising before him out of the hot, dusty blackness: as she +had appeared before the jury yesterday, slender, spirited, +clever—yes, she had spoken cleverly, he would admit that; as she had +appeared in her parlour that afternoon, a graceful, courteous, +self-possessed home person; as he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>had seen her in Mr. Huggins’s old +surrey, with her exasperating, non-committal, cool little nod. But +why, oh, why, in the name of the flaming rendezvous of lost and +sizzling souls couldn’t a woman with her qualities also have just one +grain—only one single little grain!—of the commonest common-sense?</p> + +<p>The next morning Bruce sent young Harper to inquire from Doctor West +in the jail, and after that from Katherine’s aunt, why Katherine had +gone to New York, whether she had abandoned the case, and whether she +had gone for good. But if these old people knew anything, they did not +tell it to Billy Harper.</p> + +<p>Westville buzzed over Katherine’s disappearance. The piazzas, the +soda-water fountains, the dry goods counters, the Ladies’ Aid, were at +no loss for an explanation of her departure. She had lost her +case—she had discovered that she was a failure as a lawyer—she had +learned what Westville thought of her—so what other course was open +to her but to slip out of town as quietly as she could and return to +the place from which she had come?</p> + +<p>The Women’s Club in particular rejoiced at her withdrawal. Thank God, +a pernicious example to the rising young womanhood of the town was at +last removed! Perhaps woman’s righteous disapproval of Katherine had a +deeper reason than was expressed—for what most <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>self-searching person +truly knows the exact motives that prompt his actions? Perhaps, far +down within these righteously indignant bosoms, was unconsciously but +potently this question: if that type of woman succeeds and wins man’s +approval, then what is going to become of us who have been built upon +man’s former taste? At any rate, feminine Westville declared it a +blessing that “that terrible thing” was gone.</p> + +<p>Westville continued to buzz, but it soon had matters more worth its +buzzing. Pressing the heels of one another there came two amazing +surprises. The city had taken for granted the nomination of Kennedy +for mayor, but the convention’s second ballot declared Blake the +nominee. Blake had given heed to Mr. Brown’s advice and had decided to +take no slightest risk; but to the people he let it be known that he +had accepted the nomination to help the city out of its water-works +predicament, and Westville, recognizing his personal sacrifice, rang +with applause of his public spirit. The respectable element looked +forward with self-congratulation to him as the next chief of the +city—for he would have an easy victory over any low politician who +would consent to be Blind Charlie’s candidate.</p> + +<p>Then, without warning, came Bruce’s nomination, with a splendid list +of lesser candidates, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>and upon a most progressive platform. Westville +gasped again. Then recovering from its amazement, it was inclined to +take this nomination as a joke. But Bruce soon checked their +jocularity. That he was fighting for an apparently defunct cause +seemed to make no difference to him. Perhaps Old Hosie had spoken more +wisely than he had intended when he had once sarcastically remarked +that Bruce was “a cross between a bulldog and Don Quixote.” Certainly +the qualities of both strains were now in evidence. He sprang +instantly into the campaign, and by the power and energy of his +speeches and of his editorials in the <i>Express</i>, he fairly raised his +issue from the dead. Bruce did not have a show, declared the +people—not the ghost of a show—but if he maintained the ferocious +earnestness with which he was starting out, this certainly was going +to be the hottest campaign which Westville had seen since Blake had +overthrown Blind Charlie Peck.</p> + +<p>People recalled Katherine now and then to wonder what she was doing +and how mortified she must feel over her fiasco, and to laugh +good-naturedly or sarcastically at the pricked soap-bubble of her +pretensions. But the newer and present excitement of the campaign was +forcing her into the comparative insignificance of all receding +phenomena—when, one late September <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>Sunday morning, Westville, or +that select portion of Westville which attended the Wabash Avenue +Church, was astonished by the sight of Katherine West walking very +composedly up the church’s left aisle, looking in exceedingly good +health and particularly stunning in a tailor-made gown of rich brown +corduroy.</p> + +<p>She quietly entered a vacant pew and slipped to a position which +allowed her an unobstructed view of Doctor Sherman, and which allowed +Doctor Sherman an equally unobstructed view of her. Worshippers who +stared her way noticed that she seemed never to take her gaze from the +figure in the pulpit; and it was remarked, after the service was over, +that though Doctor Sherman’s discourses had been falling off of +late—poor man, his health was failing so!—to-day’s was quite the +poorest sermon he had ever preached.</p> + +<p>The service ended, Katherine went quietly out of the church, smiling +and bowing to such as met her eyes, and leaving an active tongue in +every mouth behind her. So she had come back! Well, of all the nerve! +Did you ever! Was she going to stay? What did she think she was going +to do? And so on all the way home, to where awaited the heavy Sunday +dinner on which Westville gorged itself python-like—if it be not +sacrilege to compare communicants with such heathen beasts—till they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>could scarcely move; till, toward three o’clock, the church paper +sank down upon the distended stomachs of middle age, and there arose +from all the easy chairs of Westville an unrehearsed and somewhat +inarticulate, but very hearty, hymnal in praise of the bounty of the +Creator.</p> + +<p>At about the time Westville was starting up this chorus, Old Hosie +Hollingsworth, in Katherine’s parlour, deposited his rusty silk hat +upon the square mahogany piano that had been Doctor West’s wedding +gift to his wife. The old lawyer lowered himself into a rocker, +crossed his attenuated legs, and shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Land sakes—I certainly was surprised to get your note!” he repeated. +“When did you get back?”</p> + +<p>“Late last night.”</p> + +<p>He stared admiringly at her fresh young figure.</p> + +<p>“I must say, you don’t look much like a lawyer who has lost her first +case and has sneaked out of town to hide her mortification!”</p> + +<p>“Is that what people have been saying?” she smiled. “Well, I don’t +feel like one!”</p> + +<p>“Then you haven’t given up?”</p> + +<p>“Given up?” She lifted her eyebrows. “I’ve just begun. It’s still a +hard case, perhaps a long case; but at last I have a start. And I have +some great plans. It was to ask your advice about these plans that I +sent for you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p><p>“My advice! Huh! I ain’t ever been married—not even so much as once,” +he commented dryly, “but I’ve been told by unfortunates that have that +it’s the female way to do a thing and then ask whether she should do +it or not.”</p> + +<p>“Now, don’t be cynical!” laughed Katherine. “You know I tried to +consult you before I went away. But it still is not too late for your +advice. I’ll put my plans before you, and if your masculine wisdom, +whose superiority you have proved by keeping yourself unmarried, can +show me wherein I’m wrong, I’ll change them or drop them altogether.”</p> + +<p>“Fire away,” he said, half grumbling. “What are your plans?”</p> + +<p>“They’re on a rather big scale. First, I shall put a detective on the +case.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, but don’t you underestimate Harrison Blake,” warned +Old Hosie. “Since you’ve come back Blake will be sure you’re after +him. He will be on his guard against you; he will expect you to use a +detective; he will watch out for him, perhaps try to have his every +move shadowed. I suppose you never thought of that?” he demanded +triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes I did,” Katherine returned. “That’s why I’m going to hire two +detectives.”</p> + +<p>The old man raised his eyebrows.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>“Two detectives?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. One for Mr. Blake to watch. One to do the real work.”</p> + +<p>“Oh!” It was an ejaculation of dawning comprehension.</p> + +<p>“The first detective will be a mere blind; a decoy to engage Mr. +Blake’s attention. He must be a little obvious, rather blundering—so +that Mr. Blake can’t miss him. He will know nothing about my real +scheme at all. While Mr. Blake’s attention and suspicion are fixed on +the first man, the second man, who is to be a real detective with real +brains in his head, will get in the real work.”</p> + +<p>“Splendid! Splendid!” cried Old Hosie, looking at her +enthusiastically. “And yet that pup of a nephew of mine sniffs out, +‘Her a lawyer? Nothing! She’s only a woman!’”</p> + +<p>Katherine flushed. “That’s what I want Mr. Blake to think.”</p> + +<p>“To underestimate you—yes, I see. Have you got your first man?”</p> + +<p>“No. I thought you might help me find him, for a local man, or a state +man, will be best; it will be easiest for him to be found out to be a +detective.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got just the article for you,” cried Old Hosie. “You know Elijah +Stone?”</p> + +<p>“No. But, of course, I’ve seen him.”</p> + +<p>“He’s Westville’s best and only. He thinks <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>he’s something terrible as +a detective—what you might call a hyper-super-ultra detective. +Detective sticks out big all over him—like a sort of universal mumps. +He never looks except when he looks cautiously out of the corner of +his eye; he walks on his tiptoes; he talks in whispers; he simply +oozes mystery. Fat head?—why, Lige Stone wears his hat on a can of +lard!”</p> + +<p>“Come, I’m not engaging a low comedian for a comic opera.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s not so bad as I said. He’s really got a reputation. He’s +just the kind of a detective that an inexperienced girl might pick up. +Blake will soon find out you’ve hired him, he’ll believe it a bona +fide arrangement on your part, and will have a lot of quiet laughs at +your simplicity. God made Lige especially for you.”</p> + +<p>“All right. I’ll see him to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“Have you thought about the other detective?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. One reason I went to New York was to try to get a particular +person—Mr. Manning, with whom I’ve worked on some cases for the +Municipal League. He has six children, and is very much in love with +his wife. The last thing he looks like is a detective. He might pass +for a superintendent of a store, or a broker. But he’s very, very +competent and clever, and is always master of himself.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p><p>“And you got him?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. But he can’t come for a couple of weeks. He is finishing up a +case for the Municipal League.”</p> + +<p>“How are you going to use him?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t just know yet. Perhaps I can fit him into a second scheme of +mine. You’ve heard of Mr. Seymour, of Seymour & Burnett?”</p> + +<p>“The big bankers and brokers?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I knew Elinor Seymour at Vassar, and I visited her several +times; and as Mr. Seymour is president of the Municipal League, +altogether I saw him quite a great deal. I don’t mean to be conceited, +but I really believe Mr. Seymour has a lot of confidence in me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s a fine compliment to his sense,” Old Hosie put in.</p> + +<p>“He’s about the most decent of the big capitalists,” she went on. “He +was my second reason for going to New York. When I got there he had +just left to spend a week-end in Paris, or something of the sort. I +had to wait till he came back; that’s why I was gone so long. I went +to him with a plain business proposition. I gave him a hint of the +situation out here, told him there was a chance the water-works might +be sold, and asked authority to buy the system in for him.”</p> + +<p>“And how did he take it?” Old Hosie asked eagerly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p><p>“You behold in me an accredited agent of Seymour & Burnett. I don’t +know yet how I shall use that authority, but if I can’t do anything +better, and if the worst comes to the very worst, I’ll buy in the +plant, defeat Mr. Blake, and see that the city gets something like a +fair price for its property.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie stared at her in open admiration. “Well, if you don’t beat +the band!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“In the meantime, I shall busy myself with trying to get my father’s +case appealed. But that is really only a blind; behind that I shall +every minute be watching Mr. Blake. Now, what do you think of my +plans? You know I called you in for your advice.”</p> + +<p>“Advice! You need advice about as much as an angel needs a hat pin!”</p> + +<p>“But I’m willing to change my plans if you have any suggestions.”</p> + +<p>“I was a conceited old idiot when I was a little sore awhile ago +because you had called me in for my opinion after you had settled +everything. Go right ahead. It’s fine. Fine, I tell you!” He chuckled. +“And to think that Harrison Blake thinks he’s bucking up against only +a woman. Just a simple, inexperienced, dear, bustling, blundering +woman! What a jar he’s got coming to him!”</p> + +<p>“We mustn’t be too hopeful,” warned Katherine. “There’s a long, hard +fight ahead. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>Perhaps my plan may not work out. And remember that, +after all, I am only a woman.”</p> + +<p>“But if you do win!” His old eyes glowed excitedly. “Your father +cleared, the idol of the town upset, the water-works saved—think what +a noise all that will make!”</p> + +<p>A new thought slowly dawned into his face. “H’m—this old town hasn’t +been, well, exactly hospitable to you; has laughed at you—sneered at +you—given you the cold shoulder.”</p> + +<p>“Has it? What do I care!”</p> + +<p>“It would be sort of nice, now wouldn’t it,” he continued slowly, +keenly, with his subdued excitement, “sort of heaping coals of fire on +Westville’s roofs, if the town, after having cut you dead, should find +that it had been saved by you. I suppose you’ve never thought of that +aspect of the case—eh? I suppose it has never occurred to you that in +saving your father you’ll also save the town?”</p> + +<p>She flushed—and smiled a little.</p> + +<p>“Oh, so we’ve already thought of that, have we. I see I can’t suggest +anything new to you. Let the old town jeer all it wants to now, we’ll +show ’em in the end!—is that it?”</p> + +<p>She smiled again, but did not answer him.</p> + +<p>“Now you’ll excuse me, won’t you, for I promised to call on father +this afternoon?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly.” He rose. “How is your father—or haven’t you seen him +yet?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p><p>“I called at the jail first thing this morning. He’s very cheerful.”</p> + +<p>“That’s good. Well, good-by.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie was reaching for his hat, but just then a firm step sounded +on the porch and there was a ring of the bell. Katherine crossed the +parlour and swung open the screen. Standing without the door was +Bruce, a challenging, defiant look upon his face.</p> + +<p>“Why, Mr. Bruce,” she exclaimed, smiling pleasantly. “Won’t you please +come in?”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” he said shortly.</p> + +<p>He bowed and entered, but stopped short at sight of his uncle.</p> + +<p>“Hello! You here?”</p> + +<p>“Just to give an off-hand opinion, I should say I am.” Old Hosie +smiled sweetly, put his hat back upon the piano and sank into his +chair. “I just dropped in to tell Miss Katherine some of those very +clever and cutting things you’ve said to me about the idea of a woman +being a lawyer. I’ve been expostulating with her—trying to show her +the error of her ways—trying to prove to her that she wasn’t really +clever and didn’t have the first qualification for law.”</p> + +<p>“You please let me speak for myself!” retorted Bruce. “How long are +you going to stay here?”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie recrossed his long legs and settled back with the air of the +rock of ages.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p><p>“Why, I was expecting Miss Katherine was going to invite me to stay to +supper.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I guess you won’t. You please remember this is your month to +look after Jim. Now you trot along home and see that he don’t fry the +steak to a shingle the way you let him do it last night.”</p> + +<p>“Last night I was reading your editorial on the prospects of the corn +crop and I got so worked up as to how it was coming out that I forgot +all about that wooden-headed nigger. I tell you, Arn, that editorial +was one of the most exciting, stirring, nerve-racking, hair-breadth——”</p> + +<p>“Come, get along with you!” Bruce interrupted impatiently. “I want to +talk some business with Miss West!”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie rose.</p> + +<p>“You see how he treats me,” he said plaintively to Katherine. “I +haven’t had one kind word from that young pup since, when he was in +high-school, he got so stuck on himself because he imagined every girl +in town was in love with him.”</p> + +<p>Bruce took Old Hosie’s silk hat from the piano and held it out to him.</p> + +<p>“You certainly won’t get a kind word from me to-night if that steak is +burnt!”</p> + +<p>Katherine followed Hosie out upon the porch.</p> + +<p>“He’s a great boy,” whispered the old man <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>proudly—“if only I can +lick his infernal conceit out of him!” He gripped her hand. “Good-by, +and luck with you!”</p> + +<p>She watched the bent, spare figure down the walk, then went in to +Bruce. The editor was standing stiffly in the middle of the parlour.</p> + +<p>“I trust that my call is not inopportune?”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to see you, but it does so happen that I promised father to +call at five o’clock. And it’s now twenty minutes to.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you will allow me to walk there with you?”</p> + +<p>“But wouldn’t that be, ah—a little dangerous?”</p> + +<p>“Dangerous?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Perhaps you forget that Westville disapproves of me. It might +not be a very politic thing for a candidate for mayor to be seen upon +the street with so unpopular a person. It might cost votes, you know.”</p> + +<p>He flushed.</p> + +<p>“If the people in this town don’t like what I do, they can vote for +Harrison Blake!” He swung open the door. “If you want to get there on +time, we must start at once.”</p> + +<p>Two minutes later they were out in the street together. People whom +they passed paused and stared back at them; groups of young men and +women, courting collectively on front lawns, ceased their flirtatious +chaffing and their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>bombardments with handfuls of loose grass, and +nudged one another and sat with eyes fixed on the passing pair; and +many a solid burgher, out on his piazza, waking from his devotional +and digestive nap, blinked his eyes unbelievingly at the sight of a +candidate for mayor walking along the street with that discredited +lady lawyer who had fled the town in chagrin after losing her first +case.</p> + +<p>At the start Katherine kept the conversation upon Bruce’s candidacy. +He told her that matters were going even better than he had hoped; and +informed her, with an air of triumph he did not try to conceal, that +Blind Charlie Peck had been giving him an absolutely free rein, and +that he was more than ever convinced that he had correctly judged that +politician’s motives. Katherine meekly accepted this implicit rebuke +of her presumption, and congratulated him upon the vindication of his +judgment.</p> + +<p>“But I came to you to talk about your affairs, not mine,” he said as +they turned into Main Street. “I half thought, when you left, that you +had gone for good. But your coming back proves you haven’t given up. +May I ask what your plans are, and how they are developing?”</p> + +<p>Her eyes dropped to the sidewalk, and she seemed to be embarrassed for +words. It was not wholly his fault that he interpreted her <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>as +crest-fallen, for Katherine was not lacking in the wiles of Eve.</p> + +<p>“Your plans have not been prospering very well, then?” he asked, after +a pause.</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t think that; I still have hopes,” she answered hurriedly. “I +am going to keep right on at the case—keep at it hard.”</p> + +<p>“Were you successful in what you went to New York for?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell yet. It’s too early. But I hope something will come of +it.”</p> + +<p>He tried to get a glimpse of her face, but she kept it fixed upon the +ground—to hide her discomfiture, he thought.</p> + +<p>“Now listen to me,” he said kindly, with the kindness of the superior +mind. “Here’s what I came to tell you, and I hope you won’t take it +amiss. I admire you for the way you took your father’s case when no +other lawyer would touch it. You have done your best. But now, I +judge, you are at a standstill. At this particular moment it is highly +imperative that the case go forward with highest speed. You understand +me?”</p> + +<p>“I think I do,” she said meekly. “You mean that a man could do much +better with the case than a woman?”</p> + +<p>“Frankly, yes—still meaning no offense to you. You see how much hangs +upon your father’s case besides his own honour. There is <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>the +election, the whole future of the city. You see we are really facing a +crisis. We have got to have quick action. In this crisis, being in the +dark as to what you were doing, and feeling a personal responsibility +in the matter, I have presumed to hint at the outlines of the case to +a lawyer friend of mine in Indianapolis; and I have engaged him, +subject to your approval, to take charge of the matter.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” said Katherine, her eyes still upon the sidewalk, “this +man lawyer would expect to be the chief counsel?”</p> + +<p>“Being older, and more experienced——”</p> + +<p>“And being a man,” Katherine softly supplied.</p> + +<p>“He of course would expect to have full charge—naturally,” Bruce +concluded.</p> + +<p>“Naturally,” echoed Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Of course you would agree to that?”</p> + +<p>“I was just trying to think what a man would do,” she said +meditatively, in the same soft tone. “But I suppose a man, after he +had taken a case when no one else would take it, when it was +hopeless—after he had spent months upon it, made himself unpopular by +representing an unpopular cause, and finally worked out a line of +defense that, when the evidence is gained, will not only clear his +client but astound the city—after he had triumph and reputation +almost within his grasp, I suppose a man would be quite willing to +step <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>down and out and hand over the glory to a newcomer.”</p> + +<p>He looked at her sharply. But her face, or what he saw of it, showed +no dissembling.</p> + +<p>“But you are not stating the matter fairly,” he said. “You should +consider the fact that you are at the end of your rope!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I suppose I should consider that,” she said slowly.</p> + +<p>They were passing the Court House now. He tried to study her face, but +it continued bent upon the sidewalk, as if in thought. They reached +the jail, and she mounted the first step.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you say?” he asked.</p> + +<p>She slowly raised her eyes and looked down on him guilelessly.</p> + +<p>“You’ve been most thoughtful and kind—but if it’s just the same to +you, I’d like to keep on with the case a little longer alone.”</p> + +<p>“What!” he ejaculated. He stared at her. “I don’t know what to make of +you!” he cried in exasperation.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes you do,” she assured him sweetly, “for you’ve been trying to +make very little of me.”</p> + +<p>“Eh! See here, I half believe you don’t want my aid!” he blurted out.</p> + +<p>Standing there above him, smiling down upon him, she could hardly +resist telling him the truth—that sooner would she allow her right +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>hand to be burnt off than to accept aid from a man who had flaunted +and jeered at her lawyership—that it was her changeless determination +not to tell him one single word about her plans—that it was her +purpose to go silently ahead and let her success, should she succeed, +be her reply to his unbelief. But she checked the impulse to fling the +truth in his face—and instead continued to smile inscrutably down +upon him.</p> + +<p>“I hope that you will do all for my father, for the city, for your own +election, that you can,” she said. “All I ask is that for the present +I be allowed to handle the case by myself.”</p> + +<p>The Court House tower tolled five. She held out to him a gloved hand.</p> + +<p>“Good-by. I’m sorry I can’t invite you in,” she said lightly, and +turned away.</p> + +<p>He watched the slender figure go up the steps and into the jail, then +turned and walked down the street—exasperated, puzzled, in profound +thought.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE NIGHT WATCH</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> next morning Elijah Stone appeared in Katherine’s office as per +request. He was a thickly, if not solidly, built gentleman, in +imminent danger of a double chin, and with that submerged blackness of +the complexion which is the result of a fresh-shaven heavy beard. He +kept his jaw clinched to give an appearance of power, and his black +eyebrows lowered to diffuse a sense of deeply pondered mystery. His +wife considered him a rarely handsome specimen of his sex, and he +permitted art to supplement the acknowledged gifts of nature so far as +to perfume his glossy black hair, to wear a couple of large diamond +rings, and to carry upon the watch chain that clanked heavily across +the broad and arching acreage of his waistcoat a begemmed lodge emblem +in size a trifle smaller than a paper weight.</p> + +<p>He was an affable, if somewhat superior, being, and he listened to +Katherine with a still further lowering of his impressive brows. She +informed him, in a perplexed, helpless, womanly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>way, that she was +inclined to believe that her father was “the victim of foul play”—the +black brows sank yet another degree—and that she wished him privately +to investigate the matter. He of course would know far, far better +what to do than she, but she would suggest that he keep an eye upon +Blake. At first Mr. Stone appeared somewhat sceptical and hesitant, +but after peering darkly out for a long and ruminative period at the +dusty foliage of the Court House elms, and after hearing the +comfortable fee Katherine was willing to pay, he consented to accept +the case. As he left he kindly assured her, with manly pity for her +woman’s helplessness, that if there was anything in her suspicion she +“needn’t waste no sleep now about gettin’ the goods.”</p> + +<p>In the days that followed, Katherine saw her Monsieur Lecoque +shadowing the movements of Blake with the lightness and general +unobtrusiveness of a mahogany bedstead ambling about upon its castors. +She soon guessed that Blake perceived that he was being watched, and +she imagined how he must be smiling up his sleeve at her simplicity. +Had the matters at stake not been so grave, had she been more certain +of the issue, she might have put her own sleeve to a similar purpose.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, as far as she could do so without exciting suspicion, +she kept close watch <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>upon Blake. It had occurred to her that there +was a chance that he had an unknown accomplice whose discovery would +make the gaining of the rest of the evidence a simple matter. There +was a chance that he might let slip some revealing action. At any +rate, till Mr. Manning came, her rôle was to watch with unsleeping eye +for developments. Her office window commanded the entrance to Blake’s +suite of rooms, and no one went up by day whom she did not see. Her +bedroom commanded Blake’s house and grounds, and every night she sat +at her darkened window till the small hours and watched for possible +suspicious visitors, or possible suspicious movements on the part of +Blake.</p> + +<p>Also she did not forget Doctor Sherman. On the day of her departure +for New York, she had called upon Doctor Sherman, and in the privacy +of his study had charged him with playing a guilty part in Blake’s +conspiracy. She had been urged to this course by the slender chance +that, when directly accused as she had dared not accuse him in the +court-room, he might break down and confess. But Doctor Sherman had +denied her charge and had clung to the story he had told upon the +witness stand. Since Katherine had counted but little on this chance, +she had gone away but little disappointed.</p> + +<p>But she did not now let up upon the young <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>minister. Regular +attendance at church had of late years not been one of Katherine’s +virtues, but after her return it was remarked that she did not miss a +single service at which Doctor Sherman spoke. She always tried to sit +in the very centre of his vision, seeking to keep ever before his +mind, while he preached God’s word, the sin he had committed against +God’s law and man’s. He visibly grew more pale, more thin, more +distraught. The changes inspired his congregation with concern; they +began to talk of overwork, of the danger of a breakdown; and seeing +the dire possibility of losing so popular and pew-filling a pastor, +they began to urge upon him the need of a long vacation.</p> + +<p>Katherine could not but also give attention to the campaign, since it +was daily growing more sensational, and was completely engrossing the +town. Blake, in his speeches, stood for a continuance of the rule that +had made Westville so prosperous, and dwelt especially upon an +improvement in the service of the water-works, though as to the nature +of the improvements he confined himself to language that was somewhat +vague. Katherine heard him often. He was always eloquent, clever, +forceful, with a manly grace of presence upon the platform—just what +she, and just what the town, expected him to be.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p><p>But the surprise of the campaign, to Katherine and to Westville, was +Arnold Bruce. Katherine had known Bruce to be a man of energy; now, in +her mind, a forceful if not altogether elegant phrase of Carlyle +attached itself to him—“A steam-engine in pants.” He was never +clever, never polished, he never charmed with the physical grace of +his opponent, but he spoke with a power, an earnestness, and an energy +that were tremendous. By the main strength of his ideas and his +personality he seemed to bear down the prejudice against the principle +for which he stood. He seemed to stand out in the mid-current of +hostile opinion and by main strength hurl it back into its former +course. The man’s efforts were nothing less than herculean. He was a +bigger man, a more powerful man, than Westville had ever dreamed; and +his spirited battle against such apparently hopeless odds had a +compelling fascination. Despite her defiantly critical attitude, +Katherine was profoundly impressed; and she heard it whispered about +that, notwithstanding Blake’s great popularity, his party’s certainty +of success was becoming very much disturbed.</p> + +<p>Both Katherine and Bruce were fond of horseback riding—Doctor West’s +single luxury, his saddle horse, was ever at Katherine’s disposal—and +at the end of one afternoon they met by chance out along the winding +River Road, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>with its border of bowing willows and mottled sycamores, +between whose browned foliage could be glimpsed long reaches of the +broad and polished river, steel-gray in the shadows, a flaming copper +where the low sun poured over it its parting fire. Little by little +Bruce began to talk of his ideals. Presently he was speaking with a +simplicity and openness that he had not yet used with Katherine. She +perceived, more clearly than before, that whereas he was dogmatic in +his ideas and brutally direct in their expression, he was a hot-souled +idealist, overflowing with a passionate, even desperate, love of +democracy, which he feared was in danger of dying out in the +land—quietly and painlessly suffocated by a narrowing oligarchy which +sought to blind the people to its rule by allowing them the exercise +of democracy’s dead forms.</p> + +<p>His square, rude face, which she watched with a rising fascination, +was no longer repellent. It had that compelling beauty, superior to +mere tint and moulding of the flesh, which is born of great and +glowing ideas. She saw that there was sweetness in his nature, that +beneath his rough exterior was a violent, all-inclusive tenderness.</p> + +<p>Now and then she put in a word of discriminating approval, now and +then a word of well-reasoned dissent.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p><p>“I believe you are even more radical than I am!” he exclaimed, looking +at her keenly.</p> + +<p>“A woman, if she is really radical, has got to be more radical than a +man. She sees all the evils and dangers that he sees, and in addition +she suffers from injustices and restrictions from which man is wholly +free.”</p> + +<p>He was too absorbed in the afterglow of what he had been saying to +take in all the meanings implicated in her last phrase.</p> + +<p>“Do you know,” he said, as they neared the town, “you are the first +woman I have met in Westville to whom one could talk about real things +and who could talk back with real sense.”</p> + +<p>A very sly and pat remark upon his inconsistency was at her tongue’s +tip. But she realized that he had spoken impulsively, unguardedly, and +she felt that it would be little short of sacrilege to be even gently +sarcastic after the exalted revelation he had made of himself.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” she said quietly, and turned her face and smiled at the +now steel-blue reaches of the river.</p> + +<p>He dropped in several evenings to see her. When he was in an +idealistic mood she was warmly responsive. When he was arbitrary and +opinionated, she met him with chaffing and raillery, and at such times +she was as elusive, as baffling, as exasperating as a sprite. On +occasions when he rather insistently asked her <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>plans and her progress +in her father’s case, she evaded him and held him at bay. She felt +that he admired her, but with a grudging, unwilling admiration that +left his fundamental disapproval of her quite unshaken.</p> + +<p>The more she saw of this dogmatic dreamer, this erratic man of action, +the more she liked him, the more she found really admirable in him. +But mixed with her admiration was an alert and pugnacious fear, so big +was he, so powerful, so violently hostile to all the principles +involved in her belief that the whole wide world of action should in +justice lie as much open to woman to choose from as to man.</p> + +<p>Without cessation Katherine kept eyes and mind on Blake. She searched +out and pondered over the thousand possible details and ramifications +his conspiracy might have. No human plan was a perfect plan. By +patiently watching and studying every point there was a chance that +she might discover one detail, one slip, one oversight, that would +give her the key to the case.</p> + +<p>One of the thousand possibilities was that he had an active partner in +his scheme. Since no such partner was visible in the open, it was +likely that his associate was a man with whom Blake wished to have +seemingly no relations. Were this conjecture true, then naturally he +would meet this confederate in secret. She <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>began to think upon all +possible means and places of holding secret conferences. Such a +meeting might be held there in Westville in the dead of night. It +might be held in any large city in which individuals might lose +themselves—Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago. It might be +held at any appointed spot within the radius of an automobile journey.</p> + +<p>Katherine analyzed every possible place of this last possibility. She +began to watch, as she watched other possibilities, the comings and +goings of the Blake automobile. It occurred to her that, if anything +were in this conjecture, the meeting would be held at night; and then, +a little later, it occurred to her to make a certain regular +observation. The Blake garage and the West stable stood side by side +and opened into the same alley. Every evening while Blake’s car was +being cleaned—if it had been in use during the day—Katherine went +out to say good night to her saddle horse, and as she was on friendly +terms with Blake’s man she contrived, while exchanging a word with +him, to read the mileage record of the speedometer. This observation +she carried on with no higher hope of anything resulting from it than +from any of a score of other measures. It was merely one detail of her +all-embracing vigilance.</p> + +<p>Every night she sat on watch—the evening’s earlier half usually in +the rustic summer-house <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>in the backyard, the latter part at her +bedroom window. One night after most of Westville was in bed, her +long, patient vigil was rewarded by seeing the Blake automobile slip +out with a single vague figure at the wheel and turn into the back +streets of the town.</p> + +<p>Hours passed, and still she sat wide-eyed at her window. It was not +till raucous old muzzains of roosters raised from the watch-towers of +their various coops their concatenated prophecy of the dawn, that she +saw the machine return with its single passenger. The next morning, as +soon as she saw Blake’s man stirring about his work, she slipped out +to her stable. Watching her chance, she got a glimpse of Blake’s +speedometer. Then she quickly slipped back to her room and sat there +in excited thought.</p> + +<p>The evening before the mileage had read 1437; this morning the reading +was 1459. Blake, in his furtive midnight journey, had travelled +twenty-two miles. If he had slipped forth to meet a secret ally, then +evidently their place of meeting was half of twenty-two miles distant. +Where was this rendezvous?</p> + +<p>Almost instantly she thought of The Sycamores. That fitted the +requirements exactly. It was eleven miles distant—Blake had a cabin +there—the place was deserted at this season of the year. Nothing +could be safer than for two men, coming in different vehicles, from +different <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>points perhaps, to meet at that retired spot at such an +eyeless hour.</p> + +<p>Perhaps there was no confederate. Perhaps Blake’s night trip was +not to a secret conference. Perhaps The Sycamores was not the +rendezvous. But there was a chance that all three of these conjectures +were correct. And if so, there was a chance,—aye, more, a +probability—that there would be further midnight trysts.</p> + +<p>Bruce had fallen into the habit of dropping in occasionally for a few +minutes at the end of an evening’s speaking to tell Katherine how +matters seemed to be progressing. When he called that night toward +ten he was surprised to be directed around to the summer-house. His +surprise was all the more because the three months’ drought had that +afternoon been broken, and the rain was now driving down in gusts and +there was a far rumbling of thunder that threatened a nearer and a +fiercer cannonading.</p> + +<p>Crouching beneath his umbrella, he made his way through the blackness +to the summer-house, in which he saw sitting a dim, solitary figure.</p> + +<p>“In mercy’s name, what are you doing out here?” he demanded as he +entered.</p> + +<p>“Watching the rain. I love to be out in a storm.” Every clap of +thunder sent a shiver through her.</p> + +<p>“You must go right into the house!” he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>commanded. “You’ll get wet. +I’ll bet you’re soaked already!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no. I have a raincoat on,” she answered calmly. “I’m going to +stay and watch the storm a little longer.”</p> + +<p>He expostulated, spoke movingly of colds and pneumonia. But she kept +her seat and sweetly suggested that he avoid his vividly pictured +dangers of a premature death by following his own advice. He jerked a +rustic chair up beside her, growled a bit in faint imitation of the +thunder, then ran off into the wonted subject of the campaign.</p> + +<p>As the situation now stood he had a chance of winning, so successful +had been his fight to turn back public opinion; and if only he had and +could use the evidence Katherine was seeking, an overwhelming victory +would be his beyond a doubt. He plainly was chafing at her delays, and +as plainly made it evident that he was sceptical of her gaining proof. +But she did not let herself be ruffled. She evaded all his questions, +and when she spoke she spoke calmly and with good-nature.</p> + +<p>Presently, sounding dimly through a lull in the rising tumult of the +night, they heard the Court House clock strike eleven. Soon after, +Katherine’s ear, alert for a certain sound, caught a muffled throbbing +that was not distinguishable to Bruce from the other noises of the +storm.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p><p>She sprang up.</p> + +<p>“You must go now—good night!” she said breathlessly, and darted out +of the summer-house.</p> + +<p>“Wait! Where are you going?” he cried, and tried to seize her, but she +was gone.</p> + +<p>He stumbled amazedly after her vague figure, which was running through +the grape-arbour swiftly toward the stable. The blackness, his +unfamiliarity with the way, made him half a minute behind Katherine in +entering the barn.</p> + +<p>“Miss West!” he called. “Miss West!”</p> + +<p>There was no answer and no sound within the stable. Just then a flash +of lightning showed him that the rear door was open. As he felt his +way through this he heard Katherine say, “Whoa, Nelly! Whoa, Nelly!” +and saw her swing into the saddle.</p> + +<p>He sprang forward and caught the bridle rein.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“Going out for a little gallop,” she answered with an excited laugh.</p> + +<p>“What?” A light broke in upon him. “You’ve been sitting there all +evening in your riding habit! Your horse has been standing saddled and +bridled in the stall! Tell me—where are you going?”</p> + +<p>“For a little ride, I said. Now let loose my rein.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why—” he gasped in amazement. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>Then he cried out fiercely: “You +shall not go! It’s madness to go out in a storm like this!”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bruce, let go that rein this instant!” she said peremptorily.</p> + +<p>“I shall do nothing of the sort! I shall not let you make an insane +fool of yourself!”</p> + +<p>She bent downward. Though in the darkness he could not see her face, +the tensity of her tone told him her eyes were flashing.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bruce,” she said with slow emphasis, “if you do not loosen that +rein, this second, I give you my word I shall never see you, never +speak to you again.”</p> + +<p>“All right, but I shall not let you make a fool of yourself,” he cried +with fierce dominance. “You’ve got to yield to sense, even though I +use force on you.”</p> + +<p>She did not answer. Swiftly she reversed her riding crop and with all +her strength brought its heavy end down upon his wrist.</p> + +<p>“Nelly!” she ordered sharply, and in the same instant struck the +horse. The animal lunged free from Bruce’s benumbed grasp, and sprang +forward into a gallop.</p> + +<p>“Good night!” she called back to him.</p> + +<p>He shouted a reply; his voice came to her faintly, wrathful and +defiant, but his words were whirled away upon the storm.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>POLITICS MAKE STRANGE BED-FELLOWS</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">S</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> quieted Nelly into a canter, made her way through the soundly +sleeping back streets, and at length emerged from the city and +descended into the River Road, which was slightly shorter than +Grayson’s Pike which led over the high back country to The Sycamores. +She knew what Nelly could do, and she settled the mare down into the +fastest pace she could hold for the eleven miles before her.</p> + +<p>Katherine was aquiver with suspense, one moment with hopeful +expectation, the next with fear that her deductions were all awry. +Perhaps Blake had not gone out to meet a confederate. And if he had, +perhaps The Sycamores was not the rendezvous. But if her deductions +were correct, who was this secret ally? Would she be able to approach +them near enough to discover his identity? And would she be able to +learn the exact outlines of the plot that was afoot? If so, what would +it all prove to be?</p> + +<p>Such questions and doubts galloped madly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>through her mind. The storm +grew momently in fierceness. The water and fury of three months of +withheld storms were spending themselves upon the earth in one violent +outburst. The wind cracked her skirt like a whip-lash, and whined and +snarled and roared among the trees. The rain drove at her in maddened +sheets, found every opening in her raincoat, and soon she was as wet +as though dropped in the river yonder. The night was as black as the +interior of a camera, save when—as by the opening of a snapshot +shutter—an instantaneous view of the valley was fixed on Katherine’s +startled brain by the lightning ripping in fiery fissures down the +sky. Then she saw the willows bending and whipping in the wind, saw +the gnarled old sycamores wrestling with knotted muscles, saw the +broad river writhing and tossing its swollen and yellow waters. Then, +blackness again—and, like the closing click of this world-wide +camera, there followed a world-shaking crash of thunder.</p> + +<p>Katherine would have been terrified but for the stimulant within. She +crouched low upon her horse, held a close rein, petted Nelly, talked +to her and kept her going at her best—onward—onward—onward—through +the covered wooden bridge that spanned Buck Creek—through the little +old village of Sleepy Eye—up Red Man’s Ridge—and at last, battered, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>buffeted, half-drowned, she and Nelly drew up at the familiar stone +gateway of The Sycamores.</p> + +<p>She dismounted, led Nelly in and tied her among the beeches away from +the drive. Then cautiously, palpitantly, she groped her way in the +direction of the Blake cabin, avoiding the open lest the lightning +should betray her presence. At length she came to the edge of a +cleared space in which she knew the cabin stood. But she could see +nothing. The cabin was just a cube of blackness imbedded in this great +blackness which was the night. She peered intently for a lighted +window; she listened for the lesser thunder of a waiting automobile. +But she could see nothing but the dark, hear nothing but the dash of +the rain, the rumble of the thunder, the lashing and shrieking of the +wind.</p> + +<p>Her heart sank. No one was here. Her guesses all were wrong.</p> + +<p>But she crept toward the house, following the drive. Suddenly, she +almost collided with a big, low object. She reached forth a hand. It +fell upon the tire of an automobile. She peered forward and seemed to +see another low shape. She went toward it and felt. It was a second +car.</p> + +<p>She dashed back among the trees, and thus sheltered from the revealing +glare of the lightning, almost choking with excitement, she began to +circle the house for signs which would locate <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>in what room were the +men within. She paused before each side and peered closely at it, but +each side in turn presented only blackness, till she came to the lee +of the house.</p> + +<p>This, too, was dark for the first moment. Then in a lower window, +which she knew to be the window of Blake’s den, two dull red points of +light appeared—glowed—subsided—glowed again—then vanished. A +minute later one reappeared, then the other; and after the slow rise +and fall and rise of the glow, once more went out. She stood rigid, +wondering at the phenomenon. Then suddenly she realized that within +were two lighted cigars.</p> + +<p>Bending low, she scurried across the open space and crouched beside +the window. Luckily it had been opened to let some fresh air into the +long-closed room. And luckily this was the lee of the house and the +beat of the storm sounded less loudly here, so that their voices +floated dimly out to her. This lee was also a minor blessing, for +Katherine’s poor, wet, shivering body now had its first protection +from the storm.</p> + +<p>Tense, hardly breathing, with all five senses converged into hearing, +she stood flattened against the wall and strained to catch their every +word. One voice was plainly Blake’s. The other had a faintly familiar +quality, though she could not place it. This second man had <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>evidently +come late, for their conversation was of a preliminary, +beating-around-the-bush character—about the fierceness of the storm, +and the additional security it lent their meeting.</p> + +<p>Katherine searched her memory for the owner of this second voice. She +had thought at first of Doctor Sherman, but this voice had not a tone +in common with the young clergyman’s clear, well-modulated baritone. +This was a peculiar, bland, good-natured drawl. She had not heard it +often, but she had unmistakably heard it. As she ransacked her memory +it grew increasingly familiar, yet still eluded her. Then, all of a +sudden, she knew it, and she stood amazed.</p> + +<p>The second voice was the voice of Blind Charlie Peck.</p> + +<p>Katherine was well acquainted with the secret bi-partisan arrangement +common in so many American cities, by which the righteous voter is +deluded into believing that there are two parties contending for the +privilege of giving him their best service, whereas in reality the two +are one, secretly allied because as a political trust they can most +economically and profitably despoil the people. Her first thought was +that these ancient enemies, who for ten years had belaboured one +another with such a realistic show of bitterness upon the political +stage of Westville, had all along been friends and partners <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>behind +the scenes. But of this idea she was presently disillusioned.</p> + +<p>“Well, Mr. Blake, let’s get down to business,” Blind Charlie’s voice +floated out to her. “You’ve had a day to think over my proposition. +Now what have you got to say to it?”</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence. When Blake did speak, Katherine could +discern in his repressed tone a keen aversion for his companion.</p> + +<p>“My position is the same as last night. What you say is all guesswork. +There is nothing in it.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie’s voice was soft—purringly soft.</p> + +<p>“Then why didn’t you ask me to go to hell, and stay at home instead of +coming out here?”</p> + +<p>There was again a short silence.</p> + +<p>“Come now,” the soft voice persuaded, “let’s don’t go over what we did +last night. I know I’m right.”</p> + +<p>“I tell you you’re only guessing,” Blake doggedly returned. “You +haven’t a scrap of proof.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t need proof, when I’m certain about a thing,” gently returned +the voice of Blind Charlie. “I’ve been in politics for forty-eight +years—ever since I was nineteen, when I cast my first vote. I’ve got +sharpened up considerable in that time, and while I haven’t <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>been in +on much in the last ten years, I can still smell a fat deal clean +across the state. For the last three months I’ve been smelling, and +smelling it keener every day, that you’ve got a rich game going.”</p> + +<p>“And so”—rather sarcastically—“you set Bruce on, to try to run the +game down!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I would use a little different figure of speech,” returned +Blind Charlie smoothly. “When I’ve got a coon up a hollow tree I build +a fire in the hollow to bring him down. Bruce is my fire.”</p> + +<p>“And you think your coon is coming down?”</p> + +<p>“I rather think he is. Don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I tell you he’s not! For there’s no coon up the tree!”</p> + +<p>“I see I’ve got to state the thing to you again,” said Blind Charlie +patiently, and so softly that Katherine had to strain her utmost to +get his words. “When I grew sure you had a big deal on about the +water-works, I saw that the only way to force you to let me in was to +put you in a fix where you would either have to split up or be in +danger of losing the whole thing. So I nominated Bruce. He’s one of +the easiest I ever took in; but, I tell you, he is certainly one hell +of a fighter! That’s what I nominated him for. You know as well as I +do the way he’s swinging the voters round. It beats anything I’ve ever +seen. If he keeps <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>this up till election, and if I pull off a couple +of good tricks I’ve got all ready, he’ll be a winner, sure! And +now”—Blind Charlie’s purring voice thrust out its claws—“either I +put Bruce in and smash your deal till it’s not worth a damn, or else +you come across!”</p> + +<p>“There’s nothing in it, I tell you!” declared Blake.</p> + +<p>“There’s no use keeping up that pretence,” continued Blind Charlie. +“You’ve had a day to think over my proposition. You know perfectly +well what your choice is between: a sure thing if you divide with me, +the risk of nothing if you refuse. So let’s waste no more time. Come, +which is it?”</p> + +<p>There was a long silence.</p> + +<p>“I understand,” commented Blind Charlie, with a soft sympathy that +Katherine knew was meant to bite like acid. “It’s hard for a +respectable man like you to mix up with Charlie Peck. But political +business makes strange bed-fellows, and unless you’re willing to sleep +with almost anybody you’d better keep out of this kind of business +altogether. But after all,” he added, “I guess it’s better to share a +good bed than to have no bed at all.”</p> + +<p>“What do you want?” Blake asked huskily.</p> + +<p>“Only my share of the bed,” blandly returned Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>“What’s that, in plain words?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p><p>“Not much. Only half of what you’re going to make.”</p> + +<p>Blake exploded.</p> + +<p>“Damn you, Peck, you’re nothing but a damned blackmailer!”</p> + +<p>“All right, I agree to that,” said Blind Charlie. Then he added in his +soft voice: “But if I’m a blackmailer in this affair, then please, Mr. +Blake, what do you call yourself?”</p> + +<p>“You—you——” To the crouching figure outside the window Blake seemed +to be half-choking. But suddenly he exploded again. “I’ll not do it, +Peck! I’ll not do it—never while God’s earth stands!”</p> + +<p>“I guess you will, Blake!” Blind Charlie’s voice was no longer soft; +it had a slow, grating, crunching sound. “Damn your soul, you’ve been +acting toward me with your holier-than-thou reformer’s attitude for +ten years. D’you think I’m a man to swallow that quietly? D’you think +I haven’t had it in for you all those ten years? Why, there hasn’t +been a minute that I haven’t been looking for my chance. And at last +I’ve got it! I’ve not only got a line on this water-works business, +but I’ve found out all about your pretty little deal with Adamson +during the last months you were Lieutenant-Governor!”</p> + +<p>“Adamson!” ejaculated Blake.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Adamson!” went on the harsh voice of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>Blind Charlie. “That hits +you where you live, eh! You didn’t know I had it, did you? Well, I +didn’t till to-day—but I’ve got it now all right! There, my cards are +all on the table. Look ’em over. I don’t want Bruce elected any more +than you do; but either you do what I say, or by God I turn over to +Bruce all I know about the Adamson affair and all I know about this +water-works deal! Now I give you just one minute to decide!”</p> + +<p>Katherine breathlessly awaited the answer. A space passed. She heard +Blind Charlie stand up.</p> + +<p>“Time’s up! Good night—and to hell with you!”</p> + +<p>“Wait! Wait!” Blake cried.</p> + +<p>“Then you accept?”</p> + +<p>Blake’s voice shook. “Before I answer, what do you want?”</p> + +<p>“I’ve already told you. Half of what you get.”</p> + +<p>“But I’m to get very little.”</p> + +<p>“Very little!” Blind Charlie’s voice was ironical; it had dropped its +tone of crushing menace. “Very little! Now I figure that you’ll get +the water-works for a third, or less, of their value. That’ll give you +something like half a million at the start-off, not to speak of the +regular profits later on. Now as for me,” he concluded drily, “I +wouldn’t call that such <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>a very little sum that I’d kick it out of my +way if I saw it lying in the road.”</p> + +<p>“But no such sum is lying there.”</p> + +<p>“No? Then what do you get?”</p> + +<p>Blake did not answer.</p> + +<p>“Come, speak out!”</p> + +<p>Blake’s voice came with an effort.</p> + +<p>“I’m not doing this for myself.”</p> + +<p>“Then who for?”</p> + +<p>Blake hesitated, then again spoke with an effort.</p> + +<p>“The National Electric & Water Company.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie swore in his surprise.</p> + +<p>“But I reckon you’re not doing it for them for charity?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what for?”</p> + +<p>Blake again remained silent.</p> + +<p>“Come, what for?” impatiently demanded Charlie.</p> + +<p>“For a seat in the Senate.”</p> + +<p>“That’s no good to me. What else?”</p> + +<p>“Fifty thousand dollars.”</p> + +<p>“The devil! Is that all?” ejaculated Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>“Everything.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie swore to himself for a moment. Then he fell into a deep +silence.</p> + +<p>“Well, what’s the matter?” Blake presently inquired.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p><p>“I was just wondering,” replied Blind Charlie, slowly, “if it wouldn’t +be better to call this business off between you and me.”</p> + +<p>“Call it off?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I never imagined you were playing for such a little pile as +fifty thousand. Since there’s only fifty thousand in it”—his voice +suddenly rang out with vindictive triumph—“I was wondering if it +wouldn’t pay me better to use what I know to help elect Bruce.”</p> + +<p>“Elect Bruce?” cried Blake in consternation.</p> + +<p>“Exactly. Show you up, and elect Bruce,” said Blind Charlie coolly. +“To elect my mayor—there’s more than fifty thousand for me in that.”</p> + +<p>There was a dismayed silence on Blake’s part. But after a moment he +recovered himself, and this time it was his voice that had the note of +ascendency.</p> + +<p>“You are forgetting one point, Mr. Peck,” said he.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>“Bruce’s election will not mean a cent to you. You will get no +offices. Moreover, the control of your party machinery will be sure to +pass from you to him.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right,” said the old man promptly. “See how quick I am to +acknowledge the corn. However, after all,” he added philosophically, +“what you’re getting is really enough for two. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>You take the +senatorship, and I’ll take the fifty thousand. What do you say to +that?”</p> + +<p>“What about Bruce—if I accept?”</p> + +<p>“Bruce? Bruce is just a fire to smoke the coon out. When the coon +comes down, I put out the fire.”</p> + +<p>“You mean?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that I’ll see that Bruce don’t get elected.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll make sure about that?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you just leave Bruce to me!” said Blind Charlie with grim +confidence. “And now, do you accept?”</p> + +<p>Blake was silent. He still shrunk from this undesirable alliance. +Outside, Katherine again breathlessly hung upon his answer.</p> + +<p>“What do you say?” demanded the old man sharply. “Do you accept? Or do +I smash you?”</p> + +<p>“I accept—of course.”</p> + +<p>“And we’ll see this thing through together?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then here you are. Let’s shake on it.”</p> + +<p>They talked on, dwelling on details of their partnership, Katherine +missing never a word.</p> + +<p>At length, their agreement completed, they left the room, and +Katherine slipped from the window across into the trees and made such +haste as she could through the night and the storm to where she had +left her horse. She <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>heard one car go slowly out the entrance of the +grove, its lamps dark that its visit might not be betrayed, and she +heard it turn cautiously into the back-country road. After a little +while she saw a glare shoot out before the car—its lamps had been +lighted—and she saw it skim rapidly away. Soon the second car crept +out, took the high back-country pike, and repeated the same tactics.</p> + +<p>Then Katherine untied Nelly, mounted, and started slowly homeward +along the River Road.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THROUGH THE STORM</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">B</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">owed</span> low to shield herself against the ever fiercer buffets of the +storm, Katherine gave Nelly free rein to pick her own way at her own +pace through the blackness. The rain volleyed into her pitilessly, the +wind sought furiously to wrest her from the saddle, the lightning +cracked open the heavens into ever more fiery chasms, and the thunder +rattled and rolled and reverberated as though a thousand battles were +waging in the valley. It was as if the earth’s dissolution were at +hand—as if the long-gathered wrath of the Judgment Day were rending +the earth asunder and hurling the fragments afar into the black abysm +of eternity.</p> + +<p>But Katherine, though gasping and shivering, gave minor heed to this +elemental rage. Whatever terror she might have felt another time at +such a storm, her brain had now small room for it. She was exultantly +filled with the magnitude of her discovery. The water-works deal! The +National Electric & Water Company! <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>Bruce not a bona fide candidate at +all, but only a pistol at Blake’s head to make him stand and deliver! +Blake and Blind Charlie—those two whole-hearted haters, who +belaboured each other so valiantly before the public—in a secret pact +to rob that same dear public!</p> + +<p>At the highest moments of her exultation it seemed that victory was +already hers; that all that remained was to proclaim to Westville on +the morrow what she knew. But beneath all her exultation was a dim +realization that the victory itself was yet to be won. What she had +gained was only a fuller knowledge of who her enemies were, and what +were their purposes.</p> + +<p>Her mind raced about her discovery, seeking how to use it as the basis +of her own campaign. But the moment of an extensive and astounding +discovery is not the moment for the evolving of well-calculated plans; +so the energies of her mind were spent on extravagant dreams or the +leaping play of her jubilation.</p> + +<p>One decision, however, she did reach. That was concerning Bruce. Her +first impulse was to go to him and tell him all, in triumphant +refutation of his ideas concerning woman in general, and her futility +in particular. But as she realized that she was not at the end of her +fight, but only at a better-informed beginning, she saw that the day +of her triumph over <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>him, if ever it was to come, had at least not yet +arrived. As for admitting him into her full confidence, her woman’s +pride was still too strong for that. It held her to her determination +to tell him nothing. She was going to see this thing through without +him.</p> + +<p>Moreover, she had another reason for silence. She feared, if she told +him all, his impetuous nature might prompt him to make a premature +disclosure of the information, and that would be disastrous to her +future plans. But since he was vitally concerned in Blake’s and Peck’s +agreement, it was at least his due that he be warned; and so she +decided to tell him, without giving her source of information, that +Blind Charlie proposed to sell him out.</p> + +<p>Nelly’s pace had slowed into a walk, and even then the gale at times +almost swept the poor horse staggering from the road. The rain drove +down in ever denser sheets. The occasional flashes of lightning served +only to emphasize the blackness. So dense was it, it seemed a solid. +The world could not seem blacker to a toad in the heart of a stone. +The instants of crackling fire showed Katherine the river, below her +in the valley, leaping, surging, almost out of its banks—the trees, +writhing and wrestling, here and there one jaggedly discrowned. And +once, as she was crossing a little wooden bridge that spanned a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>creek, she saw that it was almost afloat—and for an instant of +terror she wished she had followed the higher back-country road taken +by the two automobiles.</p> + +<p>She had reached the foot of Red Man’s Ridge, and was winding along the +river’s verge, when she thought she heard her name sound faintly +through the storm. She stopped Nelly and sat in sudden stiffness, +straining her ears. Again the voice sounded, this time nearer, and +there was no mistaking her name.</p> + +<p>“Miss West! Katherine!”</p> + +<p>She sat rigid, almost choking. The next minute a shapeless figure +almost collided with Nelly. It eagerly caught the bridle-rein and +called out huskily:</p> + +<p>“Is that you, Miss West?”</p> + +<p>She let out a startled cry.</p> + +<p>“Who are you? What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“It’s you! Thank God, I’ve found you!” cried the voice.</p> + +<p>“Arnold Bruce!” she ejaculated.</p> + +<p>He loosened the rein and moved to her side and put his hand upon the +back of her saddle.</p> + +<p>“Thank God I’ve found you!” he repeated, with a strange quaver to his +voice.</p> + +<p>“Arnold Bruce! What are you doing here?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you hear me shout after you, when you started, that I was +coming, too?”</p> + +<p>“I heard your voice, but not what you said.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p><p>“Do you think I would let you go out alone on a night like this?” he +demanded in his unstrung tone. “It’s no night for a man to be out, +much less a woman!”</p> + +<p>“You mean—you followed me?”</p> + +<p>“What else did you think I’d do?”</p> + +<p>“And on foot?”</p> + +<p>“If I had stopped to get a horse I’d have lost your direction. So I +ran after you.”</p> + +<p>They were moving on now, his hand upon the back of her saddle to link +them together in the darkness. He had to lean close to her that their +voices might be heard above the storm.</p> + +<p>“And you have run after me all this way?”</p> + +<p>“Ran and walked. But I couldn’t make much headway in the +storm—Calling out to you every few steps. I didn’t know what might +have happened to you. All kinds of pictures were in my mind. You might +have been thrown and be lying hurt. In the darkness the horse might +have wandered off the road and slipped with you into the river. It +was—it was——” She felt the strong forearm that lay against her back +quiver violently. “Oh, why did you do it!” he burst out.</p> + +<p>A strange, warm tingling crept through her.</p> + +<p>“I—I——” Something seemed to choke her.</p> + +<p>“Oh, why did you do it!” he repeated.</p> + +<p>Contrary to her determination of but a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>little while ago, an impulse +surged up in her to tell him all she had just learned, to tell him all +her plans. She hung for a moment in indecision. Then her old attitude, +her old determination, resumed its sway.</p> + +<p>“I had a suspicion that I might learn something about father’s case,” +she said.</p> + +<p>“It was foolishness!” he cried in fierce reproof, yet with the same +unnerved quaver in his voice. “You should have known you could find +nothing on such a night as this!”</p> + +<p>She felt half an impulse to retort sharply with the truth. But the +thought of his stumbling all that way in the blackness subdued her +rising impulse to triumph over him. So she made no reply at all.</p> + +<p>“You should never have come! If, when you started, you had stopped +long enough for me to speak to you, I could have told you you would +not have found out anything. You did not, now did you?”</p> + +<p>She still kept silent.</p> + +<p>“I knew you did not!” he cried in exasperated triumph. “Admit the +truth—you know you did not!”</p> + +<p>“I did not learn everything I had hoped.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t be afraid to acknowledge the truth!”</p> + +<p>“You remember what I said when you were first offered the nomination +by Mr. Peck—to beware of him?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p><p>“Yes. You were wrong. But let’s not talk about that now!”</p> + +<p>“I am certain now that I was right. I have the best of reasons for +believing that Mr. Peck intends to sell you out.”</p> + +<p>“What reasons?”</p> + +<p>She hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>“I cannot give them to you—now. But I tell you I am certain he is +planning treachery.”</p> + +<p>“Your talk is wild. As wild as your ride out here to-night.”</p> + +<p>“But I tell you——”</p> + +<p>“Let’s talk no more about it now,” he interrupted, brushing the matter +aside. “It—it doesn’t interest me now.”</p> + +<p>There was a blinding glare of lightning, then an awful clap of thunder +that rattled in wild echoes down the valley.</p> + +<p>“Oh, why did you come?” he cried, pressing closer. “Why did you come? +It’s enough to kill a woman!”</p> + +<p>“Hardly,” said she.</p> + +<p>“But you’re wet through,” he protested.</p> + +<p>“And so are you.”</p> + +<p>“Have my coat.” And he started to slip it off.</p> + +<p>“No. One more wet garment won’t make me any drier.”</p> + +<p>“Then put it over your head. To keep off this awful beat of the storm. +I’ll lead your horse.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p><p>“No, thank you; I’m all right,” she said firmly, putting out a hand +and checking his motion to uncoat himself. “You’ve been walking. I’ve +been riding. You need it more than I do.” And then she added: “Did I +hurt you much?”</p> + +<p>“Hurt me?”</p> + +<p>“When I struck you with my crop.”</p> + +<p>“That? I’d forgotten that.”</p> + +<p>“I’m very sorry—if I hurt you.”</p> + +<p>“It’s nothing. I wish you’d take my coat. Bend lower down.” And moving +forward, he so placed himself that his broad, strong body was a +partial shield to her against the gale.</p> + +<p>This new concern for her, the like of which he had never before +evinced the faintest symptoms, begot in her a strange, tingling, but +blurred emotion. They moved on side by side, now without speech, +gasping for the very breath that the gale sought to tear away from +their lips. The storm was momently gaining power and fury. Afterward +the ancient weather-men of Calloway County were to say that in their +time they had never seen its like. The lightning split the sky into +even more fearsome fiery chasms, and in the moments of wild +illumination they could see the road gullied by scores of impromptu +rivulets, could glimpse the broad river billowing and raging, the +cattle huddling terrified in the pastures, the woods <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>swaying and +writhing in deathlike grapple. The wind hurled by them in a thousand +moods and tones, all angry; a fine, high shrieking on its topmost +note—a hoarse snarl—a lull, as though the straining monster were +pausing to catch its breath—then a roaring, sweeping onrush as if +bent on irresistible destruction. And on top of this glare, this rage, +was the thousandfold crackle, rattle, rumble of the thunder.</p> + +<p>At such a time wild beasts, with hostility born in their blood, draw +close together. It was a storm to resolve, as it were, all complex +shades of human feeling into their elementary colours—when fear and +hate and love stand starkly forth, unqualified, unblended. Without +being aware that she was observing, Katherine sensed that Bruce’s +agitation was mounting with the storm. And as she felt his quivering +presence beside her in the furious darkness, her own emotion surged up +with a wild and startling strength.</p> + +<p>A tree top snapped off just before them with its toy thunder.</p> + +<p>“Will this never stop!” gasped Bruce, huskily. “God, I wish I had you +safe home!”</p> + +<p>The tremulous tensity in his voice set her heart to leaping with an +unrestraint yet wilder. But she did not answer.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Nelly stumbled in a gully and Katherine pitched forward from +the saddle. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>She would have fallen, had not a pair of strong arms +closed about her in mid-air.</p> + +<p>“Katherine—Katherine!” Bruce cried, distracted. Nelly righted herself +and Katherine regained her seat, but Bruce still kept his arm about +her. “Tell me—are you hurt?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>She felt the arms around her trembling with intensity.</p> + +<p>“No,” she said with a strange choking.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Katherine—Katherine!” he burst out. “If you only knew how I love +you!”</p> + +<p>What she felt could not crystallize itself into words.</p> + +<p>“Do you love me?” he asked huskily.</p> + +<p>Just then there was a flash of lightning. It showed her his upturned +face, appealing, tender, passion-wrought. A wild, exultant thrill +swept through her. Without thinking, without speaking, her tingling +arm reached out, of its own volition as it were, and closed about his +neck, and she bent down and kissed him.</p> + +<p>“Katherine!” he breathed hoarsely. “Katherine!” And he crushed her +convulsively to him.</p> + +<p>She lay thrilled in his arms.... After a minute they moved on, his arm +about her waist, her arm about his neck. Rain, wind, thunder were +forgotten. Forgotten were their theories of life. For that hour the +man and woman in them were supremely happy.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE CUP OF BLISS</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> next morning Katherine lay abed in that delicious lassitude which +is the compound of complete exhaustion and of a happiness that tingles +through every furthermost nerve. And as she lay there she thought +dazedly of the miracle that had come to pass. She had not even guessed +that she was in love with Arnold Bruce. In fact, she had been +resisting her growing admiration for him, and the day before she could +hardly have told whether her liking was greater than her hostility. +Then, suddenly, out there in the storm, all complex counter-feelings +had been swept side, and she had been revealed to herself.</p> + +<p>She was tremulously, tumultuously happy. She had had likings for men +before, but she had never guessed that love was such a mighty, +exultant thing as this. But, as she lay there, the thoughts that had +never come to her in the storm out there on the River Road, slipped +into her mind. Into her exultant, fearful, dizzy happiness there crept +a fear of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>future. She clung with all her soul to the ideas of the +life she wished to live; she knew that he, in all sincerity, was +militantly opposed to those ideas. Difference in religious belief had +brought bitterness, tragedy even, into the lives of many a pair of +lovers. The difference in their case was no less firmly held to on +either side, and she realized that the day must come when their ideas +must clash, when they two must fight it out. Quivering with love +though she was, she could but look forward to that inevitable day with +fear.</p> + +<p>But there were too many other new matters tossing in her brain for her +to dwell long upon this dread. At times she could but smile +whimsically at the perversity of love. The little god was doubtless +laughing in impish glee at what he had brought about. She had always +thought in a vague way that she would sometime marry, but she had +always regarded it as a matter of course that the man she would fall +in love with would be one in thorough sympathy with her ideas and who +would help her realize her dream. And here she had fallen in love with +that dreamed-of man’s exact antithesis!</p> + +<p>And yet, as she thought of Arnold Bruce, she could not imagine herself +loving any other man in all the world.</p> + +<p>Love gave her a new cause for jubilation over <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>her last night’s +discovery. Victory, should she win it, and win it before election, had +now an added value—it would help the man she loved. But as she +thought over her discovery, she realized that while she might create a +scandal with it, it was not sufficient evidence nor the particular +evidence that she desired. Blake and Peck would both deny the meeting, +and against Blake’s denial her word would count for nothing, either in +court or before the people of Westville. And she could not be present +at another conference with two or three witnesses, for the pair had +last night settled all matters and had agreed that it would be +unnecessary to meet again. Her discovery, she perceived more clearly +than on the night before, was not so much evidence as the basis for a +more enlightened and a more hopeful investigation.</p> + +<p>Another matter, one that had concerned her little while Bruce had held +but a dubious place in her esteem, now flashed into her mind and +assumed a large importance. The other party, as she knew, was using +Bruce’s friendship for her as a campaign argument against him; not on +the platform of course—it never gained that dignity—but in the +street, and wherever the followers of the hostile camps engaged in +political skirmish. Its sharpest use was by good housewives, with whom +suffrage could be exercised solely by influencing their husbands’ +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>ballots. “What, vote for Mr. Bruce! Don’t you know he’s a friend of +that woman lawyer? A man who can see anything in that Katherine West +is no fit man for mayor!”</p> + +<p>All this talk, Katherine now realized, was in some degree injuring +Bruce’s candidacy. With a sudden pain at the heart she now demanded of +herself, would it be fair to the man she loved to continue this open +intimacy? Should not she, for his best interests, urge him, require +him, to see her no more?</p> + +<p>She was in the midst of this new problem, when her Aunt Rachel brought +her in a telegram. She read it through, and on the instant the problem +fled her mind. She lay and thought excitedly—hour after hour—and her +old plans altered where they had been fixed, and took on definite form +where previously they had been unsettled.</p> + +<p>The early afternoon found her in the office of old Hosie +Hollingsworth.</p> + +<p>“What do you think of that?” she demanded, handing him the telegram.</p> + +<p>Old Hosie read it with a puzzled look. Then slowly he repeated it +aloud:</p> + +<p>“‘Bouncing boy arrived Tuesday morning. All doing well. John.’” He +raised his eyes to Katherine. “I’m always glad to see people lend the +census a helping hand,” he drawled. “But who in Old Harry is John?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p><p>“Mr. Henry Manning. The New York detective I told you about.”</p> + +<p>“Eh? Then what——”</p> + +<p>“It’s a cipher telegram,” Katherine explained with an excited smile. +“It means that he will arrive in Westville this afternoon, and will +stay as long as I need him.”</p> + +<p>“But what should he send that sort of a fool thing for?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you that he and I are to have no apparent relations +whatever? An ordinary telegram, coming through that gossiping Mr. +Gordon at the telegraph office, would have given us away. Now I’ve +come to you to talk over with you some new plans for Mr. Manning. But +first I want to tell you something else.”</p> + +<p>She briefly outlined what she had learned the night before; and then, +without waiting to hear out his ejaculations, rapidly continued: “I +told Mr. Manning to come straight to you, on his arrival, to learn how +matters stood. All my communications to him, and his to me, are to be +through you. Tell him everything, including about last night.”</p> + +<p>“And what is he to do?”</p> + +<p>“I was just coming to that.” Her brown eyes were gleaming with +excitement. “Here’s my plan. It seems to me that if Blind Charlie Peck +could force his way into Mr. Blake’s <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>scheme and become a partner in +it, then Mr. Manning can, too.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie blinked.</p> + +<p>“Eh? Eh? How?”</p> + +<p>“You are to tell Mr. Manning that he is Mr. Hartsell, or whoever he +pleases, a real estate dealer from the East, and that his ostensible +business in Westville is to invest in farm lands. Buying in run-down +or undrained farms at a low price and putting them in good condition, +that’s a profitable business these days. Besides, since you are an +agent for farm lands, that will explain his relations with you. +Understand?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. What next?”</p> + +<p>“Secretly, he is to go around studying the water-works. Only not so +secretly that he won’t be noticed.”</p> + +<p>“But what’s that for?”</p> + +<p>“Buying farm land is only a blind to hide his real business,” she went +on rapidly. “His real business here is to look into the condition of +the water-works with a view to buying them in. He is a private agent +of Seymour & Burnett; you remember I am empowered to buy the system +for Mr. Seymour. When Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck discover that a man is +secretly examining the water-works—and they’ll discover it all right; +when they discover that this man is the agent of Mr. Seymour, with all +the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>Seymour millions behind him—and we’ll see that they discover +that, too—don’t you see that when they make these discoveries this +may set them to thinking, and something may happen?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t just see it yet,” said Old Hosie slowly, “but it sounds like +there might be something mighty big there.”</p> + +<p>“When Mr. Blake learns there is another secret buyer in the field, a +rival buyer ready and able to run the price up to three times what he +expects to pay—why, he’ll see danger of his whole plan going to ruin. +Won’t his natural impulse be, rather than run such a risk, to try to +take the new man in?—just as he took in Blind Charlie Peck?”</p> + +<p>“I see! I see!” exclaimed Old Hosie. “By George, it’s mighty clever! +Then what next?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t see that far. But with Mr. Manning on the inside, our case is +won.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie leaned forward.</p> + +<p>“It’s great! Great! If you’re not above shaking hands with a mere +man——”</p> + +<p>“Now don’t make fun of me,” she cried, gripping the bony old palm.</p> + +<p>“And while you’re quietly turning this little trick,” he chuckled, +“the Honourable Harrison Blake will be carefully watching every move +of Elijah Stone, the best hippopotamus in the sleuth business, and be +doing right smart of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>private snickering at the simplicity of +womankind.”</p> + +<p>She flushed, but added soberly:</p> + +<p>“Of course it’s only a plan, and it may not work at all.”</p> + +<p>They talked the scheme over in detail. At length, shortly before the +hour at which the afternoon express from the East was due to arrive, +Katherine retired to her own office. Half an hour later, looking down +from her window, she saw the old surrey of Mr. Huggins’ draw up beside +the curb, in it a quietly dressed, middle-aged passenger who had the +appearance of a solid man of affairs. He crossed the sidewalk and a +little later Katherine heard him enter Old Hosie’s office on the floor +below. After a time she saw the stranger go out and drive around the +Square to the Tippecanoe House, Peck’s hotel, where Katherine had +directed that Mr. Manning be sent to facilitate his being detected by +the enemy.</p> + +<p>Her plan laid, Katherine saw there was little she could do but await +developments—and in the meantime to watch Blake, which Mr. Mannings’ +rôle would not permit his doing, and to watch and study Doctor +Sherman. Despite this new plan, and her hopes in it, she realized that +it was primarily a plan to defeat Blake’s scheme against the city. She +still considered Doctor Sherman the pivotal character <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>in her father’s +case; he was her father’s accuser, the man who, she believed more +strongly every day, could clear him with a few explanatory words. So +she determined to watch him none the less closely because of her new +plan—to keep her eyes upon him for signs that might show his +relations to Blake’s scheme—to watch for signs of the breaking of his +nerve, and at the first sign to pounce accusingly upon him.</p> + +<p>When she reached home that afternoon she found Bruce awaiting her. +Since morning, mixed with her palpitating love and her desire to see +him, there had been dread of this meeting. In the back of her mind the +question had all day tormented her, should she, for his own interests, +send him away? But sharper than this, sharper a hundredfold, was the +fear lest the difference between their opinions should come up.</p> + +<p>But Bruce showed no inclination to approach this difference. Love was +too new and near a thing for him to wander from the present. For this +delay she was fervently grateful, and forgetful of all else she leaned +back in a big old walnut chair and abandoned herself completely to her +happiness, which might perhaps be all too brief. They talked of a +thousand things—talk full of mutual confession: of their former +hostility, of what it was that had drawn their love to one another, of +last night <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>out in the storm. The spirits of both ran high. Their joy, +as first joy should be, was sparkling, effervescent.</p> + +<p>After a time she sat in silence for several moments, smiling +half-tenderly, half-roguishly, into his rugged, square-hewed face, +with its glinting glasses and its <i>chevaux de frise</i> of bristling +hair.</p> + +<p>“Well,” he demanded, “what are you thinking about?”</p> + +<p>“I was thinking what very bad eyes I have.”</p> + +<p>“Bad eyes?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. For up to yesterday I always considered you——But perhaps you +are thin-skinned about some matters?”</p> + +<p>“Me thin-skinned? I’ve got the epidermis of a crocodile!”</p> + +<p>“Well, then—up to yesterday I always thought you—but you’re sure you +won’t mind?”</p> + +<p>“I tell you I’m so thick-skinned that it meets in the middle!”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, till yesterday I always thought you rather ugly.”</p> + +<p>“Glory be! Eureka! Excelsior!”</p> + +<p>“Then you don’t mind?”</p> + +<p>“Mind?” cried he. “Did you think that I thought I was pretty?”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know,” she replied with her provoking, happy smile, “for men +are such conceited creatures.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p><p>“I’m not authorized to speak for the rest, but I’m certainly +conceited,” he returned promptly. “For I’ve always believed myself one +of the ugliest animals in the whole human menagerie. And at last my +merits are recognized.”</p> + +<p>“But I said ‘till yesterday’,” she corrected. “Since then, somehow, +your face seems to have changed.”</p> + +<p>“Changed?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I think you are growing rather good-looking.” Behind her happy +raillery was a tone of seriousness.</p> + +<p>“Good-looking? Me good-looking? And that’s the way you dash my hopes!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. Good-looking.”</p> + +<p>“Woman, you don’t know what sorrow is in those words you spoke! Just +to think,” he said mournfully, “that all my life I’ve fondled the +belief that when I was made God must have dropped the clay while it +was still wet.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry——”</p> + +<p>“Don’t try to comfort me. The blow’s too heavy.” He slowly shook his +head. “I never loved a dear gazelle——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mean the usual sort of good-looking,” she consoled him. +“But good-looking like an engine, or a crag, or a mountain.”</p> + +<p>“Well, at any rate,” he said with solemn resignation, “it’s something +to know the particular type of beauty that I am.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p><p>Suddenly they both burst into merry laughter.</p> + +<p>“But I’m really in earnest,” she protested. “For you really are +good-looking!”</p> + +<p>He leaned forward, caught her two hands in his powerful grasp and +almost crushed his lips against them.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it’s just as well you don’t mind my face, dear,” he +half-whispered, “for, you know, you’re going to see a lot of it.”</p> + +<p>She flushed, and her whole being seemed to swim in happiness. They did +not speak for a time; and she sat gazing with warm, luminous eyes into +his rugged, determined face, now so soft, so tender.</p> + +<p>But suddenly her look became very grave, for the question of the +morning had recurred to her. Should she not give him up?</p> + +<p>“May I speak about something serious?” she asked with an effort. +“Something very serious?”</p> + +<p>“About anything in the world!” said he.</p> + +<p>“It’s something I was thinking about this morning, and all day,” she +said. “I’m afraid I haven’t been very thoughtful of you. And I’m +afraid you haven’t been very thoughtful of yourself.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“We’ve been together quite often of late.”</p> + +<p>“Not often enough!”</p> + +<p>“But often enough to set people talking.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p><p>“Let ’em talk!”</p> + +<p>“But you must remember——”</p> + +<p>“Let’s stop their tongues,” he interrupted.</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“By announcing our engagement.” He gripped her hands. “For we are +engaged, aren’t we?”</p> + +<p>“I—I don’t know,” she breathed.</p> + +<p>“Don’t know?” He stared at her. “Why, you’re white as a sheet! You’re +not in earnest?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“What does this mean?”</p> + +<p>“I—I had started to tell you. You must remember that I am an +unpopular person, and that in my father I am representing an unpopular +man. And you must remember that you are candidate for mayor.”</p> + +<p>He had begun to get her drift.</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I am afraid our being together will lessen your chances. And I +don’t want to do anything in the world that will injure you.”</p> + +<p>“Then you think——”</p> + +<p>“I think—I think”—she spoke with difficulty—“we should stop seeing +each other.”</p> + +<p>“For my sake?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>He bent nearer and looked her piercingly in the eyes.</p> + +<p>“But for your own sake?” he demanded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p><p>She did not speak.</p> + +<p>“But for your own sake?” he persisted.</p> + +<p>“For my sake—for my sake——” Half-choked, she broke off.</p> + +<p>“Honest now? Honest?”</p> + +<p>She did not realize till that moment all it would mean to her to see +him no more.</p> + +<p>“For my own sake——” Suddenly her hands tightened about his and she +pressed them to her face. “For my sake—never! never!”</p> + +<p>“And do you think that I——” He gathered her into his strong arms. +“Let them talk!” he breathed passionately against her cheek. “We’ll +win the town in spite of it!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE CANDIDATE AND THE TIGER</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> town’s talk continued, as Katherine knew it would. But though she +resented it in Bruce’s behalf, it was of small importance in her +relationship with him compared with the difference in their opinions. +She was in constant fear, every time he called, lest that difference +should come up. But it did not on the next day, nor on the next. He +was too full of love on the one hand, too full of his political fight +on the other. The more she saw of him the more she loved him, so +thoroughly fine, so deeply tender, was he—and the more did she dread +that avoidless day when their ideas must come into collision, so +masterful was he, so certain that he was right.</p> + +<p>On the fourth evening after their stormy ride she thought the +collision was at hand.</p> + +<p>“There is something serious I want to speak to you about,” he began, +as they sat in the old-fashioned parlour. “You know what the storm has +done to the city water. It has washed all the summer’s accumulation of +filth down into <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>the streams that feed the reservoir, and since the +filtering plant is out of commission the water has been simply +abominable. The people are complaining louder than ever. Blake and the +rest of his crew are telling the public that this water is a sample of +what everything will be like if I’m elected. It’s hurting me, and +hurting me a lot. I don’t blame the people so much for being +influenced by what Blake says, for, of course, they don’t know what’s +going on beneath the surface. But I’ve got to make some kind of a +reply, and a mighty strong one, too. Now here’s where I want you to +help me.”</p> + +<p>“What can I do?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“If I could only tell the truth—what a regular knock-out of a reply +that would be!” he exclaimed. “Some time ago you told me to wait—you +expected to have the proof a little later. Do you have any idea how +soon you will have your evidence?”</p> + +<p>Again she felt the impulse to tell him all she knew and all her plans. +But a medley of motives worked together to restrain her. There was the +momentum of her old decision to keep silent. There was the knowledge +that, though he loved her as a woman, he still held her in low esteem +as a lawyer. There was the instinct that what she knew, if saved, +might in some way serve her when they two fought <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>their battle. And +there was the thrilling dream of waiting till she had all her evidence +gathered and then bringing it triumphantly to him—and thus enable him +through her to conquer.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I can’t give you the proof for a while yet,” she replied.</p> + +<p>She saw that he was impatient at the delay, that he believed she would +discover nothing. She expected the outbreak that very instant. She +expected him to demand that she turn the case over to the Indianapolis +lawyer he had spoken to her about, who <i>would</i> be able to make some +progress; to demand that she give up law altogether, and demand that +as his intended wife she give up all thought of an independent +professional career. She nerved herself for the shock of battle.</p> + +<p>But it did not come.</p> + +<p>“All right,” he said. “I suppose I’ll have to wait a little longer, +then.”</p> + +<p>He got up and paced the floor.</p> + +<p>“But I can’t let Blake and his bunch go on saying those things without +any kind of an answer from me. I’ve got to talk back, or get out of +the fight!”</p> + +<p>He continued pacing to and fro, irked by his predicament, frowning +with thought. Presently he paused before her.</p> + +<p>“Here is what I’m going to say,” he announced decisively. “Since I +cannot tell the whole truth, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>I’m going to tell a small part of the +truth. I’m going to say that the condition of the water is due to +intentional mismanagement on the part of the present +administration—which everybody knows is dominated by Blake. Blake’s +party, in order to prevent my election on a municipal ownership +platform, in order to make sure of remaining in power, is purposely +trying to make municipal ownership fail. And I’m going to say this as +often, and as hard, as I can!”</p> + +<p>In the days that followed he certainly did say it hard, both in the +<i>Express</i> and in his speeches. The charge had not been made publicly +before, and, stated with Bruce’s tremendous emphasis, it now created a +sensation. Everybody talked about it; it gave a yet further excitement +to a most exciting campaign. There was vigorous denial from Blake, his +fellow candidates, and from the <i>Clarion</i>, which was supporting the +Blake ticket. Again and again the <i>Clarion</i> denounced Bruce’s charge +as merely the words of a demagogue, a yellow journalist—merely the +irresponsible and baseless calumny so common in campaigns. +Nevertheless, it had the effect that Bruce intended. His stock took a +new jump, and sentiment in his favour continued to grow at a rate that +made him exult and that filled the enemy with concern.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p><p>This inquietude penetrated the side office of the Tippecanoe House and +sorely troubled the heart of Blind Charlie Peck. So, early one +afternoon, he appeared in the office of the editor of the <i>Express</i>. +His reception was rather more pleasant than on the occasion of his +first visit, now over a month before; for, although Katherine had +repeated her warning, Bruce had given it little credit. He did not +have much confidence in her woman’s judgment. Besides, he was +reassured by the fact that Blind Charlie had, in every apparent +particular, adhered to his bargain to keep hands off.</p> + +<p>“Just wait a second,” Bruce said to his caller; and turning back to +his desk he hastily scribbled a headline over an item about a case of +fever down in River Court. This he sent down to the composing-room, +and swung around to the old politician. “Well, now, what’s up?”</p> + +<p>“I just dropped around,” said Blind Charlie, with his good-natured +smile, “to congratulate you on the campaign you’re making. You’re +certainly putting up a fine article of fight!”</p> + +<p>“It does look as if we had a pretty fair chance of winning,” returned +Bruce, confidently.</p> + +<p>“Great! Great!” said Blind Charlie heartily. “I certainly made no +mistake when I picked you out as the one man that could win for us.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p><p>“Thanks. I’ve done my best. And I’m going to keep it up.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. I told you I looked on it as my last campaign. I’m +pretty old, and my heart’s not worth a darn. When I go, whether it’s +up or down, I’ll travel a lot easier for having first soaked Blake +good and proper.”</p> + +<p>Bruce did not answer. He expected Blind Charlie to leave; in fact, he +wanted him to go, for it lacked but a quarter of an hour of press +time. But instead of departing, Blind Charlie settled back in his +chair, crossed his legs and leisurely began to cut off a comfortable +mouthful from his plug of tobacco.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, it’s a great fight,” he continued. “It doesn’t seem that it +could be improved on. But a little idea has come to me that may +possibly help. It may not be any good at all, but I thought it +wouldn’t do any harm to drop in and suggest it to you.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be glad to hear it,” returned Bruce. “But couldn’t we talk it +over, say in half an hour? It’s close to press time, and I’ve got some +proofs to look through—in fact the proof of an article on that +water-works charge of mine.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’ll only take a minute or two,” said Blind Charlie. “And you may +want to make use of my idea in this afternoon’s paper.”</p> + +<p>“Well, go ahead. Only remember that at this hour the press is my +boss.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p><p>“Of course, of course,” said Blind Charlie amiably. “Well, here’s to +business: Now I guess I’ve been through about as many elections as you +are years old. It isn’t what the people think in the middle of the +campaign that wins. It’s what they think on election day. I’ve seen +many a horse that looked like he had the race on ice at the three +quarters licked to a frazzle in the home stretch. Same with +candidates. Just now you look like a winner. What we want is to make +sure that you’ll still be out in front when you go under the wire.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes,” said Bruce impatiently. “What’s your plan?”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got the people with you now,” the old man continued, “and we +want to make sure you don’t lose ’em. This water-works charge of yours +has been a mighty good move. But I’ve had my ear to the ground. I’ve +had it to the ground for nigh on fifty years, and if there’s any kind +of a political noise, you can bet I hear it. Now I’ve detected some +sounds which tell me that your water-works talk is beginning to react +against you.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t say! I haven’t noticed it.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not; if you had, there’d be no use for me to come here and +tell you,” returned Blind Charlie blandly. “That’s where the value of +my political ear comes in. Now in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>my time I’ve seen many a sensation +react and swamp the man that started it. That’s what we’ve got to look +out for and guard against.”</p> + +<p>“U’m! And what do you think we ought to do?”</p> + +<p>Bruce was being taken in a little easier than Blind Charlie had +anticipated.</p> + +<p>“If I were you,” the old man continued persuasively, “I’d pitch the +tune of the whole business in a little lower key. Let up on the big +noise you’re making—cut out some of the violent statements. I think +you understand. Take my word for it, quieter tactics will be a lot +more effective at this stage of the game. You’ve got the people—you +don’t want to scare them away.”</p> + +<p>Bruce stared thoughtfully, and without suspicion, at the +loose-skinned, smiling, old face.</p> + +<p>“U’m!” he said. “U’m!”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie waited patiently for two or three minutes.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you think?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“You may be right,” Bruce slowly admitted.</p> + +<p>“There’s no doubt of it,” the old politician pleasantly assured him.</p> + +<p>“And of course I’m much obliged. But I’m afraid I disagree with you.”</p> + +<p>“Eh?” said Blind Charlie, with the least trace of alarm.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p><p>Bruce’s face tightened, and the flat of his hand came down upon his +desk.</p> + +<p>“When you start a fight, the way to win is to keep on fighting. And +that’s what I’m going to do.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie started forward in his chair.</p> + +<p>“See here,” he began, authoritatively. But in an instant his voice +softened. “You’ll be making a big mistake if you do that. Better trust +to my older head in this. I want to win as much as you do, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I admit you may be right,” said Bruce doggedly. “But I’m going to +fight right straight ahead.”</p> + +<p>“Come, now, listen to reason.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve heard your reasons. And I’m going right on with the fight.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie’s face grew grim, but his voice was still gentle and +insinuating.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you are, are you? And give no attention to my advice?”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry, but that’s the way I see it.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry, but that’s the way I don’t see it.”</p> + +<p>“I know; but I guess I’m running this campaign,” retorted Bruce a +little hotly.</p> + +<p>“And I guess the party chairman has some say-so, too.”</p> + +<p>“I told you, when I accepted, that I would take the nomination without +strings, or I wouldn’t take it at all. And you agreed.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p><p>“I didn’t agree to let you ruin the party.”</p> + +<p>Bruce looked at him keenly, for the first time suspicious. Katherine’s +warning echoed vaguely in his head.</p> + +<p>“See here, Charlie Peck, what the devil are you up to?”</p> + +<p>“Better do as I say,” advised Peck.</p> + +<p>“I won’t!”</p> + +<p>“You won’t, eh?” Blind Charlie’s face had grown hard and dark with +threats. “If you don’t,” he said, “I’m afraid the boys won’t see your +name on the ticket on election day.”</p> + +<p>Bruce sprang up.</p> + +<p>“Damn you! What do you mean by that?”</p> + +<p>“I reckon you’re not such an infant that you need that explained.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right; I’m not!” cried Bruce. “And so you threaten to send +word around to the boys to knife me on election day?”</p> + +<p>“As I said, I guess I don’t need to explain.”</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t, for I now see why you came here,” cried Bruce, his +wrath rising as he realized that he had been hoodwinked by Blind +Charlie from the very first. “So there’s a frame-up between you and +Blake, and you’re trying to sell me out and sell out the party! You +first tried to wheedle me into laying down—and when I wouldn’t be +fooled, you turned to threats!”</p> + +<p>“The question isn’t what I came for,” <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>snapped Blind Charlie. “The +question is, what are you going to do? Either you do as I say, or not +one of the boys will vote for you. Now I want your answer.”</p> + +<p>“You want my answer, do you? Why—why——” Bruce glared down at the +old man in a fury. “Well, by God, you’ll get my answer, and quick!”</p> + +<p>He dropped down before his typewriter, ran in a sheet of paper, and +for a minute the keys clicked like mad. Then he jerked out the sheet +of paper, scribbled a cabalistic instruction across its top, sprang to +his office door and let out a great roar of “Copy!”</p> + +<p>He quickly faced about upon Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>“Here’s my answer. Listen:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“‘This afternoon Charlie Peck called at the office of the +<i>Express</i> and ordered its editor, who is candidate for +mayor, to cease from his present aggressive campaign +tactics. He threatened, in case the candidate refused, to +order the “boys” to knife him at the polls.</p> + +<p>“‘The candidate refused.</p> + +<p>“‘Voters of Westville, do your votes belong to you, or do +they belong to Charlie Peck?’</p></div> + +<p>“That’s my answer, Peck. It all goes in big, black type in a box in +the centre of the first page of this afternoon’s paper. We’ll see +whether the party will stand for your methods.” At this instant the +grimy young servitor of the press appeared. “Here, boy. Rush that +right down.”</p> + +<p>“Hold on!” cried Peck in consternation. “You’re not going to print +that thing?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p><p>“Unless the end of the world happens along just about now, that’ll be +on the street in half an hour.” Bruce stepped to the door and opened +it wide. “And, now, clear out! You and your votes can go plum to +hell!”</p> + +<p>“Damn you! But that piece will do you no good. I’ll deny it!”</p> + +<p>“Deny it—for God’s sake do! Then everybody will know I’m telling the +truth. And let me warn you, Charlie Peck—I’m going to find out what +your game is! I’m going to show you up! I’m going to wipe you clear +off the political map!”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie swore at him again as he passed out of the door.</p> + +<p>“We’re not through with each other yet—remember that!”</p> + +<p>“You bet we’re not!” Bruce shouted after him. “And when we are, +there’ll not be enough of you left to know what’s happened!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">wo</span> hours later Bruce was striding angrily up and down the West +parlour, telling Katherine all about it.</p> + +<p>She refrained from saying, “I told you so,” by either word or look. +She was too wise for such a petty triumph. Besides, there was +something in that afternoon’s <i>Express</i>, which Bruce had handed her +that interested her far more than his wrathful recital of Blind +Charlie’s treachery; and although she was apparently giving Bruce her +entire attention, and was in fact mechanically taking in his words, +her mind was excitedly playing around this second piece of news.</p> + +<p>For Doctor Sherman, so said the <i>Express</i>, had that day suddenly left +Westville. He had been failing in health for many weeks and was on the +verge of a complete breakdown, the <i>Express</i> sympathetically +explained, and at last had yielded to the importunities of his worried +congregation that he take a long vacation. He had gone to the pine +woods of the North, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>and to insure the unbroken rest he so +imperatively required, to prevent the possibility of appealing letters +of inconsiderate parishioners or other cares from following him into +his isolation, he had, at his doctor’s command, left no address +behind.</p> + +<p>Katherine instantly knew that this vacation was a flight. The +situation in Westville had grown daily more intense, and Doctor +Sherman had seemed to her to be under an ever-increasing strain. +Blake, she was certain, had ordered the young clergyman to leave, +fearing, if he remained, that his nerve might break and he might +confess his true relation to her father’s case. She realized that now, +when Doctor Sherman was apparently weakening, was the psychological +time to besiege him with accusation and appeal; and while Bruce was +rehearsing his scene with Blind Charlie she was rapidly considering +means for seeking out Doctor Sherman and coming face to face with him.</p> + +<p>Her mind was brought back from its swift search by Bruce swinging a +chair up before her and sitting down.</p> + +<p>“But, Katherine—I’ll show Peck!” he cried, fiercely, exultantly. “He +doesn’t know what a fight he’s got ahead of him. This frees me +entirely from him and his machine, and I’m going to beat him so bad +that I’ll drive him clear out of politics.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p><p>She nodded. That was exactly what she was secretly striving to help +him do.</p> + +<p>He became more composed, and for a hesitant, silent moment he peered +thoughtfully into her eyes.</p> + +<p>“But, Katherine—this affair with Peck this afternoon shows me I am up +against a mighty stiff proposition,” he said, speaking with the +slowness of one who is shaping his statements with extreme care. “I +have got to fight a lot harder than I thought I would have to three +hours ago, when I thought I had Peck with me. To beat him, and beat +Blake, I have got to have every possible weapon. Consequently, +circumstances force me to speak of a matter that I wish I did not have +to talk about.” He reached forward and took her hand. “But, remember, +dear,” he besought her tenderly, “that I don’t want to hurt you. +Remember that.”</p> + +<p>She felt a sudden tightening about the heart.</p> + +<p>“Yes—what is it?” she asked quietly.</p> + +<p>“Remember, dear, that I don’t want to hurt you,” he repeated. “It’s +about your father’s case. You see how certain victory would be if we +only had the evidence to prove what we know?”</p> + +<p>“I see.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t mean to say one single unkind word about your not having +made—having made—more <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>encouraging progress.” He pressed her hand; +his tone was gentle and persuasive. “I’ll confess I have secretly felt +some impatience, but I have not pressed the matter because—well, you +see that in this critical situation, with election so near, I’m forced +to speak about it now.”</p> + +<p>“What would you like?” she said with an effort.</p> + +<p>“You see we cannot afford any more delays, any more risks. We have got +to have the quickest possible action. We have got to use every measure +that may get results. Now, dear, you would not object, would you, if +at this critical juncture, when every hour is so valuable, we were to +put the whole matter in the hands of my Indianapolis lawyer friend I +spoke to you about?”</p> + +<p>The gaze she held upon his continued steady, but she was pulsing +wildly within and she had to swallow several times before she could +speak.</p> + +<p>“You—you think he can do better than I can?”</p> + +<p>“I do not want to say a single word that will reflect on you, dear. +But we must admit the facts. You have had the case for over four +months, and we have no real evidence as yet.”</p> + +<p>“And you think he can get it?”</p> + +<p>“He’s very shrewd, very experienced. He’ll follow up every clue with +detectives. If any <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>man can succeed in the short time that remains, he +can.”</p> + +<p>“Then you—you think I can’t succeed?”</p> + +<p>“Come, dear, let’s be reasonable!”</p> + +<p>“But I think I can.”</p> + +<p>“But, Katherine!” he expostulated.</p> + +<p>She felt what was coming.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I can—if you will only trust me a little longer!” she said +desperately.</p> + +<p>He dropped her hand.</p> + +<p>“You mean that, though I ask you to give it up, you want to continue +the case?”</p> + +<p>She grew dizzy, his figure swam before her.</p> + +<p>“I—I think I do.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why——” He broke off. “I can’t tell you how surprised I am!” he +exclaimed. “I have said nothing of late because I was certain that, if +I gave nature a little time in which to work, there would be no need +to argue the matter with you. I was certain that, now that love had +entered your life, your deeper woman’s instincts would assert +themselves and you would naturally desire to withdraw from the case. +In fact, I was certain that your wish to practise law, your ambition +for a career outside the home, would sink into insignificance—and +that you would have no desire other than to become a true woman of the +home, where I want my wife to be, where she belongs. Oh, come now, +Katherine,” he added with a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>rush of his dominating confidence, taking +her hand again, “you know that’s just what you’re going to do!”</p> + +<p>She sat throbbing, choking. She realized that the long-feared battle +was now inevitably at hand. For the moment she did not know whether +she was going to yield or fight. Her love of him, her desire to please +him, her fear of what might be the consequence if she crossed him, all +impelled her toward surrender; her deep-seated, long-clung-to +principles impelled her to make a stand for the life of her dreams. +She was a tumult of counter instincts and emotions. But excited as she +was, she found herself looking on at herself in a curious detachment, +palpitantly wondering which was going to win—the primitive woman in +her, the product of thousands of generations of training to fit man’s +desire, or this other woman she contained, shaped by but a few brief +years, who had come ardently to believe that she had the right to be +what she wanted to be, no matter what the man required.</p> + +<p>“Oh, come now, dear,” Bruce assured her confidently, yet half +chidingly, “you know you are going to give it all up and be just my +wife!”</p> + +<p>She gazed at his rugged, resolute face, smiling at her now with that +peculiar forgiving tenderness that an older person bestows upon a +child that is about to yield its childish whim.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p><p>“There now, it’s all settled,” he said, smoothing her hand. “And we’ll +say no more about it.”</p> + +<p>And then words forced their way up out of her turbulent indecision.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid it isn’t settled.”</p> + +<p>His eyebrows rose in surprise.</p> + +<p>“No?”</p> + +<p>“No. I want to be your wife, Arnold. But—but I can’t give up the +other.”</p> + +<p>“What! You’re in earnest?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“I am—with all my heart!”</p> + +<p>He sank back and stared at her. If further answer were needed, her +pale, set face gave it to him. His quick anger began to rise, but he +forced it down.</p> + +<p>“That puts an entirely new face on the matter,” he said, trying to +speak calmly. “The question, instead of merely concerning the next few +weeks, concerns our whole lives.”</p> + +<p>She tried to summon all her strength, all her faculties, for the shock +of battle.</p> + +<p>“Just so,” she answered</p> + +<p>“Then we must go over the matter very fully,” he said. His command +over himself grew more easy. He believed that what he had to do was to +be patient, and talk her out of her absurdity. “You must understand, +of course,” he went on, smiling at her tenderly, “that I want to +support my wife, and that I <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>am able to support my wife. I want to +protect her—shield her—have her lean upon me. I want her to be the +goddess of my home. The goddess of my home, Katherine! That’s what I +want. You understand, dear, don’t you?”</p> + +<p>She saw that he confidently expected her to yield to his ideal and +accept it, and she now knew that she could never yield. She paused a +space before she spoke, in a sort of terror of what might be the +consequence of the next few moments.</p> + +<p>“I understand you,” she said, duplicating his tone of reason. “But +what shall I do in the home? I dislike housework.”</p> + +<p>“There’s no need of your doing it,” he promptly returned. “I can +afford servants.”</p> + +<p>“Then what shall I do in the home?” she repeated.</p> + +<p>“Take things easy. Enjoy yourself.”</p> + +<p>“But I don’t want to enjoy myself. I want to do things. I want to +work.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come, be reasonable,” he said, with his tolerant smile. “You +know that’s quite out of the question.”</p> + +<p>“Since you are going to pay servants,” she persisted, “why should I +idle about the house? Why should not I, an able-bodied person, be out +helping in the world’s work somehow—and also helping you to earn a +living?”</p> + +<p>“Help me earn a living!” He flushed, but <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>his resentment subsided. +“When I asked you to marry me I implied in that question that I was +able and willing to support you. Really, Katherine, it’s quite absurd +for you to talk about it. There is no financial necessity whatever for +you to work.”</p> + +<p>“You mean, then, that I should not work because, in you, I have enough +to live upon?”</p> + +<p>“Of course!”</p> + +<p>“Do you know any man, any real man I mean,” she returned quickly, “who +stops work in the vigour of his prime merely because he has enough +money to live upon? Would you give up your work to-morrow if some one +were willing to support you?”</p> + +<p>“Now, don’t be ridiculous, Katherine! That’s quite a different +question. I’m a man, you know.”</p> + +<p>“And work is a necessity for you?”</p> + +<p>“Why, of course.”</p> + +<p>“And you would not be happy without it?” she eagerly pursued.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not.”</p> + +<p>“And you are right there! But what you don’t seem to understand is, +that I have the same need, the same love, for work that you have. If +you could only recognize, Arnold, that I have the same feelings in +this matter that you have, then you would understand me. I demand for +myself the right that all men <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>possess as a matter of course—the +right to work!”</p> + +<p>“If you must work,” he cried, a little exasperated, “why, of course, +you can help in the housework.”</p> + +<p>“But I also demand the right to choose my work. Why should I do work +which I do not like, for which I have no aptitude, and which I should +do poorly, and give up work which interests me, for which I have been +trained, and for which I believe I have an aptitude?”</p> + +<p>“But don’t you realize, in doing it, if you are successful, you are +taking the bread out of a man’s mouth?” he retorted.</p> + +<p>“Then every man who has a living income, and yet works, is also taking +the bread out of a man’s mouth. But does a real man stop work because +of that? Besides, if you use that argument, then in doing my own +housework I’d be taking the bread out of a woman’s mouth.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why——” he stammered. His face began to redden. “We shouldn’t +belittle our love with this kind of talk. It’s all so material, so +sordid.”</p> + +<p>“It’s not sordid to me!” she cried, stretching out a hand to him. +“Don’t be angry, Arnold. Try to understand me—please do, please do. +Work is a necessity of life to you. It is also a necessity of life to +me. I’m fighting with <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>you for the right to work. I’m fighting with +you for my life!”</p> + +<p>“Then you place work, your career, above our happiness together?” he +demanded angrily.</p> + +<p>“Not at all,” she went on rapidly, pleadingly. “But I see no reason +why there should not be both. Our happiness should be all the greater +because of my work. I’ve studied myself, Arnold, and I know what I +need. To be thoroughly happy, I need work; useful work, work that +interests me. I tell you we’ll be happier, and our happiness will last +longer, if only you let me work. I know! I know!”</p> + +<p>“Dream stuff! You’re following a mere will-o’-the-wisp!”</p> + +<p>“That’s what women have been following in the past,” she returned +breathlessly. “Look among your married friends. How many ideally happy +couples can you count? Very, very few. And why are there so few? One +reason is, because the man finds, after the novelty is worn off, that +his wife is uninteresting, has nothing to talk about; and so his love +cools to a good-natured, passive tolerance of her. Most married men, +when alone with their wives, sit in stupid silence. But see how the +husband livens up if a man joins them! This man has been out in the +interesting world. The wife has been cooped up at home. The man has +something to talk about. The wife <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>has not. Well, I am going to be out +in the interesting world, doing something. I am going to have +something to talk to my husband about. I am going to be interesting to +him, as interesting to him as any man. And I am going to try to hold +his love, Arnold, the love of his heart, the love of his head, to the +very end!”</p> + +<p>He was exasperated by her persistence, but he still held himself in +check.</p> + +<p>“That sounds very plausible to you. But there is one thing in your +argument you forget.”</p> + +<p>“And that?”</p> + +<p>“We are grown-up people, you and I. I guess we can talk straight out.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Go on!”</p> + +<p>He gazed at her very steadily for a moment.</p> + +<p>“There are such things as children, you know.”</p> + +<p>She returned his steady look.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” she said quickly. “Every normal woman wants children. And +I should want them too.”</p> + +<p>“There—that settles it,” he said with triumph. “You can’t combine +children and a profession.”</p> + +<p>“But I can!” she cried. “And I should give the children the very best +possible care, too! Of course there are successive periods in which +the mother would have to give her whole attention to the children. But +if she lives <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>till she is sixty-five the sum total of her forty or +forty-five married years that she has to give up wholly to her +children amounts to but a few years. There remains all the balance of +her life that she could give to other work. Do you realize how +tremendously the world is changing, and how women’s work is changing +with it?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, let’s don’t mix in statistics, and history, and economics with +our love!”</p> + +<p>“But we’ve got to if our love is to last!” she cried. “We’re living in +a time when things are changing. We’ve got to consider the changes. +And the greatest changes are, and are going to be, in woman’s work. Up +in our attic are my great-grandmother’s wool carders, her spinning +wheel, her loom, all sorts of things; she spun, wove, made all the +clothing, did everything. These things are now done by professional +experts; that sort of work has been taken away from woman. Now all +that’s left for the woman to do in the home is to cook, clean, and +care for children. Life is still changing. We are still developing. +Some time these things too will be done, and better done, by +professional experts—though just how, or just when, I can’t even +guess. Once there was a strong sentiment against the child being taken +from the mother and being sent to school. Now most intelligent parents +are glad <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>to put their children in charge of trained kindergartners at +four or five. And in the future some new institution, some new variety +of trained specialist, may develop that will take charge of the child +for a part of the day at an even earlier age. That’s the way the world +is moving!”</p> + +<p>“Thanks for your lecture on the Rise, Progress and Future of +Civilization,” he said ironically, trying to suppress himself. “But +interesting as it was, it has nothing whatever to do with the case. +We’re not talking about civilization, and the universe, and evolution, +and the fourth dimension, and who’s got the button. We’re talking +about you and me. About you and me, and our love.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Arnold, about you and me and our love,” she cried eagerly. “I +spoke of these things only because they concern you and me and our +love so very, very much.”</p> + +<p>“Of all things for two lovers to talk about!” he exclaimed with +mounting exasperation.</p> + +<p>“They are the things of all things! For our love, our life, hangs upon +them!”</p> + +<p>“Well, anyhow, you haven’t got these new institutions, these new +experts,” he retorted, brushing the whole matter aside. “You’re living +to-day, not in the millennium!”</p> + +<p>“I know, I know. In the meantime, life for us women is in a stage of +transition. Until <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>these better forms develop we are going to have a +hard time. It will be difficult for me to manage, I know. But I’m +certain I can manage it.”</p> + +<p>He stood up. His face was very red, and he swallowed once or twice +before the words seemed able to come out.</p> + +<p>“I’m surprised, Katherine—surprised!—that you should be so +persistent in this nonsense. What you say is all against nature. It +won’t work.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not. But at least you’ll let me try! That’s all I ask of +you—that you let me try!”</p> + +<p>“It would be weak in me, wrong in me, to yield.”</p> + +<p>“Then you’re not willing to give me a chance?”</p> + +<p>He shook his head.</p> + +<p>She rose and moved before him.</p> + +<p>“But, Arnold, do you realize what you are doing?” she cried with +desperate passion. “Do you realize what it is I’m asking you for? +Work, interesting work—that’s what I need to make me happy, to make +you happy! Without it, I shall be miserable, and you will be miserable +in having a miserable wife about you—and all our years together will +be years of misery. So you see what a lot I’m fighting for: work, +development, happiness!—the happiness of all our married years!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p><p>“That’s only a delusion. For your sake, and my sake, I’ve got to stand +firm.”</p> + +<p>“Then you will not let me?”</p> + +<p>“I will not.”</p> + +<p>She stared palely at his square, adamantine face.</p> + +<p>“Arnold!” she breathed. “Arnold!—do you know what you’re trying to +do?”</p> + +<p>“I am trying to save you from yourself!”</p> + +<p>“You’re trying to break my will across yours,” she cried a little +wildly. “You’re trying to crush me into the iron mould of your idea of +a woman. You’re trying to kill me—yes, to kill me.”</p> + +<p>“I am trying to save you!” he repeated, his temper breaking its frail +leash. “Your ideas are all wrong—absurd—insane!”</p> + +<p>“Please don’t be angry, Arnold!” she pleaded.</p> + +<p>“How can I help it, when you won’t listen to reason! When you are so +perversely obstinate!”</p> + +<p>“I’m not obstinate,” she cried breathlessly, holding one of his hands +tightly in both her own. “I’m just trying to cling as hard as I can to +life—to our happiness. Please give me a chance, Arnold! Please, +please!”</p> + +<p>“Confound such obstinate wrong-headedness!” he exploded. “No, I tell +you! No! And that settles it!”</p> + +<p>She shrank back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p><p>“Oh!” she cried. Her breast began to rise and fall tumultuously, and +her cheeks slowly to redden. “Oh!” she cried again. Then her words +leaped hotly out: “Oh, you bigot!”</p> + +<p>“If to stand by what I know is right, and to save you from making a +fool of yourself, is to be a bigot—then I’m a bigot all right, and I +thank the God that made me one!”</p> + +<p>“And you think you are going to save me from myself?” she demanded.</p> + +<p>He stepped nearer, and towering over her, he took hold of her +shoulders in a powerful grasp and looked down upon her dominantly.</p> + +<p>“I know I am! I am going to make you exactly what I want you to be!”</p> + +<p>Her eyes flamed back up into his.</p> + +<p>“Because you are the stronger?”</p> + +<p>“Because I am the stronger—and because I am right,” he returned +grimly.</p> + +<p>“I admit that you are the superior brute,” she said with fierce +passion. “But you will never break me to your wishes!”</p> + +<p>“And I tell you I will!”</p> + +<p>“And I tell you you will not!”</p> + +<p>There was a strange and new fire in her eyes.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I mean this,” she returned, and the hands that gripped her shoulders +felt her tremble through all her body. “I should not expect you to +marry a woman who was so unreasonable <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>as to demand that you, for her +sake, should give up your loved career. And, for my part, I shall +never marry a man so unreasonable as to make the same demand of me.”</p> + +<p>He fell back a pace.</p> + +<p>“You mean——”</p> + +<p>“Was I not plain enough? I mean that you will never have the chance to +crush me into your iron mould, for I will never marry you.”</p> + +<p>“What!” And then: “So I’m fired, am I?” he grated out.</p> + +<p>“Yes, for you’re as narrow and as conventional as the rest of men,” +she rushed on hotly. “You never say a word so long as a woman’s work +is unpleasant! It’s all right for her to scrub, and wash dishes, and +wear her life away in factories. But as soon as she wants to do any +work that is pleasant and interesting and that will gain her +recognition, you cry out that she’s unwomanly, unsexed, that she’s +flying in the face of God! Oh, you are perfectly willing that woman, +on the one hand, should be a drudge, or on the other the pampered pet +of your one-woman harem. But I shall be neither, I tell you. Never! +Never! Never!”</p> + +<p>They stared at one another, trembling with passion.</p> + +<p>“And you,” he said with all the fierce irony of his soul, “and you, I +suppose, will now go <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>ahead and clear your father, expose Blake, and +perform all those other wonders you’ve talked so big about!”</p> + +<p>“That’s just what I am going to do!” she cried defiantly.</p> + +<p>“And that’s just what you are not!” he blazed back. “I may have +admired the woman in you—but, for those things, you have not the +smallest atom of ability. Your father’s trial, your failure to get +evidence—hasn’t that shown you? You are going to be a failure—a +fizzle—a fiasco! Did you hear that? A pitiable, miserable, humiliated +fiasco! And time will prove it!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll see what time will prove!” And she swept furiously past him out +of the room.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A SPECTRE COMES TO TOWN</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">F</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">or</span> many an hour Katherine’s wrath continued high, and she repeated, +with clinched hands, all her invectives against the bigotry of Bruce. +He was a bully—a boor—a brute—a tyrant. He considered himself the +superman. And in pitiable truth he was only a moral coward—for his +real reason in opposing her had been that he was afraid to have +Westville say that his wife worked. And he had insulted her, for his +parting words to her had been a jeering statement that she had no +ability, only a certain charm of sex. How, oh, how, had she ever +imagined that they two might possibly share a happy life together?</p> + +<p>But after a season her wrath began to subside, and she began to see +that after all Bruce was no very different man from the Bruce she had +loved the last few weeks. He had been thoroughly consistent with +himself. She had known that he was cocksure and domineering. She had +foreseen that the chances were at least <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>equal that he would take the +position he had. She had foreseen and feared this very issue. His +virtues were just as big as on yesterday, when she and he had thought +of marriage, and his faults were no greater. And she realized, after +the first passion of their battle had spent its force, that she still +loved him.</p> + +<p>In the long hours of the night a pang of emptiness, of vast, +irretrievable loss, possessed her. She and Love had touched each other +for a space—then had flung violently apart, and were speeding each in +their eternally separate direction. Life for her might be rich and +full of honour and achievement, but as she looked forward into the +long procession of years, she saw that life was going to have its +dreariness, its vacancies, its dull, unending aches. It was going to +be such a very, very different business from that life of work and +love and home and mutual aid she had daringly dreamed of during the +two weeks she and Bruce had been lovers.</p> + +<p>But she did not regret her decision. She did not falter. Her +resentment of Bruce’s attitude stiffened the backbone of her purpose. +She was going straight ahead, bear the bitterness, and live the life +she had planned as best she could.</p> + +<p>But there quickly came other matters to share her mind with a lost +love and a broken <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>dream. First was the uproar created by Bruce’s +defiant announcement in the <i>Express</i> of Blind Charlie’s threatened +treachery. That sensation reigned for a day or two, then was almost +forgotten in a greater. This second sensation made its initial +appearance quite unobtrusively; it had a bare dozen lines down in a +corner of the same issue of the <i>Express</i> that had contained Bruce’s +defiance and Doctor Sherman’s departure. The substance of the item was +that two cases of illness had been reported from the negro quarter in +River Court, and that the doctors said the symptoms were similar to +those of typhoid fever.</p> + +<p>Those two cases of fever in that old frame tenement up a narrow, +stenchy alley were the quiet opening of a new act in the drama that +was played that year in Westville. The next day a dozen cases were +reported, and now the doctors unhesitatingly pronounced them typhoid. +The number mounted rapidly. Soon there were a hundred. Soon there was +an epidemic. And the Spectre showed no deference to rank. It not only +stalked into the tenements of River Court and Railroad Alley—and laid +its felling finger on starveling children and drink-shattered men—It +visited the large and airy homes on Elm and Maple Streets and Wabash +Avenue, where those of wealth and place were congregated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p><p>In Westville was the Reign of Terror. Haggard doctors were ever on the +go, snatching a bite or a moment’s sleep when chance allowed. Till +then, modern history had been reckoned in Westville from the town’s +invasion by factories, or from that more distant time when lightning +had struck the Court House. But those milestones of time are to-day +forgotten. Local history is now dated, and will be for many a decade, +from the “Days of Fever” and the related events which marked that +epoch.</p> + +<p>In the early days of the epidemic Katherine heard one morning that +Elsie Sherman had just been stricken. She had seen little of Elsie +during the last few weeks; the strain of their relation was too great +to permit the old pleasure in one another’s company; but at this news +she hastened to Elsie’s bedside. Her arrival was a God-send to the +worn and hurried Doctor Woods, who had just been called in. She +telegraphed to Indianapolis for a nurse; she telegraphed to a sister +of Doctor Sherman to come; and she herself undertook the care of Elsie +until the nurse should arrive.</p> + +<p>“What do you think of her case, Doctor?” she asked anxiously when +Doctor Woods dropped in again later in the day.</p> + +<p>He shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Sherman is very frail.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p><p>“Then you think——”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid it will be a hard fight. I think we’d better send for her +husband.”</p> + +<p>Despite her sympathy for Elsie, Katherine thrilled with the +possibility suggested by the doctor’s words. Here was a situation that +should bring Doctor Sherman out of his hiding, if anything could bring +him. Once home, and unnerved by the sight of his wife precariously +balanced between life and death, she was certain that he would break +down and confess whatever he might know.</p> + +<p>She asked Elsie for her husband’s whereabouts, but Elsie answered that +she had had letters but that he had never given an address. Katherine +at once determined to see Blake, and demand to know where Doctor +Sherman was; and after the nurse arrived on an afternoon train, she +set out for Blake’s office.</p> + +<p>But Blake was out, and his return was not expected for an hour. To +fill in the time, Katherine paid a visit to her father in the jail. +She told him of Elsie’s illness, and told at greater length than she +had yet had chance to do about the epidemic. In his turn he talked to +her about the fever’s causes; and when she left the jail and returned +to Blake’s office an idea far greater than merely asking Doctor +Sherman’s whereabouts was in her mind.</p> + +<p>This time she was told that Blake was in, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>but could see no one. +Undeterred by this statement, Katherine walked quickly past the +stenographer and straight for his private door, which she quickly and +quietly opened and closed.</p> + +<p>Blake was sitting at his desk, his head bowed forward in one hand. He +was so deep in thought, and she had entered so quietly, that he had +not heard her. She crossed to his desk, stood opposite him, and for a +moment gazed down upon his head.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blake,” she remarked at length.</p> + +<p>He started up.</p> + +<p>“You here!” he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>“Yes. I came to talk to you.”</p> + +<p>He did not speak at once, but stood staring a little wildly at her. +She had not spoken to him since the day of her father’s trial, nor +seen him save at a distance. She was now startled at the change this +closer view revealed to her. His eyes were sunken and ringed with +purple, his face seemed worn and thin, and had taken on a tinge of +yellowish-green.</p> + +<p>“I left orders that I could see no one,” he said, trying to speak +sharply.</p> + +<p>“I know,” she answered quietly. “But you’ll see me.”</p> + +<p>For an instant he hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Very well—sit down,” he said, resuming his chair. “Now what is it +you wish?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p><p>She seated herself and leaned across the desk toward him.</p> + +<p>“I wish to talk to you about the fever,” she said with her former +composure, and looking him very steadily in the eyes. “I suppose you +know what caused it?”</p> + +<p>“I am no doctor. I do not.”</p> + +<p>“Then let me tell you. My father has just told me that there must have +been a case of typhoid during the summer somewhere back in the +drainage area of the water-system. That recent big storm carried the +summer’s accumulation of germ-laden filth down into the streams. And +since the city was unguarded by a filter, those germs were swept into +the water-mains, we drank them, and the epidemic——”</p> + +<p>“That filter was useless—a complete failure!” Blake broke in rather +huskily.</p> + +<p>“You know, Mr. Blake, and I know,” she returned, “that that filter has +been, and still is, in excellent condition. And you know, and I know, +that if it had been in operation, purifying the water, there might +possibly have been a few cases of typhoid, but there would never have +been this epidemic. That’s the God’s truth, and you know it!”</p> + +<p>He swallowed, but did not answer her.</p> + +<p>“I suppose,” she pursued in her steady tone, “you realize who is +responsible for all these scores of sick?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p><p>“If what you say is true, then your father is guilty, for building +such a filter.”</p> + +<p>“You know better. You know that the guilty man is yourself.”</p> + +<p>His face grew more yellowish-green.</p> + +<p>“It’s not so! No one is more appalled by this disaster than I am!”</p> + +<p>“I know you are appalled by the outcome. You did not plan to murder +citizens. You only planned to defraud the city. But this epidemic is +the direct consequence of your scheme. Every person who is now in a +sick bed, you put that person there. Every person who may later go to +his grave, you will have sent that person there.”</p> + +<p>Her steady voice grew more accusing. “What does your conscience say to +you? And what do you think the people will say to you, to the great +public-spirited Mr. Blake, when they learn that you, prompted by the +desire for money and power, have tried to rob the city and have +stricken hundreds with sickness?”</p> + +<p>His yellowish face contorted most horribly, but he did not answer.</p> + +<p>“I see that your conscience has been asking you those same questions,” +Katherine pursued. “It is something, at least, that your conscience is +not dead. Those are not pleasant questions to have asked one, are +they?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p><p>Again his face twisted, but he seemed to gather hold of himself.</p> + +<p>“You are as crazy as ever—that’s all rot!” he said huskily, with a +denying sweep of a clinched hand. “But what do you want?”</p> + +<p>“Three things. First, that you have the filter put back in commission. +Let’s at least do what we can to prevent any more danger from that +source.”</p> + +<p>“The filter is useless. Besides, I am no official, and have nothing to +do with it.”</p> + +<p>“It is in perfect condition, and you have everything to do with it,” +she returned steadily.</p> + +<p>He swallowed. “I’ll suggest it to the mayor.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; that is settled. To the next point. Have you heard that +Mrs. Sherman is sick?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“She wants her husband.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“My second demand is to know where you have hidden Doctor Sherman.”</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman? I have nothing to do with Doctor Sherman!”</p> + +<p>“You also have everything to do with Doctor Sherman,” she returned +steadily. “He is one of the instruments of your plot. You feared that +he would break down and confess, and so you sent him out of the way. +Where is he?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p><p>Again his face worked spasmodically. “I tell you once more I have +nothing whatever to do with Doctor Sherman! Now I hope that’s all. I +am tired of this. I have other matters to consider. Good day.”</p> + +<p>“No, it is not all. For there is my third demand. And that is the most +important of the three. But perhaps I should not say demand. What I +make you is an offer.”</p> + +<p>“An offer?” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>She did not reply to him directly. She leaned a little farther across +his desk and looked at him with an even greater intentness.</p> + +<p>“I do not need to ask you to pause and think upon all the evil you +have done the town,” she said slowly. “For you have thought. You were +thinking at the moment I came in. I can see that you are shaken with +horror at the unforeseen results of your scheme. I have come to you to +take sides with your conscience; to join it in asking you, urging you, +to draw back and set things as nearly right as you can. That is my +demand, my offer, my plea—call it what you will.”</p> + +<p>He had been gazing at her with wide fixed eyes. When he spoke, his +voice was dry, mechanical.</p> + +<p>“Set things right? How?”</p> + +<p>“Come forward, confess, and straighten out the situation of your own +accord. Westville <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>is in a terrible condition. If you act at once, you +can at least do something to relieve it.”</p> + +<p>“By setting things right, as you call it, you of course include the +clearing of your father?”</p> + +<p>“The clearing of my father, of course. And let me say to you, Mr. +Blake—and for this moment I am speaking as your friend—that it will +be better for you to clear this whole matter up voluntarily, at once, +than to be exposed later, as you certainly will be. To clear this +matter at once may have the result of simplifying the fight against +the epidemic—it may save many lives. That is what I am thinking of +first of all just now.”</p> + +<p>“You mean to say, then, that it is either confess or be exposed?”</p> + +<p>“There is no use in my beating about the bush with you,” she replied +in her same steady tone. “For I know that you know that I am after +you.”</p> + +<p>He did not speak at once. He sat gazing fixedly at her, with twitching +face. She met his gaze without blinking, breathlessly awaiting his +reply.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a tremor ran through him and his face set with desperate +decision.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know you are after me! I know you are having me +followed—spied upon!” There was a biting, contemptuous edge to his +tone. “Even if I were guilty, do you think <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>I would be afraid of +exposure from you? Oh, I know the man you have sleuthing about on my +trail. Elijah Stone! And I once thought you were a clever girl!”</p> + +<p>“You refuse, then?” she said slowly.</p> + +<p>“I do! And I defy you! If your accusations against me are true, go out +and proclaim them to the city. I’m willing to stand for whatever +happens!”</p> + +<p>She regarded his flushed, defiant face. She perceived clearly that she +had failed, that it was useless to try further.</p> + +<p>“Very well,” she said slowly. “But I want you to remember in the +future that I have given you this chance; that I have given you your +choice, and you have chosen.”</p> + +<p>“And I tell you again that I defy you!”</p> + +<p>“You are a more hardened man, or a more desperate man, than I +thought,” said she.</p> + +<p>He did not reply upon the instant, but sat gazing into her searching +eyes. Before he could speak, the telephone at his elbow began to ring. +He picked it up.</p> + +<p>“Hello! Yes, this is Mr. Blake.... Her temperature is the same, you +say?... No, I have not had an answer yet. I expect a telegram any +minute. I’ll let you know as soon as it comes. Good-by.”</p> + +<p>“Is some one sick?” Katherine asked, as he hung up the receiver.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p><p>“My mother,” he returned briefly, his recent defiance all gone.</p> + +<p>Katherine, too, for the moment, forgot their conflict.</p> + +<p>“I did not know it. There are so many cases, you know. Who is +attending her?”</p> + +<p>“Doctor Hunt, temporarily,” he answered. “But these Westville doctors +are all amateurs in serious cases. I’ve telegraphed for a +specialist—the best man I could hear of—Doctor Brenholtz of +Chicago.”</p> + +<p>His defiance suddenly returned.</p> + +<p>“If I have seemed to you worn, unnerved, now you know the real cause!” +he said.</p> + +<p>“So,” she remarked slowly, “the disaster you have brought on Westville +has struck your own home!”</p> + +<p>His face twitched convulsively.</p> + +<p>“I believe we have finished our conversation. Good afternoon.”</p> + +<p>Katherine rose.</p> + +<p>“And if she dies, you know who will have killed her.”</p> + +<p>He sprang up.</p> + +<p>“Go! Go!” he cried.</p> + +<p>But she remained in her tracks, looking him steadily in the eyes. +While they stood so, the stenographer entered and handed him a +telegram. He tore it open, glanced it through, and stood staring at it +in a kind of stupor.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p><p>“My God!” he breathed.</p> + +<p>He tore the yellow sheet across, dropped the pieces in the +waste-basket and began to pace his room, on his face a wild, dazed +look. He seemed to have forgotten Katherine’s presence. But a turn +brought her into his vision. He stopped short.</p> + +<p>“You still here?”</p> + +<p>“I was waiting to hear if Doctor Brenholtz was coming,” she said.</p> + +<p>He stared at her a moment. Then he crossed to his desk, took the two +fragments of the telegram from his waste-basket and held them out to +her.</p> + +<p>“There is what he says.”</p> + +<p>She took the telegram and read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“No use my coming. Best man on typhoid in West lives in your +own town. See Dr. David West.”</p></div> + +<p>Katherine laid down the yellow pieces and raised her eyes to Blake’s +white, strained face. The two gazed at each other for a long moment.</p> + +<p>“Well?” he said huskily.</p> + +<p>“Well?” she quietly returned.</p> + +<p>“Do you think I can get him?”</p> + +<p>“How can you get a man who is serving a sentence in jail?”</p> + +<p>“If I—if I——” He could not get the words out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p><p>“Yes. If you confess—clear him—get him out of jail—of course he +will treat the case.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t mean that! God!” he cried, “is confession of a thing I never +did the fee you exact for saving a life?”</p> + +<p>“What, you still hold out?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not guilty! I tell you, I’m not guilty!”</p> + +<p>“Then you’ll not confess?”</p> + +<p>“Never! Never!”</p> + +<p>“Not even to save your mother?”</p> + +<p>“She’s sick—very sick. But she’s not going to die—I’ll not let her +die! Your father does not have to be cleared to get out of jail. In +this emergency I can arrange to get him out for a time on parole. What +do you say?”</p> + +<p>She gazed at the desperate, wildly expectant figure. A little shiver +ran through her.</p> + +<p>“What do you say?” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“There can be but one answer,” she replied. “My father is too big a +man to demand any price for his medical skill—even the restoration of +his honest name by the man who stole it. Parole him, and he will go +instantly to Mrs. Blake.”</p> + +<p>He dropped into his chair and seized his telephone.</p> + +<p>“Central, give me six-o-four—quick!” There was a moment of waiting. +“This you, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>Judge Kellog?... This is Harrison Blake. I want you to +arrange the proper papers for the immediate parole of Doctor West. +I’ll be responsible for everything. Am coming right over and will +explain.”</p> + +<p>He fairly threw the receiver back upon its hook. “Your father will be +free in an hour,” he cried. And without waiting for a reply, he seized +his hat and hurried out.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>BRUCE TO THE FRONT</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">K</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">atherine</span> came down from Blake’s office with many thoughts surging +through her brain: Of her father’s release—of Blake’s obduracy—of +his mother’s illness; but at the forefront of them all, because +demanding immediate action, was the need of finding Doctor Sherman.</p> + +<p>As she stepped forth from the stairway, she saw Arnold Bruce striding +along the Square in her direction. There was a sudden leaping of her +heart, a choking at her throat. But they passed each other with the +short cold nod which had been their manner of greeting during the last +few days when they had chanced to meet.</p> + +<p>The next instant a sudden impulse seized her, and she turned about.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bruce,” she called after him.</p> + +<p>He came back to her. His face was rather pale, but was doggedly +resolute. Her look was not very different from his.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Miss West?” said he.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p><p>For a moment it was hard for her to speak. No word, only that frigid +nod, had passed between them since their quarrel.</p> + +<p>“I want to ask you something—and tell you something,” she said +coldly.</p> + +<p>“I am at your service,” said he.</p> + +<p>“We cannot talk here. Suppose we cross into the Court House yard?”</p> + +<p>In silence he fell into step beside her. They did not speak until they +were in the yard where passers-by could not overhear them.</p> + +<p>“You know of Mrs. Sherman’s illness?” she began in a distant, formal +tone.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“It promises to be serious. We must get her husband home if possible. +But no one has his address. An idea for reaching him has been vaguely +in my head. It may not be good, but it now seems the only way.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mind telling me what it is?”</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman is somewhere in the pine woods of the North. What I +thought about doing was to order some Chicago advertising agency to +insert notices in scores of small dailies and weeklies up North, +announcing to Doctor Sherman his wife’s illness and urging him to come +home. My hope is that one of the papers may penetrate whatever remote +spot he may be in and the notice reach his eyes. What I want to ask +you is the name of an agency.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p><p>“Black & Graves are your people,” said he.</p> + +<p>“Also I want to know how to go about it to get prompt action on their +part.”</p> + +<p>“Write out the notice and send it to them with your instructions. And +since they won’t know you, better enclose a draft or money order on +account. No, don’t bother about the money; you won’t know how much to +send. I know Phil Black, and I’ll write him to-day guaranteeing the +account.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” she said.</p> + +<p>“You’re perfectly welcome,” said he with his cold politeness. “Is +there anything else I can do?”</p> + +<p>“That’s all about that. But I have something to tell you—a suggestion +to make for your campaign, if you will not consider it impertinent.”</p> + +<p>“Quite otherwise. I shall be very glad to get it.”</p> + +<p>“You have been saying in your speeches that the bad water has been due +to intentional mismanagement of the present administration, which is +ruled by Mr. Blake, for the purpose of rendering unpopular the +municipal ownership principle.”</p> + +<p>“I have, and it’s been very effective.”</p> + +<p>“I suggest that you go farther.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“Make the fever an issue of the campaign. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>The people, in fact all of +us, have been too excited, too frightened, to understand the relation +between the bad management of the water-works, the bad water, and the +fever. Tell them that relation. Only tell it carefully, by insinuation +if necessary, so that you will avoid the libel law—for you have no +proof as yet. Make them understand that the fever is due to bad water, +which in turn is due to bad management of the water-works, which in +turn is due to the influence of Mr. Blake.”</p> + +<p>“Great! Great!” exclaimed Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Oh, the idea is not really mine,” she said coldly. “It came to me +from some things my father told me.”</p> + +<p>Her tone recalled to him their chilly relationship.</p> + +<p>“It’s a regular knock-out idea,” he said stiffly. “And I’m much +obliged to you.”</p> + +<p>They had turned back and were nearing the gate of the yard.</p> + +<p>“I hope it will really help you—but be careful to avoid giving them +an opening to bring a libel charge. Permit me to say that you have +been making a splendid campaign.”</p> + +<p>“Things do seem to be coming my direction. The way I threw Blind +Charlie’s threat back into his teeth, that has made a great hit. I +think I have him on the run.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p><p>He hesitated, gave her a sharp look, then added rather defiantly:</p> + +<p>“I might as well tell you that in a few days I expect to have Blake +also on the run—in fact, in a regular gallop. That Indianapolis +lawyer friend of mine, Wilson’s his name, is coming here to help me.”</p> + +<p>“Oh!” she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“You’ll remember,” he continued in his defiant tone, “that I once told +you that your father’s case was not your case. It’s the city’s. I’m +going to put Wilson on it, and I expect him to clear it all up in +short order.”</p> + +<p>She could not hold back a sudden uprush of resentment.</p> + +<p>“So then it’s to be a battle between us, is it?” she demanded, looking +him straight in the face.</p> + +<p>“A battle? How?”</p> + +<p>“To see which one gets the evidence.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to get it—that’s all,” he answered grimly.</p> + +<p>In an instant she had resumed control of herself.</p> + +<p>“I hope you succeed,” she said calmly. “Good afternoon.” And with a +crisp nod she turned away.</p> + +<p>Bruce’s action in calmly taking the case out of her hands, which was +in effect an iteration of his statement that he had no confidence in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>her ability, stung her bitterly and for a space her wrath flamed +high. But there were too many things to be done to give much time to +mere resentment. She wrote the letter to the Chicago advertising +agency, mailed it, then set out to find her father. At the jail she +was told that he had been released and had left for Blake’s. There she +found him. He came out into the hall, kissed her warmly, then hurried +back into the bedroom. Katherine, glancing through the open door, saw +him move swiftly about the old gray-haired woman, while Blake stood in +strained silence looking on.</p> + +<p>When her father had done all for Mrs. Blake he could do at that time, +Katherine hurried him away to Elsie Sherman. He replaced the very +willing Doctor Woods, who knew little about typhoid, and assumed +charge of Elsie with all his unerring mastery of what to do. He gave +her his very best skill, and he hovered about her with all the concern +that the illness of his own child might have evoked, for she had been +a warm favourite with him and the charges of her husband had in no +degree lessened his regard. Whatever science and care and love could +do for her, it all was certain to be done.</p> + +<p>Within two hours after Blake had received Doctor Brenholtz’s telegram +its contents had flashed about the town. Doctor West was besieged. The +next day found him treating not only <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>as many individual cases as his +strength and the hours of the day allowed, but found him in command of +the Board of Health’s fight against the plague, with all the rest of +the city’s doctors accepting orders from him. All his long life of +incessant study and experiment, all those long years when he had been +laughed at for a fool and jeered at for a failure—all that time had +been but an unconscious preparation for this great fight to save a +stricken city. And the town, for all its hatred, for all the stain +upon his name, as it watched this slight, white-haired man go so +swiftly and gently and efficiently about his work, began to feel for +him something akin to awe—began dimly to feel that this old figure +whom it had been their habit to scorn for near a generation was +perhaps their greatest man.</p> + +<p>While Katherine watched this fight against the fever with her father +as its central figure, while she awaited in suspense some results of +her advertising campaign, and while she tried to press forward the +other details of her search for evidence, she could but keep her eyes +upon the mayoralty campaign—for it was mounting to an ever higher +climax of excitement. Bruce was fighting like a fury. The sensation +created by his announcement of Blind Charlie’s threatened treachery +was a mere nothing compared to the uproar created when he informed the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>people, not directly, but by careful insinuation, that Blake was +responsible for the epidemic.</p> + +<p>Blake denied the charge with desperate energy and with all his power +of eloquence; he declared that the epidemic was but another +consequence of that supremest folly of mankind, public ownership. He +was angrily supported by his party, his friends and his followers—but +those followers were not so many as a few short weeks before. Passion +was at its highest—so high that trustworthy forecasts of the election +were impossible. But ten days before election it was freely talked +about the streets, and even privately admitted by some of Blake’s best +friends, that nothing but a miracle could save him from defeat.</p> + +<p>In these days of promise Bruce seemed to pour forth an even greater +energy; and in his efforts he was now aided by Mr. Wilson, the +Indianapolis lawyer, who was spending his entire time in Westville. +Katherine caught in Bruce’s face, when they passed upon the street, a +gleam of triumph which he could not wholly suppress. She wondered, +with a pang of jealousy, if he and Mr. Wilson were succeeding where +she had failed—if all her efforts were to come to nothing—if her +ambition to demonstrate to Bruce that she could do things was to prove +a mere dream?</p> + +<p>Toward noon one day, as she was walking <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>along the Square homeward +bound from Elsie Sherman’s, she passed Bruce and Mr. Wilson headed for +the stairway of the <i>Express</i> Building. Both bowed to her, then +Katherine overheard Bruce say, “I’ll be with you in a minute, Wilson,” +and the next instant he was at her side.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, Miss West,” he said. “But we have just unearthed something +which I think you should be the first person to learn.”</p> + +<p>“I shall be glad to hear it,” she said in the cold, polite tone they +reserved for one another.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go over into the Court House yard.”</p> + +<p>They silently crossed the street and entered the comparative seclusion +of the yard.</p> + +<p>“I suppose it is something very significant?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“So significant,” he burst out, “that the minute the <i>Express</i> appears +this afternoon Harrison Blake is a has-been!”</p> + +<p>She looked at him quickly. The triumph she had of late seen gleaming +in his face was now openly blazing there.</p> + +<p>“You mean——”</p> + +<p>“I mean that I’ve got the goods on him!”</p> + +<p>“You—you have evidence?”</p> + +<p>“The best sort of evidence!”</p> + +<p>“That will clear my father?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not directly. Indirectly, yes. But it will smash Blake to +smithereens!”</p> + +<p>She was happy on Bruce’s account, on her <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>father’s, on the city’s, but +for the moment she was sick upon her own.</p> + +<p>“Is the nature of the evidence a secret?”</p> + +<p>“The whole town will know it this afternoon. I asked you over here to +tell you first. I have just secured a full confession from two of +Blake’s accomplices.”</p> + +<p>“Then you’ve discovered Doctor Sherman?” she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman?” He stared at her. “I don’t know what you mean. The +two men are the assistant superintendent of the water-works and the +engineer at the pumping-plant.”</p> + +<p>“How did you get at them?”</p> + +<p>“Wilson and I started out to cross-examine everybody who might be in +the remotest way connected with the case. My suspicion against the two +men was first aroused by their strained behaviour. I went——”</p> + +<p>“Then it was you who made this discovery, not that—that other +lawyer?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I was the first to tackle the pair, though Wilson has helped me. +He’s a great lawyer, Wilson. We’ve gone at them relentlessly—with +accusation, cross-examination, appeal; with the result that this +morning both of them broke down and confessed that Blake had secretly +paid them to do all that lay within their power to make the +water-works a failure.”</p> + +<p>They followed the path in silence for several <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>moments, Katherine’s +eyes upon the ground. At length she looked up. In Bruce’s face she +plainly read what she had guessed to be an extra motive with him all +along, a glowering determination to crush her, humiliate her, a +determination to cut the ground from beneath her ambition by +overturning Blake and clearing her father without her aid.</p> + +<p>“And so,” she breathed, “you have made good all your predictions. You +have succeeded and I have failed.”</p> + +<p>For an instant his square face glowed upon her, exultant with triumph. +Then he partially subdued the look.</p> + +<p>“We won’t discuss that matter,” he said. “It’s enough to repeat what I +once said, that Wilson is a crackerjack lawyer.”</p> + +<p>“All the same, I congratulate you—and wish you every success,” she +said; and as quickly thereafter as she could she made her escape, her +heart full of the bitterness of personal defeat.</p> + +<p>That afternoon the <i>Express</i>, in its largest type, in its editor’s +highest-powered English, made its exposure of Harrison Blake. And that +afternoon there was pandemonium in Westville. Violence might have been +attempted upon Blake, but, fortunately for him, he had gone the night +before to Indianapolis—on a matter of state politics, it was said.</p> + +<p>Blake, however, was a man to fight to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>last ditch. On the morning +after the publication of the <i>Express’s</i> charges, the <i>Clarion</i> +printed an indignant denial from him. That same morning Bruce was +arrested on a charge of criminal libel, and that same day—the grand +jury being in session—he was indicted. Blake’s attorney demanded +that, since these charges had a very direct bearing upon the +approaching election, the trial should take precedence over other +cases and be heard immediately. To this Bruce eagerly agreed, for he +desired nothing better than to demolish Blake in court, and the trial +was fixed for five days before election.</p> + +<p>Katherine, going about, heard the people jeer at Blake’s denial; heard +them say that his demand for a trial was mere bravado to save his face +for a time—that when the trial came he would never show up. She saw +the former favourite of Westville become in an hour an object of +universal abomination. And, on the other hand, she saw Bruce leap up +to the very apex of popularity.</p> + +<p>For Bruce’s sake, for every one’s sake but her own, she was rejoiced. +But as for herself, she walked in the valley of humiliation, she ate +of the ashes of bitterness. Swept aside by the onrush of events, +feeling herself and her plans suddenly become futile, she decided to +cease all efforts and countermand all orders. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>But she could not veto +her plan concerning Doctor Sherman, for her money was spent and her +advertisements were broadcast through the North. As for Mr. Manning, +he stated that he had become so interested in the situation that he +was going to stay on in Westville for a time to see how affairs came +out.</p> + +<p>On the day of the trial Katherine and the city had one surprise at the +very start. Contrary to all predictions, Harrison Blake was in the +court-room and at the prosecution’s table. Despite all the judge, the +clerk, and the sheriff could do to maintain order, there were cries +and mutterings against him. Not once did he flinch, but sat looking +straight ahead of him, or whispering to his private attorney or to the +public prosecutor, Kennedy. He was a brave man. Katherine had known +that.</p> + +<p>Bruce, all confidence, recited on the witness stand how he had come by +his evidence. Then the assistant superintendent told with most +convincing detail how he had succumbed to Blake’s temptation and done +his bidding. Next, the engineer testified to the same effect.</p> + +<p>The crowd lowered at Blake. Certainly matters looked blacker than ever +for the one-time idol of the city.</p> + +<p>But Blake sat unmoved. His calmness begat a sort of uneasiness in +Katherine. When the engineer had completed his direct testimony, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>Kennedy arose, and following whispered suggestions from Blake, +cross-questioned the witness searchingly, ever more searchingly, +pursued him in and out, in and out, till at length, snap!—Katherine’s +heart stood still, and the crowd leaned forward breathless—snap, and +he had caught the engineer in a contradiction!</p> + +<p>Kennedy went after the engineer with rapid-fire questions that +involved the witness in contradiction on contradiction—that got him +confused, then hopelessly tangled up—that then broke him down +completely and drew from him a shamefaced confession. The fact was, he +said, that Mr. Bruce, wanting campaign material, had privately come to +him and paid him to make his statements. He had had no dealings with +Mr. Blake whatever. He was a poor man—his wife was sick with the +fever—he had needed the money—he hoped the court would be lenient +with him—etc., etc. The other witness, recalled, confessed to the +same story.</p> + +<p>Amid a stunned court room, Bruce sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>“Lies! Lies!” he cried in a choking fury. “They’ve been bought off by +Blake!”</p> + +<p>“Silence!” shouted Judge Kellog, pounding his desk with his gavel.</p> + +<p>“I tell you it’s trickery! They’ve been bought off by Blake!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p><p>“Silence!” thundered the judge, and followed with a dire threat of +contempt of court.</p> + +<p>But already Mr. Wilson and Sheriff Nichols were dragging the +struggling Bruce back into his chair. More shouts and hammering of +gavels by the judge and clerk had partially restored to order the +chaos begotten by this scene, when a bit of paper was slipped from +behind into Bruce’s hand. He unfolded it with trembling fingers, and +read in a disguised, back-hand scrawl:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There’s still enough left of me to know what’s happened.”</p></div> + +<p>That was all. But Bruce understood. Here was the handiwork and +vengeance of Blind Charlie Peck. He sprang up again and turned his +ireful face to where, in the crowd, sat the old politician.</p> + +<p>“You—you——” he began.</p> + +<p>But before he got further he was again dragged down into his seat. And +almost before the crowd had had time fairly to regain its breath, the +jury had filed out, had filed back in again, had returned its verdict +of guilty, and Judge Kellog had imposed a sentence of five hundred +dollars fine and sixty days in the county jail.</p> + +<p>In all the crowd that looked bewildered on, Katherine was perhaps the +only one who believed <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>in Bruce’s cry of trickery. She saw that Blake, +with Blind Charlie’s cunning back of him, had risked his all on one +bold move that for a brief period had made him an object of universal +hatred. She saw that Bruce had fallen into a trap cleverly baited for +him, saw that he was the victim of an astute scheme to discredit him +utterly and remove him from the way.</p> + +<p>As Blake left the Court House Katherine heard a great cheer go up for +him; and within an hour the evidence of eye and ear proved to her that +he was more popular than ever. She saw the town crowd about him to +make amends for the injustice it considered it had done him. And as +for Bruce, as he was led by Sheriff Nichols from the Court House +toward the jail, she heard him pursued by jeers and hisses.</p> + +<p>Katherine walked homeward from the trial, completely dazed by this +sudden capsizing of all of Bruce’s hopes—and of her own hopes as +well, for during the last few days she had come to depend on Bruce for +the clearing of her father. That evening, and most of the night, she +spent in casting up accounts. As matters then stood, they looked +desperate indeed. On the one hand, everything pointed to Blake’s +election and the certain success of his plans. On the other hand, she +had gained <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>no clue whatever to the whereabouts of Doctor Sherman; +nothing had as yet developed in the scheme she had built about Mr. +Manning; as for Mr. Stone, she had expected nothing from him, and all +he had turned in to her was that he suspected secret relations between +Blake and Peck. Furthermore, the man she loved—for yes, she loved him +still—was in jail, his candidacy collapsed, the cause for which he +stood a ruin. And last of all, the city, to the music of its own +applause, was about to be colossally swindled.</p> + +<p>A dark prospect indeed. But as she sat alone in the night, the cheers +for Blake floating in to her, she desperately determined to renew her +fight. Five days still remained before election, and in five days one +might do much; during those five days her ships might still come home +from sea. She summoned her courage, and gripped it fiercely. “I’ll do +my best! I’ll do my best!” she kept breathing throughout the night. +And her determination grew in its intensity as she realized the sum of +all the things for which she fought, and fought alone.</p> + +<p>She was fighting to save her father, she was fighting to save the +city, she was fighting to save the man she loved.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE LAST STAND</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> next morning Katherine, incited by the desperate need of action, +was so bold as to request Mr. Manning to meet her at Old Hosie’s. She +was fortunate enough to get into the office without being observed. +The old lawyer, in preparation for the conference, had drawn his +wrinkled, once green shade as far down as he dared without giving +cause for suspicion, and before the window had placed a high-backed +chair and thrown upon it a greenish, blackish, brownish veteran of a +fall overcoat—thus balking any glances that might rove lazily upward +to his office.</p> + +<p>Old Hosie raised his lean figure from his chair and shook her hand, at +first silently. He, too, was dazed by the collapse of Bruce’s +fortunes.</p> + +<p>“Things certainly do look bad,” he said slowly. “I never suspected +that his case would suddenly stand on its head like that.”</p> + +<p>“Nor did I—though from the beginning <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>I had an instinctive feeling +that it was too good, too easy, to be true.”</p> + +<p>“And to think that after all we know the boy is right!” groaned the +old man.</p> + +<p>“That’s what makes the whole affair so tantalizing. We know he is +right—we know my father is innocent—we know the danger the city is +in—we know Mr. Blake’s guilt—we know just what his plans are. We +know everything! But we have not one jot of evidence that would be +believed by the public. The irony of it! To think, for all our +knowledge, we can only look helplessly on and watch Mr. Blake succeed +in everything.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie breathed an imprecation that must have made his ancestors, +asleep behind the old Quaker meeting-house down in Buck Creek, gasp in +their grassy, cedar-shaded graves.</p> + +<p>“All the same,” Katherine added desperately, “we’ve got to half kill +ourselves trying between now and election day!”</p> + +<p>They subsided into silence. In nervous impatience Katherine awaited +the appearance of the pseudo-investor in run-down farms. He seemed a +long time in coming, but the delay was all in her suspense, for as the +Court House clock was tolling the appointed hour Mr. Manning, <i>alias</i> +Mr. Hartsell, walked into the office. He was, as Katherine had once +described <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>him to Old Hosie, a quiet, reserved man with that +confidence-inspiring amplitude in the equatorial regions commonly +observable in bank presidents and trusted officials of corporations.</p> + +<p>As he closed the door his subdued but confident dignity dropped from +him and he warmly shook hands with Katherine, for this was their first +meeting since their conference in New York six weeks before.</p> + +<p>“You must know how very, very terrible our situation is,” Katherine +rapidly began. “We’ve simply <i>got</i> to do something!”</p> + +<p>“I certainly haven’t done much so far,” said Manning, with a rueful +smile. “I’m sorry—but you don’t know how tedious my rôle’s been to +me. To act the part of bait, and just lie around before the noses of +the fish you’re after, and not get a bite in two whole weeks—that’s +not my idea of exciting fishing.”</p> + +<p>“I know. But the plan looked a good one.”</p> + +<p>“It looked first-class,” conceded Manning. “And, perhaps——”</p> + +<p>“With election only four days off, we’ve simply got to do something!” +Katherine repeated. “If nothing else, let’s drop that plan, devise a +new one, and stake our hopes on some wild chance.”</p> + +<p>“Wait a minute,” said Manning. “I wouldn’t drop that plan just yet. +I’ve gone <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>two weeks without a bite, but—I’m not sure—remember I say +I’m not sure—but I think that at last I may possibly have a nibble.”</p> + +<p>“A nibble you say?” cried Katherine, leaning eagerly forward.</p> + +<p>“At least, the cork bobbed under.”</p> + +<p>“When?”</p> + +<p>“Last night.”</p> + +<p>“Last night? Tell me about it!”</p> + +<p>“Well, of late I’ve been making my study of the water-works more and +more obvious, and I’ve half suspected that I’ve been watched, though I +was too uncertain to risk raising any false hopes by sending you word +about it. But yesterday afternoon Blind Charlie Peck—he’s been +growing friendly with me lately—yesterday Blind Charlie invited me to +have supper with him. The supper was in his private dining-room; just +us two. I suspected that the old man was up to some game, and when I +saw the cocktails and whiskey and wine come on, I was pretty sure—for +you know, Miss West, when a crafty old politician of the Peck variety +wants to steal a little information from a man, his regulation scheme +is to get his man so drunk he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”</p> + +<p>“I know. Go on!”</p> + +<p>“I tried to beg off from the drinking. I told Mr. Peck I did not +drink. I liked it, I <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>said, but I could not carry it. A glass or two +would put me under the table, so the only safe plan for me was to +leave it entirely alone. But he pressed me—and I took one. And he +pressed me again, and I took another—and another—and another—till +I’d had five or——”</p> + +<p>“But you should never have done it!” cried Katherine in alarm.</p> + +<p>Manning smiled at her reassuringly.</p> + +<p>“I’m no drinking man, but I’m so put together that I can swallow a +gallon and then sign the pledge with as steady a hand as the president +of the W. C. T. U. But after the sixth drink I must have looked just +about right to Blind Charlie. He began to put cunning questions at me. +Little by little all my secrets leaked out. The farm lands were only a +blind. My real business in Westville was the water-works. There was a +chance that the city might sell them, and if I could get them I was +going to snap them up. In fact, I was going to make an offer to the +city in a very few days. I had been examining the system closely; it +wasn’t really in bad shape at all; it was worth a lot more than the +people said; and I was ready, if I had to, to pay its full value to +get it—even more. I had plenty of money behind me, for I was +representing Mr. Seymour, the big New York capitalist.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p><p>“Good! Good!” cried Katharine breathlessly. “How did he seem to take +it?”</p> + +<p>“I could see that he was stirred up, and I guessed that he was +thinking big thoughts.”</p> + +<p>“But did he say anything?”</p> + +<p>“Not a word. Except that it was interesting.”</p> + +<p>“Ah!” It was an exclamation of disappointment. Then she instantly +added: “But of course he could not say anything until after he had +talked it over with Mr. Blake. He’ll do that this morning—if he did +not do it last night. You may be approached by them to-day.”</p> + +<p>She stood up excitedly, and her brown eyes glowed. “After all, +something may come of the plan!”</p> + +<p>“It’s at least an opening,” said Manning.</p> + +<p>“Yes. And let’s use it for all it’s worth. Don’t you think it would be +best for you to go right back to your hotel, and keep yourself in +sight, so Mr. Peck won’t have to lose a second in case he wants to +talk to you again?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I had in mind.”</p> + +<p>“And all day I’ll be either in my office, or at home, or at Mrs. +Sherman’s. And the minute anything develops, send word to Mr. +Hollingsworth and he’ll send word to me.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll not waste a minute,” he assured her.</p> + +<p>All day she waited with suppressed excitement <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>for good news from +Manning. But the only news was that there was no news. And so on the +second day. And so on the third. Her hopes, that had flared so high, +sunk by slow degrees to mere embers among the ashes. It appeared that +the nibble, which had seemed but the preliminary to swallowing the +bait, was after all no more than a nibble; that the fish had merely +nosed the worm and swum away. In the meantime, while eaten up by the +suspense of this inaction, she was witness to activity of the most +strenuous variety. Never had she seen a man spring up into favour as +did Harrison Blake. His campaign meetings were resumed the very night +of Bruce’s conviction; the city crowded to them; the Blake Marching +Club tramped the streets till midnight, with flaming torches, rousing +the enthusiasm of the people with their shouts and campaign songs; and +wherever Blake appeared upon the platform he was greeted by an uproar, +and even when he appeared by daylight, when men’s spirits are more +sedate, his progress through the streets was a series of miniature +ovations.</p> + +<p>As for Bruce, Katherine saw his power and position crumble so swiftly +that she could hardly see them disappear. The structure of a +tremendous future had stood one moment imposingly before her eyes. +Presto, and it was no more! The sentiment he had roused <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>in favour of +public ownership, and against the regime of Blake, was as a thing that +had never been. With him in jail, his candidacy was but the ashes that +are left by a conflagration—though, to be sure, since the ballots +were already printed, it was too late to remove his name. He was a +thing to be cursed at, jeered at. He had suddenly become a little +lower than nobody, a little less than nothing.</p> + +<p>And as for his paper, when Katherine looked at it it made her sick at +heart. Within a day it lost a third in size. Advertisers no longer +dared, perhaps no longer cared, to give it patronage. Its news and +editorial character collapsed. This last she could hardly understand, +for Billy Harper was in charge, and Bruce had often praised him to her +as a marvel of a newspaper man. But one evening, when she was coming +home late from Elsie Sherman’s and hurrying through the crowd of Main +Street, Billy Harper lurched against her. The next day, with a little +adroit inquiry, she learned that Harper, freed from Bruce’s +restraining influence, and depressed by the general situation, was +drinking constantly. It required no prophetic vision for Katherine to +see that, if things continued as they now were going, on the day Bruce +came out of jail he would find the <i>Express</i>, which he had lifted to +power and a promise of prosperity, had sunk into a disrepute <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>and a +decay from which even so great an energy as his could not restore it.</p> + +<p>Since there was so little she could do elsewhere, Katherine was at the +Shermans’ several times a day, trying in unobtrusive ways to aid the +nurse and Doctor Sherman’s sister. Miss Sherman was a spare, silent +woman of close upon forty, with rather sharp, determined features. +Despite her unloveliness, Katherine respected her deeply, for in other +days Elsie had told her sister-in-law’s story. Miss Sherman and her +brother were orphans. To her had been given certain plain virtues, to +him all the graces of mind and body. She was a country school-teacher, +and it had been her hard work, her determination, her penny-counting +economy, that had saved her talented brother from her early hardships +and sent him through college. She had made him what he was; and +beneath her stern exterior she loved him with that intense devotion a +lonely, ingrowing woman feels for the object on which she has spent +her life’s thought and effort.</p> + +<p>Whenever Katherine entered the sick chamber—they had moved Elsie’s +bed into the sitting-room because of its greater convenience and +better air—her heart would stand still as she saw how white and +wasted was her friend. At such a time she would recall with a choking +keenness all of Elsie’s virtues, each virtue <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>increased and +purified—her simplicity, her purity, her loyalty.</p> + +<p>Several times Elsie came back from the brink of the Great Abyss, over +which she so faintly hovered, and smiled at Katherine and spoke a few +words—but only a few, for Doctor West allowed no more. Each time she +asked, with fluttering trepidation, if any word had come from her +husband; and each time at Katherine’s choking negative she would try +to smile bravely and hide her disappointment.</p> + +<p>On one of the last days of this period—it was the Sunday before +election—Doctor West had said that either the end or a turn for the +better must be close at hand. Katherine had been sitting long watching +Elsie’s pale face and faintly rising bosom, when Elsie slowly opened +her eyes. Elsie pressed her friend’s hand with a barely perceptible +pressure and smiled with the faintest shadow of a smile.</p> + +<p>“You here again, Katherine?” she breathed.</p> + +<p>“Yes, dear.”</p> + +<p>“Just the same dear Katherine!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t speak, Elsie.”</p> + +<p>She was silent a space. Then the wistful look Katherine had seen so +often came into the patient’s soft gray eyes, and she knew what +Elsie’s words were going to be before they passed her lips.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p><p>“Have you heard anything—from him?”</p> + +<p>Katherine slowly shook her head.</p> + +<p>Elsie turned her face away for a moment. A sigh fluttered out. Then +she looked back.</p> + +<p>“But you are still trying to find him?”</p> + +<p>“We have done, and are doing, everything, dear.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure,” sighed Elsie, “that he would come if he only knew.”</p> + +<p>“Yes—if he only knew.”</p> + +<p>“And you will keep on—trying—to get him word?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, dear.”</p> + +<p>“Then perhaps—he may come yet.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps,” said Katherine, with hopeful lips. But in her heart there +was no hope.</p> + +<p>Elsie closed her eyes, and did not speak again. Presently Katherine +went out into the level, red-gold sunlight of the waning November +afternoon. The church bells, resting between their morning duty and +that of the night, all were silent; over the city there lay a hush—it +was as if the town were gathering strength for its final spasm of +campaign activity on the morrow. There was nothing in that Sabbath +calm to disturb the emotion of Elsie’s bedside, and Katherine walked +slowly homeward beneath the barren maples, in that fearful, tremulous, +yearning mood in which she had left the bedside of her friend.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p><p>In this same mood she reached home and entered the empty sitting-room. +She was slowly drawing off her gloves when she perceived, upon the +centre-table, a special delivery letter addressed to herself. She +picked it up in moderate curiosity. The envelope was plain, the +address was typewritten, there was nothing to suggest the identity of +the sender. In the same moderate curiosity she unfolded the inclosure. +Then her curiosity became excitement, for the letter bore the +signature of Mr. Seymour.</p> + +<p>“I have to-day received a letter from Mr. Harrison Blake of +Westville,” Mr. Seymour wrote her, “of which the following is the +text: ‘We have just learned that there is in our city a Mr. Hartsell +who represents himself to be an agent of yours instructed to purchase +the water-works of Westville. Before entering into any negotiations +with him the city naturally desires to be assured by you that he is a +representative of your firm. As haste is necessary in this matter, we +request you to reply at once and by special delivery.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, I understand the delay now!” Katherine exclaimed. “Before making +a deal with Mr. Manning, Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck wanted to be sure +their man was what he said he was!”</p> + +<p>“And now, Miss West,” Mr. Seymour wrote on, “since you have kept me in +the dark as to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>the details of your plan, and as I have never heard of +said Hartsell, I have not known just how to reply to your Mr. Blake. +So I have had recourse to the vague brevity of a busy man, and have +sent the following by the same mail that brings this to you: ‘Replying +to your inquiry of the 3rd inst. I beg to inform you that I have a +representative in Westville fully authorized to act for me in the +matter of the water-works.’ I hope this reply is all right. Also there +is a second hope, which is strong even if I try to keep it subdued; +and that is that you will have to buy the water-works in for me.”</p> + +<p>From that instant Katherine’s mind was all upon her scheme. She was +certain that Mr. Seymour’s reply was already in the hands of Blake and +Peck, and that they were even then planning, or perhaps had already +planned, what action they should take. At once she called Old Hosie up +by telephone.</p> + +<p>“I think it looks as though the ‘nibble’ were going to develop into a +bite, and quick,” she said rapidly. “Get into communication with Mr. +Manning and tell him to make no final arrangement with those parties +till he sees me. I want to know what they offer.”</p> + +<p>It was an hour later, and the early night had already fallen, when +there was a ring at the West door, and Old Hosie entered, alone. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>Katharine quickly led the old lawyer into the parlour.</p> + +<p>“Well?” she whispered.</p> + +<p>“Manning has just accepted an invitation for an automobile ride this +evening from Charlie Peck.”</p> + +<p>Katherine suddenly gripped his hand.</p> + +<p>“That may be a bite!”</p> + +<p>The old man nodded with suppressed excitement.</p> + +<p>“They were to set out at six. It’s five minutes to six now.”</p> + +<p>Without a word Katherine crossed swiftly and opened the door an inch, +and stood tensely waiting beside it. Presently, through the calm of +the Sabbath evening, there started up very near the sudden buzzing of +a cranked-up car. Then swiftly the buzzing faded away into the +distance.</p> + +<p>Katherine turned.</p> + +<p>“It’s Mr. Blake’s car. They’ll all be at The Sycamores in half an +hour. It’s a bite, certain! Get hold of Mr. Manning as soon as he +comes back, and bring him here. The house will be darkened, but the +front door will be unlocked. Come right in. Come as late as you +please. You’ll find me waiting here in the parlour.”</p> + +<p>The hours that followed were trying ones for Katherine. She sat about +with her aunt <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>till toward ten o’clock. Then her father returned from +his last call, and soon thereafter they all went to their rooms. +Katherine remained upstairs till she thought her father and aunt were +settled, then slipped down to the parlour, set the front door ajar, +and sat waiting in the darkness. She heard the Court House clock with +judicial slowness count off eleven o’clock—then after a long, long +space, count off twelve. A few minutes later she heard Blake’s car +return, and after a time she heard the city clock strike one.</p> + +<p>It was close upon two when soft steps sounded upon the porch and the +front door opened. She silently shook hands with her two vague +visitors.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t think it safe to come any sooner,” explained Old Hosie in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>“You’ve been with them out at The Sycamores?” Katherine eagerly +inquired of Manning.</p> + +<p>“Yes. For a four hours’ session.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“Well, so far it looks O. K.”</p> + +<p>In a low voice he detailed to Katherine how they had at first fenced +with one another; how at length he had told them that he had a formal +proposal to the city to buy the water-works all drawn up and that on +the morrow he was going to present it—and that, furthermore, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>he +would, if necessary, increase the sum he offered in that proposal to +the full value of the plant. Blake and Peck, after a slow approach to +the subject, in which they admitted that they also planned to buy the +system, had suggested that, inasmuch as he was only an agent and there +would be no profit in the purchase to him personally, he abandon his +purpose. If he would do this they would make it richly worth his +while. He had replied that this was such a different plan from that +which he had been considering that he must have time to think it over +and would give them his answer to-morrow. On which understanding the +three had parted.</p> + +<p>“I suppose it would hardly be practicable,” said Katherine when he had +finished, “to have a number of witnesses concealed at your place of +meeting and overhear your conversation?”</p> + +<p>“No, it would be mighty difficult to pull that off.”</p> + +<p>“And what’s more,” she commented, “Mr. Blake would deny whatever they +said, and with his present popularity his words would carry more +weight than that of any half dozen witnesses we might get. At the +best, our charges would drag on for months, perhaps years, in the +courts, with in the end the majority of the people believing in him. +With the election so near, we must have instantaneous <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>results. We +must use a means of exposing him that will instantly convince all the +people.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the way I see it,” agreed Manning.</p> + +<p>“When did they offer to pay you, in case you agreed to sell out to +them?”</p> + +<p>“On the day they got control of the water-works. Naturally they didn’t +want to pay me before, for fear I might break faith with them and buy +in the system for Mr. Seymour.”</p> + +<p>“Can’t you make them put their proposition in the form of an +agreement, to be signed by all three of you?” asked Katherine.</p> + +<p>“But mebbe they won’t consent to that,” put in Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Manning will know how to bring them around. He can say, for +example, that, unless he has such a written agreement, they will be in +a position to drop him when once they’ve got what they want. He can +say that unless they consent to sign some such agreement he will go on +with his original plan. I think they’ll sign.”</p> + +<p>“And if they do?” queried Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>“If they do,” said Katherine, “we’ll have documentary evidence to show +Westville that those two great political enemies, Mr. Blake and Mr. +Peck, are secretly business associates—their business being a +conspiracy to wreck the water-works and defraud the city. I think such +a document would interest Westville.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p><p>“I should say it would!” exclaimed Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>They whispered on, excitedly, hopefully; and when the two men had +departed and Katherine had gone up to her room to try to snatch a few +hours’ sleep, she continued to dwell eagerly upon the plan that seemed +so near of consummation. She tossed about her bed, and heard the Court +House clock sound three, and then four. Then the heat of her +excitement began to pass away, and cold doubts began to creep into her +mind. Perhaps Blake and Peck would refuse to sign. And even if they +did sign, she began to see this prospective success as a thing of +lesser magnitude. The agreement would prove the alliance between Blake +and Peck, and would make clear that a conspiracy existed. It was good, +but it was not enough. It fell short by more than half. It would not +clear her father, though his innocence might be inferred, and it would +not prove Blake’s responsibility for the epidemic.</p> + +<p>As she lay there staring wide-eyed into the gloom of the night, +listening to the town clock count off the hours of her last day, she +realized that what she needed most of all, far more than Manning’s +document even should he get it, was the testimony which she believed +was sealed behind the lips of Doctor Sherman, whose present +whereabouts God only knew.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>AT ELSIE’S BEDSIDE</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">T</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> day before election, a day of hope deferred, had dragged slowly by +and night had at length settled upon the city. Doctor West had the +minute before come in from a long, dinnerless day of hastening from +case to case, and now he, Katherine, and her aunt were sitting about +the supper table. To Katherine’s eye her father looked very weary and +white and frail. The day-and-night struggle at scores of bedsides was +sorely wearing him down.</p> + +<p>As for Katherine, she was hardly less worn. She scarcely touched the +food before her. The fears that always assail one at a crisis, now +swarmed in upon her. With the election but a few hours distant, with +no word as yet from Mr. Manning, she saw all her high plans coming to +naught and saw herself overwhelmed with utter defeat. From without +there dimly sounded the beginning of the ferment of the campaign’s +final evening; it brought to her more keenly that to-morrow the city +was going to give <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>itself over unanimously to be despoiled. Across the +table, her father, pale and worried, was a reminder that, when his +fight of the plague was completed, he must return to jail. Her mind +flashed now and then to Bruce; she saw him in prison; she saw not only +his certain defeat on the morrow, but she saw him crushed and ruined +for life as far as a career in Westville was concerned; and though she +bravely tried to master her feeling, the throbbing anguish with which +she looked upon his fate was affirmation of how poignant and +deep-rooted was her love.</p> + +<p>And yet, despite these flooding fears, she clung with a dizzy +desperation to hope, and to the determination to fight on to the last +second of the last minute.</p> + +<p>While swinging thus between despair and desperate hope, she was +maintaining, at first somewhat mechanically to be sure, a conversation +with her father, whom she had not seen since their early breakfast +together.</p> + +<p>“How does the fever situation seem to-night?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Much better,” said Doctor West. “There were fewer new cases reported +to-day than any day for a week.”</p> + +<p>“Then you are getting the epidemic under control?”</p> + +<p>“I think we can at last say we have it thoroughly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>in hand. The number +of new cases is daily decreasing, and the old cases are doing well. I +don’t know of an epidemic of this size on record where the mortality +has been so small.”</p> + +<p>She came out of her preoccupation and breathlessly demanded:</p> + +<p>“Tell me, how is Elsie Sherman? I could not get around to see her +to-day.”</p> + +<p>He dropped his eyes to his plate and did not answer.</p> + +<p>“You mean she is no better?”</p> + +<p>“She is very low.”</p> + +<p>“But she still has a chance?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, she has a chance. But that’s about all. The fever is at its +climax. I think to-night will decide which it’s to be.”</p> + +<p>“You are going to her again to-night?”</p> + +<p>“Right after supper.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll go with you,” said Katherine. “Poor Elsie! Poor Elsie!” she +murmured to herself. Then she asked, “Have they had any word from +Doctor Sherman?”</p> + +<p>“I asked his sister this afternoon. She said they had not.”</p> + +<p>They fell silent for a moment or two. Doctor West nibbled at his ham +with a troubled air.</p> + +<p>“There is one feature of the case I cannot approve of,” he at length +remarked “Of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>course the Shermans are poor, but I do not think Miss +Sherman should have impaired Elsie’s chances, such as they are, from +motives of economy.”</p> + +<p>“Impaired Elsie’s chances?” queried Katherine.</p> + +<p>“And certainly she should not have done so without consulting me,” +continued Doctor West.</p> + +<p>“Done what?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I forgot I had not had a chance to tell you. When I made my first +call this morning I learned that Miss Sherman had discharged the +nurse.”</p> + +<p>“Discharged the nurse?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. During the night.”</p> + +<p>“But what for?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Sherman said they could not afford to keep her.”</p> + +<p>“But with Elsie so dangerously sick, this is no time to economize!”</p> + +<p>“Exactly what I told her. And I said there were plenty of friends who +would have been happy to supply the necessary money.”</p> + +<p>“And what did she say?”</p> + +<p>“Very little. She’s a silent, determined woman, you know. She said +that even at such a time they could not accept charity.”</p> + +<p>“But did you not insist upon her getting another nurse?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p><p>“Yes. But she refused to have one.”</p> + +<p>“Then who is looking after Elsie?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Sherman.”</p> + +<p>“Alone?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, alone. She has even discharged old Mrs. Murphy, who came in for +a few hours a day to clean up.”</p> + +<p>“It seems almost incomprehensible!” ejaculated Katherine. “Think of +running such a risk for the sake of a few dollars!”</p> + +<p>“After all, Miss Sherman isn’t such a bad nurse,” Doctor West’s sense +of justice prompted him to admit. “In fact, she is really doing very +well.”</p> + +<p>“All the same, it seems incomprehensible!” persisted Katherine. “For +economy’s sake——”</p> + +<p>She broke off and was silent a moment. Then suddenly she leaned across +the table.</p> + +<p>“You are sure she gave no other reason?”</p> + +<p>“None.”</p> + +<p>“And you believe her?”</p> + +<p>“Why, you don’t think she would lie to me, do you?” exclaimed Doctor +West.</p> + +<p>“I don’t say that,” Katherine returned rapidly. “But she’s shrewd and +close-mouthed. She might not have told you the whole truth.”</p> + +<p>“But what could have been her real reason then?”</p> + +<p>“Something besides the reason she gave. That’s plain.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p><p>“But what is it? Why, Katherine,” her father burst out, half rising +from his chair, “what’s the matter with you?”</p> + +<p>Her eyes were glowing with excitement. “Wait! Wait!” she said quickly, +lifting a hand.</p> + +<p>She gazed down upon the table, her brow puckered with intense thought. +Her father and her aunt stared at her in gathering amazement, and +waited breathlessly till she should speak.</p> + +<p>After a minute she glanced up at her father. The strange look in her +face had grown more strange.</p> + +<p>“You saw no one else there besides Miss Sherman?” she asked quickly.</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Nor signs of any one?”</p> + +<p>“No,” repeated the bewildered old man. “What are you thinking of, +Katherine?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t dare say it—I hardly dare think it!”</p> + +<p>She pushed back her chair and arose. She was quivering all over, but +she strove to command her agitation.</p> + +<p>“As soon as you’re through supper, father, I’ll be ready to go to +Elsie.”</p> + +<p>“I’m through now.”</p> + +<p>“Come on, then. Let’s not lose a minute!”</p> + +<p>They hurried out and entered the carriage <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>which, at the city’s +charge, stood always waiting Doctor West’s requirements. “To Mrs. +Sherman’s—quick!” Katherine ordered the driver, and the horse +clattered away through the crisp November night.</p> + +<p>Already people were streaming toward the centre of the town to share +in the excitement of the campaign’s closing night. As the carriage +passed the Square, Katherine saw, built against the Court House and +brilliantly festooned with vari-coloured electric bulbs, the speakers’ +stand from which Blake and others of his party were later to address +the final mass-meeting of the campaign.</p> + +<p>The carriage turned past the jail into Wabash Avenue, and a minute +afterward drew up beside the Sherman cottage. Pulsing with the double +suspense of her conjecture and of her concern for Elsie’s life, +Katherine followed her father into the sick chamber. As they entered +the hushed room the spare figure of Miss Sherman rose from a rocker +beside the bed, greeted them with a silent nod, and drew back to give +place to Doctor West.</p> + +<p>Katherine moved slowly to the foot of the bed and gazed down. For a +space, one cause of her suspense was swept out of her being, and all +her concern was for the flickering life before her. Elsie lay with +eyes closed, and breathing so faintly that she seemed scarcely <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>to +breathe at all. So pale, so wasted, so almost wraithlike was she as to +suggest that when her spirit fled, if flee it must, nothing could be +left remaining between the sheets.</p> + +<p>As she gazed down upon her friend, hovering uncertainly upon life’s +threshold, a tingling chill pervaded Katherine’s body. Since her +mother’s loss in unremembering childhood, Death had been kind to her; +no one so dear had been thus carried up to the very brink of the +grave. All that had been sweet and strong in her friendship with Elsie +now flooded in upon her in a mighty wave of undefined emotion. She was +immediately conscious only of the wasted figure before her, and its +peril, but back of consciousness were unformed memories of their +girlhood together, of the inseparable intimacy of their young +womanhood, and of that shy and tender time when she had been the +confidante of Elsie’s courtship.</p> + +<p>There was a choking at her throat, tears slipped down her cheeks, and +there surged up a wild, wild wish, a rebellious demand, that Elsie +might come safely through her danger.</p> + +<p>But, presently, her mind reverted to the special purpose that had +brought her hither. She studied the face of Miss Sherman, seeking +confirmation of the conjecture that had so aroused her—studying also +for some method of approaching Miss Sherman, of breaking <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>down her +guard, and gaining the information she desired. But she learned +nothing from the expression of those spare, self-contained features; +and she realized that the lips of the Sphinx would be easier to unlock +than those of this loyal sister of a fugitive brother.</p> + +<p>That her conjecture was correct, she became every instant more +convinced. She sensed it in the stilled atmosphere of the house; she +sensed it in the glances of cold and watchful hostility Miss Sherman +now and then stole at her. She was wondering what should be her next +step, when Doctor West, who had felt Elsie’s pulse and examined the +temperature chart, drew Miss Sherman back to near where Katherine +stood.</p> + +<p>“Still nothing from Doctor Sherman?” he whispered in grave anxiety.</p> + +<p>“Nothing,” said Miss Sherman, looking straight into her questioner’s +eyes.</p> + +<p>“Too bad, too bad!” sighed Doctor West. “He ought to be home!”</p> + +<p>Miss Sherman let the first trace of feeling escape from her compressed +being.</p> + +<p>“But still there is a chance?” she asked quickly.</p> + +<p>“A fighting chance. I think we shall know which it’s to be within an +hour.”</p> + +<p>At these words Katherine heard from behind her ever so faint a sound, +a sound that sent a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>thrill through all her nerves. A sound like a +stifled groan. For a minute or more she did not move. But when Doctor +West and Miss Sherman had gone back to their places and Doctor West +had begun the final fight for Elsie’s life, she slowly turned about. +Before her was a door. Her heart gave a leap. When she had entered she +had searched the room with a quick glance, and that door had then been +closed. It now stood slightly ajar.</p> + +<p>Some one within must have noiselessly opened it to hear Doctor West’s +decree upon the patient.</p> + +<p>Swiftly and silently Katherine slipped through the door and locked it +behind her. For a moment she stood in the darkness, striving to master +her throbbing excitement.</p> + +<p>At length she spoke.</p> + +<p>“Will you please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman,” she said.</p> + +<p>There was no answer; only a black and breathless silence.</p> + +<p>“Please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman,” Katherine repeated. “I +cannot, for I do not know where the electric button is.”</p> + +<p>Again there was silence. Then Katherine heard something like a gasp. +There was a click, and then the room, Doctor Sherman’s study, burst +suddenly into light.</p> + +<p>Behind the desk, one hand still upon the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>electric key, stood Doctor +Sherman. He was very thin and very white, and was worn, wild-eyed and +dishevelled. He was breathing heavily and he stared at Katherine with +the defiance of a desperate creature brought at last to bay.</p> + +<p>“What do you want?” he demanded huskily.</p> + +<p>“A little talk with you,” replied Katherine, trying to speak calmly.</p> + +<p>“You must excuse me. With Elsie so sick, I cannot talk.”</p> + +<p>She stood very straight before him. Her eyes never left his face.</p> + +<p>“We must talk just the same,” she returned. “When did you come home?”</p> + +<p>“Last night.”</p> + +<p>“Why did you not let your friends know of your return? All day, in +fact for several days, they have been sending telegrams to every place +where they could conceive your being.”</p> + +<p>He did not answer.</p> + +<p>“It looks very much as if you were trying to hide.”</p> + +<p>Again he did not reply.</p> + +<p>“It looks very much,” she steadily pursued, “as if your sister +discharged the nurse and the servant in order that you might hide here +in your own home without risk of discovery.”</p> + +<p>Still he did not answer.</p> + +<p>“You need not reply to that question, for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>the reply is obvious. I +guessed the meaning of the nurse’s discharge as soon as I heard of it. +I guessed that you were secretly hovering over Elsie, while all +Westville thought you were hundreds of miles away. But tell me, how +did you learn that Elsie was sick?”</p> + +<p>He hesitated, then swallowed.</p> + +<p>“I saw a notice of it in a little country paper.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, I thought so.”</p> + +<p>She moved forward and leaned across the desk. Their eyes were no more +than a yard apart.</p> + +<p>“Tell me,” she said quietly, “why did you slip into town by night? Why +are you hiding in your own home?”</p> + +<p>A tremor ran through his slender frame. With an effort he tried to +take the upperhand.</p> + +<p>“You must excuse me,” he said, with an attempt at sharp dignity. “I +refuse to be cross-examined.”</p> + +<p>“Then I will answer for you. The reason, Doctor Sherman, is that you +have a guilty conscience.”</p> + +<p>“That is not——”</p> + +<p>“Do not lie,” she interrupted quickly. “You realize what you have +done, you are afraid it may become public, you are afraid of the +consequences to yourself—and that is why you slipped back in the dead +of night and lie hidden like a fugitive in your own house.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p><p>A spasm of agony crossed his face.</p> + +<p>“For God’s sake, tell me what you want and leave me!”</p> + +<p>“I want you to clear my father.”</p> + +<p>“Clear your father?” he cried. “And how, if you please?”</p> + +<p>“By confessing that he is innocent.”</p> + +<p>“When he is guilty!”</p> + +<p>“You know he is not.”</p> + +<p>“He’s guilty—he’s guilty, I tell you! Besides,” he added, wildly, +“don’t you see that if I proclaim him innocent I proclaim myself a +perjured witness?”</p> + +<p>She leaned a little farther across the desk.</p> + +<p>“Is not that exactly what you are, Doctor Sherman?”</p> + +<p>He shrank back as though struck. One hand went tremulously to his chin +and he stared at her.</p> + +<p>“No! No!” he burst out spasmodically. “It’s not so! I shall not admit +it! Would you have me ruin myself for all time? Would you have me ruin +Elsie’s future! Would you have me kill her love for me?”</p> + +<p>“Then you will not confess?”</p> + +<p>“I tell you there is nothing to confess!”</p> + +<p>She gazed at him steadily a moment. Then she turned back to the door, +softly unlocked and opened it. He started to rush through, but she +raised a hand and stopped him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p><p>“Just look,” she commanded in a whisper.</p> + +<p>He stared through the open door. They could see Elsie’s white face +upon the pillow, with the two dark braids beside it; and could see +Doctor West hovering over her. He had not heard them, but Miss Sherman +had, and she directed at Katherine a pale and hostile glance.</p> + +<p>The young husband twisted his hands in agony.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Elsie! Elsie!” he moaned.</p> + +<p>Katherine closed the door, and turned again to Doctor Sherman.</p> + +<p>“You have seen your work,” she said. “Do you still persist in your +innocence?”</p> + +<p>He drew a deep, shivering breath and shrank away behind his desk, but +did not answer.</p> + +<p>Katherine followed him.</p> + +<p>“Do you know how sick your wife is?”</p> + +<p>“I heard your father say.”</p> + +<p>“She is swinging over eternity by a mere thread.” Katherine leaned +across the desk and her eyes gazed with an even greater fixity into +his. “If the thread snaps, do you know who will have broken it?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t! Don’t!” he begged.</p> + +<p>“Her own husband,” Katherine went on relentlessly.</p> + +<p>A cry of agony escaped him.</p> + +<p>“You saw that old man in there bending <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>over her,” she pursued, +“trying with all his skill, with all his love, to save her—to save +her from the peril you have plunged her into—and with never a bitter +feeling against you in his heart. If she lives, it will be because of +him. And yet that old man is ruined and has a blackened reputation. I +ask you, do you know who ruined him?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t! Don’t!” he cried, and he sank a crumpled figure at his desk, +and buried his face in his arms.</p> + +<p>“Look up!” cried Katherine sternly.</p> + +<p>“Wait!” he moaned. “Wait!”</p> + +<p>She passed around the desk and firmly raised his shoulders.</p> + +<p>“Look me in the eyes!”</p> + +<p>He lifted a face that worked convulsively.</p> + +<p>She stood accusingly before him. “Out with the truth!” she commanded +in a rising voice. “In the presence of your wife, perhaps dying, and +dying as the result of your act—in the presence of that old man, whom +you have ruined with your word—do you still dare to maintain your +innocence? Out with the truth, I say!”</p> + +<p>He sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>“I can stand it no longer!” he gasped in an agony that went to +Katherine’s heart. “It’s killing me! It’s been tearing me apart for +months! What I have suffered—oh, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>what I have suffered! I’ll tell you +all—all! Oh, let me get it off my soul!”</p> + +<p>The desperation of his outburst, the sight of his fine face convulsed +with uttermost agony and repentance, worked a sudden revulsion in +Katherine’s heart. All her bitterness, her momentary sternness, rushed +out of her, and there she was, quivering all over, hot tears in her +eyes, gripping the hands of Elsie’s husband.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad—not only for father’s sake—but for your sake,” she +cried chokingly.</p> + +<p>“Let me tell you at once! Let me get it out of myself!”</p> + +<p>“First sit down,” and she gently pressed him back into his chair and +drew one up to face him. “And wait for a moment or two, till you feel +a little calmer.”</p> + +<p>He bowed his head into his hands, and for a space breathed deeply and +tremulously. Katherine stood waiting. Through the night sounded the +brassy strains of “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” Back at the Court House +Blake’s party was opening its great mass-meeting.</p> + +<p>“I’m a coward—a coward!” Doctor Sherman groaned at length into his +hands. And in a voice of utmost contrition he went on and told how, to +gain money for the proper care of Elsie, he had been drawn into +gambling in stocks; how he had made use of church funds <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span>to save +himself in a falling market, and how this church money had, like his +own, been swallowed down by Wall Street; how Blake had discovered the +embezzlement, for the time had saved him, but later by threat of +exposure had driven him to play the part he had against Doctor West.</p> + +<p>“You must make this statement public, instantly!” Katherine exclaimed +when he had finished.</p> + +<p>He shrank back before that supreme humiliation. “Let me do it +later—please, please!” he besought her.</p> + +<p>“A day’s delay will be——” She caught his arm. “Listen!” she +commanded.</p> + +<p>Both held their breath. Through the night came the stirring music of +“The Star Spangled Banner.”</p> + +<p>“What is that?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“The great rally of Mr. Blake’s party at the Court House.” Her next +words drove in. “To-morrow Mr. Blake is going to capture the city, and +be in position to rob it. And all because of your act, Doctor +Sherman!”</p> + +<p>“You are right, you are right!” he breathed.</p> + +<p>She held out a pen to him.</p> + +<p>“You must write your statement at once.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes,” he cried, “only let it be short now. I’ll make it in full +later.”</p> + +<p>“You need write only a summary.”</p> + +<p>He seized the pen and dipped it into the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>ink and for a moment held it +shaking over a sheet of paper.</p> + +<p>“I cannot shape it—the words won’t come.”</p> + +<p>“Shall I dictate it then?”</p> + +<p>“Do! Please do!”</p> + +<p>“You are willing to confess everything?”</p> + +<p>“Everything!”</p> + +<p>Katherine stood thinking for a moment at his side.</p> + +<p>“Ready, then. Write, ‘I embezzled funds from my church; Mr. Blake +found me out, and replaced what I had taken, with no one being the +wiser. Later, by the threat of exposing me if I refused, he compelled +me to accuse Doctor West of accepting a bribe and still later he +compelled me to testify in court against Doctor West. Mr. Blake’s +purpose in so doing was to remove Doctor West from his position, ruin +the water-works, and buy them in at a bargain. I hereby confess and +declare, of my own free will, that I have been guilty of lying and of +perjury.’ Do you want to say that?”</p> + +<p>“Yes! Yes!”</p> + +<p>“‘And I further confess and declare that Dr. David West is innocent in +every detail of the charges made against him. Signed, Harold +Sherman.’”</p> + +<p>He dropped his pen and sprang up.</p> + +<p>“And now may I go in to Elsie?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p><p>“You may.”</p> + +<p>He hurried noiselessly across the room and through the door. +Katherine, picking up the precious paper she had worked so many months +to gain, followed him. Miss Sherman saw them come in, but remained +silent. Doctor West was bending over Elsie and did not hear their +entrance.</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherman tiptoed to the bedside, and stood gazing down, his +breath held, hardly less pale than the soft-sleeping Elsie herself. +Presently Doctor West straightened up and perceived the young +minister. He started, then held out his hand.</p> + +<p>“Why, Doctor Sherman!” he whispered eagerly. “I’m so glad you’ve come +at last!”</p> + +<p>The younger man drew back.</p> + +<p>“You won’t be willing to shake hands with me—when you know.” Then he +took a quick half step forward. “But tell me,” he breathed, “is +there—is there any hope?”</p> + +<p>“I dare not speak definitely yet—but I think she is going to live.”</p> + +<p>“Thank God!” cried the young man.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he collapsed upon the floor and embraced Doctor West about +the knees, and knelt there sobbing out broken bits of sentences.</p> + +<p>“Why—why,” stammered Doctor West in amazement, “what does this mean?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p><p>Katherine moved forward. Her voice quavered, partly from joy, partly +from pity for the anguished figure upon the floor.</p> + +<p>“It means you are cleared, father! This will explain.” And she gave +him Doctor Sherman’s confession.</p> + +<p>The old man read it, then passed a bewildered hand across his face.</p> + +<p>“I—I don’t understand this!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll explain it later,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Is—is this true?” It was to the young minister that Doctor West +spoke.</p> + +<p>“Yes. And more. I can’t ask you to forgive me!” sobbed Doctor Sherman. +“It’s beyond forgiveness! But I want to thank you for saving Elsie. At +least you’ll let me thank you for that!”</p> + +<p>“What I have done here has been only my duty as a physician,” said +Doctor West gently. “As for the other matter”—he looked the paper +through, still with bewilderment—“as for that, I’m afraid I am not +the chief sufferer,” he said slowly, gently. “I have been under a +cloud, it is true, and I won’t deny that it has hurt. But I am an old +man, and it doesn’t matter much. You are young, just beginning life. +Of us two you are the one most to be pitied.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t pity me—please!” cried the minister. “I don’t deserve it!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p><p>“I’m sorry—so sorry!” Doctor West shook his head. Apparently he had +forgotten the significance of this confession to himself. “I have +always loved Elsie, and I have always admired you and been proud of +you. So if my forgiveness means anything to you, why I forgive you +with all my heart!”</p> + +<p>A choking sound came from the bowed figure, but no words. His +embracing arms fell away from Doctor West. He knelt there limply, his +head bowed upon his bosom. There was a moment of breathless silence. +In the background Miss Sherman stood looking on, white, tense, +dry-eyed.</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherman turned slowly, fearfully, toward the bed.</p> + +<p>“But, Elsie,” he whispered in a dry, lost voice. “It’s all bad—but +that’s the worst of all. When she knows, she never can forgive me!”</p> + +<p>Katherine laid a hand upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“If you think that, then you don’t know Elsie. She will be pained, but +she loves you with all her soul; she would forgive you anything so +long as you loved her, and she would follow you through every misery +to the ends of the world.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think so?” he breathed; and then he crept to the bed and +buried his face upon it.</p> + +<p>Katherine looked down upon him for a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>moment. Then her own concerns +began flooding back upon her. She realized that she had not yet won +the fight. She had only gained a weapon.</p> + +<p>“I must go now,” she whispered to her father, taking the paper from +his hand.</p> + +<p>Throbbing with returned excitement, she hurried out to the dimly +comprehended, desperate effort that lay before her.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>BILLY HARPER WRITES A STORY</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">A</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">s</span> Katherine crossed the porch and went down the steps she saw, +entering the yard, a tall, square-hatted apparition.</p> + +<p>“Is that you, Miss Katherine?” it called softly to her.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Mr. Hollingsworth.”</p> + +<p>“I was looking for you.” He turned and they walked out of the yard +together. “I went to your house, and your aunt told me you were here. +I’ve got it!” he added excitedly.</p> + +<p>“Got what?”</p> + +<p>“The agreement!”</p> + +<p>She stopped short and seized his arm.</p> + +<p>“You mean between Blake, Peck, and Manning?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I’ve got it!”</p> + +<p>“Signed?”</p> + +<p>“All signed!” And he slapped the breast pocket of his old frock-coat.</p> + +<p>“Let me see it! Please!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span></p><p>He handed it to her, and by the light of a street lamp she glanced it +through.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s too good to believe!” she murmured exultantly. “Oh, oh!” She +thrust it into her bosom, where it lay beside Doctor Sherman’s +confession. “Come, we must hurry!” she cried. And with her arm through +his they set off in the direction of the Square.</p> + +<p>“When did Mr. Manning get this?” she asked, after a moment.</p> + +<p>“I saw him about an hour ago. He had then just got it.”</p> + +<p>“It’s splendid! Splendid!” she ejaculated. “But I have something, +too!”</p> + +<p>“Yes?” queried the old man.</p> + +<p>“Something even better.” And as they hurried on she told him of Doctor +Sherman’s confession.</p> + +<p>Old Hosie burst into excited congratulations, but she quickly checked +him.</p> + +<p>“We’ve no time now to rejoice,” she said. “We must think how we are +going to use these statements—how we are going to get this +information before the people, get it before them at once, and get it +before them so they must believe it.”</p> + +<p>They walked on in silent thought. From the moment they had left the +Shermans’ gate the two had heard a tremendous cheering from the +direction of the Square, and had seen a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>steady, up-reaching glow, at +intervals brilliantly bespangled by rockets and roman candles. Now, as +they came into Main Street, they saw that the Court House yard was +jammed with an uproarious multitude. Within the speakers’ stand was +throned the Westville Brass Band; enclosing the stand in an imposing +semicircle was massed the Blake Marching Club, in uniforms, their +flaring torches adding to the illumination of the festoons of +incandescent bulbs; and spreading fanwise from this uniformed nucleus +it seemed that all of Westville was assembled—at least all of +Westville that did not watch at fevered bedsides.</p> + +<p>At the moment that Katherine and Old Hosie, walking along the southern +side of Main Street, came opposite the stand, the first speaker +concluded his peroration and resumed his seat. There was an outburst +of “Blake! Blake! Blake!” from the enthusiastic thousands; but the +Westville Brass Band broke in with the chorus of “Marching Through +Georgia.” The stirring thunder of the band had hardly died away, when +the thousands of voices again rose in cries of “Blake! Blake! Blake!”</p> + +<p>The chairman with difficulty quieted the crowd, and urged them to have +patience, as all the candidates were going to speak, and Blake was not +to speak till toward the last. Kennedy was the next orator, and he +told the multitude, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>with much flinging heavenward of loose-jointed +arms, what an unparalleled administration the officers to be elected +on the morrow would give the city, and how first and foremost it would +be their purpose to settle the problem of the water-works in such a +manner as to free the city forever from the dangers of another +epidemic such as they were now experiencing. As supreme climax to his +speech, he lauded the ability, character and public spirit of Blake +till superlatives could mount no higher.</p> + +<p>When he sat down the crowd went well-nigh mad. But amid the cheering +for the city’s favourite, some one shouted the name of Doctor West and +with it coupled a vile epithet. At once Doctor West’s name swept +through the crowd, hissed, jeered, cursed. This outbreak made clear +one ominous fact. The enthusiasm of the multitude was not just +ordinary, election-time enthusiasm. Beneath it was smouldering a +desire of revenge for the ills they had suffered and were suffering—a +desire which at a moment might flame up into the uncontrollable fury +of a mob.</p> + +<p>Katherine clutched Old Hosie’s arm.</p> + +<p>“Did you hear those cries against my father?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I know now what I shall do!”</p> + +<p>He saw that her eyes were afire with decision.</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p><p>“I am going across there, watch my chance, slip out upon the speakers’ +stand, and expose and denounce Mr. Blake before Mr. Blake’s own +audience!”</p> + +<p>The audacity of the plan for a moment caught Old Hosie’s breath. Then +its dramatic quality fired his imagination.</p> + +<p>“Gorgeous!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Come on!” she cried.</p> + +<p>She started across the street, with Old Hosie at her heels. But before +she reached the opposite curb she paused, and turned slowly back.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do. The people on the stand would pull me down before I got +started speaking. And even if I spoke, the people would not believe +me. I have got to put this evidence”—she pressed the documents within +her bosom—“before their very eyes. No, we have got to think of some +other way.”</p> + +<p>By this time they were back in the seclusion of the doorway of the +<i>Express</i> Building, where they had previously been standing. For +several moments the hoarse, vehement oratory of a tired throat rasped +upon their heedless ears. Once or twice Old Hosie stole a glance at +Katherine’s tensely thoughtful face, then returned to his own +meditation.</p> + +<p>Presently she touched him on the arm. He looked up.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span></p><p>“I have it this time!” she said, with the quiet of suppressed +excitement.</p> + +<p>“Yes?”</p> + +<p>“We’re going to get out an extra!”</p> + +<p>“An extra?” he exclaimed blankly.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Of the <i>Express</i>!”</p> + +<p>“An extra of the <i>Express</i>?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Get it out before this crowd scatters, and in it reproductions +of these documents!”</p> + +<p>He stared at her. “Son of Methuselah!” Then he whistled. Then his look +became a bit strange, and there was a strange quality to his voice +when he said:</p> + +<p>“So you are going to give Arnold Bruce’s paper the credit of the +exposure?”</p> + +<p>His tone told her the meaning that lay behind his words. He had known +of the engagement, and he knew that it was now broken. She flushed.</p> + +<p>“It’s the best way,” she said shortly.</p> + +<p>“But you can’t do it alone!”</p> + +<p>“Of course not.” Her voice began to gather energy. “We’ve got to get +the <i>Express</i> people here at once—and especially Mr. Harper. +Everything depends on Mr. Harper. He’ll have to get the paper out.”</p> + +<p>“Yes! Yes!” said Old Hosie, catching her excitement.</p> + +<p>“You look for him here in this crowd—and, also, if you can see to it, +send some one to get <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>the foreman and his people. I’ll look for Mr. +Harper at his hotel. We’ll meet here at the office.”</p> + +<p>With that they hurried away on their respective errands. Arrived at +the National House, where Billy Harper lived, Katherine walked into +the great bare office and straight up to the clerk, whom the +mass-meeting had left as the room’s sole occupant.</p> + +<p>“Is Mr. Harper in?” she asked quickly.</p> + +<p>The clerk, one of the most prodigious of local beaux, was startled by +this sudden apparition.</p> + +<p>“I—I believe he is.”</p> + +<p>“Please tell him at once that I wish to see him.”</p> + +<p>He fumbled the white wall of his lofty collar with an embarrassed +hand.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, Miss West, but the fact is, I’m afraid he can’t see you.”</p> + +<p>“Give him my name and tell him I simply <i>must</i> see him.”</p> + +<p>The clerk’s embarrassment waxed greater.</p> + +<p>“I—I guess I should have said it the other way around,” he stammered. +“I’m afraid you won’t want to see him.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“The fact is—he’s pretty much cut up, you know—and he’s been so +worried that—that—well, the plain fact is,” he blurted out, “Mr. +Harper has been drinking.”</p> + +<p>“To-night?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p><p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Much?”</p> + +<p>“Well—I’m afraid quite a little.”</p> + +<p>“But he’s here?”</p> + +<p>“He’s in the bar-room.”</p> + +<p>Katherine’s heart had been steadily sinking.</p> + +<p>“I must see him anyhow!” she said desperately. “Please call him out!”</p> + +<p>The clerk hesitated, in even deeper embarrassment. This affair was +quite without precedent in his career.</p> + +<p>“You must call him out—this second! Didn’t you hear me?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, certainly.”</p> + +<p>He came hastily from behind his desk and disappeared through a pair of +swinging wicker doors. After a moment he reappeared, alone, and his +manner showed a degree of embarrassment even more acute.</p> + +<p>Katherine crossed eagerly to meet him.</p> + +<p>“You found Mr. Harper?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t make him understand. And even if I could, +he’s—he’s—well,” he added with a painful effort, “he’s in no +condition for you to talk to, Miss West.”</p> + +<p>Katherine gazed whitely at the clerk for a moment. Then without a word +she stepped by him and passed through the wicker door. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>With a glance +she took in the garishly lighted room—its rows of bottles, its +glittering mirrors, its white-aproned bartender, its pair of topers +whose loyalty to the bar was stronger than the lure of oratory and +music at the Square. And there at a table, his head upon his arms, sat +the loosely hunched body of him who was the foundation of all her +present hopes.</p> + +<p>She moved swiftly across the sawdusted floor and shook the acting +editor by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper!” she called into his ear.</p> + +<p>She shook him again, and again she called his name.</p> + +<p>“Le’ me ’lone,” he grunted thickly. “Wanter sleep.”</p> + +<p>She was conscious that the two topers had paused in mid-drink and were +looking her way with a grinning, alcoholic curiosity. She shook the +editor with all her strength.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper!” she called fiercely.</p> + +<p>“G’way!” he mumbled. “’M busy. Wanter sleep.”</p> + +<p>Katherine gazed down at the insensate mass in utter hopelessness. +Without him she could do nothing, and the precious minutes were +flying. Through the night came a rumble of applause and fast upon it +the music of another patriotic air.</p> + +<p>In desperation she turned to the bartender.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p><p>“Can’t you help me rouse him?” she cried. “I’ve simply <i>got</i> to speak +to him!”</p> + +<p>That gentleman had often been appealed to by frantic women as against +customers who had bought too liberally. But Katherine was a new +variety in his experience. There was a great deal too much of him +about the waist and also beneath the chin, but there was good-nature +in his eyes, and he came from behind his counter and bore himself +toward Katherine with a clumsy and ornate courtesy.</p> + +<p>“Don’t see how you can, Miss. He’s been hittin’ an awful pace lately. +You see for yourself how far gone he is.”</p> + +<p>“But I must speak to him—I must! Surely there is some extreme measure +that would bring him to his senses!”</p> + +<p>“But, excuse me; you see, Miss, Mr. Harper is a reg’lar guest of the +hotel, and I wouldn’t dare go to extremes. If I was to make him +mad——”</p> + +<p>“I’ll take all the blame!” she cried. “And afterward he’ll thank you +for it!”</p> + +<p>The bartender scratched his thin hair.</p> + +<p>“Of course, I want to help you, Miss, and since you put it that way, +all right. You say I can go the limit?”</p> + +<p>“Yes! Yes!”</p> + +<p>The bartender retired behind his bar and returned with a pail of +water. He removed the young editor’s hat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p><p>“Stand back, Miss; it’s ice cold,” he said; and with a swing of his +pudgy arms he sent the water about Harper’s head, neck, and upper +body.</p> + +<p>The young fellow staggered up with a gasping cry. His blinking eyes +saw the bartender, with the empty pail. He reached for the tumbler +before him.</p> + +<p>“Damn you, Murphy!” he growled. “I’ll pay you——”</p> + +<p>But Katherine stepped quickly forward and touched his dripping sleeve.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper!” she said.</p> + +<p>He slowly turned his head. Then the hand with the upraised tumbler +sank to the table, and he stared at her.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper,” she said sharply, slowly, trying to drive her words into +his dulled brain, “I’ve got to speak to you! At once!”</p> + +<p>He continued to blink at her stupidly. At length his lips opened.</p> + +<p>“Miss West,” he said thickly.</p> + +<p>She shook him fiercely.</p> + +<p>“Pull yourself together! I’ve got to speak to you!”</p> + +<p>At this moment Mr. Murphy, who had gone once more behind his bar, +reappeared bearing a glass. This he held out to Harper.</p> + +<p>“Here, Billy, put this down. It’ll help straighten you up.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p><p>Harper took the glass in a trembling hand and swallowed its contents.</p> + +<p>“And now, Miss,” said the bartender, putting Harper’s dry hat on him, +“the thing to do is to get him out in the cold air, and walk him round +a bit. I’d do it for you myself,” he added gallantly, “but everybody’s +down at the Square and there ain’t no one here to relieve me.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy.”</p> + +<p>“It’s nothing at all, Miss,” said he with a grandiloquent gesture of a +hairy, bediamonded hand. “Glad to do it.”</p> + +<p>She slipped her arm through the young editor’s.</p> + +<p>“And now, Mr. Harper, we must go.”</p> + +<p>Billy Harper vaguely understood the situation and there was a trace of +awakening shame in his husky voice.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure—you want to be seen with me—like this?”</p> + +<p>“I must, whether I want to or not,” she said briefly; and she led him +through the side door out into the frosty night.</p> + +<p>The period that succeeded will ever remain in Katherine’s mind as +matchless in her life for agonized suspense. She was ever crying out +frantically to herself, why did this man she led have to be in such a +condition at this the time when he was needed most? While she <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>rapidly +walked her drenched and shivering charge through the deserted back +streets, the enthusiasm of Court House Square reverberated maddeningly +in her ears. She realized how rapidly time was flying—and yet, aflame +with desire for action as she was, all she could do was to lead this +brilliant, stupefied creature to and fro, to and fro. She wondered if +she would be able to bring him to his senses in time to be of service. +To her impatience, which made an hour of every moment, it seemed she +never would. But her hope was all on him, and so doggedly she kept him +going.</p> + +<p>Presently he began to lurch against her less heavily and less +frequently; and soon, his head hanging low in humiliation, he started +shiveringly to mumble out an abject apology. She cut him short.</p> + +<p>“We’ve no time for apologies. There’s work to be done. Is your head +clear enough to understand?”</p> + +<p>“I think so,” he said humbly, albeit somewhat thickly.</p> + +<p>“Listen then! And listen hard!”</p> + +<p>Briefly and clearly she outlined to him her discoveries and told him +of the documents she had just secured. She did not realize it, but +this recital of hers was, for the purpose of sobering him, better far +than a douche of ice-water, better far than walking in the tingling +air. She <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>was appealing to, stimulating, the most sensitive organ of +the born newspaper man, his sense of news. Before she was through he +had come to a pause beneath a sputtering arc light, and was +interrupting her with short questions, his eyes ablaze with +excitement.</p> + +<p>“God!” he ejaculated when she had finished, “that would make the +greatest newspaper story that ever broke loose in this town!”</p> + +<p>She trembled with an excitement equal to his own.</p> + +<p>“And I want you to make it into the greatest newspaper story that ever +broke loose in this town!”</p> + +<p>“But to-morrow the voting——”</p> + +<p>“There’s no to-morrow about it! We’ve got to act to-night. You must +get out an extra of the <i>Express</i>.”</p> + +<p>“An extra of the <i>Express</i>!”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And it must be on the streets before that mass-meeting breaks +up.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, my God, my God!” Billy whispered in awe to himself, forgetting +how cold he was as his mind took in the plan. Then he started away +almost on a run. “We’ll do it! But first, we’ve got to get the +press-room gang.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve seen to that. I think we’ll find them waiting at the office.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t say!” ejaculated Billy. “Miss West, to-morrow, when there’s +more time, I’m <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>going to apologize to you, and everybody, for——”</p> + +<p>“If you get out this extra, you won’t need to apologize to anybody.”</p> + +<p>“But to-night, if you’ll let me,” continued Billy, “I want you to let +me say that you’re a wonder!”</p> + +<p>Katherine let this praise go by unheeded, and as they hurried toward +the Square she gave him details she had omitted in her outline. When +they reached the <i>Express</i> office they found Old Hosie, who told them +that the foreman and the mechanical staff were in the press-room. A +shout from Billy down the stairway brought the foreman running up.</p> + +<p>“Do you know what’s doing, Jake?” cried Billy.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Mr. Hollingsworth told me.”</p> + +<p>“Everything ready?”</p> + +<p>“Sure, Billy. We’re waiting for your copy.”</p> + +<p>“Good! First of all get these engraved.” He excitedly handed the +foreman Katherine’s two documents. “Each of ’em three columns wide. +We’ll run ’em on the front page. And, Jake, if you let those get lost, +I’ll shoot you so full of holes your wife’ll think she’s married to a +screen door! Now chase along with you!”</p> + +<p>Billy threw off his drenched coat, slipped into an old one hanging on +a hook, dropped into <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>a chair before a typewriter, ran in a sheet of +paper, and without an instant’s hesitation began to rattle off the +story—and Katherine, in a sort of fascination, stood gazing at that +worth-while spectacle, a first-class newspaperman in full action.</p> + +<p>But suddenly he gave a cry of dismay and his arms fell to his sides.</p> + +<p>“My mind sees the story all right,” he groaned. “I don’t know whether +it’s that ice-water or the drink, but my arms are so shaky I can’t hit +the keys straight.”</p> + +<p>On the instant Katherine had him out of the chair and was in his +place.</p> + +<p>“I studied typewriting along with my law,” she said rapidly. “Dictate +it to me on the machine.”</p> + +<p>There was not a word of comment. At once Billy began talking, and the +keys began to whir beneath Katherine’s hands. The first page finished, +Billy snatched it from her, gave a roar of “Copy!” glanced it through +with a correcting pencil, and thrust it into the hands of an +in-rushing boy.</p> + +<p>As the boy scuttled away, a thunderous cheering arose from the Court +House yard—applause that outsounded a dozen-fold all that had gone +before.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” asked Katherine of Old Hosie, who stood at the window +looking down upon the Square.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p><p>“It’s Blake, trying to speak. They’re giving him the ovation of his +life!”</p> + +<p>Katherine’s face set. “H’m!” said Billy grimly, and plunged again into +his dictation. Now and then the uproar that followed a happy phrase of +Blake almost drowned the voice of Billy, now and then Old Hosie from +his post at the window broke in with a sentence of description of the +tumultuous scene without; but despite these interruptions the story +rattled swiftly on. Again and again Billy ran to the sink at the back +of the office and let the clearing water splash over his head; his +collar was a shapeless rag; he had to keep thrusting his dripping hair +back from his forehead; his slight, chilled body was shivering in +every member; but the story kept coming, coming, coming, a living, +throbbing creation from his thin and twitching lips.</p> + +<p>As Katherine’s flying hands set down the words, she thrilled as though +this story were a thing entirely new to her. For Billy Harper, +whatever faults inheritance or habit had fixed upon him, was a +reporter straight from God. His trained mind had instantly seized upon +and mastered all the dramatic values of the complicated story, and his +English, though crude and rough-and-tumble from his haste, was vivid +passionate, rousing. He told how Doctor West was the victim of a plot, +a plot whose great <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span>victim was the city and people of Westville, and +this plot he outlined in all its details. He told of Doctor Sherman’s +part, at Blake’s compulsion. He told of the secret league between +Blake and Peck. He declared the truth of the charges for which Bruce +was then lying in the county jail. And finally—though this he did at +the beginning of his story—he drove home in his most nerve-twanging +words the fact that Blake the benefactor, Blake the applauded, was the +direct cause of the typhoid epidemic.</p> + +<p>As a fresh sheet was being run into the machine toward the end of the +story there was another tremendous outburst from the Square, +surpassing even the one of half an hour before.</p> + +<p>“Blake’s just finished his speech,” called Old Hosie from the window. +“The crowd wants to carry him on their shoulders.”</p> + +<p>“They’d better hurry up; this is one of their last chances!” cried +Billy.</p> + +<p>Then he saw the foreman enter with a look of concern. “Any thing +wrong, Jake?”</p> + +<p>“One of the linotype men has skipped out,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“Well, what of that?” said Harper. “You’ve got one left.”</p> + +<p>“It means that we’ll be delayed in getting out the paper. I hadn’t +noticed it before, but Grant’s been gone some time. We’re quite <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>a bit +behind you, and Simmons alone can’t begin to handle that copy as fast +as you’re sending it down.”</p> + +<p>“Do the best you can,” said Billy.</p> + +<p>He started at the dictation again. Then he broke off and called +sharply to the foreman:</p> + +<p>“Hold on, Jake. D’you suppose Grant slipped out to give the story +away?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. But Grant was a Blake man.”</p> + +<p>Billy swore under his breath.</p> + +<p>“But he hadn’t seen the best part of the story,” said the foreman. +“I’d given him only that part about Blake and Peck.”</p> + +<p>“Well, anyhow, it’s too late for him to hurt us any,” said Billy, and +once more plunged into the dictation.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later the story was finished, and Katherine leaned +back in her chair with aching arms, while Billy wrote a lurid headline +across the entire front page. With this he rushed down into the +composing-room to give orders about the make-up. When he returned he +carried a bunch of long strips.</p> + +<p>“These are the proofs of the whole thing, documents and all, except +the last part of the story,” he said. “Let’s see if they’ve got it all +straight.”</p> + +<p>He laid the proofs on Katherine’s desk and was drawing a chair up +beside her, when the telephone rang.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span></p><p>“Who can want to talk to us at such an hour?” he impatiently +exclaimed, taking up the receiver.</p> + +<p>“Hello! Who’s this?... What!... All right. Hold the wire.”</p> + +<p>With a surprised look he pushed the telephone toward Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Somebody to talk to you,” he said.</p> + +<p>“To talk to me!” exclaimed Katherine. “Who?”</p> + +<p>“Harrison Blake,” said Billy.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>KATHERINE FACES THE ENEMY</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">K</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">atherine</span> took up the receiver in tremulous hands.</p> + +<p>“Hello! Is this Mr. Blake?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” came a familiar voice over the wire. “Is this Miss West?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. What is it?”</p> + +<p>“I have a matter which I wish to discuss with you immediately.”</p> + +<p>“I am engaged for this evening,” she returned, as calmly as she could. +“If to-morrow you still desire to see me, I can possibly arrange it +then.”</p> + +<p>“I must see you to-night—at once!” he insisted. “It is a matter of +the utmost importance. Not so much to me as to you,” he added +meaningly.</p> + +<p>“If it is so important, then suppose you come here,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“I cannot possibly do so. I am bound here by a number of affairs. I +have anticipated that you would come, and have sent my car for you. It +will be there in two minutes.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span></p><p>Katherine put her hand over the mouthpiece, and repeated Blake’s +request to Old Hosie and Billy Harper.</p> + +<p>“What shall I do?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Tell him to go to!” said Billy promptly. “You’ve got him where you +want him. Don’t pay any more attention to him.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to know what he’s up to,” mused Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>“And so would I,” agreed Katherine, thoughtfully. “I can’t do anything +more here; he can’t hurt me; so I guess I’ll go.”</p> + +<p>She removed her hand from the mouthpiece and leaned toward it.</p> + +<p>“Where are you, Mr. Blake?”</p> + +<p>“At my home.”</p> + +<p>“Very well. I am coming.”</p> + +<p>She stood up.</p> + +<p>“Will you come with me?” she asked Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” said the old lawyer with alacrity. And then he chuckled. +“I’d like to see how the Senator looks to-night!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll just take these proofs along,” she said, thrusting them inside +her coat.</p> + +<p>The next instant she and Old Hosie were hurrying down the stairway. As +they came into the street the Westville Brass Band blew the last notes +of “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” out of cornets and trombones; the +great <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span>crowd, intoxicated with enthusiasm, responded with +palm-blistering applause; and then the candidate for president of the +city council arose to make his oratorical contribution. He had got no +further than his first period when Blake’s automobile glided up before +the <i>Express</i> office, and at once Katherine and Old Hosie stepped into +the tonneau.</p> + +<p>They sped away from this maelstrom of excitement into the quiet +residential streets, Katherine wondering what Blake desired to see her +about, and wondering if there could possibly be some flaw in her plan +that she had overlooked, and if after all Blake still had some weapon +in reserve with which he could defeat her. Five minutes later they +were at Blake’s door. They were instantly admitted, and Katherine was +informed that Blake awaited her in his library.</p> + +<p>She had had no idea in what state of mind she would find Blake, but +she had at least expected to find him alone. But instead, when she +entered the library with Old Hosie, a small assembly rose to greet +her. There was Blake, Blind Charlie Peck, Manning, and back in a +shadowy corner a rather rotund gentleman, whom she had observed in +Westville the last few days, and whom she knew to be Mr. Brown of the +National Electric & Water Company.</p> + +<p>Blake’s face was pale and set, and his dark eyes gleamed with an +unusual brilliance. But <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span>in his compressed features Katherine could +read nothing of what was in his mind.</p> + +<p>“Good evening,” he said with cold politeness.</p> + +<p>“Will you please sit down, Miss West. And you also, Mr. +Hollingsworth.”</p> + +<p>Katherine thanked him with a nod, and seated herself. She found her +chair so placed that she was the centre of the gaze of the little +assembly.</p> + +<p>“I take it for granted, Miss West,” Blake began steadily, formally, +“that you are aware of the reason for my requesting you to come here.”</p> + +<p>“On the other hand, I must confess myself entirely ignorant,” +Katherine quietly returned.</p> + +<p>“Pardon me if I am forced to believe otherwise. But nevertheless, I +will explain. It has come to me that you are now engaged in getting +out an issue of the <i>Express</i>, in which you charge that Mr. Peck and +myself are secretly in collusion to defraud the city. Is that +correct?”</p> + +<p>“Entirely so,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>She felt full command of herself, yet every instant she was straining +to peer ahead and discover, before it fell, the suspected +counter-stroke.</p> + +<p>“Before going further,” Blake continued, “I will say that Mr. Peck and +I, though personal and political enemies, must join forces against +such a libel directed at us both. This will explain Mr. Peck’s +presence in my house for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span>the first time in his life. Now, to resume +our business. What you are about to publish is a libel. It is for your +sake, chiefly, that I have asked you here.”</p> + +<p>“For my sake?”</p> + +<p>“For your sake. To warn you, if you are not already aware of it, of +the danger you are plunging into headlong. But surely you are +acquainted with our libel laws.”</p> + +<p>“I am.”</p> + +<p>His face, aside from its cold, set look, was still without expression; +his voice was low-pitched and steady.</p> + +<p>“Then of course you understand your risk,” he continued. “You have had +a mild illustration of the working of the law in the case of Mr. +Bruce. But the case against him was not really pressed. The court +might not deal so leniently with you. I believe you get my meaning?”</p> + +<p>“Perfectly,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>There was a silence. Katherine was determined not to speak first, but +to force Blake to take the lead.</p> + +<p>“Well?” said he.</p> + +<p>“I was waiting to hear what else you had to say,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“Well, you are aware that what you purpose printing is a most +dangerous libel?”</p> + +<p>“I am aware that you seem to think it so.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p><p>“There is no thinking about it; it <i>is</i> libel!” he returned. For the +first time there was a little sharpness in his voice. “And now, what +are you going to do?”</p> + +<p>“What do you want me to do?”</p> + +<p>“Suppress the paper.”</p> + +<p>“Is that advice, or a wish, or a command?”</p> + +<p>“Suppose I say all three.”</p> + +<p>Her eyes did not leave his pale, intent face. She was instantly more +certain that he had some weapon in reserve. But still she failed to +guess what it might be.</p> + +<p>“Well, what are you going to do?” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“I am going to print the paper,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>An instant of stupefied silence followed her quiet answer.</p> + +<p>“You are, are you?” cried Blind Charlie, springing up. “Well, let +me——”</p> + +<p>“Sit down, Peck!” Blake ordered sharply</p> + +<p>“Come, give me a chance at her!”</p> + +<p>“Sit down! I’m handling this!” Blake cried with sudden harshness.</p> + +<p>“Well, then, show her where she’s at!” grumbled Blind Charlie, +subsiding into his chair.</p> + +<p>Blake turned back to Katherine. His face was again impassive.</p> + +<p>“And so it is your intention to commit this <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>monstrous libel?” he +asked in his former composed tone.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it is not libel,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>“You mean that you think you have proofs?”</p> + +<p>“No. That is not my meaning.”</p> + +<p>“What then do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that I <i>have</i> proofs.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, at last we are coming to the crux of the matter. Since you have +proofs for your statements, you think there is no libel?”</p> + +<p>“I believe that is sound law,” said Katherine.</p> + +<p>“It is sound enough law,” he said. He leaned toward her, and there was +now the glint of triumph in his eyes. “But suppose the proofs were not +sound?”</p> + +<p>Katherine started.</p> + +<p>“The proofs not sound?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I suppose your article is based upon testimony?”</p> + +<p>“Of course.”</p> + +<p>His next words were spoken slowly, that each might sink deeply in.</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose your witnesses had found they were mistaken and had +repudiated their testimony? What then?”</p> + +<p>She sank back in her chair. At last the expected blow had fallen. She +sat dazed, thinking wildly. Had they got to Doctor Sherman since she +had seen him, and forced him to recant? Had Manning, offered the world +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>by them in this crisis, somehow sold her out? She searched the +latter’s face with consternation. But he wore a rather stolid look +that told her nothing.</p> + +<p>Blake read the effect of his words in her white face and dismayed +manner.</p> + +<p>“Suppose they have repudiated their statements? What then?” he +crushingly persisted.</p> + +<p>She caught desperately at her courage and her vanishing triumph.</p> + +<p>“But they have not repudiated.”</p> + +<p>“You think not? You shall see!”</p> + +<p>He turned to Blind Charlie. “Tell him to step in.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie moved quickly to a side door. Katherine leaned forward +and stared after him, breathless, her heart stilled. She expected the +following moment to see the slender figure of Doctor Sherman enter the +room, and hear his pallid lips deny he had ever made the confession of +a few hours before.</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie opened the door.</p> + +<p>“They’re ready for you,” he called.</p> + +<p>It was all Katherine could do to keep from springing up and letting +out a sob of relief. For it was not Doctor Sherman who entered. It was +the broad and sumptuous presence of Elijah Stone, detective. He +crossed and stood before Blake.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Stone,” said Blake, sharply, “I want <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span>you to answer a few +questions for the benefit of Miss West. First of all, you were +employed by Miss West on a piece of detective work, were you not?”</p> + +<p>“I was,” said Mr. Stone, avoiding Katherine’s eye.</p> + +<p>“And the nature of your employment was to try to discover evidence of +an alleged conspiracy against the city on my part?”</p> + +<p>“It was.”</p> + +<p>“And you made to her certain reports?”</p> + +<p>“I did.”</p> + +<p>“Let me inform you that she has used those reports as the basis of a +libellous story which she is about to print. Now answer me, did you +give her any real evidence that would stand the test of a court room?”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stone gazed at the ceiling.</p> + +<p>“My statements to her were mere surmises,” he said with the glibness +of a rehearsed answer. “Nothing but conjecture—no evidence at all.”</p> + +<p>“What is your present belief concerning these conjectures?”</p> + +<p>“I have since discovered that my conjectures were all mistakes.”</p> + +<p>“That will do, Mr. Stone!”</p> + +<p>Blake turned quickly upon Katherine. “Well, now what have you got to +say?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>She could have laughed in her joy.</p> + +<p>“First of all,” she called to the withdrawing <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span>detective, “I have this +to say to you, Mr. Stone. When you sold out to these people, I hope +you made them pay you well.”</p> + +<p>The detective flushed, but he had no chance to reply.</p> + +<p>“This is no time for levity, Miss West!” Blake said sharply. “Now you +see your predicament. Now you see what sort of testimony your libel is +built upon.”</p> + +<p>“But my libel is not built upon that testimony.”</p> + +<p>“Not built——” He now first observed that Katherine was smiling. +“What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Just what I said. That my story is not based on Mr. Stone’s +testimony.”</p> + +<p>There were exclamations from Mr. Brown and Blind Charlie.</p> + +<p>“Eh—what?” said Blake. “But you hired Stone as a detective?”</p> + +<p>“And he was eminently successful in carrying out the purpose for which +I hired him. That purpose was to be watched, and bought off, by you.”</p> + +<p>Blake sank back and stared at her.</p> + +<p>“Then your story is based——”</p> + +<p>“Partly on the testimony of Doctor Sherman,” she said.</p> + +<p>Blake came slowly up to his feet.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Sherman?” he breathed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span></p><p>“Yes, of Doctor Sherman.”</p> + +<p>Blind Charlie moved quickly forward.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“It’s not true!” burst from Blake’s lips. “Doctor Sherman is in +Canada!”</p> + +<p>“When I saw him two hours ago he was at his wife’s bedside.”</p> + +<p>“It’s not true!” Blake huskily repeated.</p> + +<p>“And I might add, Mr. Blake,” Katherine pursued, “that he made a full +statement of everything—everything!—and that he gave me a signed +confession.”</p> + +<p>Blake stared at her blankly. A sickly pallor was creeping over his +face.</p> + +<p>Katherine stood up.</p> + +<p>“And I might furthermore add, gentlemen,” she went on, now also +addressing Blind Charlie, “that I know all about the water-works deal, +and the secret agreement among you.”</p> + +<p>“Hold on! You’re going too far!” the old politician cried savagely. +“You’ve got no evidence against me!”</p> + +<p>“I could hardly help having it, since I was present at your +proceedings.”</p> + +<p>“You?”</p> + +<p>“Personally and by proxy. I am the agent of Mr. Seymour of New York. +Mr. Hartsell here, otherwise Mr. Manning, has represented me, and has +turned over to me the agreement you signed to-day.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p><p>They whirled about upon Manning, who continued unperturbed in his +chair.</p> + +<p>“What she says is straight, gentlemen,” he said. “I have only been +acting for Miss West.”</p> + +<p>A horrible curse fell from the thick, loose lips of Blind Charlie +Peck. Blake, his sickly pallor deepening, stared from Manning to +Katherine.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t so! It can’t be so!” he breathed wildly.</p> + +<p>“If you want to see just what I’ve got, here it is,” said Katherine, +and she tossed the bundle of proofs upon the desk.</p> + +<p>Blake seized the sheets in feverish hands. Blind Charlie stepped to +his side, and Mr. Brown slipped forward out of his corner and peered +over their shoulders. First they saw the two facsimiles, then their +eyes swept in the leading points of Billy Harper’s fiery story. Then a +low cry escaped from Blake. He had come upon Billy Harper’s great +page-wide headline:</p> + +<p class="center">“BLAKE CONSPIRES TO SWINDLE WESTVILLE;<br /> +DIRECT CAUSE OF CITY’S SICK AND DEAD.”</p> + +<p>At that Blake collapsed into his chair and gazed with ashen face at +the black, accusing letters. This relentless summary of the situation +appalled them all into a moment’s silence.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p><p>Blind Charlie was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>“That paper must never come out!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>Blake raised his gray-hued face.</p> + +<p>“How are you going to stop it?”</p> + +<p>“Here’s how,” cried Peck, his one eye ablaze with fierce energy. “That +crowd at the Square is still all for you, Blake. Don’t let the girl +out of the house! I’ll rush to the Square, rouse the mob properly, and +they’ll raid the office, rip up the presses, plates, paper, every +damned thing!”</p> + +<p>“No—no—I’ll not stand for that!” Blake burst out.</p> + +<p>But Blind Charlie had already started quickly away. Not so quickly, +however, but that the very sufficient hand of Manning was about his +wrist before he reached the door.</p> + +<p>“I guess we won’t be doing that to-night, Mr. Peck,” Manning said +quietly.</p> + +<p>The old politician stood shaking with rage and erupting profanity. But +presently this subsided, and he stood, as did the others, gazing down +at Blake. Blake sat in his chair, silent, motionless, with scarcely a +breath, his eyes fixed on the headline. His look was as ghastly as a +dead man’s, a look of utter ruin, of ruin so terrible and complete +that his dazed mind could hardly comprehend it.</p> + +<p>There was a space of profound silence in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>room. But after a time +Blind Charlie’s face grew malignantly, revengefully jocose.</p> + +<p>“Well, Blake,” said he, “I guess this won’t hurt me much after all. I +guess I haven’t much reputation to lose. But as for you, who started +this business—you the pure, moral, high-minded reformer——”</p> + +<p>He interrupted himself by raising a hand.</p> + +<p>“Listen!”</p> + +<p>Faintly, from the direction of the Square, came the dim roar of +cheering, and then the outburst of the band. Blind Charlie, with a +cynical laugh, clapped a hand upon Blake’s shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you hear ’em, Blake? Brace up! The people still are for you!”</p> + +<p>Blake did not reply. The old man bent down, his face now wholly hard.</p> + +<p>“And anyhow, Blake, I’m getting this satisfaction out of the business. +I’ve had it in for you for a dozen years, and now you’re going to get +it good and plenty! Good night and to hell with you!”</p> + +<p>Blake did not look up. Manning slipped an arm through the old man’s.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go along with you for a little while,” said Manning quietly. +“Just to see that you don’t start any trouble.”</p> + +<p>As the pair were going out Mr. Brown, who had thus far not said a +single word, bent his fatherly figure over Blake.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span></p><p>“Of course, you realize, Mr. Blake, that our relations are necessarily +at an end,” he said in a low voice.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” Blake said dully.</p> + +<p>“I’m very sorry we cannot help you, but of course you realize we +cannot afford to be involved in a mess like this. Good night.” And he +followed the others out, Old Hosie behind him.</p> + +<p>For a space Katherine stood alone, gazing down upon Blake’s bowed and +silent figure. Now that it was all over, now that his allies had all +deserted him, to see this man whom she had known as so proud, so +strong, so admired, with such a boundless future—who had once been +her own ideal of a great man—who had once declared himself her +lover—to see this man now brought so low, stirred in her a strange +emotion, in which there was something of pity, something of sympathy, +and a tugging remembrance of the love he long ago had offered.</p> + +<p>But the noise of the front door closing upon the men recalled her to +herself, and very softly, so as not to disturb him, she started away. +Her hand was on the knob, when there sounded a dry and husky voice +from behind her.</p> + +<p>“Wait, Katherine! Wait!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>AN IDOL’S FALL</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">S</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">he</span> turned. Blake had risen from his chair.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” she asked.</p> + +<p>He came up to her, the proofs still in his hands. He was unsteady upon +his feet, like a man dizzy from a heavy blow. The face which she had +been accustomed to see only as full of poise and strength and dignity +was now supremely haggard. When he spoke he spoke in uttermost +despair—huskily, chokingly, yet with an effort at control.</p> + +<p>“Do you know what this is going to do to me?” he asked, holding out +the proof-sheets.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” she said.</p> + +<p>“It is going to ruin me—reputation, fortune, future! Everything!”</p> + +<p>She did not answer him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, that is going to be the result,” he continued in his slow, husky +voice. “Only one thing can save me.”</p> + +<p>“And that?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p><p>He stared at her for a moment with wildly burning eyes. Then he wet +his dry lips.</p> + +<p>“That is for you to countermand this extra.”</p> + +<p>“You ask me to do that?”</p> + +<p>“It is my only chance. I do.”</p> + +<p>“I believe you are out of your mind!” she cried.</p> + +<p>“I believe I am!” he said hoarsely.</p> + +<p>“Think just a moment, and you will see that what you ask is quite +impossible. Just think a moment.”</p> + +<p>He was silent for a time. A tremor ran through him, his body +stiffened.</p> + +<p>“No, I do not ask it,” he said. “I am not trying to excuse myself now, +but when a thing falls so unexpectedly, so suddenly——” A choking at +the throat stopped him. “If I have seemed to whimper, I take it back. +You have beaten me, Katherine. But I hope I can take defeat like a +man.”</p> + +<p>She did not answer.</p> + +<p>They continued gazing at one another. In the silence of the great +house they could hear each other’s agitated breathing. Into his dark +face, now turned so gray, there crept a strange, drawn look—a look +that sent a tingling through all her body.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“To think,” he exclaimed in a low, far-away <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span>voice, almost to himself, +“that I have lost everything through you! Through you, through whom I +might have gained everything!”</p> + +<p>“Gained everything? Through me?” she repeated. “How?”</p> + +<p>“I am sure I would have kept out of such things—as this—if, five +years ago, you had said ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’.”</p> + +<p>“Said yes?” she breathed.</p> + +<p>“I think you would have kept me in the straight road. For I would not +have dared to fall below your standards. For I”—he drew a deep, +convulsive breath—“for I loved you, Katherine, better than anything +in all the world!”</p> + +<p>She trembled at the intensity of his voice.</p> + +<p>“You loved me—like that?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And since I have lost you, and lost everything, there is perhaps +no harm in my telling you something else. Only on that one night did I +open my lips about love to you—but I have loved you through all the +years since then. And ... and I still love you.”</p> + +<p>“You still love me?” she whispered.</p> + +<p>“I still love you.”</p> + +<p>She stared at him.</p> + +<p>“And yet all these months you have fought against me!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p><p>“I have not fought against <i>you</i>,” he said. “Somehow, I got started in +this way, and I have fought to win—have fought against exposure, +against defeat.”</p> + +<p>“And you still love me?” she murmured, still amazed.</p> + +<p>As she gazed at him there shot into her a poignant pang of pity for +this splendid figure, tottering on the edge of the abyss. For an +instant she thought only of him.</p> + +<p>“You asked me a moment ago to suppress the paper,” she cried +impulsively. “Shall I do it?”</p> + +<p>“I now ask nothing,” said he.</p> + +<p>“No—no—I can’t suppress the paper!” she said in anguish. “That would +be to leave father disgraced, and Mr. Bruce disgraced, and the +city——But what are you going to do?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know. This has come so suddenly. I have had no time to +think.”</p> + +<p>“You must at least have time to think! If you had an hour—two hours?”</p> + +<p>There was a momentary flash of hope in his eyes.</p> + +<p>“If I had an hour——”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll delay the paper!” she cried.</p> + +<p>She sprang excitedly to the telephone upon Blake’s desk. The next +instant she had Billy Harper on the wire, Blake watching her, +motionless in his tracks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span></p><p>“Mr. Harper,” she said, “it is now half-past ten. I want you to hold +the paper back till eleven-thirty.... What’s that?”</p> + +<p>She listened for a moment, then slowly hung up the receiver. She did +not at once turn round, but when she did her face was very white.</p> + +<p>“Well?” Blake asked.</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry,” she said, barely above a whisper. “The paper has been +upon the street for ten minutes.”</p> + +<p>They gazed at one another for several moments, both motionless, both +without a word. Then thin, sharp cries penetrated the room. Blake’s +lips parted.</p> + +<p>“What is that?” he asked mechanically.</p> + +<p>Katherine crossed and raised a window. Through it came shrill, boyish +voices:</p> + +<p>“Extry! Extry! All about the great Blake conspiracy!”</p> + +<p>These avant couriers of Blake’s disgrace sped onward down the avenue. +Katherine turned slowly back to Blake. He still stood in the same +posture, leaning heavily upon an arm that rested on his mahogany desk. +He did not speak. Nor was there anything that Katherine could say.</p> + +<p>It was for but a moment or two that they stood in this strained +silence. Then a dim outcry sounded from the centre of the town. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span>In +but a second, it seemed, this outcry had mounted to a roar.</p> + +<p>“It is the crowd—at the Square,” said Blake, in a dry whisper.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“The extra—they have seen it.”</p> + +<p>The roar rose louder—louder. It was like the thunder of an on-rushing +flood that has burst its dam. It began to separate into distinct +cries, and the shuffle of running feet.</p> + +<p>“They are coming this way,” said Blake in his same dry, mechanical +tone.</p> + +<p>There was no need for Katherine to reply. The fact was too apparent. +She moved to the open window, and stood there waiting. The roar grew +nearer—nearer. In but a moment, it seemed to her, the front of this +human flood appeared just beyond her own house. The next moment the +crowd began to pour into Blake’s wide lawn—by the hundreds—by the +thousands. Many of them still carried in clenched hands crumpled +copies of the <i>Express</i>. Here and there, luridly illuminating the wild +scene, blazed a smoking torch of a member of the Blake Marching Club. +And out of the mouths of this great mob, which less than a short hour +before had lauded him to the stars—out of the mouths of these his +erewhile idolaters, came the most fearful imprecations, the most +fearful cries for vengeance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p><p>Katherine became aware that Blake was standing behind her gazing down +upon this human storm. She turned, and in his pallid face she plainly +read the passionate regret that was surging through his being. His had +been the chance to serve these people, and serve them with honour to +himself—honour that hardly had a limit. And now he had lost them, +lost them utterly and forever, and with them had lost everything!</p> + +<p>Some one below saw his face at the window and swore shriekingly to +have his life. Blake drew quickly back and stood again beside his +desk. He was white—living flesh could not be more white—but he still +maintained that calm control which had succeeded his first desperate +consternation.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” Katherine asked.</p> + +<p>He very quietly drew out a drawer of his desk and picked up a pistol.</p> + +<p>“What!” she cried. “You are not going to fight them off!”</p> + +<p>“No. I have injured enough of them already,” he replied in his +measured tone. “Keep all this from my mother as long as you can—at +least till she is stronger.”</p> + +<p>As she saw his intention Katherine sprang forward and caught the +weapon he was turning upon himself.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span></p><p>“No! No! You must not do that!”</p> + +<p>“But I must,” he returned quietly. “Listen!”</p> + +<p>The cries without had grown more violent. The heavy front door was +resounding with blows.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you see that this is the only thing that’s left?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“And don’t you see,” she said rapidly, “its effect upon your mother? +In her weakened condition, your death will be her death. You just said +you had injured enough already. Do you want to kill one more? And +besides, and in spite of all,” she added with a sudden fire, “there’s +a big man in you! Face it like that man!”</p> + +<p>He hesitated. Then he relaxed his hold upon the pistol, still without +speaking. Katherine returned it to its place and closed the drawer.</p> + +<p>At this instant Old Hosie, who had been awaiting Katherine below, +rushed excitedly into the library.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you know hell’s broke loose?” he cried to Katherine. “They’ll +have that front door down in a minute! Come on!”</p> + +<p>But Katherine could not take her gaze from Blake’s pale, set face.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” she asked again.</p> + +<p>“What is he going to do?” exclaimed Old Hosie. “Better ask what that +mob is going to do. Listen to them!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span></p><p>A raging cry for Blake’s life ascended, almost deafening their ears.</p> + +<p>“No, no—they must not do that!” exclaimed Katherine, and breathlessly +she darted from the room.</p> + +<p>Old Hosie looked grimly at Blake.</p> + +<p>“You deserve it, Blake. But I’m against mob law. Quick, slip out the +back way. You can just catch the eleven o’clock express and get out of +the State.”</p> + +<p>Without waiting to see the effect of his advice Old Hosie hurried +after Katherine. She had reached the bottom of the stairway just as +cooperated shoulders crashed against the door and made it shiver on +its hinges. Her intention was to go out and speak to the crowd, but to +open the front door was to admit and be overwhelmed by the maddened +mob. She knew the house almost as well as she knew her own, and she +recalled that the dining-room had a French window which opened upon +the piazza on the side away from the crowd. She ran back through the +darkened rooms, swung open this window and ran about the piazza to the +front door. As she reached it, the human battering-ram drew back for +another infuriated lunge.</p> + +<p>She sprang between the men and the door.</p> + +<p>“Stop! Stop!” she cried.</p> + +<p>“What the hell’s this!” ejaculated the leader of the assault.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span></p><p>“Say, if it ain’t a woman!” cried a member of the battering-ram.</p> + +<p>“Out of the way with you!” roared the leader in a fury.</p> + +<p>But she placed her back against the door.</p> + +<p>“Stop—men! Give me just one word!”</p> + +<p>“Better stop this, boys!” gasped a man at the foot of the steps, +struggling in half a dozen pairs of arms. “I warn you! It’s against +the law!”</p> + +<p>“Shut up, Jim Nichols; this is our business!” cried the leader to the +helpless sheriff. “And now, you”—turning again to Katherine—“out of +the way!”</p> + +<p>The seething, torch-lit mob on the lawn below repeated his cry. The +leader, his wrath increasing, seized Katherine roughly by the arm and +jerked her aside:</p> + +<p>“Now, all together, boys!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>But at that instant upon the front of the mob there fell a tall, lean +fury with a raging voice and a furiously swinging cane. It was Old +Hosie. Before this fierce chastisement, falling so suddenly upon their +heads, the battering-ram for a moment pressed backward.</p> + +<p>“You fools! You idiots!” the old man cried, and his high, sharp voice +cut through all the noises of the mob. “Is that the way you treat the +woman that saved you!”</p> + +<p>“Saved us?” some one shouted incredulously. “Her save us?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span></p><p>“Yes, saved you!” Old Hosie cried in a rising voice down upon the +heads of the crowd. His cane had ceased its flailing; the crowd had +partially ceased its uproar. “Do you know who that woman is? She’s +Katherine West!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, the lady lawyer!” rose several jeering voices.</p> + +<p>For the moment Old Hosie’s tall figure, with his cane outstretched, +had the wrathful majesty of a prophet of old, denouncing his foolish +and reprobate people.</p> + +<p>“Go on, all of you, laugh at her to-night!” he shouted. “But after +to-night you’ll all slink around Westville, ashamed to look anything +in the face higher than a dog! For half a year you’ve been sneering at +Katherine West. And see how she’s paid you back! It was she that found +out your enemy. It was she that dug up all the facts and evidence +you’ve read in those papers there. It was she that’s saved you from +being robbed. And now——”</p> + +<p>“She done all that?” exclaimed a voice from the now stilled mob.</p> + +<p>“Yes, she done all that!” shouted Old Hosie. “And what’s more, she got +out that paper in your hands. While you’ve been sneering at her, she’s +been working for you. And now, after all this, you’re not even willing +to listen to a word from her!” His voice rose in its contemptuous +wrath still one note higher. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span>“And now listen to me! I’m going to tell +you exactly what you are! You are all——”</p> + +<p>But Westville never learned exactly what it was. Just then Old Hosie +was firmly pulled back by the tails of his Prince Albert coat and +found himself in the possession of the panting, dishevelled sheriff of +Galloway County.</p> + +<p>“You’ve made your point, Hosie,” said Jim Nichols. “They’ll listen to +her now.”</p> + +<p>Katherine stepped forward into the space Old Hosie had involuntarily +vacated. With the torchlights flaring up into her face she stood there +breathing deeply, awed into momentary silence by the great crowd and +by the responsibility that weighed upon her.</p> + +<p>“If, as Mr. Hollingsworth has said,” she began in a tremulous but +clear voice that carried to the farthest confines of the lawn, “you +owe me anything, all I ask in return is that you refrain from mob +violence;” and she went on to urge upon them the lawful course. The +crowd, taken aback by the accusations and revelations Old Hosie had +flung so hotly into their faces, strangely held by her impassioned +woman’s figure pedestalled above them on the porch, listened to her +with an attention and respect which they as yet were far from +understanding.</p> + +<p>She felt that she had won her audience, that she had turned them +back to lawful measures, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span>when suddenly there was a roar of “Blake! +Blake!”—the stilled crowd became again a mob—and she saw that the +focus of their gaze had shifted from her to a point behind her. +Looking about, she saw that the door had opened, and that Blake, +pale and erect, was standing in the doorway. The crowd tried to +surge forward, but the front ranks, out of their new and but +half-comprehended respect for Katherine, stood like a wall against the +charge that would have overwhelmed her.</p> + +<p>Blake moved forward to her side.</p> + +<p>“I should like to speak to them, if I can,” he said quietly.</p> + +<p>Katherine held up her hand for silence. The mob hissed and cursed him, +and tried to break through the human fortification of the front ranks. +Through it all Blake stood silent, pale, without motion. Katherine, +her hand still upraised, continued to cry out for silence; and after a +time the uproar began in a measure to diminish.</p> + +<p>Katherine took quick advantage of the lull.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen,” she called out, “won’t you please give Mr. Blake just a +word!”</p> + +<p>Cries that they should give him a chance to speak ran through the +crowd, and thus abjured by its own members the mob quieted yet +further. While they were subsiding into <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span>order Blake looked steadily +out upon this sea of hostile faces. Katherine watched him +breathlessly, wondering what he was about to say. It swept in upon +her, with a sudden catching of the throat, that he made a fine figure +standing there so straight, so white, with so little sign of fear; and +despite what the man had done, again some of her old admiration for +him thrilled through her, and with it an infinite pang of regret for +what he might have been.</p> + +<p>At length there was moderate order, and Blake began to speak. +“Gentlemen, I do not wish to plead for myself,” he said quietly, yet +in his far-carrying voice. “What I have done is beyond your +forgiveness. I merely desire to say that I am guilty; to say that I am +here to give myself into your hands. Do with me as you think best. If +you prefer immediate action, I shall go with you without resistance. +If you wish to let the law take its course, then”—here he made a +slight gesture toward Jim Nichols, who stood beside him—“then I shall +give myself into the hands of the sheriff. I await your choice.”</p> + +<p>With that he paused. A perfect hush had fallen on the crowd. This man +who had dominated them in the days of his glory, dominated them for at +least a flickering moment in this the hour of his fall. For that brief +moment all were under the spell of their habit to honour <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span>him, the +spell of his natural dignity, the spell of his direct words.</p> + +<p>Then the spell was over. The storm broke loose again. There were cries +for immediate action, and counter cries in favour of the law. The two +cries battled with each other. For a space there was doubt as to which +was the stronger. Then that for the law rose louder and louder and +drowned the other out.</p> + +<p>Sheriff Nichols slipped his arm through Blake’s.</p> + +<p>“I guess you’re going to come with me,” he said.</p> + +<p>“I am ready,” was Blake’s response.</p> + +<p>He turned about to Katherine.</p> + +<p>“You deserved to win,” he said quietly. “Thank you. Good-by.”</p> + +<p>“Good-by,” said she.</p> + +<p>The sheriff drew him away. Katherine, panting, leaning heavily against +a pillar of the porch, watched the pair go down the steps—watched the +great crowd part before them—watched them march through this human +alley-way, lighted by smoking campaign torches—watched them till they +had passed into the darkness in the direction of the jail. Then she +dizzily reached out and caught Old Hosie’s arm.</p> + +<p>“Help me home,” she said weakly. “I—I feel sick.”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE END OF THE BEGINNING</h3> + +<p class="n"><span style="float:left;font-size:50px;line-height:32px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:1px;">I</span><span style="margin-left:0%;">t</span> was the following night, and the hour was nine. Old Hosie stood in +the sheriff’s office in Galloway County jail, while Jim Nichols +scrutinized a formal looking document his visitor had just delivered +into his hands.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right, isn’t it?” said the old lawyer.</p> + +<p>“Yep.” The sheriff thrust the paper into a drawer. “I’ll fetch him +right down.”</p> + +<p>“Remember, don’t give him a hint!” Old Hosie warned again. “You’re +sure,” he added anxiously, “he hasn’t got on to anything?”</p> + +<p>“How many more times have I got to tell you,” returned the sheriff, a +little irritated, “that I ain’t said a word to him—just as you told +me! He heard some of the racket last night, sure. But he thought it +was just part of the regular campaign row.”</p> + +<p>“All right! All right! Hurry him along then!”</p> + +<p>Left alone, Old Hosie walked excitedly up and down the dingy room, +whose sole pretension in an æsthetic way was the breeze-blown +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>“yachting girl” of a soap company’s calendar, sailing her bounding +craft above the office cuspidor.</p> + +<p>The old man grinned widely, rubbed his bony hands together, and a +concatenation of low chuckles issued from his lean throat. But when +Sheriff Nichols reappeared, ushering in Arnold Bruce, all these +outward manifestations of satisfaction abruptly terminated, and his +manner became his usual dry and sarcastic one with his nephew.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Arn!” he said. “H’are you?”</p> + +<p>“Hello!” Bruce returned, rather gruffly, shaking the hand his uncle +held out. “What’s this the sheriff has just told me about a new +trial?”</p> + +<p>“It’s all right,” returned Old Hosie. “We’ve fought on till we’ve made +’em give it to us.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the use of it?” Bruce growled. “The cards will be stacked the +same as at the other trial.”</p> + +<p>“Well, whatever happens, you’re free till then. I’ve got you out on +bail, and I’m here to take you home with me. So come along with you.”</p> + +<p>Old Hosie pushed him out and down the jail steps and into a closed +carriage that was waiting at the curb. Bruce was in a glowering, +embittered mood, as was but natural in a man who keenly feels that he +has suffered without justice and has lost all for which he fought.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span></p><p>“You know I appreciate your working for the new trial,” he remarked +dully, as the carriage rattled slowly on. “How did you manage it?”</p> + +<p>“It’s too long a story for now. I’ll tell you when we get home.”</p> + +<p>Bruce was gloomily silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>“Of course the Blake crowd swept everything at the election to-day?”</p> + +<p>“Well, on the whole, their majority wasn’t as big as they’d counted +on,” returned Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>They rode on, Bruce sunk in his bitter, rebellious dejection. The +carriage turned into the street that ran behind the Court House, then +after rattling over the brick pavement for a few moments came to a +pause. Hosie opened the door and stepped out.</p> + +<p>“Hello! what are we stopping here for?” demanded Bruce. “This is the +Court House. I thought you said we were going home?”</p> + +<p>“So we are, so we are,” Old Hosie rapidly returned, an agitation in +his manner that he could not wholly repress. “But first we’ve got to +go into the Court House. Judge Kellog is waiting for us; there’s a +little formality or two about your release we’ve got to settle with +him. Come along.” And taking his arm Old Hosie hurried him into the +Court House yard, allowing no time for questioning the plausibility of +this explanation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span></p><p>But suddenly Bruce stopped short.</p> + +<p>“Look at that, won’t you!” he cried in amazement. “See how the front +of the yard is lighted up, and see how it’s jammed with people! And +there goes the band! What the dickens——”</p> + +<p>At that moment some one on the outskirts of the crowd sighted the +pair. “There’s Bruce!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>Immediately there was an uproar. “Hurrah for Bruce! Hurrah for Bruce!” +yelled the crowd, and began to rush to the rear of the yard, cheering +as they ran.</p> + +<p>Bruce gripped Old Hosie’s arm.</p> + +<p>“What’s this mean?”</p> + +<p>“It means we’ve got to run for it!” And so saying the old man, with a +surprising burst of speed left over from his younger years, dragged +his nephew up the walk and through the rear door of the Court House, +which he quickly locked upon their clamorous pursuers.</p> + +<p>Bruce stared at his uncle in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>“Hosie—Hosie—what’s this mean?”</p> + +<p>The old man’s leathery face was twitching in a manner remarkable to +behold.</p> + +<p>“Drat it,” he grumbled, with a quaver in his voice, “why don’t you +read the <i>Express</i> and keep up with the news!”</p> + +<p>“What’s this mean?” demanded Bruce.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span></p><p>“Well, here’s a copy of your old rag. Read it and see for yourself.”</p> + +<p>Bruce seized the <i>Express</i> the old man held out to him. Up in one +corner were the words “<i>Election Extra</i>,” and across the top of the +page ran the great headline:</p> + +<p class="center">“BRUCE TICKET SWEEPS CITY”</p> + +<p>Bruce looked slowly up, stupefied, and steadied himself with a hand +against the door.</p> + +<p>“Is—is that true?”</p> + +<p>“For my part,” declared Old Hosie, the quaver in his voice growing +more prominent, “I don’t believe more’n half I see in that dirty +sheet!”</p> + +<p>“Then—it’s true?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you hear them wild Indians yelling for Mayor Bruce?”</p> + +<p>Bruce was too dazed to speak for a moment.</p> + +<p>“Tell me—how did it happen?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, read your old rag and see!”</p> + +<p>“For God’s sake, Hosie, don’t fool with me!” he cried. “How did it +happen? Somebody has been at work. Who did it?”</p> + +<p>“Eh! You really want to know that?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes! Who did it?”</p> + +<p>“It was done,” said Old Hosie, looking at him very straight and +blinking his eyes, “by a party that I understand you thought couldn’t +do much of anything.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p><p>“But who? Who?”</p> + +<p>“If you really want to know, the party’s name is Miss Katherine West.”</p> + +<p>Bruce’s stupefaction outdid itself.</p> + +<p>“Katherine West!” he repeated.</p> + +<p>Old Hosie could maintain his rôle no longer.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Katherine West!” he burst out in triumphant joy, his words +tumbling over one another. “She did it all—every bit of it! And that +mob out in front is there to celebrate your election. We knew how +things were going to turn out, so we were safe in getting this thing +ready in advance. And I don’t mind telling you, young fellow, that +this celebration is just as much for her as it is for you. The town +has simply gone crazy about her and is looking for a chance to kiss +her feet. She said she wouldn’t come to-night, but we all insisted. I +promised to bring her, and I’ve got to be off. So good-by!”</p> + +<p>Bruce caught his arm.</p> + +<p>“Wait, Hosie! Tell me what she did! Tell me the rest!”</p> + +<p>“Read that paper I gave you! And here, I brought this for you, too.” +He took from his inside pocket a copy of the extra Katherine and Billy +Harper had got out the night before. “Those two papers will tell you +all there is to tell. And now,” he continued, opening a door and +pushing Bruce through it, “you just wait <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span>in there so I’ll know where +to find you when I want you. I’ve got to hustle for a while, for I’m +master of ceremonies of this show. How’s that for your old uncle? It’s +the first time I’ve ever been connected with a popular movement in my +life except to throw bricks at it, and I ain’t so sure I can stand +popularity for one whole night.”</p> + +<p>With that he was gone. Bruce recognized the room into which he had +been thrust as the court room in which he had been tried and +sentenced, in which Katherine had pleaded her father’s case. Over the +judge’s desk, as though in expectation of his coming, a green-shaded +drop lamp shed its cone of light. Bruce stumbled forward to the desk, +sank into the judge’s chair, and began feverishly to devour the two +copies of his paper.</p> + +<p>Billy Harper, penitently sober and sworn to sobriety for all his days, +had outdone himself on that day’s issue. He told how the voters +crowded to the polls in their eagerness to vote for Bruce, and he gave +with a tremendous exultation an estimate of Bruce’s majority, which +was so great as to be an almost unanimous election. Also he told how +Blind Charlie Peck had prudently caught last night’s eleven o’clock +express and was now believed to be repairing his health down at Hot +Springs, Arkansas. Also he gave a deal of inside history: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span>told how +the extra had been gotten out the night before, with the Blake +mass-meeting going on beneath the <i>Express’s</i> windows; told of the +scene at the home of Blake, and Blake’s strange march to jail; and, +freed from the restraint of Katherine’s presence, who would have +forbidden him, he told with a world of praise the story of how she had +worked up the case.</p> + +<p>The election extra finished, Bruce spread open the extra of the night +before, the paper that had transferred him from a prison cell to the +mayor’s office, and read the mass of Katherine’s evidence that Billy +had so stirringly set forth. Then the head of the editor of the +<i>Express</i>, of the mayor of Westville, sank forward into his folded +arms and he sat bowed, motionless, upon the judge’s desk.</p> + +<p>A great outburst of cheering from the crowd, though louder far than +those that had preceded it, did not disturb him; and he did not look +up until he heard the door of the court room open. Then he saw that +Old Hosie had entered, and with him Katherine.</p> + +<p>“I’ll just leave you two for a minute,” Old Hosie said rapidly, “while +I go out and start things going by introducing the Honourable Hiram +Cogshell.”</p> + +<p>With that the old man took the arm of Katherine’s father, who had been +standing just behind, slipped through the door and was gone. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span>A moment +later, from in front, there arose a succession of cheers for Doctor +West.</p> + +<p>Bruce came slowly down from behind the railing of Judge Kellog’s desk +and paused before Katherine. She was very white, her breath came with +a tremulous irregularity, and she looked at him with wide, wondering, +half-fearful eyes.</p> + +<p>At first Bruce could not get out a word, such a choking was there in +his throat, such a throbbing and whirling through all his being. He +dizzily supported himself with a hand upon the back of a bench, and +stood and gazed at her.</p> + +<p>It was she that broke the silence.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Hollingsworth did not tell me—you were here. I’d better go.” And +she started for the door.</p> + +<p>“No—no—don’t!” he said. He drew a step nearer her. “I’ve just +read”—holding up the two papers—“what you have done.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper has—has exaggerated it very much,” she returned. Her +voice seemed to come with as great a difficulty as his own.</p> + +<p>“And I have read,” he continued, “how much I owe you.”</p> + +<p>“It’s—it’s——” She did not finish in words, but a gesture disclaimed +all credit.</p> + +<p>“It has made me. And I want to thank you, and I do thank you. And I do +thank you,” he repeated lamely.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span></p><p>She acknowledged his gratitude with an inclination of her head. +Motions came easier than words.</p> + +<p>“And since I owe it all to you, since I owe nothing to any political +party, I want to tell you that I am going to try to make the very best +mayor that I can!”</p> + +<p>“I am sure of that,” she said.</p> + +<p>“I realize that it’s not going to be easy,” he went on. “The people +seem to be with me now, thanks to you—but as soon as I try to carry +out my ideas, I know that both parties will rise up and unite against +me. The big fight is still ahead. But since—since you have done it +all—I want you to know that I am going to fight straight ahead for +the people, no matter what happens to me.”</p> + +<p>“I know,” she said.</p> + +<p>“My eyes have been opened to many things about politics,” he added.</p> + +<p>She did not speak.</p> + +<p>Silence fell between them; the room was infiltered by a multitudinous +hum from without. Presently the thought, and with it the fear, that +had been rising up stronger and stronger in Bruce for the last half +hour, forced itself through his lips.</p> + +<p>“I suppose that now—you’ll be going back to New York?”</p> + +<p>“No. I have had several cases offered me to-day. I am going to stay in +Westville.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span></p><p>“Oh!” he said—and was conscious of a dizzy relief. Then, “I wish you +success.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you.”</p> + +<p>Again there was a brief silence, both standing and looking in +constraint at one another.</p> + +<p>“This celebration is very trying, isn’t it?” she said. “I suppose we +might sit down while we wait.”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>They each took the end of a different bench, and rather stiffly sat +gazing into the shadowy severity of the big room. Sounding from the +front of the Court House they heard rather vaguely the deep-chested, +sonorous rhetoric of the Honourable Hiram.</p> + +<p>But they heard it for but an instant. Suddenly the court room door +flew open and Old Hosie marched straight up before them.</p> + +<p>“You’re the dad-blastedest pair of idiots I ever saw!” he burst out, +with an exasperation that was not an entire success, for it was +betrayed by a little quaver.</p> + +<p>They stood up.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” stammered Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Matter?” cried Old Hosie. “What d’you suppose I left you two people +here together for?”</p> + +<p>“You said you had to start——”</p> + +<p>“Well, couldn’t I have another and a bigger reason? I’ve been +listening outside the door <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span>here, and the way you people have acted! +See here, you two know you love one another, and yet you act toward +each other like a pair of tame icebergs that have just been +introduced!”</p> + +<p>He turned in a fury upon his nephew, blinking to keep the moisture +from his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you love her?” he demanded, pointing to Katherine, who had +suddenly grown yet more pale.</p> + +<p>“Why—yes—yes——”</p> + +<p>“Then why in the name of God don’t you tell her so?”</p> + +<p>“I’m—I’m afraid she won’t care to hear it,” stammered Bruce, not +daring to look at Katherine.</p> + +<p>“Tell her so, and see what she says,” shouted Old Hosie. “How else are +you going to find out? Tell her what a fool you’ve been. Tell her +she’s proved to you you’re all wrong about what you thought she ought +to do. Tell her unless you get some one of sense to help run you, +you’re going to make an all-fired mess of this mayor’s job. Tell +her”—there was a choking in his voice—“oh, boy, just tell her what +you feel!</p> + +<p>“And now,” he added quickly, and again sharply, “that mob outside +won’t listen to the Honourable Hiram much longer. They want you folks. +I give you just two minutes to fix things up. Two minutes—no more!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span></p><p>And pulling his high hat down upon his forehead, Old Hosie turned +abruptly and again left the room.</p> + +<p>Bruce looked slowly about upon Katherine. His rugged, powerful face +was working with emotion.</p> + +<p>“What Uncle Hosie has said is all true,” he stammered fearfully. “You +know I love you, Katherine. And there isn’t anything you’ll want to do +that I’ll not be glad to have you do. Won’t you forget, Katherine, and +won’t you—won’t you——”</p> + +<p>He stretched out his arms to her. “Oh, Katherine!” he cried. “I love +you! I want you! I need you!”</p> + +<p>While he spoke her face had grown radiant. “And I—and I”—she +choked, then her voice went on with an uprush of happiness—“and +I—oh, Arnold, I need you!”</p> + +<hr class="medium" /> + +<p>When Old Hosie reëentered a minute later and saw what there was to be +seen, he let out a little cry of joy and swooped down upon them.</p> + +<p>“Look out, Katherine,” he warned, quaveringly, “for I’m going to kiss +you!” But despite this warning the old man succeeded in his +enterprise. “This is great!—great!” he cried, shaking a hand of each. +“But we’ll have to cut this hallelujah business short till that little +picnic outside is over. I just pulled the Honourable <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span>Hiram down—and, +say, just listen to that roar!”</p> + +<p>A roar it was indeed. Of a bursting brass band, of thousands of eager +people.</p> + +<p>“And who do you suppose they’re shouting for?” inquired the joyous +Hosie.</p> + +<p>Katherine smiled a tear-bright smile at Bruce.</p> + +<p>“For the new mayor,” she said.</p> + +<p>“No, no! All for you!” said he.</p> + +<p>“Well, come on and we’ll see who it’s for!” cried Old Hosie.</p> + +<p>And taking an arm of each he led them out to face the cheering +multitude.</p> + +<h3>THE END</h3> + +<p class="gap"> </p> +<p class="gap"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/ilast.jpg" width="150" height="151" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS<br /> +GARDEN CITY. N. Y.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Transcriber’s Note:</span></h3> + +<p>Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters’ errors; otherwise, +every effort has been made to remain true to the author’s words and intent.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Counsel for the Defense, by Leroy Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + +***** This file should be named 28820-h.htm or 28820-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/8/2/28820/ + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Counsel for the Defense + +Author: Leroy Scott + +Illustrator: Charles M. Chapman + +Release Date: May 15, 2009 [EBook #28820] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + Counsel for the Defense + + By + + Leroy Scott + + Author of + + "The Shears of Destiny," "To Him That Hath," + "The Walking Delegate" + + Frontispiece by + Charles M. Chapman + + GARDEN CITY NEW YORK + DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY + 1912 + + + + + _Copyright, 1911, 1912, by_ + LEROY SCOTT + + _All rights reserved, including that of + translation into foreign languages, + including the Scandinavian_ + + + + +[Illustration: "THRILLING WITH AN UNEXPECTED HOPE, KATHERINE ROSE AND +TRIED TO KEEP HERSELF BEFORE THE EYES OF DOCTOR SHERMAN LIKE AN +ACCUSING CONSCIENCE"] + + + + + TO + HELEN + + + + +PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS + +KATHERINE WEST. + +DR. DAVID WEST, her father. + +ARNOLD BRUCE, editor of the _Express_. + +HARRISON BLAKE, ex-lieutenant-governor. + +MRS. BLAKE, his mother. + +"BLIND CHARLIE" PECK, a political boss. + +HOSEA HOLLINGSWORTH, an old attorney. + +BILLY HARPER, reporter on the _Express_. + +THE REVEREND DR. SHERMAN, of the Wabash Avenue Church. + +MRS. SHERMAN, his wife. + +MRS. RACHEL GRAY, Katherine's aunt. + +ROGER KENNEDY, prosecuting attorney. + +JUDGE KELLOG. + +MR. BROWN, of the National Electric & Water Company. + +MR. MANNING, a detective. + +ELIJAH STONE, a detective. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. Westville Prepares to Celebrate 3 + II. The Bubble Reputation 15 + III. Katherine Comes Home 30 + IV. Doctor West's Lawyer 49 + V. Katherine Prepares for Battle 63 + VI. The Lady Lawyer 80 + VII. The Mask Falls 98 + VIII. The Editor of the _Express_ 116 + IX. The Price of a Man 131 + X. Sunset at The Sycamores 146 + XI. The Trial 158 + XII. Opportunity Knocks at Bruce's Door 172 + XIII. The Deserter 191 + XIV. The Night Watch 212 + XV. Politics Make Strange Bedfellows 226 + XVI. Through The Storm 240 + XVII. The Cup of Bliss 250 + XVIII. The Candidate and the Tiger 264 + XIX. When Greek Meets Greek 276 + XX. A Spectre Comes to Town 295 + XXI. Bruce to the Front 311 + XXII. The Last Stand 328 + XXIII. At Elsie's Bedside 346 + XXIV. Billy Harper Writes a Story 368 + XXV. Katherine Faces the Enemy 388 + XXVI. An Idol's Fall 403 + XXVII. The End of The Beginning 418 + + + + +COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WESTVILLE PREPARES TO CELEBRATE + + +The room was thick with dust and draped with ancient cobwebs. In one +corner dismally reposed a literary junk heap--old magazines, +broken-backed works of reference, novels once unanimously read but now +unanimously forgotten. The desk was a helter-skelter of papers. One of +the two chairs had its burst cane seat mended by an atlas of the +world; and wherever any of the floor peered dimly through the general +debris it showed a complexion of dark and ineradicable greasiness. +Altogether, it was a room hopelessly unfit for human habitation; which +is perhaps but an indirect manner of stating that it was the office of +the editor of a successful newspaper. + +Before a typewriter at a small table sat a bare-armed, solitary man. +He was twenty-eight or thirty, abundantly endowed with bone and +muscle, and with a face----But not to soil this early page with +abusive terms, it will be sufficient to remark that whatever the +Divine Sculptor had carved his countenance to portray, plainly there +had been no thought of re-beautifying the earth with an Apollo. He was +constructed not for grace, but powerful, tireless action; and there +was something absurdly disproportionate between the small machine and +the broad and hairy hands which so heavily belaboured its ladylike +keys. + +It was a custom with Bruce to write the big local news story of the +day himself, a feature that had proved a stimulant to his paper's +circulation and prestige. To-morrow was to be one of the proudest days +of Westville's history, for to-morrow was the formal opening of the +city's greatest municipal enterprise, its thoroughly modern +water-works; and it was an extensive and vivid account of the next +day's programme that the editor was pounding so rapidly out of his +machine for that afternoon's issue of the _Express_. Now and then, as +he paused an instant to shape an effective sentence in his mind, he +glanced through the open window beside him across Main Street to +where, against the front of the old Court House, a group of +shirt-sleeved workmen were hanging their country's colours about a +speakers' stand; then his big, blunt fingers thumped swiftly on. + +He had jerked out the final sheet, and had begun to revise his story, +making corrections with a very black pencil and in a very large hand, +when there sauntered in from the general editorial room a pale, slight +young man of twenty-five. The newcomer had a reckless air, a humorous +twist to the left corner of his mouth, and a negligent smartness in +his dress which plainly had its origin elsewhere than in Westville. + +The editor did not raise his eyes. + +"In a minute, Billy," he said shortly. + +"Nothing to hurry about, Arn," drawled the other. + +The young fellow drew forward the atlas-bottomed chair, leisurely +enthroned himself upon the nations of the earth, crossed his feet upon +the window-sill, and lit a cigarette. About his lounging form there +was a latent energy like that of a relaxed cat. He gazed rather +languidly over at the Square, its sides abustle with excited +preparation. Across the fronts of stores bunting was being tacked; +from upper windows crisp cotton flags were being unscrolled. As for +the Court House yard itself, to-day its elm-shaded spaces were +lifeless save for the workmen about the stand, a litigant or two going +up the walk, and an occasional frock-coated lawyer, his vest +democratically unbuttoned to the warm May air. But to-morrow---- + +The young fellow had turned his head slowly toward the editor's copy, +and, as though reading, he began in an emotional, declamatory voice: + +"To-morrow the classic shades of Court House Square will teem with a +tumultuous throng. In the emblazoned speakers' stand the Westville +Brass Band, in their new uniforms, glittering like so many grand +marshals of the empire, will trumpet forth triumphant music fit to +burst; and aloft from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory----" + +"Go to hell!" interrupted Bruce, eyes still racing through his copy. + +"And down from this breeze-fluttered throne of oratory," continued +Billy, with a rising quaver in his voice, "Mr. Harrison Blake, +Westville's favourite son; the Reverend Doctor Sherman, president of +the Voters' Union, and the Honourable Hiram Cogshell, Calloway +County's able-bodiest orator, will pour forth prodigal and perfervid +eloquence upon the populace below. And Dr. David West, he who has +directed this magnificent work from its birth unto the present, he who +has laid upon the sacred altar of his city's welfare a matchless +devotion and a lifetime's store of scientific knowledge, he who----" + +"See here, young fellow!" The editor slammed down the last sheet of +his revised story, and turned upon his assistant a square, bony, +aggressive face that gave a sense of having been modelled by a +clinched fist, and of still glowering at the blow. He had gray eyes +that gleamed dogmatically from behind thick glasses, and hair that +brush could not subdue. "See here, Billy Harper, will you please go to +hell!" + +"Sure; follow you anywhere, Arn," returned Billy pleasantly, holding +out his cigarette case. + +"You little Chicago alley cat, you!" growled Bruce. He took a +cigarette, broke it open and poured the tobacco into a black pipe, +which he lit. "Well--turn up anything?" + +"Governor can't come," replied the reporter, lighting a fresh +cigarette. + +"Hard luck. But we'll have the crowd anyhow. Blake tell you anything +else?" + +"He didn't tell me that. His stenographer did; she'd opened the +Governor's telegram. Blake's in Indianapolis to-day--looking after his +chances for the Senate, I suppose." + +"See Doctor West?" + +"Went to his house first. But as usual he wouldn't say a thing. That +old boy is certainly the mildest mannered hero of the day I ever went +up against. The way he does dodge the spot-light!--it's enough to make +one of your prima donna politicians die of heart failure. To do a +great piece of work, and then be as modest about it as he is--well, +Arn, I sure am for that old doc!" + +"Huh!" grunted the editor. + +"When it comes time to hang the laurel wreath upon his brow to-morrow +I'll bet you and your spavined old Arrangements Committee will have to +push him on to the stand by the scruff of his neck." + +"Did you get him to promise to sit for a new picture?" + +"Yes. And you ought to raise me ten a week for doing it. He didn't +want his picture printed; and if we did print it, he thought that +prehistoric thing of the eighties we've got was good enough." + +"Well, be sure you get that photo, if you have to use chloroform. I +saw him go into the Court House a little while ago. Better catch him +as he comes out and lead him over to Dodson's gallery." + +"All right." The young fellow recrossed his feet upon the window-sill. +"But, Arn," he drawled, "this certainly is a slow old burg you've +dragged me down into. If one of your leading citizens wants to catch +the seven-thirty to Indianapolis to-morrow morning, I suppose he sets +his alarm to go off day before yesterday." + +"What's soured on your stomach now?" demanded the editor. + +"Oh, the way it took this suburb of Nowhere thirty years to wake up to +Doctor West! Every time I see him I feel sore for hours afterward at +how this darned place has treated the old boy. If your six-cylinder, +sixty-horse power, seven-passenger tongues hadn't remembered that his +grandfather had founded Westville, I bet you'd have talked him out of +the town long ago." + +"The town didn't understand him." + +"I should say it didn't!" agreed the reporter. + +"And I guess you don't understand the town," said the editor, a little +sharply. "Young man, you've never lived in a small place." + +"Till this, Chicago was my smallest--the gods be praised!" + +"Well, it's the same in your old smokestack of the universe as it is +here!" retorted Bruce. "If you go after the dollar, you're sane. If +you don't, you're cracked. Doctor West started off like a winner, so +they say; looked like he was going to get a corner on all the patients +of Westville. Then, when he stopped practising----" + +"You never told me what made him stop." + +"His wife's death--from typhoid; I barely remember that. When he +stopped practising and began his scientific work, the town thought +he'd lost his head." + +"And yet two years ago the town was glad enough to get him to take +charge of installing its new water system!" + +"That's how it discovered he was somebody. When the city began to look +around for an expert, it found no one they could get had a tenth of +his knowledge of water supply." + +"That's the way with your self-worshipping cross-roads towns! You +raise a genius--laugh at him, pity his family--till you learn how the +outside world respects him. Then--hurrah! Strike up the band, boys! +When I think how that old party has been quietly studying typhoid +fever and water supply all these years, with you bunch of hayseeds +looking down on him as a crank--I get so blamed sore at the place that +I wish I'd chucked your letter into the waste-basket when you wrote me +to come!" + +"It may have been a dub of a town, Billy, but it'll be the best place +in Indiana before we get through with it," returned the editor +confidently. "But whom else did you see?" + +"Ran into the Honourable Hiram Cogshell on Main Street, and he slipped +me this precious gem." Billy handed Bruce a packet of typewritten +sheets. "Carbon of his to-morrow's speech. He gave it to me, he said, +to save us the trouble of taking it down. The Honourable Hiram is +certainly one citizen who'll never go broke buying himself a bushel to +hide his light under!" + +The editor glanced at a page or two of it with wearied irritation, +then tossed it back. + +"Guess we'll have to print it. But weed out some of his flowers of +rhetoric." + +"Pressed flowers," amended Billy. "Swipe the Honourable Hiram's copy +of 'Bartlett's Quotations' and that tremendous orator would have +nothing left but his gestures." + +"How about the grand jury, Billy?" pursued the editor. "Anything doing +there?" + +"Farmer down in Buck Creek Township indicted for kidnapping his +neighbour's pigs," drawled the reporter. "Infants snatched away while +fond mother slept. Very pathetic. Also that second-story man was +indicted that stole Alderman Big Bill Perkins's clothes. Remember it, +don't you? Big Bill's clothes had so much diameter that the poor, +hard-working thief couldn't sell the fruits of his industry. Pathos +there also. Guess I can spin the two out for a column." + +"Spin 'em out for about three lines," returned Bruce in his abrupt +manner. "No room for your funny stuff to-day, Billy; the celebration +crowds everything else out. Write that about the Governor, and then +help Stevens with the telegraph--and see that it's carved down to the +bone." He picked up the typewritten sheets he had finished revising, +and let out a sharp growl of "Copy!" + +"That's your celebration story, isn't it?" asked the reporter. + +"Yes." And Bruce held it out to the "devil" who had appeared through +the doorway from the depths below. + +"Wait a bit with it, Arn. The prosecuting attorney stopped me as I was +leaving, and asked me to have you step over to the Court House for a +minute." + +"What's Kennedy want?" + +"Something about the celebration, he said. I guess he wants to talk +with you about some further details of the programme." + +"Why the deuce didn't he come over here then?" growled Bruce. "I'm as +busy as he is!" + +"He said he couldn't leave." + +"Couldn't leave?" said Bruce, with a snap of his heavy jaw. "Well, +neither can I!" + +"You mean you won't go?" + +"That's what I mean! I'll go to the very gates of hell to get a good +piece of news, but when it comes to general affairs the politicians, +business men, and the etceteras of this town have got to understand +that there's just as much reason for their coming to me as for my +going to them. I'm as important as any of them." + +"So-ho, we're on our high horse, are we?" + +"You bet we are, my son! And that's where you've got to be if you want +this town to respect you." + +"All right. She's a great nag, if you can keep your saddle. But I +guess I'd better tell Kennedy you're not coming." + +Without rising, Billy leaned back and took up Bruce's desk telephone, +and soon was talking to the prosecuting attorney. After a moment he +held out the instrument to the editor. + +"Kennedy wants to speak with you," he said. + +Bruce took the 'phone. + +"Hello, that you Kennedy?... No, I can't come--too busy. Suppose you +run over here.... Got some people there? Well, bring 'em along.... Why +can't they come? Who are they?... Can't you tell me what the situation +is?... All right, then; in a couple of minutes." + +Bruce hung up the receiver and arose. + +"So you're going after all?" asked Billy. + +"Guess I'd better," returned the editor, putting on his coat and hat. +"Kennedy says something big has just broken loose. Sounds queer. +Wonder what the dickens it can be." And he started out. + +"But how about your celebration story?" queried Billy. "Want it to go +down?" + +Bruce looked at his watch. + +"Two hours till press time; I guess it can wait." And taking the story +back from the boy he tossed it upon his desk. + +He stepped out into the local room, which showed the same kindly +tolerance of dirt as did his private office. At a long table two young +men sat before typewriters, and in a corner a third young man was +taking the clicking dictation of a telegraph sounder. + +"Remember, boys, keep everything but the celebration down to bones!" +Bruce called out. And with that he passed out of the office and down +the stairway to the street. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE BUBBLE REPUTATION + + +Despite its thirty thousand population--"Forty thousand, and growing, +sir!" loyally declared those disinterested citizens engaged in the +sale of remote fields of ragweed as building lots--Westville was still +but half-evolved from its earlier state of an overgrown country town. +It was as yet semi-pastoral, semi-urban. Automobiles and farm wagons +locked hubs in brotherly embrace upon its highways; cowhide boots and +patent leather shared its sidewalks. There was a stockbroker's office +that was thoroughly metropolitan in the facilities it afforded the +elite for relieving themselves of the tribulation of riches; and +adjoining it was Simpson Brothers & Company, wherein hick'ry-shirted +gentlemen bartered for threshing machines, hayrakes, axle grease, and +such like baubles of Arcadian pastime. + +There were three topics on which one could always start an argument in +Westville--politics, religion, and the editor of the _Express_. A +year before Arnold Bruce, who had left Westville at eighteen and whom +the town had vaguely heard of as a newspaper man in Chicago and New +York but whom it had not seen since, had returned home and taken +charge of the _Express_, which had been willed him by the late editor, +his uncle. The _Express_, which had been a slippered, dozing, senile +sheet under old Jimmie Bruce, burst suddenly into a volcanic youth. +The new editor used huge, vociferous headlines instead of the mere +whispering, timorous types of his uncle; he wrote a rousing, +rough-and-ready English; occasionally he placed an important +editorial, set up in heavy-faced type and enclosed in a black border, +in the very centre of his first page; and from the very start he had +had the hardihood to attack the "established order" at several points +and to preach unorthodox political doctrines. The wealthiest citizens +were outraged, and hotly denounced Bruce as a "yellow journalist" and +a "red-mouthed demagogue." It was commonly held by the better element +that his ultra-democracy was merely a mask, a pose, an advertising +scheme, to gather in the gullible subscriber and to force himself +sensationally into the public eye. + +But despite all hostile criticism of the paper, people read the +_Express_--many staid ones surreptitiously--for it had a snap, a go, a +tang, that at times almost took the breath. And despite the estimate +of its editor as a charlatan, the people had yielded to that +aggressive personage a rank of high importance in their midst. + +Bruce stepped forth from his stairway, crossed Main Street, and strode +up the shady Court House walk. On the left side of the walk, a-tiptoe +in an arid fountain, was poised a gracious nymph of cast-iron, so +chastely garbed as to bring to the cheek of elderly innocence no +faintest flush. On the walk's right side stood a rigid statue, +suggesting tetanus in the model, of the city's founder, Col. Davy +West, wearing a coonskin cap and leaning with conscious dignity upon a +long deer rifle. + +Bruce entered the dingy Court House, mounted a foot-worn wooden +stairway, browned with the ambrosial extract of two generations of +tobacco-chewing litigants, and passed into a damp and gloomy chamber. +This room was the office of the prosecuting attorney of Calloway +County. That the incumbent might not become too depressed by his +environment, the walls were cheered up by a steel engraving of Daniel +Webster, frowning with multitudinous thought, and by a crackled map of +Indiana--the latter dotted by industrious flies with myriad nameless +cities. + +Three men arose from about the flat-topped desk in the centre of the +room, the prosecutor, the Reverend Doctor Sherman, and a rather +smartly dressed man whom Bruce remembered to have seen once or twice +but whom he did not know. With the first two the editor shook hands, +and the third was introduced to him as Mr. Marcy, the agent of the +Acme Filter Company, which had installed the filtering plant of the +new water-works. + +Bruce turned in his brusque manner to the prosecuting attorney. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Suppose we all sit down first," suggested the prosecutor. + +They did so, and Kennedy regarded Bruce with a solemn, weighty stare. +He was a lank, lantern-jawed, frock-coated gentleman of thirty-five, +with an upward rolling forelock and an Adam's-apple that throbbed in +his throat like a petrified pulse. He was climbing the political +ladder, and he was carefully schooling himself into that dignity and +poise and appearance of importance which should distinguish the +deportment of the public man. + +"Well, what is it?" demanded Bruce shortly. "About the water-works?" + +"Yes," responded Kennedy. "The water-works, Mr. Bruce, is, I hardly +need say, a source of pride to us all. To you especially it has had a +large significance. You have made it a theme for a continuous +agitation in your paper. You have argued and urged that, since the +city's new water-works promised to be such a great success, Westville +should not halt with this one municipal enterprise, but should refuse +the new franchise the street railway company is going to apply for, +take over the railway, run it as a municipal----" + +"Yes, yes," interrupted Bruce impatiently. "But who's dead? Who wants +the line of march changed to go by his grocery store?" + +"What I was saying was merely to recall how very important the +water-works has been to us," the prosecutor returned, with increased +solemnity. He paused, and having gained that heightened stage effect +of a well-managed silence, he continued: "Mr. Bruce, something very +serious has occurred." + +For all its ostentation the prosecutor's manner was genuinely +impressive. Bruce looked quickly at the other two men. The agent was +ill at ease, the minister pale and agitated. + +"Come," cried Bruce, "out with what you've got to tell me!" + +"It is a matter of the very first importance," returned the +prosecutor, who was posing for a prominent place in the _Express's_ +account of this affair--for however much the public men of Westville +affected to look down upon the _Express_, they secretly preferred its +superior presentment of their doings. "Doctor Sherman, in his +capacity of president of the Voters' Union, has just brought before me +some most distressing, most astounding evidence. It is evidence upon +which I must act both as a public official and as a member of the +Arrangements Committee, and evidence which concerns you both as a +committeeman and as an editor. It is painful to me to break----" + +"Let's have it from first hands," interrupted Bruce, irritated by the +verbal excelsior which the prosecutor so deliberately unwrapped from +about his fact. + +He turned to the minister, a slender man of hardly more than thirty, +with a high brow, the wide, sensitive mouth of the born orator, +fervently bright eyes, and the pallor of the devoted student--a face +that instantly explained why, though so young, he was Westville's most +popular divine. + +"What's it about, Doctor Sherman?" the editor asked. "Who's the man?" + +There was no posing here for Bruce's typewriter. The minister's +concern was deep and sincere. + +"About the water-works, as Mr. Kennedy has said," he answered in a +voice that trembled with agitation. "There has been some--some crooked +work." + +"Crooked work?" ejaculated the editor, staring at the minister. +"Crooked work?" + +"Yes." + +"You are certain of what you say?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you have evidence?" + +"I am sorry--but--but I have." + +The editor was leaning forward, his nostrils dilated, his eyes +gleaming sharply behind their thick glasses. + +"Who's mixed up in it? Who's the man?" + +The minister's hands were tightly interlocked. For an instant he +seemed unable to speak. + +"Who's the man?" repeated Bruce. + +The minister swallowed. + +"Doctor West," he said. + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Doctor West?" he cried. "The superintendent of the water-works?" + +"Yes." + +If the editor's concern for the city's welfare was merely a political +and business pose, if he was merely an actor, at least he acted his +part well. "My God!" he breathed, and stood with eyes fixed upon the +young minister. Then suddenly he sat down again, his thick brows drew +together, and his heavy jaws set. + +"Let's have the whole story," he snapped out. "From the very +beginning." + +"I cannot tell you how distressed I am by what I have just been forced +to do," began the young clergyman. "I have always esteemed Doctor +West most highly, and my wife and his daughter have been the closest +friends since girlhood. To make my part in this affair clear, I must +recall to you that of late the chief attention of the Voters' Union +has naturally been devoted to the water-works. I never imagined that +anything was wrong. But, speaking frankly, after the event, I must say +that Doctor West's position was such as made it a simple matter for +him to defraud the city should he so desire." + +"You mean because the council invested him with so much authority?" +demanded Bruce. + +"Yes. As I have said, I regarded Doctor West above all suspicion. But +a short time ago some matters--I need not detail them--aroused in me +the fear that Doctor West was using his office for--for----" + +"For graft?" supplied Bruce. + +The minister inclined his head. + +"Later, only a few weeks ago, a more definite fear came to me," he +continued in his low, pained voice. "It happens that I have known Mr. +Marcy here for years; we were friends in college, though we had lost +track of one another till his business brought him here. A few small +circumstances--my suspicion was already on the alert--made me guess +that Mr. Marcy was about to give Doctor West a bribe for having +awarded the filter contract to his company. I got Mr. Marcy +alone--taxed him with his intention--worked upon his conscience----" + +"Mr. Marcy has stated," the prosecutor interrupted to explain, "that +Doctor Sherman always had great influence over him." + +Mr. Marcy corroborated this with a nod. + +"At length Mr. Marcy confessed," Doctor Sherman went on. "He had +arranged to give Doctor West a certain sum of money immediately after +the filtering plant had been approved and payment had been made to the +company. After this confession I hesitated long upon what I should do. +On the one hand, I shrank from disgracing Doctor West. On the other, I +had a duty to the city. After a long struggle I decided that my +responsibility to the people of Westville should overbalance any +feeling I might have for any single individual." + +"That was the only decision," said Bruce. "Go on!" + +"But at the same time, to protect Doctor West's reputation, I decided +to take no one into my plan; should his integrity reassert itself at +the last moment and cause him to refuse the bribe, the whole matter +would then remain locked up in my heart. I arranged with Mr. Marcy +that he should carry out his agreement with Doctor West. Day before +yesterday, as you know, the council, on Doctor West's recommendation, +formally approved the filtering plant, and yesterday a draft was sent +to the company. Mr. Marcy was to call at Doctor West's home this +morning to conclude their secret bargain. Just before the appointed +hour I dropped in on Doctor West, and was there when Mr. Marcy called. +I said I would wait to finish my talk with Doctor West till they were +through their business, took a book, and went into an adjoining room. +I could see the two men through the partly opened door. After some +talk, Mr. Marcy drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to +Doctor West, saying in a low voice, 'Here is that money we spoke +about.'" + +"And he took it?" Bruce interrupted. + +"Doctor West slipped the envelope unopened into his pocket, and +replied, 'Thank you very much; it will come in very handy just now.'" + +"My God!" breathed the editor. + +"Though I had suspected Doctor West, I sat there stunned," the +minister continued. "But after a minute or two I slipped out by +another door. I returned with a policeman, and found Doctor West still +with Mr. Marcy. The policeman arrested Doctor West, and found the +envelope upon his person. In it was two thousand dollars." + +"Now, what do you think of that?" Kennedy demanded of the editor. +"Won't the town be thunderstruck!" + +Bruce turned to the agent, who had sat through the recital, a mere +corroborative presence. + +"And this is all true?" + +"That is exactly the way it happened," replied Mr. Marcy. + +Bruce looked back at the minister. + +"But didn't he have anything to say for himself?" + +"I can answer that," put in Kennedy. "I had him in here before I sent +him over to the jail. He admits practically every point that Doctor +Sherman has made. The only thing he says for himself is that he never +thought the money Mr. Marcy gave him was intended for a bribe." + +Bruce stood up, his face hard and glowering, and his fist crashed +explosively down upon the table. + +"Of all the damned flimsy defenses that ever a man made, that's the +limit!" + +"It certainly won't go down with the people of Westville," commented +the prosecutor. "And I can see the smile of the jury when he produces +that defense in court." + +"I should say they would smile!" cried Bruce. "But what was his +motive?" + +"That's plain enough," answered the prosecutor. "We both know, Mr. +Bruce, that he has earned hardly anything from the practice of +medicine since we were boys. His salary as superintendent of the +water-works was much less than he has been spending. His property is +mortgaged practically to its full value. Everything has gone on those +experiments of his. It's simply a case of a man being in a tight fix +for money." + +Bruce was striding up and down the room, scowling and staring fiercely +at the worn linoleum that carpeted the prosecutor's office. + +"I thought you'd take it rather hard," said Kennedy, a little slyly. +"It sort of puts a spoke in that general municipal ownership scheme of +yours--eh?" + +Bruce paused belligerently before the prosecutor. + +"See here, Kennedy," he snapped out. "Because a man you've banked on +is a crook, does that prove a principle is wrong?" + +"Oh, I guess not," Kennedy had to admit. + +"Well, suppose you cut out that kind of talk then. But what are you +going to do about the doctor?" + +"The grand jury is in session. I'm going straight before it with the +evidence. An hour from now and Doctor West will be indicted." + +"And what about to-morrow's show?" + +"What do you think we ought to do?" + +"What ought we to do!" Again the editor's fist crashed upon the desk. +"The celebration was half in Doctor West's honour. Do we want to meet +and hurrah for the man that sold us out? As for the water-works, it +looks as if, for all we know, he might have bought us a lot of old +junk. Do we want to hold a jubilee over a junk pile? You ask what we +ought to do. God, man, there's only one thing to do, and that's to +call the whole damned performance off!" + +"That's my opinion," said the prosecutor. "What do you think, Doctor +Sherman?" + +The young minister wiped his pale face. + +"It's a most miserable affair. I'm sick because of the part I've been +forced to play--I'm sorry for Doctor West--and I'm particularly sorry +for his daughter--but I do not see that any other course would be +possible." + +"I suppose we ought to consult Mr. Blake," said Kennedy. + +"He's not in town," returned Bruce. "And we don't need to consult him. +We three are a majority of the committee. The matter has to be settled +at once. And it's settled all right!" + +The editor jerked out his watch, glanced at it, then reached for his +hat. + +"I'll have this on the street in an hour--and if this town doesn't go +wild, then I don't know Westville!" + +He was making for the door, when the newspaper man in him recalled a +new detail of his story. He turned back. + +"How about this daughter of Doctor West?" he asked. + +The prosecutor looked at the minister. + +"Was she coming home for the celebration, do you know?" + +"Yes. She wrote Mrs. Sherman she was leaving New York this morning and +would get in here to-morrow on the Limited." + +"What's she like?" asked Bruce. + +"Haven't you seen her?" asked Kennedy. + +"She hasn't been home since I came back to Westville. When I left here +she was a tomboy--mostly legs and freckles." + +The prosecutor's lean face crinkled with a smile. + +"I guess you'll find she's grown right smart since then. She went to +one of those colleges back East; Vassar, I think it was. She got hold +of some of those new-fangled ideas the women in the East are crazy +over now--about going out in the world for themselves, and----" + +"Idiots--all of them!" snapped Bruce. + +"After she graduated, she studied law. When she was back home two +years ago she asked me what chance a woman would have to practise law +in Westville. A woman lawyer in Westville--oh, Lord!" + +The prosecutor leaned back and laughed at the excruciating humour of +the idea. + +"Oh, I know the kind!" Bruce's lips curled with contempt. +"Loud-voiced--aggressive--bony--perfect frights." + +"Let me suggest," put in Doctor Sherman, "that Miss West does not +belong in that classification." + +"Yes, I guess you're a little wrong about Katherine West," smiled +Kennedy. + +Bruce waved his hand peremptorily. "They're all the same! But what's +she doing in New York? Practising law?" + +"No. She's working for an organization something like Doctor +Sherman's--The Municipal League, I think she called it." + +"Huh!" grunted Bruce. "Well, whatever she's like, it's a pretty mess +she's coming back into!" + +With that the editor pulled his hat tightly down upon his forehead and +strode out of the Court House and past the speakers' stand, across +whose front twin flags were being leisurely festooned. Back in his own +office he picked up the story he had finished an hour before. With a +sneer he tore it across and trampled it under foot. Then, jerking a +chair forward to his typewriter, his brow dark, his jaw set, he began +to thump fiercely upon the keys. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +KATHERINE COMES HOME + + +Next morning when the Limited slowed down beside the old frame +station--a new one of brick was rising across the tracks--a young +woman descended from a Pullman at the front of the train. She was +lithe and graceful, rather tall and slender, and was dressed with +effective simplicity in a blue tailored suit and a tan straw hat with +a single blue quill. Her face was flushed, and there glowed an +expectant brightness in her brown eyes, as though happiness and +affection were upon the point of bubbling over. + +Standing beside her suit-case, she eagerly scanned the figures about +the station. Three or four swagger young drummers had scrambled off +the smoker, and these ambassadors of fashion as many hotel bus drivers +were inviting with importunate hospitality to honour their respective +board and bed. There was the shirt-sleeved figure of Jim Ludlow, +ticket agent and tenor of the Presbyterian choir. And leaning +cross-legged beneath the station eaves, giving the effect of +supporting the low roof, were half a dozen slowly masticating, soberly +contemplative gentlemen--loose-jointed caryatides, whose lank +sculpture forms the sole and invariable ornamentation of the facades +of all Western stations. But nowhere did the young woman's expectant +eyes alight upon the person whom they sought. + +The joyous response to welcome, which had plainly trembled at the tips +of her being, subsided, and in disappointment she picked up her bag +and was starting for a street car, when up the long, broad platform +there came hurrying a short-legged little man, with a bloodshot, +watery eye. He paused hesitant at a couple of yards, smiled +tentatively, and the remnant of an old glove fumbled the brim of a +rumpled, semi-bald object that in its distant youth had probably been +a silk hat. + +The young woman smiled back and held out her hand. + +"How do you do, Mr. Huggins." + +"How de do, Miss Katherine," he stammered. + +"Have you seen father anywhere?" she asked anxiously. + +"No. Your aunt just sent me word I was to meet you and fetch you home. +She couldn't leave Doctor West." + +"Is father ill?" she cried. + +The old cabman fumbled his ancient headgear. + +"No--he ain't--he ain't exactly sick. He's just porely. I guess it's +only--only a bad headache." + +He hastily picked up her suit-case and led her past the sidling +admiration of the drummers, those sovereign critics of Western +femininity, to the back of the station where stood a tottering surrey +and a dingy gray nag, far gone in years, that leaned upon its shafts +as though on crutches. Katherine clambered in, and the drooping animal +doddered along a street thickly overhung with the exuberant May-green +of maples. + +She gazed with ardent eyes at the familiar frame cottages, in some of +which had lived school and high-school friends, sitting comfortably +back amid their little squares of close-cropped lawn. She liked New +York with that adoptive liking one acquires for the place one chooses +from among all others for the passing of one's life; but her affection +remained warm and steadfast with this old town of her girlhood. + +"Oh, but it feels good to be back in Westville again!" she cried to +the cabman. + +"I reckon it must. I guess it's all of two years sence you been home." + +"Two years, yes. It's going to be a great celebration this afternoon, +isn't it?" + +"Yes'm--very big"--and he hastily struck the ancient steed. "Get-ep +there, Jenny!" + +Mr. Huggins's mare turned off Station Avenue, and Katharine excitedly +stared ahead beneath the wide-boughed maples for the first glimpse of +her home. At length it came into view--one of those big, square, +old-fashioned wooden houses, built with no perceptible architectural +idea beyond commodious shelter. She had thought her father might +possibly stumble out to greet her, but no one stood waiting at the +paling gate. + +She sprang lightly from the carriage as it drew up beside the curb, +and leaving Mr. Huggins to follow with her bag she hurried up the +brick-paved path to the house. As she crossed the porch, a slight, +gray, Quakerish little lady, with a white kerchief folded across her +breast, pushed open the screen door. Her Katherine gathered into her +arms and kissed repeatedly. + +"I'm so glad to see you, auntie!" she cried. "How are you?" + +"Very well," the old woman answered in a thin, tremulous voice. "How +is thee?" + +"Me? Oh, you know nothing's ever wrong with me!" She laughed in her +buoyant young strength. "But you, auntie?" She grew serious. "You look +very tired--and very, very worn and worried. But I suppose it's the +strain of father's headache--poor father! How is he?" + +"I--I think he's feeling some better," the old woman faltered. "He's +still lying down." + +They had entered the big, airy sitting-room. Katherine's hat and coat +went flying upon the couch. + +"Now, before I so much as ask you a question, or tell you a thing, +Aunt Rachel, I'm going up to see dear old father." + +She made for the stairway, but her aunt caught her arm in +consternation. + +"Wait, Katherine! Thee musn't see him yet." + +"Why, what's the matter?" Katherine asked in surprise. + +"It--it would be better for him if thee didn't disturb him." + +"But, auntie--you know no one can soothe him as I can when he has a +headache!" + +"But he's asleep just now. He didn't sleep a minute all night." + +"Then of course I'll wait." Katherine turned back. "Has he suffered +much----" + +She broke off. Her aunt was gazing at her in wide-eyed, helpless +misery. + +"Why--why--what's the matter, auntie?" + +Her aunt did not answer her. + +"Tell me! What is it? What's wrong?" + +Still the old woman did not speak. + +"Something has happened to father!" cried Katherine. She clutched her +aunt's thin shoulders. "Has something happened to father?" + +The old woman trembled all over, and tears started from her mild eyes. + +"Yes," she quavered. + +"But what is it?" Katherine asked frantically. "Is he very sick?" + +"It's--it's worse than that." + +"Please! What is it then?" + +"I haven't the heart to tell thee," she said piteously, and she sank +into a chair and covered her face. + +Katherine caught her arm and fairly shook her in the intensity of her +demand. + +"Tell me! I can't stand this another instant!" + +"There--there isn't going to be any celebration." + +"No celebration?" + +"Yesterday--thy father--was arrested." + +"Arrested!" + +"And indicted for accepting a bribe." + +Katherine shrank back. + +"Oh!" she whispered. "Oh!" Then her slender body tensed, and her dark +eyes flashed fire. "Father accept a bribe! It's a lie! A lie!" + +"It hardly seems true to me, either." + +"It's a lie!" repeated Katherine. "But is he--is he locked up?" + +"They let me go his bail." + +Again Katherine caught her aunt's arm. + +"Come--tell me all about it!" + +"Please don't make me. I--I can't." + +"But I must know!" + +"It's in the newspapers--they're on the centre-table." + +Katherine turned to the table and seized a paper. At sight of the +sheet she had picked up, the old woman hurried across to her in +dismay. + +"Don't read that _Express_!" she cried, and she sought to draw the +paper from Katherine's hands. "Read the _Clarion_. It's ever so much +kinder." + +But Katherine had already seen the headline that ran across the top of +the _Express_. It staggered her. She gasped at the blow, but she held +on to the paper. + +"I'll read the worst they have to say," she said. + +Her aunt dropped into a chair and covered her eyes to avoid sight of +the girl's suffering. The story, in its elements, was a commonplace to +Katherine; in her work with the Municipal League she had every few +days met with just such a tale as this. But that which is a +commonplace when strangers are involved, becomes a tragedy when loved +ones are its actors. So, as she read the old, old story, Katherine +trembled as with mortal pain. + +But sickening as was the story in itself, it was made even more +agonizing to her by the manner of the _Express's_ telling. Bruce's +typewriter had never been more impassioned. The story was in +heavy-faced type, the lines two columns wide; and in a "box" in the +very centre of the first page was an editorial denouncing Doctor West +and demanding for him such severe punishment as would make future +traitors forever fear to sell their city. Article and editorial were +rousing and vivid, brilliant and bitter--as mercilessly stinging as a +salted whip-lash cutting into bare flesh. + +Katherine writhed with the pain of it. "Oh!" she cried. "It's brutal! +Brutal! Who could have had the heart to write like that about father?" + +"The editor, Arnold Bruce," answered her aunt. + +"Oh, he's a brute! If I could tell him to his face----" Her whole +slender being flamed with anger and hatred, and she crushed the paper +in a fierce hand and flung it to the floor. + +Then, slowly, her face faded to an ashen gray. She steadied herself on +the back of a chair and stared in desperate, fearful supplication at +the bowed figure of the older woman. + +"Auntie?" she breathed. + +"Yes?" + +"Auntie"--eyes and voice were pleading--"auntie, the--the things--this +paper says--they never happened, did they?" + +The old head nodded. + +"Oh! oh!" she gasped. She wavered, sank stricken into a chair, and +buried her face in her arms. "Poor father!" she moaned brokenly. "Poor +father!" + +There was silence for a moment, then the old woman rose and gently put +a hand upon the quivering young shoulder. + +"Don't, dear! Even if it did happen, I can't believe it. Thy +father----" + +At that moment, overhead, there was a soft noise, as of feet placed +upon the floor. Katherine sprang up. + +"Father!" she breathed. There began a restless, slippered pacing. +"Father!" she repeated, and sprang for the stairway and rapidly ran +up. + +At her father's door she paused, hand over her heart. She feared to +enter to her father--feared lest she should find his head bowed in +acknowledged shame. But she summoned her strength and noiselessly +opened the door. It was a large room, a hybrid of bedroom and study, +whose drawn shades had dimmed the brilliant morning into twilight. An +open side door gave a glimpse of glass jars, bellying retorts and +other paraphernalia of the laboratory. + +Walking down the room was a tall, stooping, white-haired figure in a +quilted dressing-gown. He reached the end of the room, turned about, +then sighted her in the doorway. + +"Katherine!" he cried with quavering joy, and started toward her; but +he came abruptly to a pause, hesitating, accused man that he was, to +make advances. + +Her sickening fear was for the instant swept away by a rising flood of +love. She sprang forward and threw her arms about his neck. + +"Father!" she sobbed. "Oh, father!" + +She felt his tears upon her forehead, felt his body quiver, and felt +his hand gently stroke her back. + +"You've heard--then?" he asked, at length. + +"Yes--from the papers." + +He held her close, but for a moment did not speak. + +"It isn't a--a very happy celebration--I've prepared for you." + +She could only cry convulsively, "Poor father!" + +"You never dreamt," he quavered, "your old father--could do a thing +like this--did you?" + +She did not answer. She trembled a moment longer on his shoulder; +then, slowly and with fear, she lifted her head and gazed into his +face. The face was worn--she thrilled with pain to see how sadly worn +it was!--but though tear-wet and working with emotion, it met her look +with steadiness. It was the same simple, kindly, open face that she +had known since childhood. + +There was a sudden wild leaping within her. She clutched his +shoulders, and her voice rang out in joyous conviction: + +"Father--you are not guilty!" + +"You believe in me, then?" + +"You are not guilty!" she cried with mounting joy. + +He smiled faintly. + +"Why, of course not, my child." + +"Oh, father!" And again she caught him in a close embrace. + +After a moment she leaned back in his arms. + +"I'm so happy--so happy! Forgive me, daddy dear, that I could doubt +you even for a minute." + +"How could you help it? They say the evidence against me is very +strong." + +"I should have believed you innocent against all the evidence in the +world! And I do, and shall--no matter what they may say!" + +"Bless you, Katherine!" + +"But come--tell me how it all came about. But, first, let's brighten +up the room a little." + +So great was her relief that her spirits had risen as though some +positive blessing had befallen her. She crossed lightly to the big bay +window, raised the shades and threw up the sashes. The sunlight +slanted down into the room and lay in a dazzling yellow square upon +the floor. The soft breeze sighed through the two tall pines without +and bore into them the perfumed freshness of the spring. + +"There now, isn't that better?" she said, smiling brightly. + +"That's just what your home-coming has done for me," he said +gratefully--"let in the sunlight." + +"Come, come--don't try to turn the head of your offspring with +flattery! Now, sir, sit down," and she pointed to a chair at his desk, +which stood within the bay window. + +"First,"--with his gentle smile--"if I may, I'd like to take a look at +my daughter." + +"I suppose a father's wish is a daughter's command," she complained. +"So go ahead." + +He moved to the window, so that the light fell full upon her, and for +a long moment gazed into her face. The brow was low and broad. Over +the white temples the heavy dark hair waved softly down, to be +fastened in a simple knot low upon the neck, showing in its full +beauty the rare modelling of her head. The eyes were a rich, warm, +luminous brown, fringed with long lashes, and in them lurked all +manner of fathomless mysteries. The mouth was soft, yet full and +firm--a real mouth, such as Nature bestows upon her real women. It was +a face of freshness and youth and humour, and now was tremulous with a +smiling, tear-wet tenderness. + +"I think," said her father, slowly and softly, "that my daughter is +very beautiful." + +"There--enough of your blarney!" She flushed with pleasure, and +pressed her fresh cheek against his withered one. "You dear old +father, you!" + +She drew him to his desk, which was strewn with a half-finished +manuscript on the typhoid bacillus, and upon which stood a faded +photograph of a young woman, near Katherine's years and made in her +image, dressed in the tight-fitting "basque" of the early eighties. +Westville knew that Doctor West had loved his wife dearly, but the +town had never surmised a tenth of the grief that had closed darkly in +upon him when typhoid fever had carried her away while her young +womanhood was in its freshest bloom. + +Katherine pressed him down into his chair at the desk, sat down in one +beside it, and took his hand. + +"Now, father, tell me just how things stand." + +"You know everything already," said he. + +"Not everything. I know the charges of the other side, and I know your +innocence. But I do not know your explanation of the affair." + +He ran his free hand through his silver hair, and his face grew +troubled. + +"My explanation agrees with what you have read, except that I did not +know I was being bribed." + +"H'm!" Her brow wrinkled thoughtfully and she was silent for a moment. +"Suppose we go back to the very beginning, father, and run over the +whole affair. Try to remember. In the early stages of negotiations, +did the agent say anything to you about money?" + +He did not speak for a minute or more. + +"Now that I think it over, he did say something about its being worth +my while if his filter was accepted." + +"That was an overture to bribe you. And what did you say to him?" + +"I don't remember. You see, at the time, his offer, if it was one, did +not make any impression on me. I believe I didn't say anything to him +at all." + +"But you approved his filter?" + +"Yes." + +"Mr. Marcy says in the _Express_, and you admit it, that he offered +you a bribe. You approved his filter. On the face of it, speaking +legally, that looks bad, father." + +"But how could I honestly keep from approving his filter, when it was +the very best on the market for our water?" demanded Doctor West. + +"Then how did you come to accept that money?" + +The old man's face cleared. + +"I can explain that easily. Some time ago the agent said something +about the Acme Filter Company wishing to make a little donation to our +hospital. I'm one of the directors, you know. So, when he handed me +that envelope, I supposed it was the contribution to the +hospital--perhaps twenty-five or fifty dollars." + +"And that is all?" + +"That's the whole truth. But when I explained the matter to the +prosecuting attorney, he just smiled." + +"I know it's the truth, because you say it." She affectionately patted +the hand that she held. "But, again speaking legally, it wouldn't +sound very plausible to an outsider. But how do you explain the +situation?" + +"I think the whole affair must be just a mistake." + +"Possibly. But if so, you'll have to be able to prove it." She thought +a space. "Could it be that this is a manufactured charge?" + +Doctor West's eyes widened with amazement. + +"Why, of course not! You have forgotten that the man who makes the +charge is Mr. Sherman. You surely do not think he would let himself be +involved in anything that he did not believe to be in the highest +degree honourable?" + +"I do not know him very well. During the four years he has been here, +I have met him only a few times." + +"But you know what your dearest friend thinks of him." + +"Yes, I know Elsie considers her husband to be an ecclesiastical Sir +Galahad. And I must admit that he has seemed to me the highest type of +the modern young minister." + +"Then you agree with me, that Mr. Sherman is thoroughly honest in this +affair? That his only motive is a sense of public duty?" + +"Yes. I cannot conceive of him knowingly doing a wrong." + +"That's what has forced me to think it's only just a mistake," said +her father. + +"You may be right." She considered the idea. "But what does your +lawyer say?" + +His pale cheeks flushed. + +"I have no lawyer," he said slowly. + +"I see. You were waiting to consult me about whom to retain." + +He shook his head. + +"Then you have approached some one?" + +"I have spoken to Hopkins, and Williams, and Freeman. They all----" He +hesitated. + +"Yes?" + +"They all said they could not take my case." + +"Could not take your case!" she cried. "Why not?" + +"They made different excuses. But their excuses were not their real +reason." + +"And what was that?" + +The old man flushed yet more painfully. + +"I guess you do not fully realize the situation, Katherine. I don't +need to tell you that a wave of popular feeling against political +corruption is sweeping across the country. This is the first big case +that has come out in Westville, and the city is stirred up over this +as it hasn't been stirred in years. The way the _Express_----You saw +the _Express_?" + +Her hands instinctively clenched. + +"It was awful! Awful!" + +"The way the _Express_ has handled it has especially--well, you +see----" + +"You mean those lawyers are afraid to take the case?" + +Doctor West nodded. + +Katherine's dark eyes glowed with wrath. + +"Did you try any one else?" + +"Mr. Green came to see me. But----" + +"Of course not! It would kill your case to have a shyster represent +you." She gripped his hand, and her voice rang out: "Father, I'm glad +those men refused you. We're going to get for you the biggest man, the +biggest lawyer, in Westville." + +"You mean Mr. Blake?" + +"Yes, Mr. Blake." + +"I thought of him at first, of course. But I--well, I hesitated to +approach him." + +"Hesitated? Why?" + +"Well, you see," he stammered, "I remembered about your refusing him, +and I felt----" + +"That would never make any difference to him," she cried. "He's too +much of a gentleman. Besides, that was five years ago, and he has +forgotten it." + +"Then you think he'll take the case?" + +"Of course, he'll take it! He'll take it because he's a big man, and +because you need him, and because he's no coward. And with the biggest +man in Westville on your side, you'll see how public opinion will +right-about face!" + +She sprang up, aglow with energy. "I'm going to see him this minute! +With his help, we'll have this matter cleared up before you know it, +and"--smiling lightly--"just you see, daddy, all Westville will be out +there in the front yard, tramping over Aunt Rachel's sweet williams, +begging to be allowed to come and kiss your hand!" + +He kissed her own. He rose, and a smile broke through the clouds of +his face. + +"You've been home only an hour, and I feel that a thousand years have +been lifted off me." + +"That's right--and just keep on feeling a thousand years younger." +She smiled caressingly, and began to twist a finger in a buttonhole of +his coat. "U'm--don't you think, daddy, that such a very young +gentleman as you are, such a regular roaring young blade, +might--u'm--might----" + +"Might what, my dear?" + +"Might----" She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. + +A hand went to his throat. + +"Eh, why, is this one----" + +"I'm afraid it is, daddy--very!" + +"We've been so upset I guess your aunt must have forgotten to put out +a clean one for me." + +"And I suppose it never occurred to the profound scientific intellect +that it was possible for one to pull out a drawer and take out a +collar for one's self." She crossed to the bureau and came back with a +clean collar. "Now, sir--up with your chin!" With quick hands she +replaced the offending collar with the fresh one, tied the tie and +gave it a perfecting little pat. "There--that's better! And now I must +be off. I'll send around a few policemen to keep the crowds off Aunt +Rachel's flower-beds." + +And pressing on his pale cheek another kiss, and smiling at him from +the door, she hurried out. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DOCTOR WEST'S LAWYER + + +Katherine's refusal of Harrison Blake's unforeseen proposal, during +the summer she had graduated from Vassar, had, until the present hour, +been the most painful experience of her life. + +Ever since that far-away autumn of her fourteenth year when Blake had +led an at-first forlorn crusade against "Blind Charlie" Peck and swept +that apparently unconquerable autocrat and his corrupt machine from +power, she had admired Blake as the ideal public man. He had seemed so +fine, so big already, and loomed so large in promise--it was the fall +following his proposal that he was elected lieutenant-governor--that +it had been a humiliation to her that she, so insignificant, so +unworthy, could not give him that intractable passion, love. But +though he had gone very pale at her stammered answer, he had borne his +disappointment like a gallant gentleman; and in the years since then +he had acquitted himself to perfection in that most difficult of +roles, the lover who must be content to be mere friend. + +Katherine still retained her girlish admiration of Mr. Blake. Despite +his having been so conspicuous at the forefront of public affairs, no +scandal had ever soiled his name. His rectitude, so said people whose +memories ran back a generation, was due mainly to fine qualities +inherited from his mother, for his father had been a good-natured, +hearty, popular politician with no discoverable bias toward +over-scrupulosity. In fact, twenty years ago there had been a great +to-do touching the voting, through a plan of the elder Blake's +devising, of a gang of negroes half a dozen times down in a +river-front ward. But his party had rushed loyally to his rescue, and +had vindicated him by sending him to Congress; and his sudden death on +the day after taking his seat had at the time abashed all accusation, +and had suffused his memory with a romantic afterglow of sentiment. + +Blake lived alone with his mother in a house adjoining the Wests', +and a few moments after Katherine had left her father she turned into +the Blakes' yard. The house stood far back in a spacious lawn, shady +with broad maples and aspiring pines, and set here and there with +shrubs and flower-beds and a fountain whose misty spray hung a golden +aureole upon the sunlight. It was quite worthy of Westville's most +distinguished citizen--a big, roomy house of brick, its sterner lines +all softened with cool ivy, and with a wide piazza crossing its entire +front and embracing its two sides. + +The hour was that at which Westville arose from its accustomed mid-day +dinner--which was the reason Katherine was calling at Blake's home +instead of going downtown to his office. She was informed that he was +in. Telling the maid she would await him in his library, where she +knew he received all clients who called on business at his home, she +ascended the well-remembered stairway and entered a large, light room +with walls booked to the ceiling. + +Despite her declaration to her father that that old love episode +had been long forgotten by Mr. Blake, at this moment it was not +forgotten by her. She could not subdue a fluttering agitation over +the circumstance that she was about to appeal for succour to a man +she had once refused. + +She had but a moment to wait. Blake's tall, straight figure entered +and strode rapidly across the room, his right hand outstretched. + +"What--you, Katherine! I'm so glad to see you!" + +She had risen. "And I to see you, Mr. Blake." For all he had once +vowed himself her lover, she had never overcome her girlhood awe of +him sufficiently to use the more familiar "Harrison." + +"I knew you were coming home, but I had not expected to see you so +soon. Please sit down again." + +She resumed her soft leather-covered chair, and he took the +swivel chair at his great flat-topped library desk. His manner was +most cordial, but lurking beneath it Katherine sensed a certain +constraint--due perhaps, to their old relationship--perhaps due to +meeting a friend involved in a family disgrace. + +Blake was close upon forty, with a dark, strong, handsome face, +penetrating but pleasant eyes, and black hair slightly marked with +gray. He was well dressed but not too well dressed, as became a public +man whose following was largely of the country. His person gave an +immediate impression of a polished but not over-polished gentleman--of +a man who in acquiring a large grace of manner, has lost nothing of +virility and bigness and purpose. + +"It seems quite natural," Katherine began, smiling, and trying to +speak lightly, "that each time I come home it is to congratulate you +upon some new honour." + +"New honour?" queried he. + +"Oh, your name reaches even to New York! We hear that you are spoken +of to succeed Senator Grayson when he retires next year." + +"Oh, that!" He smiled--still with some constraint. "I won't try to +make you believe that I'm indifferent about the matter. But I don't +need to tell you that there's many a slip betwixt being 'spoken of' +and actually being chosen." + +There was an instant of awkward silence. Then Katherine went straight +to the business of her visit. + +"Of course you know about father." + +He nodded. "And I do not need to say, Katherine, how very, very sorry +I am." + +"I was certain of your sympathy. Things look black on the surface for +him, but I want you to know that he is innocent." + +"I am relieved to be assured of that," he said, hesitatingly. "For, +frankly, as you say, things do look black." + +She leaned forward and spoke rapidly, her hands tightly clasped. + +"I have come to see you, Mr. Blake, because you have always been our +friend--my friend, and a kinder friend than a young girl had any right +to expect--because I know you have the ability to bring out the truth +no matter how dark the circumstantial evidence may seem. I have come, +Mr. Blake, to ask you, to beg you, to be my father's lawyer." + +He stared at her, and his face grew pale. + +"To be your father's lawyer?" he repeated. + +"Yes, yes--to be my father's lawyer." + +He turned in his chair and looked out to where the fountain was +flinging its iridescent drapery to the wind. She gazed at his strong, +clean-cut profile in breathless expectation. + +"I again assure you he is innocent," she urged pleadingly. "I know you +can clear him." + +"You have evidence to prove his innocence?" asked Blake. + +"That you can easily uncover." + +He slowly swung about. Though with all his powerful will he strove to +control himself, he was profoundly agitated, and he spoke with a very +great effort. + +"You have put me in a most embarrassing situation, Katherine." + +She caught her breath. + +"You mean?" + +"I mean that I should like to help you, but--but----" + +"Yes? Yes?" + +"But I cannot." + +"Cannot! You mean--you refuse his case?" + +"It pains me, but I must." + +She grew as white as death. + +"Oh!" she breathed. "Oh!" She gazed at him, lips wide, in utter +dismay. + +Suddenly she seized his arm. "But you have not yet thought it +over--you have not considered," she cried rapidly. "I cannot take +no for your answer. I beg you, I implore you, to take the case." + +He seemed to be struggling between two desires. A slender, well-knit +hand stretched out and clutched a ruler; his brow was moist; but he +kept silent. + +"Mr. Blake, I beg you, I implore you, to reconsider," she feverishly +pursued. "Do you not see what it will mean to my father? If you take +the case, he is as good as cleared!" + +His voice came forth low and husky. "It is because it is beyond my +power to clear him that I refuse." + +"Beyond your power?" + +"Listen, Katherine," he answered. "I am glad you believe your father +innocent. The faith you have is the faith a daughter ought to have. I +do not want to hurt you, but I must tell you the truth--I do not share +your faith." + +"You refuse, then, because you think him guilty?" + +He inclined his head. "The evidence is conclusive. It is beyond my +power, beyond the power of any lawyer, to clear him." + +This sudden failure of the aid she had so confidently counted as +already hers, was a blow that for the moment completely stunned her. +She sank back in her chair and her head dropped down into her hands. + +Blake wiped his face with his handkerchief. After a moment, he went on +in an agitated, persuasive voice: + +"I do not want you to think, because I refuse, that I am any less +your friend. If I took the case, and did my best, your father would +be convicted just the same. I am going to open my heart to you, +Katherine. I should like very much to be chosen for that senatorship. +Naturally, I do not wish to do any useless thing that will impair +my chances. Now for me, an aspirant for public favour, to champion +against the aroused public the case of a man who has--forgive me the +word--who has betrayed that public, and in the end to lose that case, +as I most certainly should--it would be nothing less than political +suicide. Your father would gain nothing. I would lose--perhaps +everything. Don't you see?" + +"I follow your reasons," she said brokenly into her hands, "I do not +blame you--I accept your answer--but I still believe my father +innocent." + +"And for that faith, as I told you, I admire and honour you." + +She slowly rose. He likewise stood up. + +"What are you going to do?" he asked. + +"I do not know," she answered dully. "I was so confident of your aid, +that I had thought of no alternative." + +"Your father has tried other lawyers?" + +"Yes. They have all refused. You can guess their reason." + +He was silent for an instant. + +"Why not take the case yourself?" + +"I take the case!" cried Katherine, amazed. + +"Yes. You are a lawyer." + +"But I have never handled a case in court! I am not even admitted to +the bar of the state. And, besides, a woman lawyer in Westville---- +No, it's quite out of the question." + +"I was only suggesting it, you know," he said apologetically. + +"Oh, I realized you did not mean it seriously." + +Her face grew ashen as her failure came to her afresh. She gazed at +him with a final desperation. + +"Then your answer--it is final?" + +"I am sorry, but it is final," said he. + +Her head dropped. + +"Thank you," she said dully. "Good-by." And she started away. + +"Wait, Katherine." + +She paused, and he came to her side. His features were gray-hued and +were twitching strangely; for an instant she had the wild impression +that his old love for her still lived. + +"I am sorry that--that the first time you asked aid of me--I should +fail you. But but----" + +"I understand." + +"One word more." But he let several moments pass before he spoke it, +and he wet his lips continually. "Remember, I am still your friend. +Though I cannot take the case, I shall be glad, in a private way, to +advise you upon any matters you may care to lay before me." + +"You are very good." + +"Then you accept?" + +"How can I refuse? Thank you." + +He accompanied her down the stairway and to the door. Heavy-hearted, +she returned home. This was sad news to bring her father, whom but +half an hour before she had so confidently cheered; and she knew not +in what fresh direction to turn for aid. + +She went straight up to her father's room. With him she found a +stranger, who had a vague, far-distant familiarity. + +The two men rose. + +"This is my daughter," said Doctor West. + +The stranger bowed slightly. + +"I have heard of Miss West," he said, and in his manner Katherine's +quick instinct read strong preconceived disapprobation. + +"And, Katherine," continued her father, "this is Mr. Bruce." + +She stopped short. + +"Mr. Bruce of the _Express_?" + +"Of the _Express_," Bruce calmly repeated. + +Her dejected figure grew suddenly tense, and her cheeks glowed with +hot colour. She moved up before the editor and gazed with flashing +eyes into his square-jawed face. + +"So you are the man who wrote those brutal things about father?" + +He bristled at her hostile tone and manner, and there was a quick +snapping behind the heavy glasses. + +"I am the man who wrote those true things about your father," he said +with cold emphasis. + +"And after that you dare come into this house!" + +"Pardon me, Miss West, but a newspaper man dares go wherever his +business takes him." + +She was trembling all over. + +"Then let me inform you that you have no business here. Neither my +father nor myself has anything whatever to say to yellow journalists!" + +"Katherine! Katherine!" interjected her father. + +Bruce bowed, his face a dull red. + +"I shall leave, Miss West, just as soon as Doctor West answers my last +question. I called to see if he wished to make any statement, and I +was asking him about his lawyer. He told me he had as yet secured +none, but that you were applying to Mr. Blake." + +Doctor West stepped toward her eagerly. + +"Yes, Katherine, what did he say? Will he take the case?" + +She turned from Bruce, and as she looked into the white, worn face of +her father, the fire of her anger went out. + +"He said--he said----" + +"Yes--yes?" + +She put her arms about him. + +"Don't you mind, father dear, what he said." + +Doctor West grew yet more pale. + +"Then--he said--the same as the others?" + +She held him tight. + +"Dear daddy!" + +"Then--he refused?" + +"Yes--but don't you mind it," she tried to say bravely. + +Without a sound, the old man's head dropped upon his chest. He held to +Katherine a moment; then he moved waveringly to an old haircloth sofa, +sank down upon it and bowed his face into his hands. + +Bruce broke the silence. + +"I am to understand, then, that your father has no lawyer?" + +Katherine wheeled from the bowed figure, and her anger leaped +instantly to a white heat. + +"And why has he no lawyer?" she cried. "Because of the inhuman things +you wrote about him!" + +"You forget, Miss West, that I am running a newspaper, and it is my +business to print the news." + +"The news, yes; but not a malignant, ferocious distortion of the news! +Look at my father there. Does it not fill your soul with shame to +think of the black injustice you have done him?" + +"Mere sentiment! Understand, I do not let conventional sentiment stand +between me and my duty." + +"Your duty!" There was a world of scorn in her voice. "And, pray, what +is your duty?" + +"Part of it is to establish, and maintain, decent standards of public +service in this town." + +"Don't hide behind that hypocritical pretence! I've heard about you. I +know the sort of man you are. You saw a safe chance for a yellow story +for your yellow newspaper, a safe chance to gain prominence by yelping +at the head of the pack. If he had been a rich man, if he had had a +strong political party behind him, would you have dared assail him as +you have? Never! Oh, it was brutal--infamous--cowardly!" + +There was an angry fire behind the editor's thick glasses, and his +square chin thrust itself out. He took a step nearer. + +"Listen to me!" he commanded in a slow, defiant voice. "Your opinion +is to me a matter of complete indifference. I tell you that a man who +betrays his city is a traitor, and that I would treat an old traitor +exactly as I would treat a young traitor, I tell you that I take it +as a sign of an awakening public conscience when reputable lawyers +refuse to defend a man who has done what your father has done. And, +finally, I predict that, try as you may, you will not be able to find +a decent lawyer who will dare to take his case. And I glory in it, and +consider it the result of my work!" He bowed to her. "And now, Miss +West, I wish you good afternoon." + +She stood quivering, gasping, while he crossed to the door. As his +hand fell upon the knob she sprang forward. + +"Wait!" she cried. "Wait! He has a lawyer!" + +He paused. + +"Indeed! And whom?" + +"One who is going to make you take back every cowardly word you have +printed!" + +"Who is it, Katherine?" It was her father who spoke. + +She turned. Doctor West had raised his head, and in his eyes was an +eager, hopeful light. She bent over him and slipped an arm about his +shoulders. + +"Father dear," she quavered, "since we can get no one else, will you +take me?" + +"Take you?" he exclaimed. + +"Because," she quavered on, "whether you will or not, I'm going to +stay in Westville and be your lawyer." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +KATHERINE PREPARES FOR BATTLE + + +For a long space after Bruce had gone Katherine sat quiveringly upon +the old haircloth sofa beside her father, holding his hands tightly, +caressingly. Her words tumbled hotly from her lips--words of love of +him--of resentment of the injustice which he suffered--and, fiercest +of all, of wrath against Editor Bruce, who had so ruthlessly, and for +such selfish ends, incited the popular feeling against him. She would +make such a fight as Westville had never seen! She would show those +lawyers who had been reduced to cowards by Bruce's demagogy! She would +bring the town humiliated to her father's feet! + +But emotion has not only peaks, but plains, and dark valleys. As she +cooled and her passion descended to a less exalted level, she began to +see the difficulties of, and her unfitness for, the role she had so +impulsively accepted. An uneasiness for the future crept upon her. As +she had told Mr. Blake, she had never handled a case in court. True, +she had been a member of the bar for two years, but her duties with +the Municipal League had consisted almost entirely in working up +evidence in cases of municipal corruption for the use of her legal +superiors. An untried lawyer, and a woman lawyer at that--surely a +weak reed for her father to lean upon! + +But she had thrown down the gage of battle; she had to fight, since +there was no other champion; and even in this hour of emotion, when +tears were so plenteous and every word was accompanied by a caress, +she began to plan the preliminaries of her struggle. + +"I shall write to-night to the league for a leave of absence," she +said. "One of the things I must see to at once is to get admitted to +the state bar. Do you know when your case is to come up?" + +"It has been put over to the September term of court." + +"That gives me four months." + +She was silently thoughtful for a space. "I've got to work hard, hard! +upon your case. As I see it now, I am inclined to agree with you that +the situation has arisen from a misunderstanding--that the agent +thought you expected a bribe, and that you thought the bribe a small +donation to the hospital." + +"I'm certain that's how it is," said her father. + +"Then the thing to do is to see Doctor Sherman, and if possible the +agent, have them repeat their testimony and try to search out in it +the clue to the mistake. And that I shall see to at once." + +Five minutes later Katherine left the house. After walking ten minutes +through the quiet, maple-shaded back streets she reached the Wabash +Avenue Church, whose rather ponderous pile of Bedford stone was the +most ambitious and most frequented place of worship in Westville, and +whose bulk was being added to by a lecture room now rising against its +side. + +Katherine went up a gravelled walk toward a cottage that stood +beneath the church's shadow. The house's front was covered with a +wide-spreading rose vine, a tapestry of rich green which June would +gorgeously embroider with sprays of heart-red roses. The cottage +looked what Katherine knew it was, a bower of lovers. + +Her ring was answered by a fair, fragile young woman whose eyes were +the colour of faith and loyalty. A faint colour crept into the young +woman's pale cheeks. + +"Why--Katherine--why--why--I don't know what you think of us, +but--but----" She could stammer out no more, but stood in the doorway +in distressed uncertainty. + +Katherine's answer was to stretch out her arms. "Elsie!" Instantly +the two old friends were in a close embrace. + +"I haven't slept, Katherine," sobbed Mrs. Sherman, "for thinking of +what you would think----" + +"I think that, whatever has happened, I love you just the same." + +"Thank you for saying it, Katherine." Mrs. Sherman gazed at her in +tearful gratitude. "I can't tell you how we have suffered over +this--this affair. Oh, if you only knew!" + +It was instinctive with Katherine to soothe the pain of others, though +suffering herself. "I am certain Doctor Sherman acted from the highest +motives," she assured the young wife. "So say no more about it." + +They had entered the little sitting-room, hung with soft white muslin +curtains. "But at the same time, Elsie, I cannot believe my father +guilty," Katherine went on. "And though I honour your husband, why, +even the noblest man can be mistaken. My hope of proving my father's +innocence is based on the belief that Doctor Sherman may somehow have +made a mistake. At any rate, I'd like to talk over his evidence with +him." + +"He's trying to work on his sermon, though he's too worn to think. +I'll bring him right in." + +She passed through a door into the study, and a moment later reentered +with Doctor Sherman. The present meeting would have been painful to +an ordinary person; doubly so was it to such a hyper-sensitive nature. +The young clergyman stood hesitant just within the doorway, his usual +pallor greatly deepened, his thin fingers intertwisted--in doubt how +to greet Katherine till she stretched out her hand to him. + +"I want you to understand, Katherine dear," little Mrs. Sherman put in +quickly, with a look of adoration at her husband, "that Edgar reached +the decision to take the action he did only after days of agony. You +know, Katherine, Doctor West was always as kind to me as another +father, and I loved him almost like one. At first I begged Edgar not +to do anything. Edgar walked the floor for nights--suffering!--oh, how +you suffered, Edgar!" + +"Isn't it a little incongruous," said Doctor Sherman, smiling wanly at +her, "for the instrument that struck the blow to complain, in the +presence of the victim, of _his_ suffering?" + +"But I want her to know it!" persisted the wife. "She must know it to +do you justice, dear! It seemed at first disloyal--but finally Edgar +decided that his duty to the city----" + +"Please say no more, Elsie." Katherine turned to the pale young +minister. "Doctor Sherman, I have not come to utter one single word of +recrimination. I have come merely to ask you to tell me all you know +about the case." + +"I shall be glad to do so." + +"And could I also talk with Mr. Marcy, the agent?" + +"He has left the city, and will not return till the trial." + +Katherine was disappointed by this news. Doctor Sherman, though +obviously pained by the task, rehearsed in minutest detail the charges +he had made against Doctor West, which charges he would later have to +repeat upon the witness stand. Also he recounted Mr. Marcy's story. +Katherine scrutinized every point in these two stories for the loose +end, the loop-hole, the flaw, she had thought to find. But flaw there +was none. The stories were perfectly straightforward. + +Katherine walked slowly away, still going over and over Doctor +Sherman's testimony. Doctor Sherman was telling the indubitable +truth--yet her father was indubitably innocent. It was a puzzling +case, this her first case--a puzzling, most puzzling case. + +When she reached home she was told by her aunt that a gentleman was +waiting to see her. She entered the big, old-fashioned parlour, fresh +and tasteful despite the stiff black walnut that, in the days of her +mother's marriage, had been spread throughout the land as beauty by +the gentlemen who dealt conjointly in furniture and coffins. + +From a chair there rose a youthful and somewhat corpulent presence, +with a chubby and very serious pink face that sat in a glossy high +collar as in a cup. He smiled with a blushful but ingratiating +dignity. + +"Don't you remember me? I'm Charlie Horn." + +"Oh!" And instinctively, as if to identify him by Charlie Horn's +well-remembered strawberry-marks, Katherine glanced at his hands. But +they were clean, and the warts were gone. She looked at him in doubt. +"You can't be Nellie Horn's little brother?" + +"I'm not so little," he said, with some resentment. "Since you knew +me," he added a little grandiloquently, "I've graduated from +Bloomington." + +"Please pardon me! It was kind of you to call, and so soon." + +"Well, you see I came on business. I suppose you have seen this +afternoon's _Express_?" + +She instinctively stiffened. + +"I have not." + +He drew out a copy of the _Express_, opened it, and pointed a plump, +pinkish forefinger at the beginning of an article on the first page. + +"You see the _Express_ says you are going to be your father's lawyer." + +Katharine read the indicated paragraphs. Her colour heightened. The +statement was blunt and bare, but between the lines she read the +contemptuous disapproval of the "new woman" that a few hours since +Bruce had displayed before her. Again her anger toward Bruce flared +up. + +"I am a reporter for the _Clarion_," young Charlie Horn announced, +striving not to appear too proud. "And I've come to interview you." + +"Interview me?" she cried in dismay. "What about?" + +"Well, you see," said he, with his benign smile, "you're the first +woman lawyer that's ever been in Westville. It's almost a bigger +sensation than your fath--you see, it's a big story." + +He drew from his pocket a bunch of copy paper. "I want you to tell me +about how you are going to handle the case. And about what you think a +woman lawyer's prospects are in Westville. And about what you think +will be woman's status in future society. And you might tell me," +concluded young Charlie Horn, "who your favourite author is, and what +you think of golf. That last will interest our readers, for our +country club is very popular." + +It had been the experience of Nellie Horn's brother that the good +people of Westville were quite willing--nay, even had a subdued +eagerness--to discourse about themselves, and whom they had visited +over Sunday, and who was "Sundaying" with them, and what beauties had +impressed them most at Niagara Falls; and so that confident young +ambassador from the _Clarion_ was somewhat dazed when, a moment later, +he found himself standing alone on the West doorstep with a dim sense +of having been politely and decisively wished good afternoon. + +But behind him amid the stiff, dark, solemn-visaged furniture +(Calvinists, every chair of them!) he left a person far more dazed +than himself. Charlie Horn's call had brought sharply home to +Katherine a question that, in the press of affairs, she hardly had as +yet considered--how was Westville going to take to a woman lawyer +being in its midst? She realized, with a chill of apprehension, how +profoundly this question concerned her next few months. Dear, +bustling, respectable Westville, she well knew, clung to its own idea +of woman's sphere as to a thing divinely ordered, and to seek to leave +which was scarcely less than rebellion against high God. In +patriarchal days, when heaven's justice had been prompter, such a +disobedient one would suddenly have found herself rebuked into a bit +of saline statuary. + +Katherine vividly recalled, when she had announced her intention to +study law, what a raising of hands there was, what a loud regretting +that she had not a mother. But since she had not settled in +Westville, and since she had not been actively practising in New York, +the town had become partially reconciled. But this step of hers was +new, without a precedent. How would Westville take it? + +Her brain burned with this and other matters all afternoon, all +evening, and till the dawn began to edge in and crowd the shadows from +her room. But when she met her father at the breakfast table her face +was fresh and smiling. + +"Well, how is my client this morning?" she asked gaily. "Do you +realize, daddy, that you are my first really, truly client?" + +"And I suppose you'll be charging me something outrageous as a fee!" + +"Something like this"--kissing him on the ear. "But how do you feel?" + +"Certain that my lawyer will win my case." He smiled. "And how are +you?" + +"Brimful of ideas." + +"Yes? About the----" + +"Yes. And about you. First, answer a few of your counsel's questions. +Have you been doing much at your scientific work of late?" + +"The last two months, since the water-works has been practically +completed, I have spent almost my whole time at it." + +"And your work was interesting?" + +"Very. You see, I think I am on the verge of discovering that the +typhoid bacillus----" + +"You'll tell me all about that later. Now the first order of your +attorney is, just as soon as you have finished your coffee and folded +your napkin, back you go to your laboratory." + +"But, Katherine, with this affair----" + +"This affair, worry and all, has been shifted off upon your eminent +counsel. Work will keep you from worry, so back you go to your darling +germs." + +"You're mighty good, dear, but----" + +"No argument! You've got to do just what your lawyer tells you. And +now," she added "as I may have to be seeing a lot of people, and as +having people about the house may interrupt your work, I'm going to +take an office." + +He stared at her. + +"Take an office?" + +"Yes. Who knows--I may pick up a few other cases. If I do, I know who +can use the money." + +"But open an office in Westville! Why, the people----Won't it be a +little more unpleasant----" He paused doubtfully. "Did you see what +the _Express_ had to say about you?" + +She flushed, but smiled sweetly. + +"What the _Express_ said is one reason why I'm going to open an +office." + +"Yes?" + +"I'm not going to let fear of that Mr. Bruce dictate my life. And +since I'm going to be a lawyer, I'm going to be the whole thing. And +what's more, I'm going to act as though I were doing the most ordinary +thing in the world. And if Mr. Bruce and the town want to talk, why, +we'll just let 'em talk!" + +"But--but--aren't you afraid?" + +"Of course I'm afraid," she answered promptly. "But when I realize +that I'm afraid to do a thing, I'm certain that that is just exactly +the thing for me to do. Oh, don't look so worried, dear"--she leaned +across and kissed him--"for I'm going to be the perfectest, properest, +politest lady that ever scuttled a convention. And nothing is going to +happen to me--nothing at all." + +Breakfast finished, Katherine despotically led her father up to his +laboratory. A little later she set out for downtown, looking very +fresh in a blue summer dress that had the rare qualities of simplicity +and grace. Her colour was perhaps a little warmer than was usual, but +she walked along beneath the maples with tranquil mien, seemingly +unconscious of some people she passed, giving others a clear, direct +glance, smiling and speaking to friends and acquaintances in her most +easy manner. + +As she turned into Main Street the intelligence that she was coming +seemed in some mysterious way to speed before her. Those exemplars +of male fashion, the dry goods clerks, craned furtively about front +doors. Bare-armed and aproned proprietors of grocery stores and their +hirelings appeared beneath the awnings and displayed an unprecedented +concern in trying to resuscitate, with aid of sprinkling-cans, bunches +of expiring radishes and young onions. Owners of amiable steeds that +dozed beside the curb hurried out of cavernous doors, the fear of +run-away writ large upon their countenances, to see if a buckle was +not loose or a tug perchance unfastened. Behind her, as she passed, +Main Street stood statued in mid-action, strap in motionless hand, +sprinkling-can tilting its entire contents of restorative over a box +of clothes-pins, and gaped and stared. This was epochal for Westville. +Never before had a real, live, practising woman lawyer trod the cement +walk of Main Street. + +When Katherine came to Court House Square, she crossed to the south +side, passed the _Express_ Building, and made for the Hollingsworth +Block, whose first floor was occupied by the New York Store's +"glittering array of vast and profuse fashion." Above this alluring +pageant were two floors of offices; and up the narrow stairway leading +thereunto Katherine mounted. She entered a door marked "Hosea +Hollingsworth. Attorney-at-Law. Mortgages. Loans. Farms." In the +room were a table, three chairs, a case of law books, a desk, on +the top of the desk a "plug" hat, so venerable that it looked a very +great-grandsire of hats, and two cuspidors marked with chromatic +evidence that they were not present for ornament alone. + +From the desk there rose a man, perhaps seventy, lean, tall, +smooth-shaven, slightly stooped, dressed in a rusty and wrinkled +"Prince Albert" coat, and with a countenance that looked a rank +plagiarism of the mask of Voltaire. In one corner of his thin mouth, +half chewed away, was an unlighted cigar. + +"I believe this is Mr. Hollingsworth?" said Katherine. The question +was purely formal, for his lank figure was one of her earliest +memories. + +"Yes. Come right in," he returned in a high, nasal voice. + +She drew a chair away from the environs of the cuspidors and sat down. +He resumed his place at his desk and peered at her through his +spectacles, and a dry, almost imperceptible smile played among the +fine wrinkles of his leathery face. + +"And I believe this is Katherine West--our lady lawyer," he remarked. +"I read in the _Express_ how you----" + +Bruce was on her nerves. She could not restrain a sudden flare of +temper. "The editor of that paper is a cad!" + +"Well, he ain't exactly what you might call a hand-raised gentleman," +the old lawyer admitted. "At least, I never heard of his exerting +himself so hard to be polite that he strained any tendons." + +"You know him, then?" + +"A little. He's my nephew." + +"Oh! I remember." + +"And we live together," the old man loquaciously drawled on, eying her +closely with a smile that might have been either good-natured or +satirical. "Batch it--with a nigger who saves us work by stealing +things we'd otherwise have to take care of. We scrap most of the time. +I make fun of him, and he gets sore. The trouble with the editor of +the _Express_ is, he had a doting ma. He should have had an almighty +lot of thrashing when a boy, and instead he never tasted beech limb +once. He's suffering from the spared rod." + +Katherine had a shrinking from this old man; an aversion which in her +mature years she had had no occasion to examine, but which she had +inherited unanalyzed from her childhood, when old Hosie Hollingsworth +had been the chief scandal of the town--an infidel, who had dared +challenge the creation of the earth in seven days, and yet was not +stricken down by a fiery bolt from heaven! She did not pursue the +subject of Bruce, but went directly to her business. + +"I understand that you have an office to rent." + +"So I have. Like to see it?" + +"That is what I called for." + +"Just come along with me." + +He rose, and Katherine followed him to the floor above and into a room +furnished much as the one she had just left. + +"This office was last used," commented old Hosie, "by a young fellow +who taught school down in Buck Creek Township and got money to study +law with. He tried law for a while." The old man's thin prehensile +lips shifted his cigar to the other side of his mouth. "He's down in +Buck Creek Township teaching school to get money to pay his back +office rent." + +"How about the furniture?" asked Katherine. + +"That was his. He left it in part payment. You can use it if you want +to." + +"But I don't want those things about"--pointing gingerly to a pair of +cuspidors. + +"All right. Though I don't see how you expect to run a law office in +Westville without 'em." He bent over and took them in his hands. "I'll +take 'em along. I need a few more, for my business is picking up." + +"I suppose I can have possession at once." + +"Whenever you please." + +Standing with the cuspidors in his two hands the old lawyer looked her +over. He slowly grinned, and a dry cackle came out of his lean throat. + +"I was born out there in Buck Creek Township myself," he said. "Folks +all Quakers, same as your ma's and your Aunt Rachel's. I was brought +up on plowing, husking corn and going to meeting. Never smiled till +after I was twenty; wore a halo, size too large, that slipped down and +made my ears stick out. My grandfather's name was Elijah, my father's +Elisha. My father had twelve sons, and beginning with me, Hosea, he +named 'em all in order after the minor prophets. Being brought up in a +houseful of prophets, naturally a lot of the gift of prophecy sort of +got rubbed off on me." + +"Well?" said Katherine impatiently, not seeing the pertinence of this +autobiography. + +Again he shifted his cigar. "Well, when I prophesy, it's inspired," he +went on. "And you can take it as the word that came unto Hosea, that a +woman lawyer settling in Westville is going to raise the very dickens +in this old town!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE LADY LAWYER + + +When old Hosie had withdrawn with his expectorative plunder, Katherine +sat down at the desk and gazed thoughtfully out of her window, taking +in the tarnished dome of the Court House that rose lustreless above +the elm tops and the heavy-boned farmhorses that stood about the iron +hitch-racks of the Square, stamping and switching their tails in +dozing warfare against the flies. + +Once more, she began to go over the case. Having decided to test all +possible theories, she for the moment pigeon-holed the idea of a +mistake, and began to seek for other explanations. For a space she +vacantly watched the workmen tearing down the speakers' stand. But +presently her eyes began to glow, and she sprang up and excitedly +paced the little office. + +Perhaps her father had unwittingly and innocently become involved in +some large system of corruption! Perhaps this case was the first +symptom of the existence of some deep-hidden municipal disease! + +It seemed possible--very possible. Her two years with the Municipal +League had taught her how common were astute dishonest practices. The +idea filled her. She began to burn with a feverish hope. But from the +first moment she was sufficiently cool-headed to realize that to +follow up the idea she required intimate knowledge of Westville +political conditions. + +Here she felt herself greatly handicapped. Owing to her long residence +away from Westville she was practically in ignorance of public +affairs--and she faced the further difficulty of having no one to whom +she could turn for information. Her father she knew could be of little +service; expert though he was in his specialty, he was blind to evil +in men. As for Blake, she did not care to ask aid from him so soon +after his refusal of assistance. And as for others, she felt that all +who could give her information were either hostile to her father or +critical of herself. + +For days the idea possessed her mind. She kept it to herself, and, her +suspicious eyes sweeping in all directions, she studied as best she +could to find some evidence or clue to evidence, that would +corroborate her conjecture. In her excited hope, she strove, while she +thought and worked, to be indifferent to what the town might think +about her. But she was well aware that Old Hosie's prophecy was swift +in coming true--that a storm was raging, a storm of her own sex. It +should be explained, however, in justice to them, that they forgot the +fact, or never really knew it, that she had been forced to take her +father's case. To be sure, there was no open insult, no direct attack, +no face-to-face denunciation; but piazzas buzzed indignantly with her +name, and at the meeting of the Ladies' Aid the poor were forgotten, +as at the Missionary Society were the unbibled heathen upon the +foreign shore. + +Fragments of her sisters' pronouncements were wafted to Katherine's +ears. "No self-respecting, womanly woman would ever think of wanting +to be a lawyer"--"A forward, brazen, unwomanly young person"--"A +disgrace to the town, a disgrace to our sex"--"Think of the example +she sets to impressionable young girls; they'll want to break away and +do all sorts of unwomanly things"--"Everybody knows her reason for +being a lawyer is only that it gives her a greater chance to be with +the men." + +Katherine heard, her mouth hardened, a certain defiance came into her +manner. But she went straight ahead seeking evidence to support her +suspicion. + +Every day made her feel more keenly her need of intimate knowledge +about the city's political affairs; then, unexpectedly, and from an +unexpected quarter, an informant stepped out upon her stage. Several +times Old Hosie Hollingsworth had spoken casually when they had +chanced to pass in the building or on the street. One day his lean, +stooped figure appeared in her office and helped itself to a chair. + +"I see you haven't exactly made what Charlie Horn, in his dramatic +criticisms, calls an uproarious and unprecedented success," he +remarked, after a few preliminaries. + +"I have not been sufficiently interested to notice," was her crisp +response. + +"That's right; keep your back up," said he. "I've been agin about +everything that's popular, and for everything that's unpopular, that +ever happened in this town. I've been an 'agin-er' for fifty years. +They'd have tarred and feathered me long ago if there'd been any +leading citizen unstingy enough to have donated the tar. Then, too, +I've had a little money, and going through the needle's eye is easy +business compared to losing the respect of Westville so long as you've +got money--unless, of course," he added, "you're a female lawyer. I +tell you, there's no more fun than stirring up the animals in this old +town. Any one unpopular in Westville is worth being friends with, and +so if you're willing----" + +He held out his thin, bony hand. Katherine, with no very marked +enthusiasm, took it. Then her eyes gleamed with a new light; and +obeying an impulse she asked: + +"Are you acquainted with political conditions in Westville?" + +"Me acquainted with----" He cackled. "Why, I've been setting at my +office window looking down on the political circus of this town ever +since Noah run aground on Mount Ararat." + +She leaned forward eagerly. + +"Then you know how things stand?" + +"To a T." + +"Tell me, is there any rotten politics, any graft or corruption going +on?" She flushed. "Of course, I mean except what's charged against my +father." + +"When Blind Charlie Peck was in power, there was more graft and +dirty----" + +"Not then, but now?" she interrupted. + +"Now? Well, of course you know that since Blake run Blind Charlie out +of business ten years ago, Blake has been the big gun in this town." + +"Yes, I know." + +"Then you must know that in the last ten years Westville has been +text, sermon, and doxology for all the reformers in the state." + +"But could not corruption be going on without Mr. Blake knowing it? +Could not Mr. Peck be secretly carrying out some scheme?" + +"Blind Charlie? Blind Charlie ain't dead yet, not by a long sight--and +as long as there's a breath in his carcass, that good-natured old +blackguard is likely to be a dangerous customer. But though Charlie's +still the boss of his party, he controls no offices, and has got no +real power. He's as helpless as Satan was after he'd been kicked out +of heaven and before he'd landed that big job he holds on the floor +below. Nowadays, Charlie just sits in his side office over at the +Tippecanoe House playing seven-up from breakfast till bedtime." + +"Then you think there's no corrupt politics in Westville?" she asked +in a sinking voice. + +"Not an ounce of 'em!" said Old Hosie with decision. + +This agreed with the conviction that had been growing upon Katherine +during the last few days. While she had entertained suspicion of there +being corruption, she had several times considered the advisability of +putting a detective on the case. But this idea she now abandoned. + +After this talk with the old lawyer, Katherine was forced back again +upon misunderstanding. She went carefully over the records of her +father's department, on file in the Court House, seeking some item +that would cast light upon the puzzle. She went over and over the +indictment, seeking some loose end, some overlooked inconsistency, +that would yield her at least a clue. + +For days she kept doggedly at this work, steeling herself against the +disapprobation of the town. But she found nothing. Then, in a flash, +an overlooked point recurred to her. The trouble, so went her theory, +was all due to a confusion of the bribe with the donation to the +hospital. Where was that donation? + +Here was a matter that might at last lead to a solution of the +difficulty. Again on fire with hope, she interviewed her father. He +was certain that a donation had been promised, he had thought the +envelope handed him by Mr. Marcy contained the gift--but of the +donation itself he knew no more. She interviewed Doctor Sherman; he +had heard Mr. Marcy refer to a donation but knew nothing about the +matter. She tried to get in communication with Mr. Marcy, only to +learn that he was in England studying some new filtering plants +recently installed in that country. Undiscouraged, she one day stepped +off the train in St. Louis, the home of the Acme Filter, and appeared +in the office of the company. + +The general manager, a gentleman who ran to portliness in his figure, +his jewellery and his courtesy, seemed perfectly acquainted with the +case. In exculpation of himself and his company, he said that they +were constantly being held up by every variety of official from a +county commissioner to a mayor, and they were simply forced to give +"presents" in order to do business. + +"But my father's defense," put in Katherine, "was that he thought this +'present' was in reality a donation to the hospital. Was anything said +to my father about a donation?" + +"I believe there was." + +"That corroborates my father!" Katherine exclaimed eagerly. "Would you +make that statement at the trial--or at least give me an affidavit to +that effect?" + +"I'll be glad to give you an affidavit. But I should explain that the +'present' and the donation were two distinctly separate affairs." + +"Then what became of the donation?" Katherine cried triumphantly. + +"It was sent," said the manager. + +"Sent?" + +"I sent it myself," was the reply. + +Katherine left St. Louis more puzzled than before. What had become of +the check, if it had really been sent? Home again, she ransacked her +father's desk with his aid, and in a bottom drawer they found a heap +of long-neglected mail. + +Doctor West at first scratched his head in perplexity. "I remember +now," he said. "I never was much of a hand to keep up with my letters, +and for the few days before that celebration I was so excited that I +just threw everything----" + +But Katherine had torn open an envelope and was holding in her hands a +fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter Company. + +"What was the date of your arrest?" she asked sharply. "The date Mr. +Marcy gave you that money?" + +"The fifteenth of May." + +"This check is dated the twelfth of May. The envelope shows it was +received in Westville on the thirteenth." + +"Well, what of that?" + +"Only this," said Katherine slowly, and with a chill at her heart, +"that the prosecution can charge, and we cannot disprove the charge, +that the real donation was already in your possession at the time you +accepted what you say you believed was the donation." + +Then, with a rush, a great temptation assailed Katherine--to destroy +this piece of evidence unfavourable to her father which she held in +her hands. For several moments the struggle continued fiercely. But +she had made a vow with herself when she had entered law that she was +going to keep free from the trickery and dishonourable practices so +common in her profession. She was going to be an honest lawyer, or be +no lawyer at all. And so, at length, she laid the check before her +father. + +"Just indorse it, and we'll send it in to the hospital," she said. + +Afterward it occurred to her that to have destroyed the check would at +the best have helped but little, for the prosecution, if it so +desired, could introduce witnesses to prove that the donation had been +sent. Suspicion of having destroyed or suppressed the check would then +inevitably have rested upon her father. + +This discovery of the check was a heavy blow, but Katherine went +doggedly back to the first beginnings; and as the weeks crept slowly +by she continued without remission her desperate search for a clue +which, followed up, would make clear to every one that the whole +affair was merely a mistake. But the only development of the summer +which bore at all upon the case--and that bearing seemed to Katherine +indirect--was that, since early June, the service of the water-works +had steadily been deteriorating. There was frequently a shortage in +the supply, and the filtering plant, the direct cause of Doctor West's +disgrace, had proved so complete a failure that its use had been +discontinued. The water was often murky and unpleasant to the taste. +Moreover, all kinds of other faults began to develop in the plant. The +city complained loudly of the quality of the water and the failure of +the system. It was like one of these new-fangled toys, averred the +street corners, that runs like a miracle while the paint is on it and +then with a whiz and a whir goes all to thunder. + +But to this mere by-product of the case Katherine gave little thought. +She had to keep desperately upon the case itself. At times, feeling +herself so alone, making no inch of headway, her spirits sank very low +indeed. What made the case so wearing on the soul was that she was +groping in the dark. She was fighting an invisible enemy, even though +it was no more than a misunderstanding--an enemy whom, strive as she +would, she could not clutch, with whom she could not grapple. Again +and again she prayed for a foe in the open. Had there been a fight, no +matter how bitter, her part would have been far, far easier--for in +fight there is action and excitement and the lifting hope of victory. + +It took courage to work as she did, weary week upon weary week, and +discover nothing. It took courage not to slink away at the town's +disapprobation. At times, in the bitterness of her heart, she wished +she were out of it all, and could just rest, and be friends with every +one. In such moods it would creep coldly in upon her that there could +be but one solution to the case--that after all her father must be +guilty. But when she would go home and look into his thoughtful, +unworldy old face, that solution would instantly become impossible; +and she would cast out doubt and despair and renew her determination. + +The weeks dragged heavily on--hot and dusty after the first of July, +and so dry that out in the country the caked earth was a fine network +of zigzagging fissures, and the farmers, gazing despondently upon +their shrivelling corn, watched with vain hope for a rescuing cloud to +darken the clear, hard, brilliant heavens. At length the summer burned +to its close; the opening day of the September term of court was close +at hand. But still the case stood just as on the day Katherine had +stepped so joyously from the Limited. The evidence of Sherman was +unshaken. The charges of Bruce had no answer. + +One afternoon--her father's case was set for two days later--as +Katherine left her office, desperate, not knowing which way to turn, +her nerves worn fine and thin by the long strain, she saw her father's +name on the front page of the _Express_. She bought a copy. In the +centre of the first page, in a "box" and set in heavy-faced type, was +an editorial in Bruce's most rousing style, trying her father in +advance, declaring him flagrantly guilty, and demanding for him the +law's extremest penalty. + +That editorial unloosed her long-collected wrath--wrath that had many +a reason. In Bruce's person Katherine had from the first seen the +summing up, the leader, of the bitterness against her father. All +summer he had continued his sharp attacks, and the virulence of these +had helped keep the town wrought up against Doctor West. Moreover, +Katherine despised Bruce as a powerful, ruthless, demagogic hypocrite. +And to her hostility against him in her father's behalf and to her +contempt for his quack radicalism, was added the bitter implacability +of the woman who feels herself scorned. The town's attitude toward her +she resented. But Bruce she hated, and him she prayed with all her +soul that she might humble. + +She crushed the _Express_, flung it from her into the gutter, and +walked home all a-tremble. Her aunt met her in the hall as she was +laying off her hat. A spot burned faintly in either withered cheek of +the old woman. + +"Who does thee think is here?" she asked. + +"Who?" Katherine repeated mechanically, her wrath too high for +interest in anything else. + +"Mr. Bruce. Upstairs with thy father." + +"What!" cried Katherine. + +Her hat missed the hook and fell to the floor, and she went springing +up the stairway. The next instant she flung open her father's door, +and walked straight up to Bruce, before whom she paused, bosom +heaving, eyes on fire. + +"What are you doing here?" she demanded. + +His powerful figure rose, and his square-hewn face looked directly +into her own. + +"Interviewing your father," he returned with his aggressive calm. + +"He was asking me to confess," explained Doctor West. + +"Confess?" cried Katherine. + +"Just so," replied Bruce. "His guilt is undoubted, so he might as well +confess." + +Scorn flamed at him. + +"I see! You are trying to get a confession out of him, in advance of +the trial, as a big feature for your terrible paper!" + +She moved a pace nearer him. All the suppressed anger, all the hidden +anguish, of the last three months burst up volcanically. + +"Oh! oh!" she cried breathlessly. "I never dreamt till I met you that +a man could be so low, so heartless, as to hound an old man as you +have hounded my father--and all for the sake of a yellow newspaper +sensation. But he's a safe man for you to attack. Yes, he's safe--old, +unpopular, helpless!" + +Bruce's heavy brows lowered. He did not give back a step before her +ireful figure. + +"And because he's old and unpopular I should not attack him, eh?" he +demanded. "Because he's down, I should not hit him? That's your +woman's reasoning, is it? Well, let me tell you," and his gray eyes +flashed, and his voice had a crunching tone--"that I believe when +you've got an enemy of society down, don't, because you pity him, let +him up to go and do the same thing again. While you've got him down, +keep on hitting him till you've got him finished!" + +"Like the brute that you are!" she cried. "But, like the coward you +are, you first very carefully choose your 'enemy of society.' You were +careful to choose one who could not hit back!" + +"I did not choose your father. He thrust himself upon the town's +attention. And I consider neither his weakness nor his strength. I +consider only the fact that your father has done the city a greater +injury than any man who ever lived in Westville." + +"It's a lie! I tell you it's a lie!" + +"It's the truth!" he declared harshly, dominantly. "His swindling +Westville by giving us a worthless filtering-plant in return for a +bribe--why, that is the smallest evil he has done the town. Before +that time, Westville was on the verge of making great municipal +advances--on the verge of becoming a model and a leader for the small +cities of the Middle West. And now all that grand development is +ruined--and ruined by that man, your father!" He excitedly jerked a +paper from his pocket and held it out to her. "If you want to see +what he has brought us to, read that editorial in the _Clarion_!" + +She fixed him with glittering eyes. + +"I have read one cowardly editorial to-day in a Westville paper. That +is enough." + +"Read that, I say!" he commanded. + +For answer she took the _Clarion_ and tossed it into the waste-basket. +She glared at him, quivering all over, in her hands a convulsive itch +for physical vengeance. + +"If I thought that in all your fine talk about the city there was one +single word of sincerity, I might respect you," she said with slow and +scathing contempt. "But your words are the words of a mere poseur--of +a man who twists the truth to fit his desires--of a man who deals in +the ideas that seem to him most profitable--of a man who cares not how +poor, how innocent, is the body he uses as a stepping stone for his +clambering greed and ambition. Oh, I know you--I have watched you--I +have read you. You are a mere self-seeker! You are a demagogue! You +are a liar! And, on top of that, you are a coward!" + +Whatever Arnold Bruce was, he was a man with a temper. Fury was +blazing behind his heavy spectacles. + +"Go on! I care _that_ for the words of a woman who has so little +taste, so little sense, so little modesty, as to leave the sphere----" + +"You boor!" gasped Katharine. + +"Perhaps I am. At least I am not afraid to speak the truth straight +out even to a woman. You are all wrong. You are unwomanly. You are +unsexed. Your pretensions as a lawyer are utterly preposterous, as the +trial on Thursday will show you. And the condemnation of the town is +not half as severe a rebuke----" + +"Stop!" gasped Katherine. A wild defiance surged up and overmastered +her, her nerves broke, and her hot words tumbled out hysterically. +"You think you are a God-anointed critic of humanity, but you are only +a heartless, conceited cad! Just wait--I'll show you what your +judgment of me is worth! I am going to clear my father! I am going to +make this Westville that condemns me kneel at my feet! and as for +you--you can think what you please! But don't you ever dare to speak +to my father again--don't you ever dare speak to me again--don't you +ever dare enter this house again! Now go! Go! I say. Go! Go! Go!" + +His face had grown purple; he seemed to be choking. For a space he +gazed at her. Then without answering he bowed slightly and was gone. + +She glared a moment at the door. Then suddenly she collapsed upon the +floor, her head and arms on the old haircloth sofa, and her whole body +shook with silent sobs. Doctor West, first gazing at her a little +helplessly, sat down upon the sofa, and softly stroked her hair. For a +time there were no words--only her convulsive breathing, her choking +sobs. + +Presently he said gently: + +"I'm sure you'll do everything you said." + +"No--that's the trouble," she moaned. "What I said--was--was just a +big bluff. I won't do any--of those things. Your trial is two days +off--and, father, I haven't one bit of evidence--I don't know what +we're going to do--and the jury will have to--oh, father, father, that +man was right; I'm just--just a great big failure!" + +Again she shook with sobs. The old man continued to sit beside her, +softly stroking her thick brown hair. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MASK FALLS + + +But presently the sobs subsided, as though shut off by main force, and +Katherine rose to her feet. She wiped her eyes and looked at her +father, a wan smile on her reddened, still tremulous face. + +"What a hope-inspiring lawyer you have, father!" + +"I would not want a truer," said he loyally. + +"We won't have one of these cloud-bursts again, I promise you. But +when you have been under a strain for months, and things are stretched +tighter and tighter, and at last something makes things snap, why you +just can't help--well," she ended, "a man would have done something +else, I suppose, but it might have been just as bad." + +"Worse!" avowed her father. + +"Anyhow, it's all over. I'll just repair some of the worst ravages of +the storm, and then we'll talk about our programme for the trial." + +As she was arranging her hair before her father's mirror, she saw, in +the glass, the old man stoop and take something from the waste-basket. +Turning his back to her, he cautiously examined the object. + +She left the mirror and came up behind him. + +"What are you looking at, dear?" + +He started, and glanced up. + +"Oh--er--that editorial Mr. Bruce referred to." He rubbed his head +dazedly. "If that should happen, with me even indirectly the cause of +it--why, Katherine, it really would be pretty bad!" He held out the +_Clarion_. "Perhaps, after all, you had better read it." + +She took the paper. The _Clarion_ had from the first opposed the +city's owning the water-works, and the editorial declared that the +present situation gave the paper, and all those who had held a similar +opinion, their long-awaited triumph and vindication. "This failure is +only what invariably happens whenever a city tries municipal +ownership," declared the editorial. "The situation has grown so +unbearably acute that the city's only hope of good water lies in the +sale of the system to some private concern, which will give us that +superior service which is always afforded by private capital. +Westville is upon the eve of a city election, and we most emphatically +urge upon both parties that they make the chief plank of their +platforms the immediate sale of our utterly discredited water-works +to some private company." + +The editorial did not stir Katherine as it had appeared to stir Bruce, +nor even in the milder degree it had stirred Doctor West. She was +interested in the water-works only in so far as it concerned her +father, and the _Clarion's_ proposal had no apparent bearing on his +guilt or innocence. + +She laid the _Clarion_ on the table, without comment, and proceeded to +discuss the coming trial. The only course she had to suggest was that +they plead for a postponement on the ground that they needed more time +in which to prepare their defense. If that plea were denied, then +before them seemed certain conviction. On that plea, then, they +decided to place all their hope. + +When this matter had been talked out Doctor West took the _Clarion_ +from the table and again read the editorial with troubled face, while +Katherine walked to and fro across the floor, her mind all on the +trial. + +"If the town does sell, it will be too bad!" he sighed. + +"I suppose so," said Katherine mechanically. + +"It has reached me that people are saying that the system isn't worth +anything like what we paid for it." + +"Is that so?" she asked absently. + +Doctor West drew himself up and his faded cheeks flushed indignantly. + +"No, it is not so. I don't know what's wrong, but it's the very best +system of its size in the Middle West!" + +She paused. + +"Forgive me--I wasn't paying any attention to what I was saying. I'm +sure it is." + +She resumed her pacing. + +"But if they sell out to some company," Doctor West continued, "the +company will probably get it for a third, or less, of what it is +actually worth." + +"So, if some corporation has been secretly wanting to buy it," +commented Katherine, "things could not have worked out better for the +corporation if they had been planned." + +She came to a sudden pause, and stood gazing at her father, her lips +slowly parting. + +"It could not have worked out better for the corporation if it had +been planned," she repeated. + +"No," said Doctor West. + +She picked up the _Clarion_, quickly read the editorial, and laid the +paper aside. + +"Father!" Her voice was a low, startled cry. + +"Yes?" + +She moved slowly toward him, in her face a breathless look, and caught +his shoulders with tense hands. + +"_Perhaps it was planned!_" + +"What?" + +Her voice rang out more loudly: + +"_Perhaps it was planned!_" + +"But Katherine--what do you mean?" + +"Let me think. Let me think." She began feverishly to pace the room. +"Oh, why did I not think of this before!" she cried to herself. "I +thought of graft--political corruption--everything else. But it never +occurred to me that there might be a plan, a subtle, deep-laid plan, +to steal the water-works!" + +Doctor West watched her rather dazedly as she went up and down the +floor, her brows knit, her lips moving in self-communion. Her +connection with the Municipal League in New York had given her an +intimate knowledge of the devious means by which public service +corporations sometimes gain their end. Her mind flashed over all the +situation's possibilities. + +Suddenly she paused before her father, face flushed, triumph in her +eyes. + +"Father, _it was planned!_" + +"Eh?" said he. + +"Father," she demanded excitedly, "do you know what the great public +service corporations are doing now?" Her words rushed on, not waiting +for an answer. "They have got hold of almost all the valuable public +utilities in the great cities, and now they are turning to a fresh +field--the small cities. Westville is a rich chance in a small way. It +has only thirty thousand inhabitants now. But it is growing. Some day +it will have fifty thousand--a hundred thousand." + +"That's what people say." + +"If a private company could get hold of the water-works, the system +would not only be richly profitable at once, but it would be worth a +fortune as the city grows. Now if a company, a clever company, wanted +to buy in the water-works, what would be their first move?" + +"To make an offer, I suppose." + +"Never! Their first step would be to try to make the people want to +sell. And how would they try to make the people want to sell?" + +"Why--why----" + +"By making the water-works fail!" Her excitement was mounting; she +caught his shoulders. "Fail so badly that the people would be +disgusted, just as they now are, and willing to sell at any price. +And now, father--and now, father--" he could feel her quivering all +over--"listen to me! We're coming to the point! How would they make +the water-works fail?" + +He could only blink at her. + +"They'd make it fail by removing from office, and so disgracing +him that everything he had done would be discredited, the one +incorruptible man whose care and knowledge had made it a success! +Don't you see, father? Don't you see?" + +"Bless me," said the old man, "if I know what you're talking about!" + +"With you out of the way, whom they knew they could not corrupt, they +could buy under officials to attend to the details of making the water +bad and the plant itself a failure--just exactly what has been done. +You are not the real victim. You are just an obstruction--something +that they had to get out of the way. The real victim is Westville! +It's a plan to rob the city!" + +His gray eyes were catching the light that blazed from hers. + +"I begin to see," he said. "It hardly seems possible people would do +such things. But perhaps you're right. What are you going to do?" + +"Fight!" + +"Fight?" He looked admiringly at her glowing figure. "But if there is +a strong company behind all this, for you to fight it alone--it will +be an awful big fight!" + +"I don't care how big the fight is!" she cried exultantly. "What has +almost broken my heart till now is that there has been no one to +fight!" + +A shadow fell on the old man's face. + +"But after all, Katherine, it is all only a guess." + +"Of course it is only a guess!" she cried. "But I have tested every +other possible solution. This is the only one left, and it fits every +known circumstance of the case. It is only a guess--but I'll stake my +life on its being the right guess!" Her voice rose. "Oh, father, we're +on the right track at last! We're going to clear you! Don't you ever +doubt that. We're going to clear you!" + +There was no resisting the ringing confidence in her voice, the fire +of her enthusiasm. + +"Katherine!" he cried, and opened his arms. + +She rushed into them. "We're going to clear you, father! And, oh, +won't it be fine! Won't it be fine!" + +For a space they held each other close, then they parted. + +"What are you going to do first?" he asked. + +"Try to find the person, or corporation, behind the scheme." + +"And how will you do that?" + +"First, I shall talk it over with Mr. Blake. You know he told me to +come to him if I ever wished his advice. He knows the situation +here--he has the interests of Westville at heart--and I know he will +help us. I'm not going to lose a second, so I'm off to see him now." + +She rushed downstairs. But she did have to lose a second, and many of +them, for when she called up Mr. Blake's office on the telephone, the +answer came back that Mr. Blake was in the capital and would not +return till the following day on the one forty-five. It occurred to +Katherine to advise with old Hosie Hollingsworth, for during the long +summer her blind, childish shrinking had changed to warm liking of the +dry old lawyer; and she had discovered, too, that the heresies it had +been his delight to utter a generation before--and on which he still +prided himself--were now a part of the belief of many an orthodox +divine. + +But she decided against conferring with Old Hosie. Her adviser and +leader must be a man more actively in the current of modern affairs. +No, Blake was her great hope, and precious and few as were the hours +before the trial, there was nothing for it but to wait for his return. + +She went up to her room, and her excited mind, now half inspired, went +feverishly over the situation and all who were in any wise concerned +in it. She thought of the fifty dollar check from the Acme Filter +Company. With her new viewpoint she now understood the whole +bewildering business of that check. The company, or at least one of +its officers, was somehow in on the deal, and there had been some +careful scheming behind the sending of that fifty dollars. The +company had been confronted with two obvious difficulties. First, it +had to make certain that the check would not be received until after +the two thousand dollars was in the hands of her father. Second, the +date of the check and the date of the Westville postmark must be +earlier than the day the two thousand dollars was delivered--else +Doctor West could produce check and envelope to prove that the check +had not arrived until after he had already accepted what he thought +was the donation, and thus perhaps ruin the whole scheme. What had +been done, Katherine now clearly perceived, was that some one, most +probably an assistant of her father, had been bought over to look out +for the arrival of the letter, to hold it back until the critical day +had passed, and then slip it into her father's neglected mail. + +Her mind raced on to further matters, further persons, connected with +the situation. When she came to Bruce her hands clenched the arms of +her wicker rocking chair. In a flash the whole man was plain to her, +and her second great discovery of the day was made. + +Bruce was an agent of the hidden corporation! + +The motive behind his fierce desire to destroy her father was at last +apparent. To destroy Doctor West was his part in the conspiracy. As +for his rabid advocacy of municipal ownership, and all his fine talk +about the city's betterment, that was mere sham--merely the virtuous +front behind which he could work out his purpose unsuspected. No one +could quote the scripture of civic improvement more loudly than the +civic despoiler. She always had distrusted him. Now she knew him. Many +a time through the night her mind flashed back to him from other +matters and she thrilled with a vengeful joy at the thought of tearing +aside his mask. + +It was a long and feverish night to Katherine, and a long and feverish +forenoon. At a quarter to two she was in Blake's office, which was +furnished with just that balance between simplicity and richness +appropriate to a growing great man with a constituency half of the +city and half of the country. She had sat some time at a window +looking down upon the Square, its foliage now a dusty, shrivelled +brown, when Blake came in. He had not been told that she was waiting, +and at sight of her he came to a sudden pause. But the next instant he +had crossed the room and was shaking her hand. + +For that first instant Katherine's eyes and mind, which during the +last twenty-four hours had had an almost more than mortal clearness, +had an impression that he was strangely agitated. But the moment over, +the impression was gone. + +He placed a chair for her at the corner of his desk and himself sat +down, his dark, strong, handsome face fixed on hers. + +"Now, how can I serve you, Katherine?" + +There were rings about her eyes, but excitement gave her colour. + +"You know that to-morrow is father's trial?" + +"Yes. You must have a hard, hard fight before you." + +"Perhaps not so hard as you may think." She tried to keep her tugging +excitement in leash. + +"I hope not," said he. + +"I think it may prove easy--if you will help me." + +"Help you?" + +"Yes. I have come to ask you that again." + +"Well--you see--as I told you----" + +"But the situation has changed since I first came to you," she put in +quickly, not quite able to restrain a little laugh. "I have found +something out!" + +He started. "You have found--you say----" + +"I have found something out!" + +She smiled at him happily, triumphantly. + +"And that?" said he. + +She leaned forward. + +"I do not need to tell you, for you know it, that the big corporations +have discovered a new gold mine--or rather, thousands of little gold +mines. That all over the country they have gained control, and are +working to gain control, of the street-car lines, gas works and other +public utilities in the smaller cities." + +"Well?" + +She spoke excitedly, putting the case more definitely than it really +was, to better the chance of winning his aid. + +"Well, I have just discovered that there is a plan on foot, directed +by a hidden some one, to seize the water-works of Westville. I have +discovered that my father is not guilty. He is the victim of a trick +to ruin the water-works and make the people willing to sell. The first +thing to do is to find the man behind the scheme. I want you to help +me find this man." + +A greenish pallor had overspread his features. + +"And you want me--to find this man?" he repeated. + +"Yes. I know you will take this up, simply because of your interest in +the city. But there is another reason--it would help you in your +larger ambition. If you could disclose this scheme, save the city, +become the hero of a great popular gratitude, think how it would help +your senatorial chances!" + +He did not at once reply, but sat staring at her. + +"Don't you see?" she cried. + +"I--I see." + +"Why, it would turn your chance for the Senate into a certainty! It +would--but, Mr. Blake, what's the matter?" + +"Matter," he repeated, huskily. "Why--why nothing." + +She gazed at him with deep concern. "But you look almost sick." + +In his eyes there struggled a wild look. Her gaze became fixed upon +his face, so strangely altered. In her present high-wrought state all +her senses were excited to their intensest keenness. + +There was a moment of silence--eyes into eyes. Then she stood slowly +up, and one hand reached slowly out and clutched his arm. + +"Mr. Blake!" she whispered, in an awed and terrified tone. She +continued to stare into his eyes. "Mr. Blake!" she repeated. + +She felt a tensing of his body, as of a man who seeks to master +himself with a mighty effort. He tried to smile, though his greenish +pallor did not leave him. + +"It is my turn," he said, "to ask what is the matter with you, +Katherine." + +"Mr. Blake!" She loosed her hold upon his arm, and shrank away. + +He rose. + +"What is the matter?" he repeated. "You seem upset. I suppose it is +the nervous strain of to-morrow's trial." + +In her face was stupefied horror. + +"It is what--what I have discovered." + +"What you call your discovery would be most valuable, if true. But it +is just a dream, Katherine--a crazy, crazy dream." + +She still was looking straight into his eyes. + +"Mr. Blake, it is true," she said slowly, almost breathlessly. "For I +have found the man behind the plan." + +"Indeed! And who?" + +"I think you know him, Mr. Blake." + +"I?" + +"Better than any one else." + +His smile had left him. + +"Who?" + +She continued to stare at him for a moment in silence. Then she slowly +raised her arm and pointed at him. + +The silence continued for several moments, each gazing at the other. +He had put one hand upon his desk and was leaning heavily upon it. He +looked like a man sick unto death. But soon a shiver ran through him; +he swallowed, gripped himself in a strong control, and smiled again +his strained, unnatural smile. + +"Katherine, Katherine," he tried to say it reprovingly and +indulgently, but there was a quaver in his voice. "You have gone quite +out of your head!" + +"It is true!" she cried. "All unintentionally I have followed one of +the oldest of police expedients. I have suddenly confronted the +criminal with his crime, and I have surprised his guilt upon his +face!" + +"What you say is absurd. I can explain it only on the theory that you +are quite out of your mind." + +"Never before was I so much in it!" + +In this moment when she felt that the hidden enemy she had striven so +long to find was at last revealed to her, she felt more of anguish +than of triumph. + +"Oh, how could you do such a thing, Mr. Blake?" she burst out. "How +could you do it?" + +He shook his head, and tried to smile at her perversity--but the smile +was a wan failure. + +"I see--I see!" she cried in her pain. "It is just the old story. A +good man rises to power through being the champion of the people--and, +once in power, the opportunities, the temptation, are too much for +him. But I never--no, never!--thought that such a thing would happen +with you!" + +He strove for the injured air of the misjudged old friend. + +"Again I must say that I can only explain your charges by supposing +that you are out of your head." + +"Here in Westville you believe it is not woman's business to think +about politics," Katherine went on, in her voice of pain. "But I could +not help thinking about them, and watching them. I have lost my faith +in the old parties, but I had kept my faith in some of their leaders. +I believe some of them honest, devoted, indomitable. And of them all, +the one I admired most, ranked highest, was you. And now--and now--oh, +Mr. Blake!--to learn that you----" + +"Katherine! Katherine!" And he raised his hands with the manner of +exasperated, yet indulgent, helplessness. + +"Mr. Blake, you know you are now only playing a part! And you know +that I know it!" She moved up to him eagerly. "Listen to me," she +pleaded rapidly. "You have only started on this, you have not gone too +far to turn back. You have done no real wrong as yet, save to my +father, and I know my father will forgive you. Drop your plan--let my +father be honourably cleared--and everything will be just as before!" + +For a space he seemed shaken by her words. She watched him, +breathless, awaiting the outcome of the battle she felt was waging +within him. + +"Drop the plan--do!--do!--I beg you!" she cried. + +His dark face twitched; a quivering ran through his body. Then by a +mighty effort he partially regained his mastery. + +"There is no plan for me to drop," he said huskily. + +"You still cling to the part you are playing?" + +"I am playing no part; you are all wrong about me," he continued. +"Your charges are so absurd that it would be foolish to deny them. +They are merely the ravings of an hysterical woman." + +"And this is your answer?" + +"That is my answer." + +She gazed at him for a long moment. Then she sighed. + +"I'm so sorry!" she said; and she turned away and moved toward the +door. + +She gave him a parting look, as he stood pale, quivering, yet +controlled, behind his desk. In this last moment she remembered the +gallant fight this man had made against Blind Charlie Peck; she +remembered that fragrant, far-distant night of June when he had asked +her to marry him; and she felt as though she were gazing for the last +time upon a dear dead face. + +"I'm sorry--oh, so sorry!" she said tremulously. "Good-by." And +turning, she walked with bowed head out of his office. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE EDITOR OF THE _EXPRESS_ + + +Katherine stumbled down into the dusty, quivering heat of the Square. +She was still awed and dumfounded by her discovery; she could not as +yet realize its full significance and whither it would lead; but her +mind was a ferment of thoughts that were unfinished and questions that +did not await reply. + +How had a man once so splendid come to sell his soul for money or +ambition? What would Westville think and do, Westville who worshipped +him, if it but knew the truth? How was she to give battle to an +antagonist, so able in himself, so powerfully supported by the public? +What a strange caprice of fate it was that had given her as the man +she must fight, defeat, or be defeated by, her former idol, her former +lover! + +Shaken with emotion, her mind shot through with these fragmentary +thoughts, she turned into a side street. But she had walked beneath +its withered maples no more than a block or two, when her largest +immediate problem, her father's trial on the morrow, thrust itself +into her consciousness, and the pressing need of further action drove +all this spasmodic speculation from her mind. She began to think upon +what she should next do. Almost instantly her mind darted to the man +whom she had definitely connected with the plot against her father, +Arnold Bruce, and she turned back toward the Square, afire with a new +idea. + +She had made great advance through suddenly, though unintentionally, +confronting Blake with knowledge of his guilt. Might she not make some +further advance, gain some new clue, by confronting Bruce in similar +manner? + +Ten minutes after she had left the office of Harrison Blake, Katherine +entered the _Express_ Building. From the first floor sounded a deep +and continuous thunder; that afternoon's issue was coming from the +press. She lifted her skirts and gingerly mounted the stairway, over +which the _Express's_ "devil" was occasionally seen to make +incantations with the stub of an undisturbing broom. + +At the head of the stairway a door stood open. This she entered, and +found herself in the general editorial room, ankle-deep with dirt and +paper. The air of the place told that the day's work was done. In one +corner a telegraph sounder was chattering its tardy world-gossip to +unheeding ears. In the centre at a long table, typewriters before +them, three shirt-sleeved young men sprawled at ease reading the +_Express_, which the "devil" had just brought them from the nether +regions, moist with the black spittle of the beast that there roared +and rumbled. + +At sight of her tall, fresh figure, a red spot in her either cheek, +defiance in her brown eyes, Billy Harper, quicker than the rest, +sprang up and crossed the room. + +"Miss West, I believe," he said. "Can I do anything for you?" + +"I wish to speak with Mr. Bruce," was her cold reply. + +"This way," and Billy led her across the wilderness of proofs, +discarded copy and old newspapers, to a door beside the stairway that +led down into the press-room. "Just go right in," he said. + +She entered. Bruce, his shirt-sleeves rolled up and his bared +fore-arms grimy, sat glancing through the _Express_, his feet crossed +on his littered desk, a black pipe hanging from one corner of his +mouth. He did not look round but turned another page. + +"Well, what's the matter?" he grunted between his teeth. + +"I should like a few words with you," said Katherine. + +"Eh!" His head twisted about. "Miss West!" + +His feet suddenly dropped to the floor, and he stood up and laid the +pipe upon his desk. For the moment he was uncertain how to receive +her, but the bright, hard look in her eyes fixed his attitude. + +"Certainly," he said in a brusque, businesslike tone. He placed the +atlas-bottomed chair near his own. "Be seated." + +She sat down, and he took his own chair. + +"I am at your service," he said. + +Her cheeks slowly gathered a higher colour, her eyes gleamed with a +pre-triumphant fire, and she looked straight into his square, rather +massive face. Over Blake she had felt an infinity of regret and pain. +For this man she felt only boundless hatred, and she thrilled with a +vengeful, exultant joy that she was about to unmask him--that later +she might crush him utterly. + +"I am at your service," he repeated. + +She slowly wet her lips and gathered herself to strike, alert to watch +the effects of her blow. + +"I have called, Mr. Bruce," she said with slow distinctness, "to let +you know that I know that a conspiracy is under way to steal the +water-works! And to let you know that I know that you are near its +centre!" + +He started. + +"What?" he cried. + +Her devouring gaze did not lose a change of feature, not so much as +the shifting in the pupil of his eye. + +"Oh, I know your plot!" she went on rapidly. "It's every detail! The +first step was to ruin the water-works, so the city would sell and +sell cheap. The first step toward ruining the system was to get my +father out of the way. And so this charge against my father was +trumped up to ruin him. The leader of the whole plot is Mr. Blake; his +right hand man yourself. Oh, I know every detail of your infamous +scheme!" + +He stared at her. His lips had slowly parted. + +"What--you say that Mr. Blake----" + +"Oh, you are trying to play your part of innocence well, but you +cannot deceive me!" she cried with fierce contempt. "Yes, Mr. Blake is +the head of it. I just came from his office. There's not a doubt in +the world of his guilt. He has admitted it. Oh----" + +"Admitted it?" + +"Yes, admitted it! Oh, it was a fine and easy way to make a +fortune--to dupe the city into selling at a fraction of its value a +business that run privately will pay an immense and ever-growing +profit." + +He had stood up and was scratching his bristling hair. + +"My God! My God!" he whispered. + +She rose. + +"And you!" she cried, glaring at him, her voice mounting to a climax +of scorn, "You! Don't walk the room"--he had begun to do so--"but look +me in the face. To think how you have attacked my father, maligned +him, covered him with dishonour! And for what? To help you carry +through a dirty trick to rob the city! Oh, I wish I had the words to +tell you----" + +But he had begun again to pace the little room, scratching his head, +his eyes gleaming behind the heavy glasses. + +"Listen to me!" she commanded. + +"Oh, give me all the hell you want to!" he cried out. "Only don't ask +me to listen to you!" + +He paused abruptly before her, and, eyes half-closed, stared +piercingly into her face. As she returned his stare, it began to dawn +upon her that he did not seem much taken aback. At least his guilt +bore no near likeness to that of Mr. Blake. + +Suddenly he made a lunge for the door, jerked it open, and his voice +descended the stairway, out-thundering the press. + +"Jake! Oh, Jake!" + +A lesser roar ascended: + +"Yes!" + +"Stop the press! Rip open the forms! Get the men at the linotypes! And +be alive down there, every damned soul of you! And you, Billy Harper, +I'll want you here in two minutes!" + +He slammed the door, and turned on Katherine. She had looked upon +excitement before, but never such excitement as was flaming in his +face. + +"Now give me all the details!" he cried. + +She it was that was taken aback. + +"I--I don't understand," she said. + +"No time to explain now. Looks like I've been all wrong about your +father--perhaps a little wrong about you--and perhaps you've been a +little wrong about me. Let it go at that. Now for the details. Quick!" + +"But--but what are you going to do?" + +"Going to get out an extra! It's the hottest story that ever came down +the pike! It'll make the _Express_, and"--he seized her hand in his +grimy ones, his eyes blazed, and an exultant laugh leaped from his +deep chest--"and we'll simply rip this old town wide open!" + +Katherine stared at him in bewilderment. + +"Oh, won't this wake the old town up!" he murmured to himself. + +He dropped into his chair, jerked some loose copy paper toward him, +and seized a pencil. + +"Now quick! The details!" + +"You mean--you are going to print this?" she stammered. + +"Didn't I say so!" he answered sharply. + +"Then you really had nothing to do with Mr. Blake's----" + +"Oh, hell! I beg pardon. But this is no time for explanations. Come, +come"--he rapped his desk with his knuckles--"don't you know what +getting out an extra is? Every second is worth half your lifetime. Out +with the story!" + +Katherine sank rather weakly into her chair, beginning to see new +things in this face she had so lately loathed. + +"The fact of the matter is," she confessed, "I guess I stated my +information a little more definitely than it really is." + +"You mean you haven't the facts?" + +"I'm afraid not. Not yet." + +"Nothing definite I could hinge a story on?" + +She shook her head. "I didn't come prepared for--for things to take +this turn. It would spoil everything to have this made public before I +had my case worked up." + +"Then there's no extra!" + +He flung down his pencil and sprang up. "Nothing doing, Billy," he +called to Harper, who that instant opened the door; "go on back with +you." He began to walk up and down the little office, scowling, hands +clenched in his trousers' pockets. After a moment he stopped short, +and looked at Katherine half savagely. + +"I suppose you don't know what it means to a newspaper man to have a +big story laid in his hands and then suddenly jerked out?" + +"I suppose it is something of a disappointment." + +"Disappointment!" The word came out half groan, half sneer. "Rot! If +you were waiting in church and the bridegroom didn't show up, if you +were----oh, I can't make you understand the feeling!" + +He dropped back into his chair and scratched viciously at the copy +paper with his heavy black pencil. She watched him in a sort of +fascination, till he abruptly looked up. Suspicion glinted behind the +heavy glasses. + +"Are you sure, Miss West," he asked slowly "that this whole affair +isn't just a little game?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"That your whole story is nothing but a hoax? Nothing but a trick to +get out of a tight hole by calling another man a thief?" + +Her eyes flashed. + +"You mean that I am telling a lie?" + +"Oh, you lawyers doubtless have a better-tasting word for it. You +would call it, say, a 'professional expedient.'" + +She was still not sufficiently recovered from her astonishment to be +angry. Besides, she felt herself by an unexpected turn put in the +wrong regarding Bruce. + +"What I have said to you is the absolute truth," she declared. "Here +is the situation--believe me or not, just as you please. I ask you, +for the moment, to accept the proposition that my father is the victim +of a plot to steal the water-works, and then see how everything fits +in with that theory. And bear in mind, as an item worth considering, +my father's long and honourable career--never a dishonouring word +against him till this charge came." And she went on and outlined, more +fully than on yesterday before her father, the reasoning that had led +her to her conclusion. "Now, does not that sound possible?" she +demanded. + +He had watched her with keen, half-closed eyes. + +"H'm. You reason well," he conceded. + +"That's a lawyer's business," she retorted. "So much for theory. Now +for facts." And she continued and gave him her experience of half an +hour before with Blake, the editor's boring gaze fixed on her all the +while. "Now I ask you this question: Is it likely that even a poor +water system could fail so quickly and so completely as ours has done, +unless some powerful person was secretly working to make it fail? Do +you not see it never could? We all would have seen it, but we've all +been too busy, too blind, and thought too well of our town, to suspect +such a thing." + +His eyes were still boring into her. + +"But how about Doctor Sherman?" he asked. + +"I believe that Doctor Sherman is an innocent tool of the conspiracy, +just as my father is its innocent victim," she answered promptly. + +Bruce sat with the same fixed look, and made no reply. + +"I have stated my theory, and I have stated my facts," said Katherine. +"I have no court evidence, but I am going to have it. As I remarked +before, you can believe what I have said, or not believe it. It's all +the same to me." She stood up. "I wish you good afternoon." + +He quickly rose. + +"Hold on!" he said. + +She paused at the door. He strode to and fro across the little office, +scowling with thought. Then he paused at the window and looked out. + +"Well?" she demanded. + +He wheeled about. + +"It sounds plausible." + +"Thank you," she said crisply. "I could hardly expect a man who has +been the champion of error, to admit that he has been wrong and accept +the truth. Good afternoon." + +Again she reached for the door-knob. + +"Wait!" he cried. There was a ring of resentment in his voice, but his +square face that had been grudgingly non-committal was now aglow with +excitement. "Of course you're right!" he exclaimed. "There's a damned +infernal conspiracy! Now what can I do to help?" + +"Help?" she asked blankly. + +"Help work up the evidence? Help reveal the conspiracy?" + +She had not yet quite got her bearings concerning this new Bruce. + +"Help? Why should you help? Oh, I see," she said coldly; "it would +make a nice sensational story for your paper." + +He flushed at her cutting words, and his square jaw set. + +"I suppose I might follow your example of a minute ago and say that I +don't care what you think. But I don't mind telling you a few things, +and giving you a chance to understand me if you want to. I was on a +Chicago paper, and had a big place that was growing bigger. I could +have sold the _Express_ when my uncle left it to me, and stayed there; +but I saw a chance, with a paper of my own, to try out some of my own +ideas, so I came to Westville. My idea of a newspaper is that its +function is to serve the people--make them think--bring them new +ideas--to be ever watching their interests. Of course, I want to make +money--I've got to, or go to smash; but I'd rather run a candy store +than run a sleepy, apologetic, afraid-of-a-mouse, mere money-making +sheet like the _Clarion_, that would never breathe a word against the +devil's fair name so long as he carried a half-inch ad. You called me +a yellow journalist yesterday. Well, if to tell the truth in the +hardest way I know how, to tell it so that it will hit people square +between the eyes and make 'em sit up and look around 'em--if that is +yellow then I'm certainly a yellow journalist, and I thank God +Almighty for inventing the breed!" + +As Katherine listened to his snappy, vibrant words, as she looked at +his powerful, dominant figure, and into his determined face with its +flashing eyes, she felt a reluctant warmth creep through her being. + +"Perhaps--I may have been mistaken about you," she said. + +"Perhaps you may!" he returned grimly. "Perhaps as much as I was about +your father. And, speaking of your father, I don't mind adding +something more. Ever since I took charge of the _Express_, I've been +advocating municipal ownership of every public utility. The +water-works, which were apparently so satisfactory, were a good start; +I used them constantly as a text for working up municipal ownership +sentiment. The franchises of the Westville Traction Company expire +next year, and I had been making a campaign against renewing the +franchises and in favour of the city taking over the system and +running it. Opinion ran high in favour of the scheme. But Doctor +West's seeming dishonesty completely killed the municipal ownership +idea. That was my pet, and if I was bitter toward your father--well, I +couldn't help it. And now," he added rather brusquely, "I've explained +myself to you. To repeat your words, you can believe me or not, just +as you like." + +There was no resisting the impression of the man's sincerity. + +"I suppose," said Katherine, "that I should apologize for--for the +things I've called you. My only excuse is that your mistake about my +father helped cause my mistake about you." + +"And I," returned he, "am not only willing to take back, publicly, in +my paper, what I have said against your father, but am willing to +print your statement about----" + +"You must not print a word till I get my evidence," she put in +quickly. "Printing it prematurely might ruin my case." + +"Very well. And as for what I have said about you, I take back +everything--except----" He paused; she saw disapprobation in his eyes. +"Except the plain truth I told you that being a lawyer is no work for +a woman." + +"You are very dogmatic!" said she hotly. + +"I am very right," he returned. "Excuse my saying it, but you appear +to have too many good qualities as a woman to spoil it all by going +out of your sphere and trying----" + +"Why--why----" She stood gasping. "Do you know what your uncle told me +about you?" + +"Old Hosie?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Hosie's an old fool!" + +"He said that the trouble with you was that you had not been thrashed +enough as a boy. And he was right, too!" + +She turned quickly to the door, but he stepped before her. + +"Don't get mad because of a little truth. Remember, I want to help +you." + +"I think," said she, "that we're better suited to fight each other +than to help each other. I'm not so sure I want your help." + +"I'm not so sure you can avoid taking it," he retorted. "This isn't +your father's case alone. It's the city's case, too, and I've got a +right to mix in. Now do you want me?" + +She looked at him a moment. + +"I'll think it over. For the present, good afternoon." + +He hesitated, then held out his hand. She hesitated, then took it. +After which, he opened the door for her and bowed her out. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE PRICE OF A MAN + + +When, half an hour before, Katherine walked with bowed head out of +Harrison Blake's office, Blake gazed fixedly after her for a moment, +and his face, now that he was private, deepened its sickly, ashen hue. +Then he strode feverishly up and down the room, lips twitching +nervously, hands clinching and unclinching. Then he unlocked a cabinet +against the wall, poured out a drink from a squat, black bottle, +gulped it down, and returned the bottle, forgetting to close the +cabinet. After which he dropped into his chair, gripped his face in +his two hands, and sat at his desk breathing deeply, but otherwise +without motion. + +Presently his door opened. + +"Mr. Brown is here to see you," announced a voice. + +He slowly raised his head, and stared an instant at his stenographer +in dumfounded silence. + +"Mr. Brown!" he repeated. + +"Yes," said the young woman. + +He continued to stare at her in sickly stupefaction. + +"Shall I tell him you'll see him later?" + +"Show him in," said Blake. "But, no--wait till I ring." + +He passed his hand across his moist and pallid face, paced his room +again several times, then touched a button and stood stiffly erect +beside his desk. The next moment the door closed behind a short, +rather chubby man with an egg-shell dome and a circlet of grayish +hair. He had eyes that twinkled with good fellowship and a cheery, +fatherly manner. + +"Well, well, Mr. Blake; mighty glad to see you!" he exclaimed as he +crossed the room. + +Blake, still pale, but now with tense composure, took the hand of his +visitor. + +"This is a surprise, Mr. Brown," said he. "How do you happen to be in +Westville?" + +Mr. Brown disposed himself comfortably in the chair that Katherine had +so lately occupied. + +"To-morrow's the trial of that Doctor West, isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I thought I'd better be on the ground to see how it came out." + +Blake did not respond at once; but, lips very tight together, sat +gazing at the ruddy face of his visitor. + +"Everything's going all right, isn't it?" asked Mr. Brown in his +cheery voice. + +"About the trial, you mean?" Blake asked with an effort. + +"Of course. The letter I had from you yesterday assured me conviction +was certain. Things still stand the same way, I suppose?" + +Blake's whole body was taut. His dark eyes were fixed upon Mr. Brown. + +"They do not," he said quietly. + +"Not stand the same way?" cried Mr. Brown, half rising from his chair. +"Why not?" + +"I am afraid," replied Blake with his strained quiet, "that the +prosecution will not make out a case." + +"Not make out a case?" + +"To-morrow Doctor West is going to be cleared." + +"Cleared? Cleared?" Mr. Brown stared. "Now what the devil--see here, +Blake, how's that going to happen?" + +Blake's tense figure had leaned forward. + +"It's going to happen, Mr. Brown," he burst out, with a flashing of +his dark eyes, "because I'm tired of doing your dirty work, and the +dirty work of the National Electric & Water Company!" + +"You mean you're going to see he's cleared?" + +"I mean I'm going to see he's cleared!" + +"What--you?" ejaculated Mr. Brown, still staring. "Why, only in your +letter yesterday you were all for the plan! What's come over you?" + +"If you'd gone through what I've just gone through----" Blake abruptly +checked his passionate reference to his scene with Katherine. "I say +enough when I say that I'm going to see that Doctor West is cleared. +There you have it." + +No further word was spoken for a moment. The two men, leaning toward +each other, gazed straight into one another's eyes. Blake's powerful, +handsome face was blazing and defiant. The fatherly kindness had +disappeared from the other, and it was keen and hard. + +"So," said Mr. Brown, cuttingly, and with an infinity of contempt, "it +appears that Mr. Harrison Blake is the owner of a white liver." + +"You know that's a lie!" Blake fiercely retorted. "You know I've got +as much courage as you and your infernal company put together!" + +"Oh, you have, have you? From the way you're turning tail----" + +"To turn tail upon a dirty job is no cowardice!" + +"But there have been plenty of dirty jobs you haven't run from. You've +put through many a one in the last two or three years on the quiet." + +"But never one like this." + +"You knew exactly what the job was when you made the bargain with us." + +"Yes. And my stomach rose against it even then." + +"Then why the devil did you tie up with us?" + +"Because your big promises dazzled me! Because you took me up on a +high mountain and showed me the kingdoms of the earth!" + +"Well, you then thought the kingdoms were pretty good looking +property." + +"Good enough to make me forget the sort of thing I was doing. Good +enough to blind me as to how things might come out. But I see now! And +I'm through with it all!" + +The chubby little man's eyes were on fire. But he was too experienced +in his trade to allow much liberty to anger. + +"And that's final--that's where you stand?" he asked with comparative +calm. + +"That's where I stand!" cried Blake. "I may have got started crooked, +but I'm through with this kind of business now! I'm going back to +clean ways! And you, Mr. Brown, you might as well say good-by!" + +But Mr. Brown was an old campaigner. He never abandoned a battle +merely because it apparently seemed lost. He now leaned back in his +chair, slowly crossed his short legs, and thoughtfully regarded +Blake's excited features. His own countenance had changed its aspect; +it had shed its recent hardness, and had not resumed its original +cheeriness. It was eminently a reasonable face. + +"Come, let's talk this whole matter over in a calm manner," he began +in a rather soothing tone. "Neither of us wants to be too hasty. There +are a few points I'd like to call your attention to, if you'll let +me." + +"Go ahead with your points," said Blake. "But they won't change my +decision." + +"First, let's talk about the company," Mr. Brown went on in his mild, +persuasive manner. "Frankly, you've put the company in a hole. +Believing that you would keep your end of the bargain, the company has +invested a lot of money and started a lot of projects. We bought up +practically all the stock of the Westville street car lines, when that +municipal ownership talk drove the price so low, because we expected +to get a new franchise through your smashing this municipal ownership +fallacy. We have counted on big things from the water-works when you +got hold of it for us. And we have plans on foot in several other +cities of the state, and we've been counting on the failure of +municipal ownership in Westville to have a big influence on those +cities and to help us in getting what we want. In one way and another +this deal here means an awful lot to the company. Your failing us at +the last moment means to the company----" + +"I understand all that," interrupted Blake. + +"Here's a point for you to consider then: Since the company has banked +so much upon your promise, since it will lose so heavily if you +repudiate your word, are you not bound in honour to stand by your +agreement?" + +Blake opened his lips, but Mr. Brown raised a hand. + +"Don't answer now. I just leave that for you to think upon. So much +for the company. Now for yourself. We promised you if you carried this +deal through--and you know how able we are to keep our promise!--we +promised you Grayson's seat in the Senate. And after that, with your +ability and our support, who knows where you'd stop?" Mr. Brown's +voice became yet more soft and persuasive. "Isn't that a lot to throw +overboard because of a scruple?" + +"I can win all that, or part of it, by being loyal to the people," +Blake replied doggedly, but in a rather unsteady tone. + +"Come, come, Mr. Blake," said Brown reprovingly, "you know you're not +talking sense. You know that the only quick and sure way of getting +the big offices is by the help of the corporations. So you realize +what you're losing." + +Blake's face had become drawn and pale. He closed his eyes, as though +to shut out the visions of the kingdoms Mr. Brown had conjured up. + +"I'm ready to lose it!" he cried. + +"All right, then," Mr. Brown went mildly on. "So much for what we +lose, and what you lose. Now for the next point, the action you intend +to take regarding Doctor West. Do you mind telling me just how you +propose to undo what you have done so far?" + +"I haven't thought it out yet. But I can do it." + +"Of course," pursued Mr. Brown blandly, "you propose to do it so that +you will appear in no way to be involved?" + +Blake was thinking of Katherine's accusation. "Of course." + +"Just suppose you think about that point for a minute or two." + +There was a brief silence. When Mr. Brown next spoke he spoke very +slowly and accompanied each word with a gentle tap of his forefinger +on the desk. + +"Can you think of a single way to clear Doctor West without +incriminating yourself?" + +Blake gave a start. + +"What's that?" + +"Can you get Doctor West out of his trouble without showing who got +him into his trouble? Just think that over." + +During the moment of silence Blake grew yet more pale. + +"I'll kill the case somehow!" he breathed. + +"But the case looks very strong against Doctor West. Everybody +believes him guilty. Do you think you can suddenly, within twenty-four +hours, reverse the whole situation, and not run some risk of having +suspicion shift around to you?" + +Blake's eyes fell to his desk, and he sat staring whitely at it. + +"And there's still another matter," pursued the gentle voice of Mr. +Brown, now grown apologetic. "I wouldn't think of mentioning it, but I +want you to have every consideration before you. I believe I never +told you that the National Electric & Water Company own the majority +stock of the Acme Filter Company." + +"No, I didn't know that." + +"It was because of that mutual relationship that I was able to help +out your little plan by getting Marcy to do what he did. Now if some +of our directors should feel sore at the way you've thrown us down, +they might take it into their minds to make things unpleasant for +you." + +"Unpleasant? How?" + +Mr. Brown's fatherly smile had now come back. It was full of concern +for Blake. + +"Well, I'd hate, for instance, to see them use their pressure to +drive Mr. Marcy to make a statement." + +"Mr. Marcy? A statement?" + +"Because," continued Mr. Brown in his tone of fatherly concern, "after +Mr. Marcy had stated what he knows about this case, I'm afraid there +wouldn't be much chance for you to win any high places by being loyal +to the people." + +For a moment after this velvet threat Blake held upon Mr. Brown an +open-lipped, ashen face. Then, without a word, he leaned his elbows +upon his desk and buried his face in his hands. For a long space there +was silence in the room. Mr. Brown's eyes, kind no longer, but keenest +of the keen, watched the form before him, timing the right second to +strike again. + +At length he recrossed his legs. + +"Of course it's up to you to decide, and what you say goes," he went +on in his amiable voice. "But speaking impartially, and as a friend, +it strikes me that you've gone too far in this matter to draw back. It +strikes me that the best and only thing is to go straight ahead." + +Blake's head remained bowed in his hands, and he did not speak. + +"And, of course," pursued Mr. Brown, "if you should decide in favour +of the original agreement, our promise still stands good--Senate and +all." + +Mr. Brown said no more, but sat watching his man. Again there was a +long silence. Then Blake raised his face--and a changed face it was +indeed from that which had fallen into his hands. It bore the marks of +a mighty struggle, but it was hard and resolute--the face of a man who +has cast all hesitancy behind. + +"The agreement still stands," he said. + +"Then you're ready to go ahead?" + +"To the very end," said Blake. + +Mr. Brown nodded. "I was sure you'd decide that way," said he. + +"I want to thank you for what you've said to bring me around," Blake +continued in his new incisive tone. "But it is only fair to tell you +that this was only a spell--not the first one, in fact--and that I +would have come to my senses anyhow." + +"Of course, of course." It was not the policy of Mr. Brown, once the +victory was won, to discuss to whom the victory belonged. + +Blake's eyes were keen and penetrating. + +"And you say that the things I said a little while back will not +affect your attitude toward me in the future?" + +"Those things? Why, they've already passed out of my other ear! Oh, +it's no new experience," he went on with his comforting air of +good-fellowship, "for me to run into one of our political friends when +he's sick with a bad case of conscience. They all have it now and +then, and they all pull out of it. No, don't you worry about the +future. You're O. K. with us." + +"Thank you." + +"And now, since everything is so pleasantly cleared up," continued Mr. +Brown, "let's go back to my first question. I suppose everything looks +all right for the trial to-morrow?" + +Blake hesitated a moment, then told of Katherine's discovery. "But +it's no more than a surmise," he ended. + +"Has she guessed any other of the parties implicated?" Mr. Brown asked +anxiously. + +"I'm certain she has not." + +"Is she likely to raise a row to-morrow?" + +"I hardly see how she can." + +"All the same, we'd better do something to quiet her," returned Mr. +Brown meaningly. + +Blake flashed a quick look at the other. + +"See here--I'll not have her touched!" + +Mr. Brown's scanty eyebrows lifted. + +"Hello! You seem very tender about her!" + +Blake looked at him sternly a moment. Then he said stiffly: "I once +asked Miss West to marry me." + +"Eh--you don't say!" exclaimed the other, amazed. "That is certainly a +queer situation for you!" He rubbed his naked dome. "And you still +feel----" + +"What I feel is my own affair!" Blake cut in sharply. + +"Of course, of course!" agreed Mr. Brown quickly. "I beg your pardon!" + +Blake ignored the apology. + +"It might be well for you not to see me openly again like this. With +Miss West watching me----" + +"She might see us together, and suspect things. I understand. Needn't +worry about that. You may not see me again for a year. I'm +here--there--everywhere. But before I go, how do things look for the +election?" + +"We'll carry the city easily." + +"Who'll you put up for mayor?" + +"Probably Kennedy, the prosecuting attorney." + +"Is he safe?" + +"He'll do what he's told." + +"That's good. Is he strong with the people?" + +"Fairly so. But the party will carry him through." + +"H'm." Mr. Brown was thoughtful for a space. "This is your end of the +game, of course, and I make it a point not to interfere with another +man's work. The only time I've butted in here was when I helped you +about getting Marcy. But still, I hope you don't mind my making a +suggestion." + +"Not at all." + +"We've got to have the next mayor and council, you know. Simply got +to have them. We don't want to run any risk, however small. If you +think there's one chance in a thousand of Kennedy losing out, suppose +you have yourself nominated." + +"Me?" exclaimed Blake. + +"It strikes you as a come-down, of course. But you can do it +gracefully--in the interest of the city, and all that, you know. You +can turn it into a popular hit. Then you can resign as soon as our +business is put through." + +"There may be something in it," commented Blake. + +"It's only a suggestion. Just think it over, and use your own +judgment." He stood up. "Well, I guess that's all we need to say to +one another. The whole situation here is entirely in your hands. Do as +you please, and we ask no questions about how you do it. We're not +interested in methods, only in results." + +He clapped Blake heartily upon the shoulder. "And it looks as though +we all were going to get results! Especially you! Why, you, with this +trial successfully over--with the election won--with the goods +delivered----" + +He suddenly broke off, for the tail of his eye had sighted Blake's +open cabinet. + +"Will you allow me a liberty?" + +"Certainly," replied Blake, in the dark as to his visitor's purpose. + +Mr. Brown crossed to the cabinet, and returned with the squat, black +bottle and two small glasses. He tilted an inch into each tumbler, +gave one to Blake, and raised the other on high. His face was +illumined with his fatherly smile. + +"To our new Senator!" he said. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SUNSET AT THE SYCAMORES + + +When the door had closed behind the pleasant figure of Mr. Brown, +Blake pressed the button upon his desk. His stenographer appeared. + +"I have some important matters to consider," he said. "Do not allow me +to be disturbed until Doctor and Mrs. Sherman come with the car." + +His privacy thus secured, Blake sat at his desk, staring fixedly +before him. His brow was compressed into wrinkles, his dark face, +still showing a yellowish pallor, was hard and set. He reviewed the +entire situation, and as his consuming ambition contemplated the +glories of success, and the success after that, and the succession of +successes that led up and ever up, his every nerve was afire with an +excruciating, impatient pleasure. + +For a space while Katherine had confronted him, and for a space after +she had gone, he had shrunk from this business he was carrying +through. But he had spoken truthfully to Mr. Brown when he had said +that his revulsion was but a temporary feeling, and that of his own +accord he would have come back to his original decision. He had had +such revulsions before, and each time he had swung as surely back to +his purpose as does the disturbed needle to the magnetic pole. + +Westville considered Harrison Blake a happy blend of the best of his +father and mother; whereas, in point of fact, his father and his +mother lived in him with their personalities almost intact. There was +his mother, with her idealism and her high sense of honour; and his +father, with his boundless ambition and his lack of principles. In the +earlier years of Blake's manhood his mother's qualities had dominated. +He had sincerely tried to do great work for Westville, and had done +it; and the reputation he had then made, and the gratitude he had then +won, were the seed from which had grown the great esteem with which +Westville now regarded him. + +But a few years back he had found that rise, through virtue, was slow +and beset with barriers. His ambition had become impatient. Now that +he was a figure of local power and importance, temptation began to +assail him with offers of rapid elevation if only he would be +complaisant. In this situation, the father in him rose into the +ascendency; he had compromised and yielded, though always managing to +keep his dubious transactions secret. And now at length ambition ruled +him--though as yet not undisturbed, for conscience sometimes rose in +unexpected revolt and gave him many a bitter battle. + +When his stenographer told Blake that Doctor and Mrs. Sherman were +waiting at the curb, he descended with something more like his usual +cast of countenance. Elsie and her husband were in the tonneau, and as +Blake crossed the sidewalk to the car she stretched out a nervous hand +and gave him a worn, excited smile. + +"It is so good of you to take us out to The Sycamores for over night!" +she exclaimed. "It's such a pleasure--and such a relief!" + +She did not need to explain that it was a relief because the motion, +the company, the change of scene, would help crowd from her mind the +dread of to-morrow when her husband would have to take the stand +against Doctor West; she did not need to explain this, because Blake's +eyes read it all in her pale, feverish face. + +Blake shook hands with Doctor Sherman, dismissed his chauffeur, and +took the wheel. They spun out of the city and down into the River +Road--the favourite drive with Westville folk--which followed the +stream in broad sweeping curves and ran through arcades of +thick-bodied, bowing willows and sycamores lofty and severe, their +foliage now a drought-crisped brown. After half an hour the car turned +through a stone gateway into a grove of beech and elm and sycamore. At +a comfortable distance apart were perhaps a dozen houses whose outer +walls were slabs of trees with the bark still on. This was The +Sycamores, a little summer resort established by a small group of the +select families of Westville. + +Blake stopped the car before one of these houses--"cabins" their +owners called them, though their primitiveness was all in that outer +shell of bark. A rather tall, straight, white-haired old lady, with a +sweet nobility and strength of face, was on the little porch to greet +them. She welcomed Elsie and her husband warmly and graciously. Then +with no relaxation of her natural dignity into emotional effusion, she +embraced her son and kissed him--for to her, as to Westville, he was +the same man as five years before, and to him she had given not only +the love a mother gives her only son, but the love she had formerly +borne her husband who, during his last years, had been to her a bitter +grief. Blake returned the kiss with no less feeling. His love of his +mother was the talk of Westville; it was the one noble sentiment which +he still allowed to sway him with all its original sincerity and +might. + +They had tea out upon the porch, with its view of the river twinkling +down the easy hill between the trees. Mrs. Blake, seeing how agitated +Elsie was, and under what a strain was Doctor Sherman, and guessing +the cause, deftly guided the conversation away from to-morrow's trial. +She led the talk around to the lecture room which was being added to +Doctor Sherman's church--a topic of high interest to them all, for she +was a member of the church, Blake was chairman of the building +committee, and Doctor Sherman was treasurer of the committee and +active director of the work. This manoeuvre had but moderate +success. Blake carried his part of the conversation well enough, and +Elsie talked with a feverish interest which was too great a drain upon +her meagre strength. But the stress of Doctor Sherman, which he strove +to conceal, seemed to grow greater rather than decrease. + +Presently Blake excused himself and Doctor Sherman, and the two men +strolled down a winding, root-obstructed path toward the river. As +they left the cabin behind them, Blake's manner became cold and hard, +as in his office, and Doctor Sherman's agitation, which he had with +such an effort kept in hand, began to escape his control. Once he +stumbled over the twisted root which a beech thrust across their path +and would have fallen had not Blake put out a swift hand and caught +him. Yet at this neither uttered a word, and in silence they +continued walking on till they reached a retired spot upon the river's +bank. + +Here Doctor Sherman sank to a seat upon a mossy, rotting log. Blake, +erect, but leaning lightly against the scaling, mottled body of a +giant sycamore, at first gave no heed to his companion. He gazed +straight ahead down the river, emaciated by the drought till the +bowlders of its bottom protruded through the surface like so many +bones--with the ranks of austere sycamores keeping their stately watch +on either bank--with the sun, blood red in the September haze, +suspended above the river's west-most reach. + +Thus the pair remained for several moments. Then Blake looked slowly +about at the minister. + +"I brought you down here because there is something I want to tell +you," he said calmly. + +"I supposed so; go ahead," responded Doctor Sherman in a choked voice, +his eyes upon the ground. + +"You seem somewhat disturbed," remarked Blake in the same cold, even +tone. + +"Disturbed!" cried Doctor Sherman. "Disturbed!" + +His voice told how preposterously inadequate was the word. He did not +lift his eyes, but sat silent a moment, his white hands crushing one +another, his face bent upon the rotted wood beneath his feet. + +"It's that business to-morrow!" he groaned; and at that he suddenly +sprang up and confronted Blake. His fine face was wildly haggard and +was working in convulsive agony. "My God," he burst out, "when I look +back at myself as I was four years ago, and then look at myself as I +am to-day--oh, I'm sick, sick!" A hand gripped the cloth over his +breast. "Why, when I came to Westville I was on fire to serve God with +all my heart and never a compromise! On fire to preach the new gospel +that the way to make people better is to make this an easier world for +people to be better in!" + +That passion-shaken figure was not a pleasant thing to look upon. +Blake turned his eyes back to the glistening river and the sun, and +steeled himself. + +"Yes, I remember you preached some great sermons in those days," he +commented in his cold voice. "And what happened to you?" + +"You know what happened to me!" cried the young minister with his wild +passion. "You know well enough, even if you were not in that group of +prominent members who gave me to understand that I'd either have to +change my sermons or they'd have to change their minister!" + +"At least they gave you a choice," returned Blake. + +"And I made the wrong choice! I was at the beginning of my career--the +church here seemed a great chance for so young a man--and I did not +want to fail at the very beginning. And so--and so--I compromised!" + +"Do you suppose you are the first man that has ever made a +compromise?" + +"That compromise was the direct cause of to-morrow!" the young +clergyman went on in his passionate remorse. "That compromise was the +beginning of my fall. After the prominent members took me up, favoured +me, it became easy to blink my eyes at their business methods. And +then it became easy for me to convince myself that it would be all +right for me to gamble in stocks." + +"That was your great mistake," said the dry voice of the motionless +figure against the tree. "A minister has no business to fool with the +stock market." + +"But what was I to do?" Doctor Sherman cried desperately. "No money +behind me--the salary of a dry goods clerk--my wife up there, whom I +love better than my own life, needing delicacies, attention, a long +stay in Colorado--what other chance, I ask you, did I have of getting +the money?" + +"Well, at any rate, you should have kept your fingers off that church +building fund." + +"God, don't I realize that! But with the market falling, and all the +little I had about to be swept away, what else was a half frantic man +to do but to try to save himself with any money he could put his hands +upon?" + +Blake shrugged his shoulders. + +"Well, if luck was against you when that church money was also swept +away, luck was certainly with you when it happened that I was the one +to discover what you had done." + +"So I thought, when you offered to replace the money and cover the +whole thing up. But, God, I never dreamed you'd exact such a price in +return!" + +He gripped Blake's arm and shook it. His voice was a half-muffled +shriek. + +"If you wanted the water-works, if you wanted to do this to Doctor +West, why did you pick on me to bring the accusation? There are men +who would never have minded it--men without conscience and without +character!" + +Blake steadfastly kept his steely gaze upon the river. + +"I believe I have answered that a number of times," he replied +in his hard, even tone. "I picked you because I needed a man of +character to give the charges weight. A minister, the president of +our reform body--no one else would serve so well. And I picked you +because--pardon me, if in my directness I seem brutal--I picked you +because you were all ready to my hand; you were in a situation where +you dared not refuse me. Also I picked you, instead of a man with no +character to lose, because I knew that you, having a character to lose +and not wanting to lose it, would be less likely than any one else +ever to break down and confess. I hope my answer is sufficiently +explicit." + +Doctor Sherman stared at the erect, immobile figure. + +"And you still intend," he asked in a dry, husky voice, "you still +intend to force me to go upon the stand to-morrow and commit----" + +"I would not use so unpleasant a word if I were you." + +"But you are going to force me to do it?" + +"I am not going to force you. You referred a few minutes ago to the +time when you had a choice. Well, here is another time when you have a +choice." + +"Choice?" cried Doctor Sherman eagerly. + +"Yes. You can testify, or not testify, as you please. Only in reaching +your decision," added the dry, emotionless voice, "I suggest that you +do not forget that I have in my possession your signed confession of +that embezzlement." + +"And you call that a choice?" cried Doctor Sherman. "When, if I +refuse, you'll expose me, ruin me forever, kill Elsie's love for me! +Do you call that a choice?" + +"A choice, certainly. Perhaps you are inclined not to testify. If so, +very well. But before you make your decision I desire to inform you of +one fact. You will remember that I said in the beginning that I +brought you down here to tell you something." + +"Yes. What is it?" + +"Merely this. That Miss West has discovered that I am behind this +affair." + +"What!" Doctor Sherman fell back a step, and his face filled with +sudden terror. "Then--she knows everything?" + +"She knows little, but she suspects much. For instance, since she +knows that this is a plot, she is likely to suspect that every person +in any way connected with the affair is guilty of conspiracy." + +"Even--even me?" + +"Even you." + +"Then--you think?" + +Blake turned his face sharply about upon Doctor Sherman--the first +time since the beginning of their colloquy. It was his father's +face--his father in one of his most relentless, overriding moods--the +face of a man whom nothing can stop. + +"I think," said he slowly, driving each word home, "that the only +chance for people who want to come out of this affair with a clean +name is to stick the thing right through as we planned." + +Doctor Sherman did not speak. + +"I tell you about Miss West for two reasons. First, in order to let +you know the danger you're in. Second, in order, in case you decided +to testify, that you may be forewarned and be prepared to outface her. +I believe you understand everything now?" + +"Yes," was the almost breathless response. + +"Then may I be allowed to ask what you are going to do--testify, or +not testify?" + +The minister's hands opened and closed. He swallowed with difficulty. + +"Testify, or not testify?" Blake insisted. + +"Testify," whispered Doctor Sherman. + +"Just as you choose," said Blake coldly. + +The minister sank back to his seat upon the mossy log, and bowed his +head into his hands. "Oh, my God!" he breathed. + +There followed a silence, during which Blake gazed upon the huddled +figure. Then he turned his set face down the glittering, dwindled +stream, and, one shoulder lightly against the sycamore, he watched the +sun there at the river's end sink softly down into its golden slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE TRIAL + + +Katherine's first thought, on leaving Bruce's office, was to lay her +discovery before Doctor Sherman. She was certain that with her +new-found knowledge, and with her entirely new point of view, they +could quickly discover wherein he had been duped--for she still held +him to be an unwitting tool--and thus quickly clear up the whole case. +But for reasons already known she failed to find him; and learning +that he had gone away with Blake, she well knew Blake would keep him +out of her reach until the trial was over. + +In sharpest disappointment, Katherine went home. With the trial so few +hours away, with all her new discoveries buzzing chaotically in her +head, she felt the need of advising with some one about the situation. +Bruce's offer of assistance recurred to her, and she found herself +analyzing the editor again, just as she had done when she had walked +away from his office. She rebelled against him in her every fibre, yet +at the same time she felt a reluctant liking for him. He was a man +with big dreams, a rough-and-ready idealist, an idealist with sharply +marked limitations, some areas of his mind very broad, some +dogmatically narrow. Opinionated, obstinate, impulsive, of not very +sound judgment, yet dictatorial because supremely certain of his +rightness--courageous, unselfish, sincere--that was the way she now +saw the editor of the _Express_. + +But he had sneered at her, sharply criticized her, and she hotly +spurned the thought of asking his aid. Instead of him, she that +evening summoned Old Hosie Hollingsworth to her house, and to the old +lawyer she told everything. Old Hosie was convinced that she was +right, and was astounded. + +"And to think that the good folks of this town used to denounce me as +a worshipper of strange gods!" he ejaculated. "Gee, what'll they say +when they learn that the idol they've been wearing out their knee-caps +on has got clay feet that run clear up to his Adam's-apple!" + +They decided that it would be a mistake for Katherine to try to use +her new theories and discoveries openly in defence of her father. She +had too little evidence, and any unsupported charges hurled against +Blake would leave that gentleman unharmed and would come whirling +back upon Katherine as a boomerang of popular indignation. She dared +not breathe a word against the city's favourite until she had +incontrovertible proof. Under the circumstances, the best course +seemed for her to ask for a postponement on the morrow to enable her +to work up further evidence. + +"Only," warned Hosie, "you must remember that the chances are that +Blake has already slipped the proper word to Judge Kellog, and +there'll be no postponement." + +"Then I'll have to depend upon tangling up that Mr. Marcy on the +stand." + +"And Doctor Sherman?" + +"There'll be no chance of entangling him. He'll tell a straightforward +story. How could he tell any other? Don't you see how he's been +used?--been made spectator to a skilfully laid scheme which he +honestly believes to be a genuine case of bribery?" + +At parting Old Hosie held her hand a moment. + +"D'you remember the prophecy I made the day you took your office--that +you would raise the dickens in this old town?" + +"Yes," said Katherine. + +"Well, that's coming true--as sure as plug hats don't grow on fig +trees! Only not in the way I meant then. Not as a freak. But as a +lawyer." + +"Thank you." She smiled and slowly shook her head. "But I'm afraid it +won't come true to-morrow." + +"Of course a prophecy is no good, unless you do your best." + +"Oh, I'm going to do my best," she assured him. + +The next morning, on the long awaited day, Katherine set out for the +Court House, throbbing alternately with hope and fear of the outcome. +Mixed with these was a perturbation of a very different sort--an +ever-growing stage-fright. For this last there was good reason. Trials +were a form of recreation as popular in Calloway County as +gladiatorial contests in ancient Rome, and this trial--in the lack of +a sensational murder in the county during the year--was the greatest +of the twelvemonth. Moreover, it was given added interest by the fact +that, for the first time in recorded history, Calloway County was +going to see in action that weirdest product of whirling change, a +woman lawyer. + +Hub to hub about the hitch-racks of the Square were jammed buggies, +surries, spring wagons and other country equipages. The court-room was +packed an hour before the trial, and in the corridor were craning, +straining, elbowing folk who had come too late. In the open +windows--the court-room was on the ground floor--were the busts of +eager citizens whose feet were pedestaled on boxes, the sale of which +had been a harvest of small coin to neighbouring grocers; and in the +trees without youths of simian habit clung to advantageous limbs and +strained to get a view of the proceedings. Old Judge Kellog who +usually dozed on his twenty-first vertebra through testimony and +argument--once a young fledgling of a lawyer, sailing aloft in the +empyrean of his eloquence, had been brought tumbling confusedly to +earth by the snoring of the bench--attested to the unusualness of the +occasion by being upright and awake. And Bud White, the clerk, called +the court to order, not with his usual masterpiece of mumbled +unintelligibility, brought to perfection by long years of practice, +but with real words that could have been understood had only the +audience been listening. + +But their attention was all fixed upon the counsel for the defence. +Katherine, in a plain white shirt waist and a black sailor, sat at a +table alone with her father. Doctor West was painfully nervous; his +long fingers were constantly twisting among themselves. Katherine was +under an even greater strain. She realized with an intenser keenness +now that the moment for action was at hand, that this was her first +case, that her father's reputation, his happiness, perhaps even his +life, were at stake; and she was well aware that all this theatre of +people, whose eyes she felt burning into her back, regarded her as +the final curiosity of nature. Behind her, with young Harper at his +side, she had caught a glimpse of Arnold Bruce, eying her critically +and sceptically she thought; and in the audience she had glimpsed the +fixed, inscrutable face of Harrison Blake. + +But she clung blindly to her determination, and as Bud White sat down, +she forced herself to rise. A deep hush spread through the court-room. +She stood trembling, swallowing, voiceless, a statue of stage-fright, +wildly hating herself for her impotence. For a dizzy, agonizing moment +she saw herself a miserable failure--saw the crowd laughing at her as +they filed out. + +A youthful voice, from a balcony seat in an elm tree, floated in +through the open window: + +"Speak your piece, little girl, or set down." + +There was a titter. She stiffened. + +"Your--your Honour," she stammered, "I move a postponement in order to +allow the defence more time to prepare its case." + +Judge Kellog fingered his patriarchal beard. Katherine stood hardly +breathing while she waited his momentous words. But his answer was as +Old Hosie had predicted. + +"In view of the fact that the defence has already had four months in +which to prepare its case," said he, "I shall have to deny the motion +and order the trial to proceed." + +Katherine sat down. The hope of deferment was gone. There remained +only to fight. + +A jury was quickly chosen; Katherine felt that her case would stand as +good a chance with any one selection of twelve men as with any other. +Kennedy then stepped forward. With an air that was a blend of his +pretentious--if rather raw-boned--dignity as a coming statesman, of +extreme deference toward Katherine's sex, and of the sense of his +personal belittlement in being pitted against such a legal weakling, +he outlined to the jury what he expected to prove. After which, he +called Mr. Marcy to the stand. + +The agent of the filter company gave his evidence with that degree of +shame-facedness proper to the man, turned state's witness, who has +been an accomplice in the dishonourable proceedings he is relating. It +all sounded and looked so true--so very, very true! + +When Katherine came to cross-examine him, she gazed at him steadily a +moment. She knew that he was lying, and she knew that he knew that she +knew he was lying. But he met her gaze with precisely the abashed, +guilty air appropriate to his role. + +What she considered her greatest chance was now before her. Calling up +all her wits, she put to Mr. Marcy questions that held distant, hidden +traps. But when she led him along the devious, unsuspicious path that +conducted to the trap and then suddenly shot at him the question that +should have plunged him into it, he very quietly and nimbly walked +around the pitfall. Again and again she tried to involve him, but ever +with the same result. He was abashed, ready to answer--and always +elusive. At the end she had gained nothing from him, and for a minute +stood looking silently at him in baffled exasperation. + +"Have you any further questions to ask the witness?" old Judge Kellog +prompted her, with a gentle impatience. + +For a moment, stung by this witness's defeat of her, she had an +impulse to turn about, point her finger at Blake in the audience, and +cry out the truth to the court-room and announce what was her real +line of defence. But she realized the uproar that would follow if she +dared attack Blake without evidence, and she controlled herself. + +"That is all, Your Honour," she said. + +Mr. Marcy was dismissed. The lean, frock-coated figure of Mr. Kennedy +arose. + +"Doctor Sherman," he called. + +Doctor Sherman seemed to experience some difficulty in making his way +up to the witness stand. When he faced about and sat down the +difficulty was explained to the crowd. He was plainly a sick man. +Whispers of sympathy ran about the court-room. Every one knew how he +had sacrificed a friend to his sense of civic duty, and everyone knew +what pain that act must have caused a man with such a high-strung +conscience. + +With his hands tightly gripping the arms of his chair, his bright and +hollow eyes fastened upon the prosecutor, Doctor Sherman began in a +low voice to deliver his direct testimony. Katherine listened to him +rather mechanically at first, even with a twinge of sympathy for his +obvious distress. + +But though her attention was centred here in the court-room, her brain +was subconsciously ranging swiftly over all the details of the case. +Far down in the depths of her mind the question was faintly suggesting +itself, if one witness is a guilty participant in the plot, then why +not possibly the other?--when she saw Doctor Sherman give a quick +glance in the direction where she knew sat Harrison Blake. That glance +brought the question surging up to the surface of her conscious mind, +and she sat bewildered, mentally gasping. She did not see how it could +be, she could not understand his motive--but in the sickly face of +Doctor Sherman, in his strained manner, she now read guilt. + +Thrilling with an unexpected hope, Katherine rose and tried to keep +herself before the eyes of Doctor Sherman like an accusing conscience. +But he avoided her gaze, and told his story in every detail just as +when Doctor West had been first accused. When Kennedy turned him over +for cross-examination, Katherine walked up before him and looked him +straight in the eyes a full moment without speaking. He could no +longer avoid her gaze. In his eyes she read something that seemed to +her like mortal terror. + +"Doctor Sherman," she said slowly, clearly, "is there nothing you +would like to add to your testimony?" + +His words were a long time coming. Katherine's life hung suspended +while she waited his answer. + +"Nothing," he said. + +"There is no fact, no detail, that you may have omitted in your direct +testimony, that you now desire to supply?" + +"Nothing." + +She took a step nearer, bent on him a yet more searching gaze, and put +into her voice its all of conscience-stirring power. + +"You wish to go on record then, before this court, before this +audience, before the God whom you have appealed to in your oath, as +having told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" + +He averted his eyes and was silent a moment. For that moment Blake, +back in the audience, did not breathe. To the crowd it seemed that +Doctor Sherman was searching his mind for some possible trivial +omission. To Katherine it seemed that he was in the throes of a final +struggle. + +"You wish thus to go on record?" she solemnly insisted. + +He looked back at her. + +"I do," he breathed. + +She realized now how desperate was this man's determination, how +tightly his lips were locked. But she had picked up another thread of +this tangled skein, and that made her exult with a new hope. She went +spiritedly at the cross-examination of Doctor Sherman, striving to +break him down. So sharp, so rigid, so searching were her questions, +that there were murmurs in the audience against such treatment of a +sincere, high-minded man of God. But the swiftness and cleverness of +her attack availed her nothing. Doctor Sherman, nerved by last +evening's talk beside the river, made never a slip. + +From the moment she reluctantly discharged him she felt that her +chance--her chance for that day, at least--was gone. But she was there +to fight to the end, and she put her only witness, her father, upon +the stand. His defence, that he was the victim of a misunderstanding, +was smiled at by the court-room--and smiled at with apparently good +reason, since Kennedy, in anticipation of the line of defense, had +introduced the check from the Acme Filter Company which Dr. West had +turned over to the hospital board, to prove that the donation from the +filter company had been in Dr. West's hands at the time he had +received the bribe from Mr. Marcy. Dr. West testified that the letter +containing this check had not been opened until many days after his +arrest, and Katharine took the stand and swore that it was she herself +who had opened the envelope. But even while she testified she saw that +she was not believed; and she had to admit within herself that her +father's story appeared absurdly implausible, compared to the +truth-visaged falsehoods of the prosecution. + +But when the evidence was all in and the time for argument was come, +Katherine called up her every resource, she remembered that truth was +on her side, and she presented the case clearly and logically, and +ended with a strong and eloquent plea for her father. As she sat down, +there was a profound hush in the court-room. + +Her father squeezed her hand. Tears stood in his eyes. + +"Whatever happens," he whispered, "I'm proud of my daughter." + +Kennedy's address was brief and perfunctory, for the case seemed too +easy to warrant his exertion. Still stimulated by the emotion aroused +by her own speech and the sense of the righteousness of her cause, +Katherine watched the jury go out with a fluttering hope. She still +clung to hope when, after a short absence, the jury filed back in. She +rose and held her breath while they took their seats. + +"You have reached a verdict, gentlemen?" asked Judge Kellog. + +"We have," answered the foreman. + +"What is it?" + +"We find the defendant guilty." + +Doctor West let out a little moan, and his head fell forward into his +arms. Katherine bent over him and whispered a word of comfort into his +ear; then rose and made a motion for a new trial. Judge Kellog denied +the motion, and haltingly asked Doctor West to step forward to the +bar. Doctor West did so, and the two old men, who had been friends +since childhood, looked at each other for a space. Then in a husky +voice Judge Kellog pronounced sentence: One thousand dollars fine and +six months in the county jail. + +It was a light sentence--but enough to blacken an honest name for +life, enough to break a sensitive heart like Doctor West's. + +A little later Katherine, holding an arm of her father tightly within +her own, walked with him and fat, good-natured Sheriff Nichols over to +the old brick county jail. And yet a little later, erect, eyes +straight before her, she came down the jail steps and started +homeward. + +As she was passing along the Square, immediately before her Harrison +Blake came out of his stairway and started across the sidewalk to his +waiting car. Discretion urged her to silence; but passion was the +stronger. She stepped squarely up before him and flashed him a blazing +look. + +"Well--and so you think you've won!" she cried in a low voice. + +His colour changed, but instantly he was master of himself. + +"What, Katherine, you still persist in that absurd idea of yesterday." + +"Oh, drop that pretence! We know each other too well for that!" She +moved nearer and, trembling from head to foot, her passionate defiance +burst all bounds. "You think you have won, don't you!" she hotly +cried. "Well, let me tell you that this affair is not merely a battle +that was to-day won and ended! It's a war--and I have just begun to +fight!" + +And sweeping quickly past him, she walked on into Main Street and down +it through the staring crowds--very erect, a red spot in either cheek, +her eyes defiantly meeting every eye. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT BRUCE'S DOOR + + +On the following morning Bruce had just finished an editorial on +Doctor West's trial, and was busily thumping out an editorial on the +local political situation--the Republican and Democratic conventions +were both but a few days off--when, lifting his scowling gaze to his +window while searching for the particular word he needed, he saw +Katherine passing along the sidewalk across the street. Her face was +fresh, her step springy; hers was any but a downcast figure. +Forgetting his editorial, he watched her turn the corner of the Square +and go up the broad, worn steps of the dingy old county jail. + +"Well, what do we think of her?" queried a voice at his elbow. + +Bruce turned abruptly. + +"Oh, it's you, Billy. D'you see Blake?" + +"Yes." The young fellow sank loungingly into the atlas-seated chair. +"He wouldn't say anything definite. Said it was up to the convention +to pick the candidates. But it's plain Kennedy's his choice for +mayor, and we'll be playing perfectly safe in predicting Kennedy's +nomination." + +"And Peck?" + +"Blind Charlie said it was too early to make any forecasts. In doubt +as to whom they'd put forward for mayor." + +"Would Blake say anything about Doctor West's conviction?" + +"Sorry for Doctor West's sake--but the case was clear--trial fair--a +wholesome example to the city--and some more of that line of talk." + +Bruce grunted. + +The reporter leisurely lit a cigarette. + +"But how about the lady lawyer, eh?" He playfully prodded his +superior's calf with his pointed shoe. "I suppose you'll fire me off +your rotten old sheet for saying it, but I still think she made a +damned good showing considering that she had no case--and considering +also that she was a woman." Again he thrust his toe into his chief. +"Considering she was a woman--eh, Arn?" + +"Shut up, Billy, or I _will_ fire you," growled Bruce. + +"Oh, all right," answered the other cheerfully. "After half a year of +the nerve-racking social whirl of this metropolis, I think it would be +sort of restful to be back in dear, little, quiet Chicago. But +seriously now, Arn, you've got to admit she's good-looking?" + +"Good looks don't make a lawyer!" retorted Bruce. + +"But she's clever--got ideas--opinions of her own, and strong ones +too." + +"Perhaps." + +The reporter blew out a cloud of smoke. + +"Arn, I've been thinking about a very interesting possibility." + +"Well, make it short, and get in there and write your story!" + +"I've been thinking," continued Billy meditatively, "over what an +interesting situation it would make if the super-masculine editor of +the _Express_ should fall in love with the lady law----" + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Confound you, Billy! If I don't crack that empty little----" + +But Billy, tilted back in his chair, held out his cigarette case +imperturbably. + +"Take one, Arn. You'll find them very soothing for the nerves." + +"You impertinent little pup, you!" He grabbed Billy by his long hair, +held him a moment--then grinned affectionately and took a cigarette. +"You're the worst ever!" He dropped back into his chair. "Now shut +up!" + +"All right. But speaking impersonally, and with the unemotional +aloofness of a critic, you'll have to admit that it would make a good +dramatic situation." + +"Blast you!" cried the editor. "Shall I fire you, or chuck you through +the window?" + +"Inasmuch as our foremost scientists are uniformly agreed that certain +unpleasant results may eventuate when the force of gravitation brings +a human organism into sudden and severe juxtaposition with a cement +sidewalk, I humbly suggest that you fire me. Besides, that act will +automatically avenge me, for then your yellow old newspaper will go +plum to blazes!" + +"For God's sake, Billy, get out of here and let me work!" + +"But, seriously, Arn--I really am serious now"--and all the mischief +had gone out of the reporter's eyes--"that Miss West would have put up +a stunning fight if she had had any sort of a case. But she had +nothing to fight with. They certainly had the goods on her old man!" + +Bruce turned from his machine and regarded the reporter thoughtfully. +Then he crossed and closed the door which was slightly ajar, and again +fixed his eyes searchingly on young Harper. + +"Billy," he said in a low, impressive voice, "can you keep a big +secret?" + +At Bruce's searching, thoughtful gaze a look of humility crept into +Billy's face. + +"Oh, I know you've got every right to doubt me," he acknowledged. "I +certainly did leak a lot at the mouth in Chicago when I was boozing so +much. But you know since you pulled me out of that wild bunch I was +drinking my way to hell with and brought me down here, I've been +screwed tight as a board to the water-wagon!" + +"I know it, Billy. I shouldn't for an instant----" + +"And, Arn," interrupted Billy, putting his arm contritely across the +other's shoulder, "even though I do joke at you a little--simply can't +help it--you know how eternally grateful I am to you! You're giving me +the chance of my life to make a man of myself. People in this town +don't half appreciate you; they don't know you for what I know +you--the best fellow that ever happened!" + +"There, there! Cut it out, cut it out!" said Bruce gruffly, gripping +the other's hand. + +"That's always the way," said Billy, resentfully. "Your only fault is +that you are so infernally bull-headed that a fellow can't even thank +you." + +"You're thanking me the right way when you keep yourself bolted fast +to the water-cart. What I started out to tell you, what I want you to +keep secret, is this: They put the wrong man in jail yesterday." + +"What!" ejaculated Billy, springing up. + +"I tell you this much because I want you to keep your eye on the +story. Hell's likely to break loose there any time, and I want you to +be ready to handle it in case I should have to be off the job." + +"Good God, old man!" Billy stared at him. "What's behind all this? If +Doctor West's the wrong man, then who's the right one?" + +"I can't tell you any more now." + +"But how did you find this out?" + +"I said I couldn't tell you any more." + +A knowing look came slowly into Billy's face. + +"H'm. So that was what Miss West called here about day before +yesterday." + +"Get in there and write your story," said Bruce shortly, and again sat +down before his typewriter. + +Billy stood rubbing his head dazedly for a long space, then he slowly +moved to the door. He opened it and paused. + +"Oh, I say, Arn," he remarked in an innocent tone. + +"Yes?" + +"After all," he drawled, "it would make an interesting dramatic +situation, wouldn't it?" + +Bruce whirled about and threw a statesman's year book, but young +Harper was already on the safe side of the door; and the incorrigible +Billy was saved from any further acts of reprisal being attempted +upon his person by the ringing of Bruce's telephone. + +Bruce picked up the instrument. + +"Hello. Who's this?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Peck," was the answer. + +"What! You don't mean 'Blind Charlie'?" + +"Yes. I called up to see if you could come over to the hotel for a +little talk about politics." + +"If you want to talk to me you know where to find me! Good-by!" + +"Wait! Wait! What time will you be in?" + +"The paper goes to press at two-thirty. Any time after then." + +"I'll drop around before three." + +Four hours later Bruce was glancing through that afternoon's paper, +damp from the press, when there entered his office a stout, half-bald +man of sixty-five, with loose, wrinkled, pouchy skin, drooping nose, +and a mouth--stained faintly brown at its corners--whose cunning was +not entirely masked by a good-natured smile. One eye had a shrewd and +beady brightness; the gray film over the other announced it without +sight. This was "Blind Charlie" Peck, the king of Calloway County +politics until Blake had hurled him from his throne. + +Bruce greeted the fallen monarch curtly and asked him to sit down. +Bruce did not resume his seat, but half leaned against his desk and +eyed Blind Charlie with open disfavour. + +The old man settled himself and smiled his good-natured smile at the +editor. + +"Well, Mr. Bruce, this is mighty dry weather we're having." + +"Yes. What do you want?" + +"Well--well--" said the old man, a little taken aback, "you certainly +do jump into the middle of things." + +"I've found that the quickest way to get there," retorted Bruce. "You +know there's no use in you and me wasting any words. You know well +enough what I think of you." + +"I ought to," returned Blind Charlie, dryly, but with good humour. +"You've said it often enough." + +"Well, that there may be no mistake about it, I'll say it once more. +You're a good-natured, good-hearted, cunning, unprincipled, hardened +old rascal of a politician. Now if you don't want to say what you came +here to say, the same route that brings you in here takes you out." + +"Come, come," said the old man, soothingly. "I think you have said a +lot of harder things than were strictly necessary--especially since we +both belong to the same party." + +"That's one reason I've said them. You've been running the party most +of your life--you're still running it--and see what you've made of +it. Every decent member is ashamed of it! It stinks all through the +state!" + +Blind Charlie's face did not lose its smile of imperturbable good +nature. It was a tradition of Calloway County that he had never lost +his temper. + +"You're a very young man, Mr. Bruce," said the old politician, "and +young blood loves strong language. But suppose we get away from +personalities, and get away from the party's past and talk about its +present and its future." + +"I don't see that it has any present or future to talk about, with you +at the helm." + +"Oh, come now! Granted that my ways haven't been the best for the +party. Granted that you don't like me. Is that any reason we shouldn't +at least talk things over? Now, I admit we don't stand the shadow of a +ghost's show this election unless we make some changes. You represent +the element in the party that has talked most for changes, and I have +come to get your views." + +Bruce studied the loose-skinned, flabby face, wondering what was going +on behind that old mask. + +"What are your own views?" he demanded shortly. + +Blind Charlie had taken out a plug of tobacco and with a jack-knife +had cut off a thin slice. This, held between thumb and knife-blade, +he now slowly transferred to his mouth. + +"Perhaps they're nearer your own than you think. I see, too, that the +old ways won't serve us now. Blake will put up a good ticket. I hear +Kennedy is to be his mayor. The whole ticket will be men who'll be +respectable, but they'll see that Blake gets what he wants. Isn't that +so?" + +Bruce thought suddenly of Blake's scheme to capture the water-works. + +"Very likely," he admitted. + +"Now between ourselves," the old man went on confidingly, "we know +that Blake has been getting what he wants for years--of course in a +quiet, moderate way. Did you ever think of this, how the people here +call me a 'boss' but never think of Blake as one? Blake's an 'eminent +citizen.' When the fact is, he's a stronger, cleverer boss than I ever +was. My way is the old way; it's mostly out of date. Blake's way is +the new way. He's found out that the best method to get the people is +to be clean, or to seem clean. If I wanted a thing I used to go out +and grab it. If Blake wants a thing he makes it appear that he's +willing to go to considerable personal trouble to take it in order to +do a favour to the city, and the people fall all over themselves to +give it to him. He's got the churches lined up as solid behind him +as I used to have the saloons. Now I know we can't beat Blake with +the kind of a ticket our party has been putting up. And I know we +can't beat Blake with a respectable ticket, for between our +respectables----" + +"Charlie Peck's respectables!" Bruce interrupted ironically. + +"And Blake's respectables," the old man continued imperturbably, "the +people will choose Blake's. Are my conclusions right so far?" + +"Couldn't be more right. What next?" + +"As I figure it out, our only chance, and that a bare fighting chance, +is to put up men who are not only irreproachable, but who are radicals +and fighters. We've got to do something new, big, sensational, or +we're lost." + +"Well?" said Bruce. + +"I was thinking," said Blind Charlie, "that our best move would be to +run you for mayor." + +"Me?" cried Bruce, starting forward. + +"Yes. You've got ideas. And you're a fighter." + +Bruce scrutinized the old face, all suspicion. + +"See here, Charlie," he said abruptly, "what the hell's your game?" + +"My game?" + +"Oh, come! Don't expect me to believe in you when you pose as a +reformer!" + +"See here, Bruce," said the other a little sharply, "you've called me +about every dirty word lying around handy in the Middle West. But you +never called me a hypocrite." + +"No." + +"Well, I'm not coming to you now pretending that I've been holding a +little private revival, and that I've been washed in the blood of the +Lamb." + +"Then what's behind this? What's in it for you?" + +"I'll tell you--though of course I can't make you believe me if you +don't want to. I'm getting pretty old--I'm sixty-seven. I may not live +till another campaign. I'd like to see the party win once more before +I go. That's one thing. Another is, I've got it in for Blake, and want +to see him licked. I can't do either in my way. I can possibly do both +in your way. Mere personal satisfaction like this would have been +mighty little for me to have got out of an election in the old days. +But it's better than nothing at all"--smiling good-naturedly--"even to +a cunning, unprincipled, hardened old rascal of a politician." + +"But what's the string tied to this offer?" + +"None. You can name the ticket, write the platform----" + +"It would be a radical one!" warned Bruce. + +"It would have to be radical. Our only chance is in creating a +sensation." + +"And if elected?" + +"You shall make every appointment without let or hindrance. I know I'd +be a fool to try to bind you in any way." + +Bruce was silent a long time, studying the wrinkled old face. + +"Well, what do you say?" queried Blind Charlie. + +"Frankly, I don't like being mixed up with you." + +"But you believe in using existing party machinery, don't you? You've +said so in the _Express_." + +"Yes. But I also have said that I don't believe in using it the way +you have." + +"Well, here's your chance to take it and use it your own way." + +"But what show would I stand? Feeling in town is running strong +against radical ideas." + +"I know, I know. But you are a fighter, and with your energy you might +turn the current. Besides, something big may happen before election." + +That same thought had been pulsing excitedly in Bruce's brain these +last few minutes. If Katherine could only get her evidence! + +Bruce moved to the window and looked out so that that keen one eye of +Blind Charlie might not perceive the exultation he could no longer +keep out of his face. Bruce did not see the tarnished dome of the +Court House--nor the grove of broad elms, shrivelled and dusty--nor +the enclosing quadrangle of somnolent, drooping farm horses. He was +seeing this town shaken as by an explosion. He was seeing cataclysmic +battle, with Blind Charlie become a nonentity, Blake completely +annihilated, and himself victorious at the front. And, dream of his +dreams! he was seeing himself free to reshape Westville upon his own +ideals. + +"Well, what do you say?" asked Blind Charlie. + +Controlling himself, Bruce turned about. + +"I accept, upon the conditions you have named. But at the first sign +of an attempt to limit those conditions, I throw the whole business +overboard." + +"There will be no such attempt, so we can consider the matter +settled." Blind Charlie held out his hand, which Bruce, with some +hesitation, accepted. "I congratulate you, I congratulate myself, I +congratulate the party. With you as leader, I think we've all got a +fighting chance to win." + +They discussed details of Bruce's candidacy, they discussed the +convention; and a little later Blind Charlie departed. Bruce, fists +deep in trousers pockets, paced up and down his little office, or sat +far down in his chair gazing at nothing, in excited, searching +thought. Billy Harper and other members of the staff, who came in to +him with questions, were answered absently with monosyllables. At +length, when the Court House clock droned the hour of five through the +hot, burnt-out air, Bruce washed his hands and brawny fore-arms at the +old iron sink in the rear of the reporter's room, put on his coat, and +strode up Main Street. But instead of following his habit and turning +off into Station Avenue, where was situated the house in which he and +Old Hosie ate and slept and had their quarrels, he continued his way +and turned into an avenue beyond--on his face the flush of defiant +firmness of the bold man who finds himself doing the exact thing he +had sworn that he would never do. + +He swung open the gate of the West yard, and with firm step went up to +the house and rang the bell. When the screen swung open Katherine +herself was in the doorway--looking rather excited, trimly dressed, on +her head a little hat wound with a veil. + +"May I come in?" he asked shortly. + +"Why, certainly," and she stepped aside. + +"I didn't know." + +He bowed and entered the parlour and stood rather stiffly in the +centre of the room. + +"My reason for daring to violate your prohibition of three days ago, +and enter this house, is that I have something to tell you that may +prove to have some bearing upon your father's case." + +"Please sit down. When I apologized to you I considered the apology as +equivalent to removing all signs against trespassing." + +They sat down, and for a moment they gazed at each other, still +feeling themselves antagonists, though allies--she smilingly at her +ease, he grimly serious. + +"Now, please, what is it?" she asked. + +Bruce, speaking reservedly at first, told her of Blind Charlie's +offer. As he spoke he warmed up and was quite excited when he ended. +"And now," he cried, "don't you see how this works in with the fight +to clear your father? It's a great opportunity--haven't thought out +yet just how we can use it--that will depend upon developments, +perhaps--but it's a great opportunity! We'll sweep Blake completely +and utterly from power, reinstate your father in position and honour, +and make Westville the finest city of the Middle West!" + +But she did not seem to be fired by the torch of his enthusiasm. In +fact, there was a thoughtful, questioning look upon her face. + +"Well, what do you think of it?" he demanded. + +"I have been given to understand," she said pleasantly, "that it is +unwomanly to have opinions upon politics." + +He winced. + +"This is hardly the time for sarcasm. What do you think?" + +"If you want my frank opinion, I am rather inclined to beware of +Greeks bearing gifts," she replied. + +"What do you mean?" + +"When a political boss, and a boss notoriously corrupt, offers an +office to a good man, I think the good man should be very, very +suspicious." + +"You think Peck has some secret corrupt purpose? I've been +scrutinizing the offer for two hours. I know the ins and outs of the +local political situation from A to Z. I know all Peck's tricks. But I +have not found the least trace of a hidden motive." + +"Perhaps you haven't found it because it's hidden so shrewdly, so +deeply, that it can't be seen." + +"I haven't found it because it's not there to find!" retorted Bruce. +"Peck's motive is just what he told me; I'm convinced he was telling +the truth. It's a plain case, and not an uncommon case, of a +politician preferring the chance of victory with a good ticket, to +certain defeat with a ticket more to his liking." + +"I judge, then, that you are inclined to accept." + +"I have accepted," said Bruce. + +"I hope it will turn out better than worst suspicion might make us +fear." + +"Oh, it will!" he declared. "And mark me, it's going to turn out a +far bigger thing for your father than you seem to realize." + +"I hope that more fervently than do you!" + +"I suppose you are going to keep up your fight for your father?" + +"I expect to do what I can," she answered calmly. + +"What are you going to do?" + +She smiled sweetly, apologetically. + +"You forget only one day has passed since the trial. You can hardly +expect a woman's mind to lay new plans as quickly as a man's." + +Bruce looked at her sharply, as though there might be irony in this; +but her face was without guile. She glanced at her watch. + +"Pardon me," he said, noticing this action and standing up. "You have +your hat on; you were going out?" + +"Yes. And I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me." She gave him her +hand. "I hope you don't mind my saying it, but if I were you I'd keep +all the eyes I've got on Mr. Peck." + +"Oh, I'll not let him fool me!" he answered confidently. + +As he walked out of the yard he was somewhat surprised to see the +ancient equipage of Mr. Huggins waiting beside the curb. And he was +rather more surprised when a few minutes later, as he neared his home, +Mr. Huggins drove past him toward the station, with Katherine in the +seat behind him. In response to her possessed little nod he amazedly +lifted his hat. "Now what the devil is she up to?" he ejaculated, and +stared after her till the old carriage turned in beside the station +platform. As he reached his gate the eastbound Limited came roaring +into the station. The truth dawned upon him. "By God," he cried, "if +she isn't going back to New York!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE DESERTER + + +Bruce was incensed at the cool manner in which Katherine had taken +leave of him without so much as hinting at her purpose. In offering +her aid and telling her his plans he had made certain advances. She +had responded to these overtures by telling nothing. He felt he had +been snubbed, and he resented such treatment all the more from a woman +toward whom he had somewhat relaxed his dignity and his principles. + +As he sat alone on his porch that night he breathed out along with his +smoke an accompanying fire of profanity; but for all his wrath, he +could not keep the questions from arising. Why had she gone? What was +she going to do? Was she coming back? Had she given up her father's +case, and had she been silent to him that afternoon about her going +for the simple reason that she had been ashamed to acknowledge her +retreat? + +He waited impatiently for the return of his uncle, who had been absent +that evening from supper. He thought that Hosie might answer these +questions since he knew the old man to be on friendly terms with +Katherine. But when Old Hosie did shuffle up the gravel walk, he was +almost as much at a loss as his nephew. True, a note from Katherine +had been thrust under his door telling him she wished to talk with him +that afternoon; but he had spent the day looking at farms and had not +found the note till his return from the country half an hour before. + +Bruce flung away his cigar in exasperation, and the dry night +air was vibrant with half-whispered but perfervid curses. She was +irritating, erratic, irrational, irresponsible--preposterous, simply +preposterous--damn that kind of women anyhow! They pretended to be a +lot, but there wasn't a damned thing to them! + +But he could not subdue his curiosity, though he fervently informed +himself of the thousand and one kinds of an unblessed fool he was for +bothering his head about her. Nor could he banish her image. Her +figure kept rising before him out of the hot, dusty blackness: as she +had appeared before the jury yesterday, slender, spirited, +clever--yes, she had spoken cleverly, he would admit that; as she had +appeared in her parlour that afternoon, a graceful, courteous, +self-possessed home person; as he had seen her in Mr. Huggins's old +surrey, with her exasperating, non-committal, cool little nod. But +why, oh, why, in the name of the flaming rendezvous of lost and +sizzling souls couldn't a woman with her qualities also have just one +grain--only one single little grain!--of the commonest common-sense? + +The next morning Bruce sent young Harper to inquire from Doctor West +in the jail, and after that from Katherine's aunt, why Katherine had +gone to New York, whether she had abandoned the case, and whether she +had gone for good. But if these old people knew anything, they did not +tell it to Billy Harper. + +Westville buzzed over Katherine's disappearance. The piazzas, the +soda-water fountains, the dry goods counters, the Ladies' Aid, were at +no loss for an explanation of her departure. She had lost her +case--she had discovered that she was a failure as a lawyer--she had +learned what Westville thought of her--so what other course was open +to her but to slip out of town as quietly as she could and return to +the place from which she had come? + +The Women's Club in particular rejoiced at her withdrawal. Thank God, +a pernicious example to the rising young womanhood of the town was at +last removed! Perhaps woman's righteous disapproval of Katherine had a +deeper reason than was expressed--for what most self-searching person +truly knows the exact motives that prompt his actions? Perhaps, far +down within these righteously indignant bosoms, was unconsciously but +potently this question: if that type of woman succeeds and wins man's +approval, then what is going to become of us who have been built upon +man's former taste? At any rate, feminine Westville declared it a +blessing that "that terrible thing" was gone. + +Westville continued to buzz, but it soon had matters more worth its +buzzing. Pressing the heels of one another there came two amazing +surprises. The city had taken for granted the nomination of Kennedy +for mayor, but the convention's second ballot declared Blake the +nominee. Blake had given heed to Mr. Brown's advice and had decided to +take no slightest risk; but to the people he let it be known that he +had accepted the nomination to help the city out of its water-works +predicament, and Westville, recognizing his personal sacrifice, rang +with applause of his public spirit. The respectable element looked +forward with self-congratulation to him as the next chief of the +city--for he would have an easy victory over any low politician who +would consent to be Blind Charlie's candidate. + +Then, without warning, came Bruce's nomination, with a splendid list +of lesser candidates, and upon a most progressive platform. Westville +gasped again. Then recovering from its amazement, it was inclined to +take this nomination as a joke. But Bruce soon checked their +jocularity. That he was fighting for an apparently defunct cause +seemed to make no difference to him. Perhaps Old Hosie had spoken more +wisely than he had intended when he had once sarcastically remarked +that Bruce was "a cross between a bulldog and Don Quixote." Certainly +the qualities of both strains were now in evidence. He sprang +instantly into the campaign, and by the power and energy of his +speeches and of his editorials in the _Express_, he fairly raised his +issue from the dead. Bruce did not have a show, declared the +people--not the ghost of a show--but if he maintained the ferocious +earnestness with which he was starting out, this certainly was going +to be the hottest campaign which Westville had seen since Blake had +overthrown Blind Charlie Peck. + +People recalled Katherine now and then to wonder what she was doing +and how mortified she must feel over her fiasco, and to laugh +good-naturedly or sarcastically at the pricked soap-bubble of her +pretensions. But the newer and present excitement of the campaign was +forcing her into the comparative insignificance of all receding +phenomena--when, one late September Sunday morning, Westville, or +that select portion of Westville which attended the Wabash Avenue +Church, was astonished by the sight of Katherine West walking very +composedly up the church's left aisle, looking in exceedingly good +health and particularly stunning in a tailor-made gown of rich brown +corduroy. + +She quietly entered a vacant pew and slipped to a position which +allowed her an unobstructed view of Doctor Sherman, and which allowed +Doctor Sherman an equally unobstructed view of her. Worshippers who +stared her way noticed that she seemed never to take her gaze from the +figure in the pulpit; and it was remarked, after the service was over, +that though Doctor Sherman's discourses had been falling off of +late--poor man, his health was failing so!--to-day's was quite the +poorest sermon he had ever preached. + +The service ended, Katherine went quietly out of the church, smiling +and bowing to such as met her eyes, and leaving an active tongue in +every mouth behind her. So she had come back! Well, of all the nerve! +Did you ever! Was she going to stay? What did she think she was going +to do? And so on all the way home, to where awaited the heavy Sunday +dinner on which Westville gorged itself python-like--if it be not +sacrilege to compare communicants with such heathen beasts--till they +could scarcely move; till, toward three o'clock, the church paper +sank down upon the distended stomachs of middle age, and there arose +from all the easy chairs of Westville an unrehearsed and somewhat +inarticulate, but very hearty, hymnal in praise of the bounty of the +Creator. + +At about the time Westville was starting up this chorus, Old Hosie +Hollingsworth, in Katherine's parlour, deposited his rusty silk hat +upon the square mahogany piano that had been Doctor West's wedding +gift to his wife. The old lawyer lowered himself into a rocker, +crossed his attenuated legs, and shook his head. + +"Land sakes--I certainly was surprised to get your note!" he repeated. +"When did you get back?" + +"Late last night." + +He stared admiringly at her fresh young figure. + +"I must say, you don't look much like a lawyer who has lost her first +case and has sneaked out of town to hide her mortification!" + +"Is that what people have been saying?" she smiled. "Well, I don't +feel like one!" + +"Then you haven't given up?" + +"Given up?" She lifted her eyebrows. "I've just begun. It's still a +hard case, perhaps a long case; but at last I have a start. And I have +some great plans. It was to ask your advice about these plans that I +sent for you." + +"My advice! Huh! I ain't ever been married--not even so much as once," +he commented dryly, "but I've been told by unfortunates that have that +it's the female way to do a thing and then ask whether she should do +it or not." + +"Now, don't be cynical!" laughed Katherine. "You know I tried to +consult you before I went away. But it still is not too late for your +advice. I'll put my plans before you, and if your masculine wisdom, +whose superiority you have proved by keeping yourself unmarried, can +show me wherein I'm wrong, I'll change them or drop them altogether." + +"Fire away," he said, half grumbling. "What are your plans?" + +"They're on a rather big scale. First, I shall put a detective on the +case." + +"That's all right, but don't you underestimate Harrison Blake," warned +Old Hosie. "Since you've come back Blake will be sure you're after +him. He will be on his guard against you; he will expect you to use a +detective; he will watch out for him, perhaps try to have his every +move shadowed. I suppose you never thought of that?" he demanded +triumphantly. + +"Oh, yes I did," Katherine returned. "That's why I'm going to hire two +detectives." + +The old man raised his eyebrows. + +"Two detectives?" + +"Yes. One for Mr. Blake to watch. One to do the real work." + +"Oh!" It was an ejaculation of dawning comprehension. + +"The first detective will be a mere blind; a decoy to engage Mr. +Blake's attention. He must be a little obvious, rather blundering--so +that Mr. Blake can't miss him. He will know nothing about my real +scheme at all. While Mr. Blake's attention and suspicion are fixed on +the first man, the second man, who is to be a real detective with real +brains in his head, will get in the real work." + +"Splendid! Splendid!" cried Old Hosie, looking at her +enthusiastically. "And yet that pup of a nephew of mine sniffs out, +'Her a lawyer? Nothing! She's only a woman!'" + +Katherine flushed. "That's what I want Mr. Blake to think." + +"To underestimate you--yes, I see. Have you got your first man?" + +"No. I thought you might help me find him, for a local man, or a state +man, will be best; it will be easiest for him to be found out to be a +detective." + +"I've got just the article for you," cried Old Hosie. "You know Elijah +Stone?" + +"No. But, of course, I've seen him." + +"He's Westville's best and only. He thinks he's something terrible as +a detective--what you might call a hyper-super-ultra detective. +Detective sticks out big all over him--like a sort of universal mumps. +He never looks except when he looks cautiously out of the corner of +his eye; he walks on his tiptoes; he talks in whispers; he simply +oozes mystery. Fat head?--why, Lige Stone wears his hat on a can of +lard!" + +"Come, I'm not engaging a low comedian for a comic opera." + +"Oh, he's not so bad as I said. He's really got a reputation. He's +just the kind of a detective that an inexperienced girl might pick up. +Blake will soon find out you've hired him, he'll believe it a bona +fide arrangement on your part, and will have a lot of quiet laughs at +your simplicity. God made Lige especially for you." + +"All right. I'll see him to-morrow." + +"Have you thought about the other detective?" + +"Yes. One reason I went to New York was to try to get a particular +person--Mr. Manning, with whom I've worked on some cases for the +Municipal League. He has six children, and is very much in love with +his wife. The last thing he looks like is a detective. He might pass +for a superintendent of a store, or a broker. But he's very, very +competent and clever, and is always master of himself." + +"And you got him?" + +"Yes. But he can't come for a couple of weeks. He is finishing up a +case for the Municipal League." + +"How are you going to use him?" + +"I don't just know yet. Perhaps I can fit him into a second scheme of +mine. You've heard of Mr. Seymour, of Seymour & Burnett?" + +"The big bankers and brokers?" + +"Yes. I knew Elinor Seymour at Vassar, and I visited her several +times; and as Mr. Seymour is president of the Municipal League, +altogether I saw him quite a great deal. I don't mean to be conceited, +but I really believe Mr. Seymour has a lot of confidence in me." + +"That's a fine compliment to his sense," Old Hosie put in. + +"He's about the most decent of the big capitalists," she went on. "He +was my second reason for going to New York. When I got there he had +just left to spend a week-end in Paris, or something of the sort. I +had to wait till he came back; that's why I was gone so long. I went +to him with a plain business proposition. I gave him a hint of the +situation out here, told him there was a chance the water-works might +be sold, and asked authority to buy the system in for him." + +"And how did he take it?" Old Hosie asked eagerly. + +"You behold in me an accredited agent of Seymour & Burnett. I don't +know yet how I shall use that authority, but if I can't do anything +better, and if the worst comes to the very worst, I'll buy in the +plant, defeat Mr. Blake, and see that the city gets something like a +fair price for its property." + +Old Hosie stared at her in open admiration. "Well, if you don't beat +the band!" he exclaimed. + +"In the meantime, I shall busy myself with trying to get my father's +case appealed. But that is really only a blind; behind that I shall +every minute be watching Mr. Blake. Now, what do you think of my +plans? You know I called you in for your advice." + +"Advice! You need advice about as much as an angel needs a hat pin!" + +"But I'm willing to change my plans if you have any suggestions." + +"I was a conceited old idiot when I was a little sore awhile ago +because you had called me in for my opinion after you had settled +everything. Go right ahead. It's fine. Fine, I tell you!" He chuckled. +"And to think that Harrison Blake thinks he's bucking up against only +a woman. Just a simple, inexperienced, dear, bustling, blundering +woman! What a jar he's got coming to him!" + +"We mustn't be too hopeful," warned Katherine. "There's a long, hard +fight ahead. Perhaps my plan may not work out. And remember that, +after all, I am only a woman." + +"But if you do win!" His old eyes glowed excitedly. "Your father +cleared, the idol of the town upset, the water-works saved--think what +a noise all that will make!" + +A new thought slowly dawned into his face. "H'm--this old town hasn't +been, well, exactly hospitable to you; has laughed at you--sneered at +you--given you the cold shoulder." + +"Has it? What do I care!" + +"It would be sort of nice, now wouldn't it," he continued slowly, +keenly, with his subdued excitement, "sort of heaping coals of fire on +Westville's roofs, if the town, after having cut you dead, should find +that it had been saved by you. I suppose you've never thought of that +aspect of the case--eh? I suppose it has never occurred to you that in +saving your father you'll also save the town?" + +She flushed--and smiled a little. + +"Oh, so we've already thought of that, have we. I see I can't suggest +anything new to you. Let the old town jeer all it wants to now, we'll +show 'em in the end!--is that it?" + +She smiled again, but did not answer him. + +"Now you'll excuse me, won't you, for I promised to call on father +this afternoon?" + +"Certainly." He rose. "How is your father--or haven't you seen him +yet?" + +"I called at the jail first thing this morning. He's very cheerful." + +"That's good. Well, good-by." + +Old Hosie was reaching for his hat, but just then a firm step sounded +on the porch and there was a ring of the bell. Katherine crossed the +parlour and swung open the screen. Standing without the door was +Bruce, a challenging, defiant look upon his face. + +"Why, Mr. Bruce," she exclaimed, smiling pleasantly. "Won't you please +come in?" + +"Thank you," he said shortly. + +He bowed and entered, but stopped short at sight of his uncle. + +"Hello! You here?" + +"Just to give an off-hand opinion, I should say I am." Old Hosie +smiled sweetly, put his hat back upon the piano and sank into his +chair. "I just dropped in to tell Miss Katherine some of those very +clever and cutting things you've said to me about the idea of a woman +being a lawyer. I've been expostulating with her--trying to show her +the error of her ways--trying to prove to her that she wasn't really +clever and didn't have the first qualification for law." + +"You please let me speak for myself!" retorted Bruce. "How long are +you going to stay here?" + +Old Hosie recrossed his long legs and settled back with the air of the +rock of ages. + +"Why, I was expecting Miss Katherine was going to invite me to stay to +supper." + +"Well, I guess you won't. You please remember this is your month to +look after Jim. Now you trot along home and see that he don't fry the +steak to a shingle the way you let him do it last night." + +"Last night I was reading your editorial on the prospects of the +corn crop and I got so worked up as to how it was coming out that +I forgot all about that wooden-headed nigger. I tell you, Arn, that +editorial was one of the most exciting, stirring, nerve-racking, +hair-breadth----" + +"Come, get along with you!" Bruce interrupted impatiently. "I want to +talk some business with Miss West!" + +Old Hosie rose. + +"You see how he treats me," he said plaintively to Katherine. "I +haven't had one kind word from that young pup since, when he was in +high-school, he got so stuck on himself because he imagined every girl +in town was in love with him." + +Bruce took Old Hosie's silk hat from the piano and held it out to him. + +"You certainly won't get a kind word from me to-night if that steak is +burnt!" + +Katherine followed Hosie out upon the porch. + +"He's a great boy," whispered the old man proudly--"if only I can +lick his infernal conceit out of him!" He gripped her hand. "Good-by, +and luck with you!" + +She watched the bent, spare figure down the walk, then went in to +Bruce. The editor was standing stiffly in the middle of the parlour. + +"I trust that my call is not inopportune?" + +"I'm glad to see you, but it does so happen that I promised father to +call at five o'clock. And it's now twenty minutes to." + +"Perhaps you will allow me to walk there with you?" + +"But wouldn't that be, ah--a little dangerous?" + +"Dangerous?" + +"Yes. Perhaps you forget that Westville disapproves of me. It might +not be a very politic thing for a candidate for mayor to be seen upon +the street with so unpopular a person. It might cost votes, you know." + +He flushed. + +"If the people in this town don't like what I do, they can vote for +Harrison Blake!" He swung open the door. "If you want to get there on +time, we must start at once." + +Two minutes later they were out in the street together. People whom +they passed paused and stared back at them; groups of young men and +women, courting collectively on front lawns, ceased their flirtatious +chaffing and their bombardments with handfuls of loose grass, and +nudged one another and sat with eyes fixed on the passing pair; and +many a solid burgher, out on his piazza, waking from his devotional +and digestive nap, blinked his eyes unbelievingly at the sight of a +candidate for mayor walking along the street with that discredited +lady lawyer who had fled the town in chagrin after losing her first +case. + +At the start Katherine kept the conversation upon Bruce's candidacy. +He told her that matters were going even better than he had hoped; and +informed her, with an air of triumph he did not try to conceal, that +Blind Charlie Peck had been giving him an absolutely free rein, and +that he was more than ever convinced that he had correctly judged that +politician's motives. Katherine meekly accepted this implicit rebuke +of her presumption, and congratulated him upon the vindication of his +judgment. + +"But I came to you to talk about your affairs, not mine," he said as +they turned into Main Street. "I half thought, when you left, that you +had gone for good. But your coming back proves you haven't given up. +May I ask what your plans are, and how they are developing?" + +Her eyes dropped to the sidewalk, and she seemed to be embarrassed for +words. It was not wholly his fault that he interpreted her as +crest-fallen, for Katherine was not lacking in the wiles of Eve. + +"Your plans have not been prospering very well, then?" he asked, after +a pause. + +"Oh, don't think that; I still have hopes," she answered hurriedly. "I +am going to keep right on at the case--keep at it hard." + +"Were you successful in what you went to New York for?" + +"I can't tell yet. It's too early. But I hope something will come of +it." + +He tried to get a glimpse of her face, but she kept it fixed upon the +ground--to hide her discomfiture, he thought. + +"Now listen to me," he said kindly, with the kindness of the superior +mind. "Here's what I came to tell you, and I hope you won't take it +amiss. I admire you for the way you took your father's case when no +other lawyer would touch it. You have done your best. But now, I +judge, you are at a standstill. At this particular moment it is highly +imperative that the case go forward with highest speed. You understand +me?" + +"I think I do," she said meekly. "You mean that a man could do much +better with the case than a woman?" + +"Frankly, yes--still meaning no offense to you. You see how much hangs +upon your father's case besides his own honour. There is the +election, the whole future of the city. You see we are really facing a +crisis. We have got to have quick action. In this crisis, being in the +dark as to what you were doing, and feeling a personal responsibility +in the matter, I have presumed to hint at the outlines of the case to +a lawyer friend of mine in Indianapolis; and I have engaged him, +subject to your approval, to take charge of the matter." + +"Of course," said Katherine, her eyes still upon the sidewalk, "this +man lawyer would expect to be the chief counsel?" + +"Being older, and more experienced----" + +"And being a man," Katherine softly supplied. + +"He of course would expect to have full charge--naturally," Bruce +concluded. + +"Naturally," echoed Katherine. + +"Of course you would agree to that?" + +"I was just trying to think what a man would do," she said +meditatively, in the same soft tone. "But I suppose a man, after he +had taken a case when no one else would take it, when it was +hopeless--after he had spent months upon it, made himself unpopular by +representing an unpopular cause, and finally worked out a line of +defense that, when the evidence is gained, will not only clear his +client but astound the city--after he had triumph and reputation +almost within his grasp, I suppose a man would be quite willing to +step down and out and hand over the glory to a newcomer." + +He looked at her sharply. But her face, or what he saw of it, showed +no dissembling. + +"But you are not stating the matter fairly," he said. "You should +consider the fact that you are at the end of your rope!" + +"Yes, I suppose I should consider that," she said slowly. + +They were passing the Court House now. He tried to study her face, but +it continued bent upon the sidewalk, as if in thought. They reached +the jail, and she mounted the first step. + +"Well, what do you say?" he asked. + +She slowly raised her eyes and looked down on him guilelessly. + +"You've been most thoughtful and kind--but if it's just the same to +you, I'd like to keep on with the case a little longer alone." + +"What!" he ejaculated. He stared at her. "I don't know what to make of +you!" he cried in exasperation. + +"Oh, yes you do," she assured him sweetly, "for you've been trying to +make very little of me." + +"Eh! See here, I half believe you don't want my aid!" he blurted out. + +Standing there above him, smiling down upon him, she could hardly +resist telling him the truth--that sooner would she allow her right +hand to be burnt off than to accept aid from a man who had flaunted +and jeered at her lawyership--that it was her changeless determination +not to tell him one single word about her plans--that it was her +purpose to go silently ahead and let her success, should she succeed, +be her reply to his unbelief. But she checked the impulse to fling the +truth in his face--and instead continued to smile inscrutably down +upon him. + +"I hope that you will do all for my father, for the city, for your own +election, that you can," she said. "All I ask is that for the present +I be allowed to handle the case by myself." + +The Court House tower tolled five. She held out to him a gloved hand. + +"Good-by. I'm sorry I can't invite you in," she said lightly, and +turned away. + +He watched the slender figure go up the steps and into the jail, then +turned and walked down the street--exasperated, puzzled, in profound +thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE NIGHT WATCH + + +The next morning Elijah Stone appeared in Katherine's office as per +request. He was a thickly, if not solidly, built gentleman, in +imminent danger of a double chin, and with that submerged blackness of +the complexion which is the result of a fresh-shaven heavy beard. He +kept his jaw clinched to give an appearance of power, and his black +eyebrows lowered to diffuse a sense of deeply pondered mystery. His +wife considered him a rarely handsome specimen of his sex, and he +permitted art to supplement the acknowledged gifts of nature so far as +to perfume his glossy black hair, to wear a couple of large diamond +rings, and to carry upon the watch chain that clanked heavily across +the broad and arching acreage of his waistcoat a begemmed lodge emblem +in size a trifle smaller than a paper weight. + +He was an affable, if somewhat superior, being, and he listened to +Katherine with a still further lowering of his impressive brows. She +informed him, in a perplexed, helpless, womanly way, that she was +inclined to believe that her father was "the victim of foul play"--the +black brows sank yet another degree--and that she wished him privately +to investigate the matter. He of course would know far, far better +what to do than she, but she would suggest that he keep an eye upon +Blake. At first Mr. Stone appeared somewhat sceptical and hesitant, +but after peering darkly out for a long and ruminative period at the +dusty foliage of the Court House elms, and after hearing the +comfortable fee Katherine was willing to pay, he consented to accept +the case. As he left he kindly assured her, with manly pity for her +woman's helplessness, that if there was anything in her suspicion she +"needn't waste no sleep now about gettin' the goods." + +In the days that followed, Katherine saw her Monsieur Lecoque +shadowing the movements of Blake with the lightness and general +unobtrusiveness of a mahogany bedstead ambling about upon its castors. +She soon guessed that Blake perceived that he was being watched, and +she imagined how he must be smiling up his sleeve at her simplicity. +Had the matters at stake not been so grave, had she been more certain +of the issue, she might have put her own sleeve to a similar purpose. + +In the meantime, as far as she could do so without exciting suspicion, +she kept close watch upon Blake. It had occurred to her that there +was a chance that he had an unknown accomplice whose discovery would +make the gaining of the rest of the evidence a simple matter. There +was a chance that he might let slip some revealing action. At any +rate, till Mr. Manning came, her role was to watch with unsleeping eye +for developments. Her office window commanded the entrance to Blake's +suite of rooms, and no one went up by day whom she did not see. Her +bedroom commanded Blake's house and grounds, and every night she sat +at her darkened window till the small hours and watched for possible +suspicious visitors, or possible suspicious movements on the part of +Blake. + +Also she did not forget Doctor Sherman. On the day of her departure +for New York, she had called upon Doctor Sherman, and in the privacy +of his study had charged him with playing a guilty part in Blake's +conspiracy. She had been urged to this course by the slender chance +that, when directly accused as she had dared not accuse him in the +court-room, he might break down and confess. But Doctor Sherman had +denied her charge and had clung to the story he had told upon the +witness stand. Since Katherine had counted but little on this chance, +she had gone away but little disappointed. + +But she did not now let up upon the young minister. Regular +attendance at church had of late years not been one of Katherine's +virtues, but after her return it was remarked that she did not miss a +single service at which Doctor Sherman spoke. She always tried to sit +in the very centre of his vision, seeking to keep ever before his +mind, while he preached God's word, the sin he had committed against +God's law and man's. He visibly grew more pale, more thin, more +distraught. The changes inspired his congregation with concern; they +began to talk of overwork, of the danger of a breakdown; and seeing +the dire possibility of losing so popular and pew-filling a pastor, +they began to urge upon him the need of a long vacation. + +Katherine could not but also give attention to the campaign, since it +was daily growing more sensational, and was completely engrossing the +town. Blake, in his speeches, stood for a continuance of the rule that +had made Westville so prosperous, and dwelt especially upon an +improvement in the service of the water-works, though as to the nature +of the improvements he confined himself to language that was somewhat +vague. Katherine heard him often. He was always eloquent, clever, +forceful, with a manly grace of presence upon the platform--just what +she, and just what the town, expected him to be. + +But the surprise of the campaign, to Katherine and to Westville, was +Arnold Bruce. Katherine had known Bruce to be a man of energy; now, in +her mind, a forceful if not altogether elegant phrase of Carlyle +attached itself to him--"A steam-engine in pants." He was never +clever, never polished, he never charmed with the physical grace of +his opponent, but he spoke with a power, an earnestness, and an energy +that were tremendous. By the main strength of his ideas and his +personality he seemed to bear down the prejudice against the principle +for which he stood. He seemed to stand out in the mid-current of +hostile opinion and by main strength hurl it back into its former +course. The man's efforts were nothing less than herculean. He was a +bigger man, a more powerful man, than Westville had ever dreamed; and +his spirited battle against such apparently hopeless odds had a +compelling fascination. Despite her defiantly critical attitude, +Katherine was profoundly impressed; and she heard it whispered about +that, notwithstanding Blake's great popularity, his party's certainty +of success was becoming very much disturbed. + +Both Katherine and Bruce were fond of horseback riding--Doctor West's +single luxury, his saddle horse, was ever at Katherine's disposal--and +at the end of one afternoon they met by chance out along the winding +River Road, with its border of bowing willows and mottled sycamores, +between whose browned foliage could be glimpsed long reaches of the +broad and polished river, steel-gray in the shadows, a flaming copper +where the low sun poured over it its parting fire. Little by little +Bruce began to talk of his ideals. Presently he was speaking with a +simplicity and openness that he had not yet used with Katherine. She +perceived, more clearly than before, that whereas he was dogmatic in +his ideas and brutally direct in their expression, he was a hot-souled +idealist, overflowing with a passionate, even desperate, love of +democracy, which he feared was in danger of dying out in the +land--quietly and painlessly suffocated by a narrowing oligarchy which +sought to blind the people to its rule by allowing them the exercise +of democracy's dead forms. + +His square, rude face, which she watched with a rising fascination, +was no longer repellent. It had that compelling beauty, superior to +mere tint and moulding of the flesh, which is born of great and +glowing ideas. She saw that there was sweetness in his nature, that +beneath his rough exterior was a violent, all-inclusive tenderness. + +Now and then she put in a word of discriminating approval, now and +then a word of well-reasoned dissent. + +"I believe you are even more radical than I am!" he exclaimed, looking +at her keenly. + +"A woman, if she is really radical, has got to be more radical than a +man. She sees all the evils and dangers that he sees, and in addition +she suffers from injustices and restrictions from which man is wholly +free." + +He was too absorbed in the afterglow of what he had been saying to +take in all the meanings implicated in her last phrase. + +"Do you know," he said, as they neared the town, "you are the first +woman I have met in Westville to whom one could talk about real things +and who could talk back with real sense." + +A very sly and pat remark upon his inconsistency was at her tongue's +tip. But she realized that he had spoken impulsively, unguardedly, and +she felt that it would be little short of sacrilege to be even gently +sarcastic after the exalted revelation he had made of himself. + +"Thank you," she said quietly, and turned her face and smiled at the +now steel-blue reaches of the river. + +He dropped in several evenings to see her. When he was in an +idealistic mood she was warmly responsive. When he was arbitrary and +opinionated, she met him with chaffing and raillery, and at such times +she was as elusive, as baffling, as exasperating as a sprite. On +occasions when he rather insistently asked her plans and her progress +in her father's case, she evaded him and held him at bay. She felt +that he admired her, but with a grudging, unwilling admiration that +left his fundamental disapproval of her quite unshaken. + +The more she saw of this dogmatic dreamer, this erratic man of action, +the more she liked him, the more she found really admirable in him. +But mixed with her admiration was an alert and pugnacious fear, so big +was he, so powerful, so violently hostile to all the principles +involved in her belief that the whole wide world of action should in +justice lie as much open to woman to choose from as to man. + +Without cessation Katherine kept eyes and mind on Blake. She searched +out and pondered over the thousand possible details and ramifications +his conspiracy might have. No human plan was a perfect plan. By +patiently watching and studying every point there was a chance that +she might discover one detail, one slip, one oversight, that would +give her the key to the case. + +One of the thousand possibilities was that he had an active partner in +his scheme. Since no such partner was visible in the open, it was +likely that his associate was a man with whom Blake wished to have +seemingly no relations. Were this conjecture true, then naturally he +would meet this confederate in secret. She began to think upon all +possible means and places of holding secret conferences. Such a +meeting might be held there in Westville in the dead of night. It +might be held in any large city in which individuals might lose +themselves--Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago. It might be +held at any appointed spot within the radius of an automobile journey. + +Katherine analyzed every possible place of this last possibility. She +began to watch, as she watched other possibilities, the comings and +goings of the Blake automobile. It occurred to her that, if anything +were in this conjecture, the meeting would be held at night; and then, +a little later, it occurred to her to make a certain regular +observation. The Blake garage and the West stable stood side by side +and opened into the same alley. Every evening while Blake's car was +being cleaned--if it had been in use during the day--Katherine went +out to say good night to her saddle horse, and as she was on friendly +terms with Blake's man she contrived, while exchanging a word with +him, to read the mileage record of the speedometer. This observation +she carried on with no higher hope of anything resulting from it than +from any of a score of other measures. It was merely one detail of her +all-embracing vigilance. + +Every night she sat on watch--the evening's earlier half usually in +the rustic summer-house in the backyard, the latter part at her +bedroom window. One night after most of Westville was in bed, her +long, patient vigil was rewarded by seeing the Blake automobile slip +out with a single vague figure at the wheel and turn into the back +streets of the town. + +Hours passed, and still she sat wide-eyed at her window. It was not +till raucous old muzzains of roosters raised from the watch-towers of +their various coops their concatenated prophecy of the dawn, that she +saw the machine return with its single passenger. The next morning, as +soon as she saw Blake's man stirring about his work, she slipped out +to her stable. Watching her chance, she got a glimpse of Blake's +speedometer. Then she quickly slipped back to her room and sat there +in excited thought. + +The evening before the mileage had read 1437; this morning the reading +was 1459. Blake, in his furtive midnight journey, had travelled +twenty-two miles. If he had slipped forth to meet a secret ally, then +evidently their place of meeting was half of twenty-two miles distant. +Where was this rendezvous? + +Almost instantly she thought of The Sycamores. That fitted the +requirements exactly. It was eleven miles distant--Blake had a cabin +there--the place was deserted at this season of the year. Nothing +could be safer than for two men, coming in different vehicles, from +different points perhaps, to meet at that retired spot at such an +eyeless hour. + +Perhaps there was no confederate. Perhaps Blake's night trip was +not to a secret conference. Perhaps The Sycamores was not the +rendezvous. But there was a chance that all three of these conjectures +were correct. And if so, there was a chance,--aye, more, a +probability--that there would be further midnight trysts. + +Bruce had fallen into the habit of dropping in occasionally for a few +minutes at the end of an evening's speaking to tell Katherine how +matters seemed to be progressing. When he called that night toward +ten he was surprised to be directed around to the summer-house. His +surprise was all the more because the three months' drought had that +afternoon been broken, and the rain was now driving down in gusts and +there was a far rumbling of thunder that threatened a nearer and a +fiercer cannonading. + +Crouching beneath his umbrella, he made his way through the blackness +to the summer-house, in which he saw sitting a dim, solitary figure. + +"In mercy's name, what are you doing out here?" he demanded as he +entered. + +"Watching the rain. I love to be out in a storm." Every clap of +thunder sent a shiver through her. + +"You must go right into the house!" he commanded. "You'll get wet. +I'll bet you're soaked already!" + +"Oh, no. I have a raincoat on," she answered calmly. "I'm going to +stay and watch the storm a little longer." + +He expostulated, spoke movingly of colds and pneumonia. But she kept +her seat and sweetly suggested that he avoid his vividly pictured +dangers of a premature death by following his own advice. He jerked a +rustic chair up beside her, growled a bit in faint imitation of the +thunder, then ran off into the wonted subject of the campaign. + +As the situation now stood he had a chance of winning, so successful +had been his fight to turn back public opinion; and if only he had and +could use the evidence Katherine was seeking, an overwhelming victory +would be his beyond a doubt. He plainly was chafing at her delays, and +as plainly made it evident that he was sceptical of her gaining proof. +But she did not let herself be ruffled. She evaded all his questions, +and when she spoke she spoke calmly and with good-nature. + +Presently, sounding dimly through a lull in the rising tumult of the +night, they heard the Court House clock strike eleven. Soon after, +Katherine's ear, alert for a certain sound, caught a muffled throbbing +that was not distinguishable to Bruce from the other noises of the +storm. + +She sprang up. + +"You must go now--good night!" she said breathlessly, and darted out +of the summer-house. + +"Wait! Where are you going?" he cried, and tried to seize her, but she +was gone. + +He stumbled amazedly after her vague figure, which was running through +the grape-arbour swiftly toward the stable. The blackness, his +unfamiliarity with the way, made him half a minute behind Katherine in +entering the barn. + +"Miss West!" he called. "Miss West!" + +There was no answer and no sound within the stable. Just then a flash +of lightning showed him that the rear door was open. As he felt his +way through this he heard Katherine say, "Whoa, Nelly! Whoa, Nelly!" +and saw her swing into the saddle. + +He sprang forward and caught the bridle rein. + +"What are you going to do?" he cried. + +"Going out for a little gallop," she answered with an excited laugh. + +"What?" A light broke in upon him. "You've been sitting there all +evening in your riding habit! Your horse has been standing saddled and +bridled in the stall! Tell me--where are you going?" + +"For a little ride, I said. Now let loose my rein." + +"Why--why--" he gasped in amazement. Then he cried out fiercely: "You +shall not go! It's madness to go out in a storm like this!" + +"Mr. Bruce, let go that rein this instant!" she said peremptorily. + +"I shall do nothing of the sort! I shall not let you make an insane +fool of yourself!" + +She bent downward. Though in the darkness he could not see her face, +the tensity of her tone told him her eyes were flashing. + +"Mr. Bruce," she said with slow emphasis, "if you do not loosen that +rein, this second, I give you my word I shall never see you, never +speak to you again." + +"All right, but I shall not let you make a fool of yourself," he cried +with fierce dominance. "You've got to yield to sense, even though I +use force on you." + +She did not answer. Swiftly she reversed her riding crop and with all +her strength brought its heavy end down upon his wrist. + +"Nelly!" she ordered sharply, and in the same instant struck the +horse. The animal lunged free from Bruce's benumbed grasp, and sprang +forward into a gallop. + +"Good night!" she called back to him. + +He shouted a reply; his voice came to her faintly, wrathful and +defiant, but his words were whirled away upon the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +POLITICS MAKE STRANGE BED-FELLOWS + + +She quieted Nelly into a canter, made her way through the soundly +sleeping back streets, and at length emerged from the city and +descended into the River Road, which was slightly shorter than +Grayson's Pike which led over the high back country to The Sycamores. +She knew what Nelly could do, and she settled the mare down into the +fastest pace she could hold for the eleven miles before her. + +Katherine was aquiver with suspense, one moment with hopeful +expectation, the next with fear that her deductions were all awry. +Perhaps Blake had not gone out to meet a confederate. And if he had, +perhaps The Sycamores was not the rendezvous. But if her deductions +were correct, who was this secret ally? Would she be able to approach +them near enough to discover his identity? And would she be able to +learn the exact outlines of the plot that was afoot? If so, what would +it all prove to be? + +Such questions and doubts galloped madly through her mind. The storm +grew momently in fierceness. The water and fury of three months of +withheld storms were spending themselves upon the earth in one violent +outburst. The wind cracked her skirt like a whip-lash, and whined and +snarled and roared among the trees. The rain drove at her in maddened +sheets, found every opening in her raincoat, and soon she was as wet +as though dropped in the river yonder. The night was as black as the +interior of a camera, save when--as by the opening of a snapshot +shutter--an instantaneous view of the valley was fixed on Katherine's +startled brain by the lightning ripping in fiery fissures down the +sky. Then she saw the willows bending and whipping in the wind, saw +the gnarled old sycamores wrestling with knotted muscles, saw the +broad river writhing and tossing its swollen and yellow waters. Then, +blackness again--and, like the closing click of this world-wide +camera, there followed a world-shaking crash of thunder. + +Katherine would have been terrified but for the stimulant within. She +crouched low upon her horse, held a close rein, petted Nelly, talked +to her and kept her going at her best--onward--onward--onward--through +the covered wooden bridge that spanned Buck Creek--through the little +old village of Sleepy Eye--up Red Man's Ridge--and at last, battered, +buffeted, half-drowned, she and Nelly drew up at the familiar stone +gateway of The Sycamores. + +She dismounted, led Nelly in and tied her among the beeches away from +the drive. Then cautiously, palpitantly, she groped her way in the +direction of the Blake cabin, avoiding the open lest the lightning +should betray her presence. At length she came to the edge of a +cleared space in which she knew the cabin stood. But she could see +nothing. The cabin was just a cube of blackness imbedded in this great +blackness which was the night. She peered intently for a lighted +window; she listened for the lesser thunder of a waiting automobile. +But she could see nothing but the dark, hear nothing but the dash of +the rain, the rumble of the thunder, the lashing and shrieking of the +wind. + +Her heart sank. No one was here. Her guesses all were wrong. + +But she crept toward the house, following the drive. Suddenly, she +almost collided with a big, low object. She reached forth a hand. It +fell upon the tire of an automobile. She peered forward and seemed to +see another low shape. She went toward it and felt. It was a second +car. + +She dashed back among the trees, and thus sheltered from the revealing +glare of the lightning, almost choking with excitement, she began to +circle the house for signs which would locate in what room were the +men within. She paused before each side and peered closely at it, but +each side in turn presented only blackness, till she came to the lee +of the house. + +This, too, was dark for the first moment. Then in a lower window, +which she knew to be the window of Blake's den, two dull red points of +light appeared--glowed--subsided--glowed again--then vanished. A +minute later one reappeared, then the other; and after the slow rise +and fall and rise of the glow, once more went out. She stood rigid, +wondering at the phenomenon. Then suddenly she realized that within +were two lighted cigars. + +Bending low, she scurried across the open space and crouched beside +the window. Luckily it had been opened to let some fresh air into the +long-closed room. And luckily this was the lee of the house and the +beat of the storm sounded less loudly here, so that their voices +floated dimly out to her. This lee was also a minor blessing, for +Katherine's poor, wet, shivering body now had its first protection +from the storm. + +Tense, hardly breathing, with all five senses converged into hearing, +she stood flattened against the wall and strained to catch their +every word. One voice was plainly Blake's. The other had a faintly +familiar quality, though she could not place it. This second man had +evidently come late, for their conversation was of a preliminary, +beating-around-the-bush character--about the fierceness of the storm, +and the additional security it lent their meeting. + +Katherine searched her memory for the owner of this second voice. She +had thought at first of Doctor Sherman, but this voice had not a tone +in common with the young clergyman's clear, well-modulated baritone. +This was a peculiar, bland, good-natured drawl. She had not heard it +often, but she had unmistakably heard it. As she ransacked her memory +it grew increasingly familiar, yet still eluded her. Then, all of a +sudden, she knew it, and she stood amazed. + +The second voice was the voice of Blind Charlie Peck. + +Katherine was well acquainted with the secret bi-partisan arrangement +common in so many American cities, by which the righteous voter is +deluded into believing that there are two parties contending for the +privilege of giving him their best service, whereas in reality the two +are one, secretly allied because as a political trust they can most +economically and profitably despoil the people. Her first thought was +that these ancient enemies, who for ten years had belaboured one +another with such a realistic show of bitterness upon the political +stage of Westville, had all along been friends and partners behind +the scenes. But of this idea she was presently disillusioned. + +"Well, Mr. Blake, let's get down to business," Blind Charlie's voice +floated out to her. "You've had a day to think over my proposition. +Now what have you got to say to it?" + +There was a brief silence. When Blake did speak, Katherine could +discern in his repressed tone a keen aversion for his companion. + +"My position is the same as last night. What you say is all guesswork. +There is nothing in it." + +Blind Charlie's voice was soft--purringly soft. + +"Then why didn't you ask me to go to hell, and stay at home instead of +coming out here?" + +There was again a short silence. + +"Come now," the soft voice persuaded, "let's don't go over what we did +last night. I know I'm right." + +"I tell you you're only guessing," Blake doggedly returned. "You +haven't a scrap of proof." + +"I don't need proof, when I'm certain about a thing," gently returned +the voice of Blind Charlie. "I've been in politics for forty-eight +years--ever since I was nineteen, when I cast my first vote. I've got +sharpened up considerable in that time, and while I haven't been in +on much in the last ten years, I can still smell a fat deal clean +across the state. For the last three months I've been smelling, and +smelling it keener every day, that you've got a rich game going." + +"And so"--rather sarcastically--"you set Bruce on, to try to run the +game down!" + +"Well, I would use a little different figure of speech," returned +Blind Charlie smoothly. "When I've got a coon up a hollow tree I build +a fire in the hollow to bring him down. Bruce is my fire." + +"And you think your coon is coming down?" + +"I rather think he is. Don't you?" + +"Well, I tell you he's not! For there's no coon up the tree!" + +"I see I've got to state the thing to you again," said Blind Charlie +patiently, and so softly that Katherine had to strain her utmost to +get his words. "When I grew sure you had a big deal on about the +water-works, I saw that the only way to force you to let me in was to +put you in a fix where you would either have to split up or be in +danger of losing the whole thing. So I nominated Bruce. He's one of +the easiest I ever took in; but, I tell you, he is certainly one hell +of a fighter! That's what I nominated him for. You know as well as I +do the way he's swinging the voters round. It beats anything I've ever +seen. If he keeps this up till election, and if I pull off a couple +of good tricks I've got all ready, he'll be a winner, sure! And +now"--Blind Charlie's purring voice thrust out its claws--"either I +put Bruce in and smash your deal till it's not worth a damn, or else +you come across!" + +"There's nothing in it, I tell you!" declared Blake. + +"There's no use keeping up that pretence," continued Blind Charlie. +"You've had a day to think over my proposition. You know perfectly +well what your choice is between: a sure thing if you divide with me, +the risk of nothing if you refuse. So let's waste no more time. Come, +which is it?" + +There was a long silence. + +"I understand," commented Blind Charlie, with a soft sympathy that +Katherine knew was meant to bite like acid. "It's hard for a +respectable man like you to mix up with Charlie Peck. But political +business makes strange bed-fellows, and unless you're willing to sleep +with almost anybody you'd better keep out of this kind of business +altogether. But after all," he added, "I guess it's better to share a +good bed than to have no bed at all." + +"What do you want?" Blake asked huskily. + +"Only my share of the bed," blandly returned Blind Charlie. + +"What's that, in plain words?" + +"Not much. Only half of what you're going to make." + +Blake exploded. + +"Damn you, Peck, you're nothing but a damned blackmailer!" + +"All right, I agree to that," said Blind Charlie. Then he added in his +soft voice: "But if I'm a blackmailer in this affair, then please, Mr. +Blake, what do you call yourself?" + +"You--you----" To the crouching figure outside the window Blake seemed +to be half-choking. But suddenly he exploded again. "I'll not do it, +Peck! I'll not do it--never while God's earth stands!" + +"I guess you will, Blake!" Blind Charlie's voice was no longer soft; +it had a slow, grating, crunching sound. "Damn your soul, you've been +acting toward me with your holier-than-thou reformer's attitude for +ten years. D'you think I'm a man to swallow that quietly? D'you think +I haven't had it in for you all those ten years? Why, there hasn't +been a minute that I haven't been looking for my chance. And at last +I've got it! I've not only got a line on this water-works business, +but I've found out all about your pretty little deal with Adamson +during the last months you were Lieutenant-Governor!" + +"Adamson!" ejaculated Blake. + +"Yes, Adamson!" went on the harsh voice of Blind Charlie. "That hits +you where you live, eh! You didn't know I had it, did you? Well, I +didn't till to-day--but I've got it now all right! There, my cards are +all on the table. Look 'em over. I don't want Bruce elected any more +than you do; but either you do what I say, or by God I turn over to +Bruce all I know about the Adamson affair and all I know about this +water-works deal! Now I give you just one minute to decide!" + +Katherine breathlessly awaited the answer. A space passed. She heard +Blind Charlie stand up. + +"Time's up! Good night--and to hell with you!" + +"Wait! Wait!" Blake cried. + +"Then you accept?" + +Blake's voice shook. "Before I answer, what do you want?" + +"I've already told you. Half of what you get." + +"But I'm to get very little." + +"Very little!" Blind Charlie's voice was ironical; it had dropped its +tone of crushing menace. "Very little! Now I figure that you'll get +the water-works for a third, or less, of their value. That'll give you +something like half a million at the start-off, not to speak of the +regular profits later on. Now as for me," he concluded drily, "I +wouldn't call that such a very little sum that I'd kick it out of my +way if I saw it lying in the road." + +"But no such sum is lying there." + +"No? Then what do you get?" + +Blake did not answer. + +"Come, speak out!" + +Blake's voice came with an effort. + +"I'm not doing this for myself." + +"Then who for?" + +Blake hesitated, then again spoke with an effort. + +"The National Electric & Water Company." + +Blind Charlie swore in his surprise. + +"But I reckon you're not doing it for them for charity?" + +"No." + +"Well, what for?" + +Blake again remained silent. + +"Come, what for?" impatiently demanded Charlie. + +"For a seat in the Senate." + +"That's no good to me. What else?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars." + +"The devil! Is that all?" ejaculated Blind Charlie. + +"Everything." + +Blind Charlie swore to himself for a moment. Then he fell into a deep +silence. + +"Well, what's the matter?" Blake presently inquired. + +"I was just wondering," replied Blind Charlie, slowly, "if it wouldn't +be better to call this business off between you and me." + +"Call it off?" + +"Yes. I never imagined you were playing for such a little pile as +fifty thousand. Since there's only fifty thousand in it"--his voice +suddenly rang out with vindictive triumph--"I was wondering if it +wouldn't pay me better to use what I know to help elect Bruce." + +"Elect Bruce?" cried Blake in consternation. + +"Exactly. Show you up, and elect Bruce," said Blind Charlie coolly. +"To elect my mayor--there's more than fifty thousand for me in that." + +There was a dismayed silence on Blake's part. But after a moment he +recovered himself, and this time it was his voice that had the note of +ascendency. + +"You are forgetting one point, Mr. Peck," said he. + +"Yes?" + +"Bruce's election will not mean a cent to you. You will get no +offices. Moreover, the control of your party machinery will be sure to +pass from you to him." + +"You're right," said the old man promptly. "See how quick I am to +acknowledge the corn. However, after all," he added philosophically, +"what you're getting is really enough for two. You take the +senatorship, and I'll take the fifty thousand. What do you say to +that?" + +"What about Bruce--if I accept?" + +"Bruce? Bruce is just a fire to smoke the coon out. When the coon +comes down, I put out the fire." + +"You mean?" + +"I mean that I'll see that Bruce don't get elected." + +"You'll make sure about that?" + +"Oh, you just leave Bruce to me!" said Blind Charlie with grim +confidence. "And now, do you accept?" + +Blake was silent. He still shrunk from this undesirable alliance. +Outside, Katherine again breathlessly hung upon his answer. + +"What do you say?" demanded the old man sharply. "Do you accept? Or do +I smash you?" + +"I accept--of course." + +"And we'll see this thing through together?" + +"Yes." + +"Then here you are. Let's shake on it." + +They talked on, dwelling on details of their partnership, Katherine +missing never a word. + +At length, their agreement completed, they left the room, and +Katherine slipped from the window across into the trees and made such +haste as she could through the night and the storm to where she had +left her horse. She heard one car go slowly out the entrance of the +grove, its lamps dark that its visit might not be betrayed, and she +heard it turn cautiously into the back-country road. After a little +while she saw a glare shoot out before the car--its lamps had been +lighted--and she saw it skim rapidly away. Soon the second car crept +out, took the high back-country pike, and repeated the same tactics. + +Then Katherine untied Nelly, mounted, and started slowly homeward +along the River Road. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THROUGH THE STORM + + +Bowed low to shield herself against the ever fiercer buffets of the +storm, Katherine gave Nelly free rein to pick her own way at her own +pace through the blackness. The rain volleyed into her pitilessly, the +wind sought furiously to wrest her from the saddle, the lightning +cracked open the heavens into ever more fiery chasms, and the thunder +rattled and rolled and reverberated as though a thousand battles were +waging in the valley. It was as if the earth's dissolution were at +hand--as if the long-gathered wrath of the Judgment Day were rending +the earth asunder and hurling the fragments afar into the black abysm +of eternity. + +But Katherine, though gasping and shivering, gave minor heed to this +elemental rage. Whatever terror she might have felt another time at +such a storm, her brain had now small room for it. She was exultantly +filled with the magnitude of her discovery. The water-works deal! The +National Electric & Water Company! Bruce not a bona fide candidate at +all, but only a pistol at Blake's head to make him stand and deliver! +Blake and Blind Charlie--those two whole-hearted haters, who +belaboured each other so valiantly before the public--in a secret pact +to rob that same dear public! + +At the highest moments of her exultation it seemed that victory was +already hers; that all that remained was to proclaim to Westville on +the morrow what she knew. But beneath all her exultation was a dim +realization that the victory itself was yet to be won. What she had +gained was only a fuller knowledge of who her enemies were, and what +were their purposes. + +Her mind raced about her discovery, seeking how to use it as the basis +of her own campaign. But the moment of an extensive and astounding +discovery is not the moment for the evolving of well-calculated plans; +so the energies of her mind were spent on extravagant dreams or the +leaping play of her jubilation. + +One decision, however, she did reach. That was concerning Bruce. Her +first impulse was to go to him and tell him all, in triumphant +refutation of his ideas concerning woman in general, and her futility +in particular. But as she realized that she was not at the end of her +fight, but only at a better-informed beginning, she saw that the day +of her triumph over him, if ever it was to come, had at least not yet +arrived. As for admitting him into her full confidence, her woman's +pride was still too strong for that. It held her to her determination +to tell him nothing. She was going to see this thing through without +him. + +Moreover, she had another reason for silence. She feared, if she told +him all, his impetuous nature might prompt him to make a premature +disclosure of the information, and that would be disastrous to her +future plans. But since he was vitally concerned in Blake's and Peck's +agreement, it was at least his due that he be warned; and so she +decided to tell him, without giving her source of information, that +Blind Charlie proposed to sell him out. + +Nelly's pace had slowed into a walk, and even then the gale at times +almost swept the poor horse staggering from the road. The rain drove +down in ever denser sheets. The occasional flashes of lightning served +only to emphasize the blackness. So dense was it, it seemed a solid. +The world could not seem blacker to a toad in the heart of a stone. +The instants of crackling fire showed Katherine the river, below her +in the valley, leaping, surging, almost out of its banks--the trees, +writhing and wrestling, here and there one jaggedly discrowned. And +once, as she was crossing a little wooden bridge that spanned a +creek, she saw that it was almost afloat--and for an instant of +terror she wished she had followed the higher back-country road taken +by the two automobiles. + +She had reached the foot of Red Man's Ridge, and was winding along the +river's verge, when she thought she heard her name sound faintly +through the storm. She stopped Nelly and sat in sudden stiffness, +straining her ears. Again the voice sounded, this time nearer, and +there was no mistaking her name. + +"Miss West! Katherine!" + +She sat rigid, almost choking. The next minute a shapeless figure +almost collided with Nelly. It eagerly caught the bridle-rein and +called out huskily: + +"Is that you, Miss West?" + +She let out a startled cry. + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"It's you! Thank God, I've found you!" cried the voice. + +"Arnold Bruce!" she ejaculated. + +He loosened the rein and moved to her side and put his hand upon the +back of her saddle. + +"Thank God I've found you!" he repeated, with a strange quaver to his +voice. + +"Arnold Bruce! What are you doing here?" + +"Didn't you hear me shout after you, when you started, that I was +coming, too?" + +"I heard your voice, but not what you said." + +"Do you think I would let you go out alone on a night like this?" he +demanded in his unstrung tone. "It's no night for a man to be out, +much less a woman!" + +"You mean--you followed me?" + +"What else did you think I'd do?" + +"And on foot?" + +"If I had stopped to get a horse I'd have lost your direction. So I +ran after you." + +They were moving on now, his hand upon the back of her saddle to link +them together in the darkness. He had to lean close to her that their +voices might be heard above the storm. + +"And you have run after me all this way?" + +"Ran and walked. But I couldn't make much headway in the +storm--Calling out to you every few steps. I didn't know what might +have happened to you. All kinds of pictures were in my mind. You might +have been thrown and be lying hurt. In the darkness the horse might +have wandered off the road and slipped with you into the river. It +was--it was----" She felt the strong forearm that lay against her back +quiver violently. "Oh, why did you do it!" he burst out. + +A strange, warm tingling crept through her. + +"I--I----" Something seemed to choke her. + +"Oh, why did you do it!" he repeated. + +Contrary to her determination of but a little while ago, an impulse +surged up in her to tell him all she had just learned, to tell him all +her plans. She hung for a moment in indecision. Then her old attitude, +her old determination, resumed its sway. + +"I had a suspicion that I might learn something about father's case," +she said. + +"It was foolishness!" he cried in fierce reproof, yet with the same +unnerved quaver in his voice. "You should have known you could find +nothing on such a night as this!" + +She felt half an impulse to retort sharply with the truth. But the +thought of his stumbling all that way in the blackness subdued her +rising impulse to triumph over him. So she made no reply at all. + +"You should never have come! If, when you started, you had stopped +long enough for me to speak to you, I could have told you you would +not have found out anything. You did not, now did you?" + +She still kept silent. + +"I knew you did not!" he cried in exasperated triumph. "Admit the +truth--you know you did not!" + +"I did not learn everything I had hoped." + +"Don't be afraid to acknowledge the truth!" + +"You remember what I said when you were first offered the nomination +by Mr. Peck--to beware of him?" + +"Yes. You were wrong. But let's not talk about that now!" + +"I am certain now that I was right. I have the best of reasons for +believing that Mr. Peck intends to sell you out." + +"What reasons?" + +She hesitated a moment. + +"I cannot give them to you--now. But I tell you I am certain he is +planning treachery." + +"Your talk is wild. As wild as your ride out here to-night." + +"But I tell you----" + +"Let's talk no more about it now," he interrupted, brushing the matter +aside. "It--it doesn't interest me now." + +There was a blinding glare of lightning, then an awful clap of thunder +that rattled in wild echoes down the valley. + +"Oh, why did you come?" he cried, pressing closer. "Why did you come? +It's enough to kill a woman!" + +"Hardly," said she. + +"But you're wet through," he protested. + +"And so are you." + +"Have my coat." And he started to slip it off. + +"No. One more wet garment won't make me any drier." + +"Then put it over your head. To keep off this awful beat of the storm. +I'll lead your horse." + +"No, thank you; I'm all right," she said firmly, putting out a hand +and checking his motion to uncoat himself. "You've been walking. I've +been riding. You need it more than I do." And then she added: "Did I +hurt you much?" + +"Hurt me?" + +"When I struck you with my crop." + +"That? I'd forgotten that." + +"I'm very sorry--if I hurt you." + +"It's nothing. I wish you'd take my coat. Bend lower down." And moving +forward, he so placed himself that his broad, strong body was a +partial shield to her against the gale. + +This new concern for her, the like of which he had never before +evinced the faintest symptoms, begot in her a strange, tingling, but +blurred emotion. They moved on side by side, now without speech, +gasping for the very breath that the gale sought to tear away from +their lips. The storm was momently gaining power and fury. Afterward +the ancient weather-men of Calloway County were to say that in their +time they had never seen its like. The lightning split the sky into +even more fearsome fiery chasms, and in the moments of wild +illumination they could see the road gullied by scores of impromptu +rivulets, could glimpse the broad river billowing and raging, the +cattle huddling terrified in the pastures, the woods swaying and +writhing in deathlike grapple. The wind hurled by them in a thousand +moods and tones, all angry; a fine, high shrieking on its topmost +note--a hoarse snarl--a lull, as though the straining monster were +pausing to catch its breath--then a roaring, sweeping onrush as if +bent on irresistible destruction. And on top of this glare, this rage, +was the thousandfold crackle, rattle, rumble of the thunder. + +At such a time wild beasts, with hostility born in their blood, draw +close together. It was a storm to resolve, as it were, all complex +shades of human feeling into their elementary colours--when fear and +hate and love stand starkly forth, unqualified, unblended. Without +being aware that she was observing, Katherine sensed that Bruce's +agitation was mounting with the storm. And as she felt his quivering +presence beside her in the furious darkness, her own emotion surged up +with a wild and startling strength. + +A tree top snapped off just before them with its toy thunder. + +"Will this never stop!" gasped Bruce, huskily. "God, I wish I had you +safe home!" + +The tremulous tensity in his voice set her heart to leaping with an +unrestraint yet wilder. But she did not answer. + +Suddenly Nelly stumbled in a gully and Katherine pitched forward from +the saddle. She would have fallen, had not a pair of strong arms +closed about her in mid-air. + +"Katherine--Katherine!" Bruce cried, distracted. Nelly righted herself +and Katherine regained her seat, but Bruce still kept his arm about +her. "Tell me--are you hurt?" he demanded. + +She felt the arms around her trembling with intensity. + +"No," she said with a strange choking. + +"Oh, Katherine--Katherine!" he burst out. "If you only knew how I love +you!" + +What she felt could not crystallize itself into words. + +"Do you love me?" he asked huskily. + +Just then there was a flash of lightning. It showed her his upturned +face, appealing, tender, passion-wrought. A wild, exultant thrill +swept through her. Without thinking, without speaking, her tingling +arm reached out, of its own volition as it were, and closed about his +neck, and she bent down and kissed him. + +"Katherine!" he breathed hoarsely. "Katherine!" And he crushed her +convulsively to him. + +She lay thrilled in his arms.... After a minute they moved on, his arm +about her waist, her arm about his neck. Rain, wind, thunder were +forgotten. Forgotten were their theories of life. For that hour the +man and woman in them were supremely happy. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE CUP OF BLISS + + +The next morning Katherine lay abed in that delicious lassitude which +is the compound of complete exhaustion and of a happiness that tingles +through every furthermost nerve. And as she lay there she thought +dazedly of the miracle that had come to pass. She had not even guessed +that she was in love with Arnold Bruce. In fact, she had been +resisting her growing admiration for him, and the day before she could +hardly have told whether her liking was greater than her hostility. +Then, suddenly, out there in the storm, all complex counter-feelings +had been swept side, and she had been revealed to herself. + +She was tremulously, tumultuously happy. She had had likings for men +before, but she had never guessed that love was such a mighty, +exultant thing as this. But, as she lay there, the thoughts that had +never come to her in the storm out there on the River Road, slipped +into her mind. Into her exultant, fearful, dizzy happiness there crept +a fear of the future. She clung with all her soul to the ideas of the +life she wished to live; she knew that he, in all sincerity, was +militantly opposed to those ideas. Difference in religious belief had +brought bitterness, tragedy even, into the lives of many a pair of +lovers. The difference in their case was no less firmly held to on +either side, and she realized that the day must come when their ideas +must clash, when they two must fight it out. Quivering with love +though she was, she could but look forward to that inevitable day with +fear. + +But there were too many other new matters tossing in her brain for her +to dwell long upon this dread. At times she could but smile +whimsically at the perversity of love. The little god was doubtless +laughing in impish glee at what he had brought about. She had always +thought in a vague way that she would sometime marry, but she had +always regarded it as a matter of course that the man she would fall +in love with would be one in thorough sympathy with her ideas and who +would help her realize her dream. And here she had fallen in love with +that dreamed-of man's exact antithesis! + +And yet, as she thought of Arnold Bruce, she could not imagine herself +loving any other man in all the world. + +Love gave her a new cause for jubilation over her last night's +discovery. Victory, should she win it, and win it before election, had +now an added value--it would help the man she loved. But as she +thought over her discovery, she realized that while she might create a +scandal with it, it was not sufficient evidence nor the particular +evidence that she desired. Blake and Peck would both deny the meeting, +and against Blake's denial her word would count for nothing, either in +court or before the people of Westville. And she could not be present +at another conference with two or three witnesses, for the pair had +last night settled all matters and had agreed that it would be +unnecessary to meet again. Her discovery, she perceived more clearly +than on the night before, was not so much evidence as the basis for a +more enlightened and a more hopeful investigation. + +Another matter, one that had concerned her little while Bruce had held +but a dubious place in her esteem, now flashed into her mind and +assumed a large importance. The other party, as she knew, was using +Bruce's friendship for her as a campaign argument against him; not on +the platform of course--it never gained that dignity--but in the +street, and wherever the followers of the hostile camps engaged in +political skirmish. Its sharpest use was by good housewives, with whom +suffrage could be exercised solely by influencing their husbands' +ballots. "What, vote for Mr. Bruce! Don't you know he's a friend of +that woman lawyer? A man who can see anything in that Katherine West +is no fit man for mayor!" + +All this talk, Katherine now realized, was in some degree injuring +Bruce's candidacy. With a sudden pain at the heart she now demanded of +herself, would it be fair to the man she loved to continue this open +intimacy? Should not she, for his best interests, urge him, require +him, to see her no more? + +She was in the midst of this new problem, when her Aunt Rachel brought +her in a telegram. She read it through, and on the instant the problem +fled her mind. She lay and thought excitedly--hour after hour--and her +old plans altered where they had been fixed, and took on definite form +where previously they had been unsettled. + +The early afternoon found her in the office of old Hosie +Hollingsworth. + +"What do you think of that?" she demanded, handing him the telegram. + +Old Hosie read it with a puzzled look. Then slowly he repeated it +aloud: + +"'Bouncing boy arrived Tuesday morning. All doing well. John.'" He +raised his eyes to Katherine. "I'm always glad to see people lend the +census a helping hand," he drawled. "But who in Old Harry is John?" + +"Mr. Henry Manning. The New York detective I told you about." + +"Eh? Then what----" + +"It's a cipher telegram," Katherine explained with an excited smile. +"It means that he will arrive in Westville this afternoon, and will +stay as long as I need him." + +"But what should he send that sort of a fool thing for?" + +"Didn't I tell you that he and I are to have no apparent relations +whatever? An ordinary telegram, coming through that gossiping Mr. +Gordon at the telegraph office, would have given us away. Now I've +come to you to talk over with you some new plans for Mr. Manning. But +first I want to tell you something else." + +She briefly outlined what she had learned the night before; and then, +without waiting to hear out his ejaculations, rapidly continued: "I +told Mr. Manning to come straight to you, on his arrival, to learn how +matters stood. All my communications to him, and his to me, are to be +through you. Tell him everything, including about last night." + +"And what is he to do?" + +"I was just coming to that." Her brown eyes were gleaming with +excitement. "Here's my plan. It seems to me that if Blind Charlie Peck +could force his way into Mr. Blake's scheme and become a partner in +it, then Mr. Manning can, too." + +Old Hosie blinked. + +"Eh? Eh? How?" + +"You are to tell Mr. Manning that he is Mr. Hartsell, or whoever he +pleases, a real estate dealer from the East, and that his ostensible +business in Westville is to invest in farm lands. Buying in run-down +or undrained farms at a low price and putting them in good condition, +that's a profitable business these days. Besides, since you are an +agent for farm lands, that will explain his relations with you. +Understand?" + +"Yes. What next?" + +"Secretly, he is to go around studying the water-works. Only not so +secretly that he won't be noticed." + +"But what's that for?" + +"Buying farm land is only a blind to hide his real business," she went +on rapidly. "His real business here is to look into the condition of +the water-works with a view to buying them in. He is a private agent +of Seymour & Burnett; you remember I am empowered to buy the system +for Mr. Seymour. When Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck discover that a man is +secretly examining the water-works--and they'll discover it all right; +when they discover that this man is the agent of Mr. Seymour, with all +the Seymour millions behind him--and we'll see that they discover +that, too--don't you see that when they make these discoveries this +may set them to thinking, and something may happen?" + +"I don't just see it yet," said Old Hosie slowly, "but it sounds like +there might be something mighty big there." + +"When Mr. Blake learns there is another secret buyer in the field, a +rival buyer ready and able to run the price up to three times what he +expects to pay--why, he'll see danger of his whole plan going to ruin. +Won't his natural impulse be, rather than run such a risk, to try to +take the new man in?--just as he took in Blind Charlie Peck?" + +"I see! I see!" exclaimed Old Hosie. "By George, it's mighty clever! +Then what next?" + +"I can't see that far. But with Mr. Manning on the inside, our case is +won." + +Old Hosie leaned forward. + +"It's great! Great! If you're not above shaking hands with a mere +man----" + +"Now don't make fun of me," she cried, gripping the bony old palm. + +"And while you're quietly turning this little trick," he chuckled, +"the Honourable Harrison Blake will be carefully watching every move +of Elijah Stone, the best hippopotamus in the sleuth business, and be +doing right smart of private snickering at the simplicity of +womankind." + +She flushed, but added soberly: + +"Of course it's only a plan, and it may not work at all." + +They talked the scheme over in detail. At length, shortly before the +hour at which the afternoon express from the East was due to arrive, +Katherine retired to her own office. Half an hour later, looking down +from her window, she saw the old surrey of Mr. Huggins' draw up beside +the curb, in it a quietly dressed, middle-aged passenger who had the +appearance of a solid man of affairs. He crossed the sidewalk and a +little later Katherine heard him enter Old Hosie's office on the floor +below. After a time she saw the stranger go out and drive around the +Square to the Tippecanoe House, Peck's hotel, where Katherine had +directed that Mr. Manning be sent to facilitate his being detected by +the enemy. + +Her plan laid, Katherine saw there was little she could do but await +developments--and in the meantime to watch Blake, which Mr. Mannings' +role would not permit his doing, and to watch and study Doctor +Sherman. Despite this new plan, and her hopes in it, she realized that +it was primarily a plan to defeat Blake's scheme against the city. She +still considered Doctor Sherman the pivotal character in her father's +case; he was her father's accuser, the man who, she believed more +strongly every day, could clear him with a few explanatory words. So +she determined to watch him none the less closely because of her new +plan--to keep her eyes upon him for signs that might show his +relations to Blake's scheme--to watch for signs of the breaking of his +nerve, and at the first sign to pounce accusingly upon him. + +When she reached home that afternoon she found Bruce awaiting her. +Since morning, mixed with her palpitating love and her desire to see +him, there had been dread of this meeting. In the back of her mind the +question had all day tormented her, should she, for his own interests, +send him away? But sharper than this, sharper a hundredfold, was the +fear lest the difference between their opinions should come up. + +But Bruce showed no inclination to approach this difference. Love was +too new and near a thing for him to wander from the present. For this +delay she was fervently grateful, and forgetful of all else she leaned +back in a big old walnut chair and abandoned herself completely to her +happiness, which might perhaps be all too brief. They talked of a +thousand things--talk full of mutual confession: of their former +hostility, of what it was that had drawn their love to one another, of +last night out in the storm. The spirits of both ran high. Their joy, +as first joy should be, was sparkling, effervescent. + +After a time she sat in silence for several moments, smiling +half-tenderly, half-roguishly, into his rugged, square-hewed face, +with its glinting glasses and its _chevaux de frise_ of bristling +hair. + +"Well," he demanded, "what are you thinking about?" + +"I was thinking what very bad eyes I have." + +"Bad eyes?" + +"Yes. For up to yesterday I always considered you----But perhaps you +are thin-skinned about some matters?" + +"Me thin-skinned? I've got the epidermis of a crocodile!" + +"Well, then--up to yesterday I always thought you--but you're sure you +won't mind?" + +"I tell you I'm so thick-skinned that it meets in the middle!" + +"Well, then, till yesterday I always thought you rather ugly." + +"Glory be! Eureka! Excelsior!" + +"Then you don't mind?" + +"Mind?" cried he. "Did you think that I thought I was pretty?" + +"I didn't know," she replied with her provoking, happy smile, "for men +are such conceited creatures." + +"I'm not authorized to speak for the rest, but I'm certainly +conceited," he returned promptly. "For I've always believed myself one +of the ugliest animals in the whole human menagerie. And at last my +merits are recognized." + +"But I said 'till yesterday'," she corrected. "Since then, somehow, +your face seems to have changed." + +"Changed?" + +"Yes. I think you are growing rather good-looking." Behind her happy +raillery was a tone of seriousness. + +"Good-looking? Me good-looking? And that's the way you dash my hopes!" + +"Yes, sir. Good-looking." + +"Woman, you don't know what sorrow is in those words you spoke! Just +to think," he said mournfully, "that all my life I've fondled the +belief that when I was made God must have dropped the clay while it +was still wet." + +"I'm sorry----" + +"Don't try to comfort me. The blow's too heavy." He slowly shook his +head. "I never loved a dear gazelle----" + +"Oh, I don't mean the usual sort of good-looking," she consoled him. +"But good-looking like an engine, or a crag, or a mountain." + +"Well, at any rate," he said with solemn resignation, "it's something +to know the particular type of beauty that I am." + +Suddenly they both burst into merry laughter. + +"But I'm really in earnest," she protested. "For you really are +good-looking!" + +He leaned forward, caught her two hands in his powerful grasp and +almost crushed his lips against them. + +"Perhaps it's just as well you don't mind my face, dear," he +half-whispered, "for, you know, you're going to see a lot of it." + +She flushed, and her whole being seemed to swim in happiness. They did +not speak for a time; and she sat gazing with warm, luminous eyes into +his rugged, determined face, now so soft, so tender. + +But suddenly her look became very grave, for the question of the +morning had recurred to her. Should she not give him up? + +"May I speak about something serious?" she asked with an effort. +"Something very serious?" + +"About anything in the world!" said he. + +"It's something I was thinking about this morning, and all day," she +said. "I'm afraid I haven't been very thoughtful of you. And I'm +afraid you haven't been very thoughtful of yourself." + +"How?" + +"We've been together quite often of late." + +"Not often enough!" + +"But often enough to set people talking." + +"Let 'em talk!" + +"But you must remember----" + +"Let's stop their tongues," he interrupted. + +"How?" + +"By announcing our engagement." He gripped her hands. "For we are +engaged, aren't we?" + +"I--I don't know," she breathed. + +"Don't know?" He stared at her. "Why, you're white as a sheet! You're +not in earnest?" + +"Yes." + +"What does this mean?" + +"I--I had started to tell you. You must remember that I am an +unpopular person, and that in my father I am representing an unpopular +man. And you must remember that you are candidate for mayor." + +He had begun to get her drift. + +"Well?" + +"Well, I am afraid our being together will lessen your chances. And I +don't want to do anything in the world that will injure you." + +"Then you think----" + +"I think--I think"--she spoke with difficulty--"we should stop seeing +each other." + +"For my sake?" + +"Yes." + +He bent nearer and looked her piercingly in the eyes. + +"But for your own sake?" he demanded. + +She did not speak. + +"But for your own sake?" he persisted. + +"For my sake--for my sake----" Half-choked, she broke off. + +"Honest now? Honest?" + +She did not realize till that moment all it would mean to her to see +him no more. + +"For my own sake----" Suddenly her hands tightened about his and she +pressed them to her face. "For my sake--never! never!" + +"And do you think that I----" He gathered her into his strong arms. +"Let them talk!" he breathed passionately against her cheek. "We'll +win the town in spite of it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE CANDIDATE AND THE TIGER + + +The town's talk continued, as Katherine knew it would. But though she +resented it in Bruce's behalf, it was of small importance in her +relationship with him compared with the difference in their opinions. +She was in constant fear, every time he called, lest that difference +should come up. But it did not on the next day, nor on the next. He +was too full of love on the one hand, too full of his political fight +on the other. The more she saw of him the more she loved him, so +thoroughly fine, so deeply tender, was he--and the more did she dread +that avoidless day when their ideas must come into collision, so +masterful was he, so certain that he was right. + +On the fourth evening after their stormy ride she thought the +collision was at hand. + +"There is something serious I want to speak to you about," he began, +as they sat in the old-fashioned parlour. "You know what the storm has +done to the city water. It has washed all the summer's accumulation of +filth down into the streams that feed the reservoir, and since the +filtering plant is out of commission the water has been simply +abominable. The people are complaining louder than ever. Blake and the +rest of his crew are telling the public that this water is a sample of +what everything will be like if I'm elected. It's hurting me, and +hurting me a lot. I don't blame the people so much for being +influenced by what Blake says, for, of course, they don't know what's +going on beneath the surface. But I've got to make some kind of a +reply, and a mighty strong one, too. Now here's where I want you to +help me." + +"What can I do?" she asked. + +"If I could only tell the truth--what a regular knock-out of a reply +that would be!" he exclaimed. "Some time ago you told me to wait--you +expected to have the proof a little later. Do you have any idea how +soon you will have your evidence?" + +Again she felt the impulse to tell him all she knew and all her plans. +But a medley of motives worked together to restrain her. There was the +momentum of her old decision to keep silent. There was the knowledge +that, though he loved her as a woman, he still held her in low esteem +as a lawyer. There was the instinct that what she knew, if saved, +might in some way serve her when they two fought their battle. And +there was the thrilling dream of waiting till she had all her evidence +gathered and then bringing it triumphantly to him--and thus enable him +through her to conquer. + +"I'm afraid I can't give you the proof for a while yet," she replied. + +She saw that he was impatient at the delay, that he believed she would +discover nothing. She expected the outbreak that very instant. She +expected him to demand that she turn the case over to the Indianapolis +lawyer he had spoken to her about, who _would_ be able to make some +progress; to demand that she give up law altogether, and demand that +as his intended wife she give up all thought of an independent +professional career. She nerved herself for the shock of battle. + +But it did not come. + +"All right," he said. "I suppose I'll have to wait a little longer, +then." + +He got up and paced the floor. + +"But I can't let Blake and his bunch go on saying those things without +any kind of an answer from me. I've got to talk back, or get out of +the fight!" + +He continued pacing to and fro, irked by his predicament, frowning +with thought. Presently he paused before her. + +"Here is what I'm going to say," he announced decisively. "Since +I cannot tell the whole truth, I'm going to tell a small part +of the truth. I'm going to say that the condition of the water +is due to intentional mismanagement on the part of the present +administration--which everybody knows is dominated by Blake. Blake's +party, in order to prevent my election on a municipal ownership +platform, in order to make sure of remaining in power, is purposely +trying to make municipal ownership fail. And I'm going to say this as +often, and as hard, as I can!" + +In the days that followed he certainly did say it hard, both in the +_Express_ and in his speeches. The charge had not been made publicly +before, and, stated with Bruce's tremendous emphasis, it now created a +sensation. Everybody talked about it; it gave a yet further excitement +to a most exciting campaign. There was vigorous denial from Blake, his +fellow candidates, and from the _Clarion_, which was supporting the +Blake ticket. Again and again the _Clarion_ denounced Bruce's charge +as merely the words of a demagogue, a yellow journalist--merely the +irresponsible and baseless calumny so common in campaigns. +Nevertheless, it had the effect that Bruce intended. His stock took a +new jump, and sentiment in his favour continued to grow at a rate that +made him exult and that filled the enemy with concern. + +This inquietude penetrated the side office of the Tippecanoe House and +sorely troubled the heart of Blind Charlie Peck. So, early one +afternoon, he appeared in the office of the editor of the _Express_. +His reception was rather more pleasant than on the occasion of his +first visit, now over a month before; for, although Katherine had +repeated her warning, Bruce had given it little credit. He did not +have much confidence in her woman's judgment. Besides, he was +reassured by the fact that Blind Charlie had, in every apparent +particular, adhered to his bargain to keep hands off. + +"Just wait a second," Bruce said to his caller; and turning back to +his desk he hastily scribbled a headline over an item about a case of +fever down in River Court. This he sent down to the composing-room, +and swung around to the old politician. "Well, now, what's up?" + +"I just dropped around," said Blind Charlie, with his good-natured +smile, "to congratulate you on the campaign you're making. You're +certainly putting up a fine article of fight!" + +"It does look as if we had a pretty fair chance of winning," returned +Bruce, confidently. + +"Great! Great!" said Blind Charlie heartily. "I certainly made no +mistake when I picked you out as the one man that could win for us." + +"Thanks. I've done my best. And I'm going to keep it up." + +"That's right. I told you I looked on it as my last campaign. I'm +pretty old, and my heart's not worth a darn. When I go, whether it's +up or down, I'll travel a lot easier for having first soaked Blake +good and proper." + +Bruce did not answer. He expected Blind Charlie to leave; in fact, he +wanted him to go, for it lacked but a quarter of an hour of press +time. But instead of departing, Blind Charlie settled back in his +chair, crossed his legs and leisurely began to cut off a comfortable +mouthful from his plug of tobacco. + +"Yes, sir, it's a great fight," he continued. "It doesn't seem that it +could be improved on. But a little idea has come to me that may +possibly help. It may not be any good at all, but I thought it +wouldn't do any harm to drop in and suggest it to you." + +"I'll be glad to hear it," returned Bruce. "But couldn't we talk it +over, say in half an hour? It's close to press time, and I've got some +proofs to look through--in fact the proof of an article on that +water-works charge of mine." + +"Oh, I'll only take a minute or two," said Blind Charlie. "And you may +want to make use of my idea in this afternoon's paper." + +"Well, go ahead. Only remember that at this hour the press is my +boss." + +"Of course, of course," said Blind Charlie amiably. "Well, here's to +business: Now I guess I've been through about as many elections as you +are years old. It isn't what the people think in the middle of the +campaign that wins. It's what they think on election day. I've seen +many a horse that looked like he had the race on ice at the three +quarters licked to a frazzle in the home stretch. Same with +candidates. Just now you look like a winner. What we want is to make +sure that you'll still be out in front when you go under the wire." + +"Yes, yes," said Bruce impatiently. "What's your plan?" + +"You've got the people with you now," the old man continued, "and we +want to make sure you don't lose 'em. This water-works charge of yours +has been a mighty good move. But I've had my ear to the ground. I've +had it to the ground for nigh on fifty years, and if there's any kind +of a political noise, you can bet I hear it. Now I've detected some +sounds which tell me that your water-works talk is beginning to react +against you." + +"You don't say! I haven't noticed it." + +"Of course not; if you had, there'd be no use for me to come here and +tell you," returned Blind Charlie blandly. "That's where the value of +my political ear comes in. Now in my time I've seen many a sensation +react and swamp the man that started it. That's what we've got to look +out for and guard against." + +"U'm! And what do you think we ought to do?" + +Bruce was being taken in a little easier than Blind Charlie had +anticipated. + +"If I were you," the old man continued persuasively, "I'd pitch the +tune of the whole business in a little lower key. Let up on the big +noise you're making--cut out some of the violent statements. I think +you understand. Take my word for it, quieter tactics will be a lot +more effective at this stage of the game. You've got the people--you +don't want to scare them away." + +Bruce stared thoughtfully, and without suspicion, at the +loose-skinned, smiling, old face. + +"U'm!" he said. "U'm!" + +Blind Charlie waited patiently for two or three minutes. + +"Well, what do you think?" he asked. + +"You may be right," Bruce slowly admitted. + +"There's no doubt of it," the old politician pleasantly assured him. + +"And of course I'm much obliged. But I'm afraid I disagree with you." + +"Eh?" said Blind Charlie, with the least trace of alarm. + +Bruce's face tightened, and the flat of his hand came down upon his +desk. + +"When you start a fight, the way to win is to keep on fighting. And +that's what I'm going to do." + +Blind Charlie started forward in his chair. + +"See here," he began, authoritatively. But in an instant his voice +softened. "You'll be making a big mistake if you do that. Better trust +to my older head in this. I want to win as much as you do, you know." + +"I admit you may be right," said Bruce doggedly. "But I'm going to +fight right straight ahead." + +"Come, now, listen to reason." + +"I've heard your reasons. And I'm going right on with the fight." + +Blind Charlie's face grew grim, but his voice was still gentle and +insinuating. + +"Oh, you are, are you? And give no attention to my advice?" + +"I'm sorry, but that's the way I see it." + +"I'm sorry, but that's the way I don't see it." + +"I know; but I guess I'm running this campaign," retorted Bruce a +little hotly. + +"And I guess the party chairman has some say-so, too." + +"I told you, when I accepted, that I would take the nomination without +strings, or I wouldn't take it at all. And you agreed." + +"I didn't agree to let you ruin the party." + +Bruce looked at him keenly, for the first time suspicious. Katherine's +warning echoed vaguely in his head. + +"See here, Charlie Peck, what the devil are you up to?" + +"Better do as I say," advised Peck. + +"I won't!" + +"You won't, eh?" Blind Charlie's face had grown hard and dark with +threats. "If you don't," he said, "I'm afraid the boys won't see your +name on the ticket on election day." + +Bruce sprang up. + +"Damn you! What do you mean by that?" + +"I reckon you're not such an infant that you need that explained." + +"You're right; I'm not!" cried Bruce. "And so you threaten to send +word around to the boys to knife me on election day?" + +"As I said, I guess I don't need to explain." + +"No, you don't, for I now see why you came here," cried Bruce, his +wrath rising as he realized that he had been hoodwinked by Blind +Charlie from the very first. "So there's a frame-up between you and +Blake, and you're trying to sell me out and sell out the party! You +first tried to wheedle me into laying down--and when I wouldn't be +fooled, you turned to threats!" + +"The question isn't what I came for," snapped Blind Charlie. "The +question is, what are you going to do? Either you do as I say, or not +one of the boys will vote for you. Now I want your answer." + +"You want my answer, do you? Why--why----" Bruce glared down at the +old man in a fury. "Well, by God, you'll get my answer, and quick!" + +He dropped down before his typewriter, ran in a sheet of paper, and +for a minute the keys clicked like mad. Then he jerked out the sheet +of paper, scribbled a cabalistic instruction across its top, sprang to +his office door and let out a great roar of "Copy!" + +He quickly faced about upon Blind Charlie. + +"Here's my answer. Listen: + + "'This afternoon Charlie Peck called at the office of the + _Express_ and ordered its editor, who is candidate for + mayor, to cease from his present aggressive campaign + tactics. He threatened, in case the candidate refused, to + order the "boys" to knife him at the polls. + + "'The candidate refused. + + "'Voters of Westville, do your votes belong to you, or do + they belong to Charlie Peck?' + +"That's my answer, Peck. It all goes in big, black type in a box in +the centre of the first page of this afternoon's paper. We'll see +whether the party will stand for your methods." At this instant the +grimy young servitor of the press appeared. "Here, boy. Rush that +right down." + +"Hold on!" cried Peck in consternation. "You're not going to print +that thing?" + +"Unless the end of the world happens along just about now, that'll be +on the street in half an hour." Bruce stepped to the door and opened +it wide. "And, now, clear out! You and your votes can go plum to +hell!" + +"Damn you! But that piece will do you no good. I'll deny it!" + +"Deny it--for God's sake do! Then everybody will know I'm telling the +truth. And let me warn you, Charlie Peck--I'm going to find out what +your game is! I'm going to show you up! I'm going to wipe you clear +off the political map!" + +Blind Charlie swore at him again as he passed out of the door. + +"We're not through with each other yet--remember that!" + +"You bet we're not!" Bruce shouted after him. "And when we are, +there'll not be enough of you left to know what's happened!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK + + +Two hours later Bruce was striding angrily up and down the West +parlour, telling Katherine all about it. + +She refrained from saying, "I told you so," by either word or look. +She was too wise for such a petty triumph. Besides, there was +something in that afternoon's _Express_, which Bruce had handed her +that interested her far more than his wrathful recital of Blind +Charlie's treachery; and although she was apparently giving Bruce her +entire attention, and was in fact mechanically taking in his words, +her mind was excitedly playing around this second piece of news. + +For Doctor Sherman, so said the _Express_, had that day suddenly left +Westville. He had been failing in health for many weeks and was on +the verge of a complete breakdown, the _Express_ sympathetically +explained, and at last had yielded to the importunities of his +worried congregation that he take a long vacation. He had gone to +the pine woods of the North, and to insure the unbroken rest he so +imperatively required, to prevent the possibility of appealing letters +of inconsiderate parishioners or other cares from following him into +his isolation, he had, at his doctor's command, left no address +behind. + +Katherine instantly knew that this vacation was a flight. The +situation in Westville had grown daily more intense, and Doctor +Sherman had seemed to her to be under an ever-increasing strain. +Blake, she was certain, had ordered the young clergyman to leave, +fearing, if he remained, that his nerve might break and he might +confess his true relation to her father's case. She realized that now, +when Doctor Sherman was apparently weakening, was the psychological +time to besiege him with accusation and appeal; and while Bruce was +rehearsing his scene with Blind Charlie she was rapidly considering +means for seeking out Doctor Sherman and coming face to face with him. + +Her mind was brought back from its swift search by Bruce swinging a +chair up before her and sitting down. + +"But, Katherine--I'll show Peck!" he cried, fiercely, exultantly. "He +doesn't know what a fight he's got ahead of him. This frees me +entirely from him and his machine, and I'm going to beat him so bad +that I'll drive him clear out of politics." + +She nodded. That was exactly what she was secretly striving to help +him do. + +He became more composed, and for a hesitant, silent moment he peered +thoughtfully into her eyes. + +"But, Katherine--this affair with Peck this afternoon shows me I am up +against a mighty stiff proposition," he said, speaking with the +slowness of one who is shaping his statements with extreme care. "I +have got to fight a lot harder than I thought I would have to three +hours ago, when I thought I had Peck with me. To beat him, and beat +Blake, I have got to have every possible weapon. Consequently, +circumstances force me to speak of a matter that I wish I did not have +to talk about." He reached forward and took her hand. "But, remember, +dear," he besought her tenderly, "that I don't want to hurt you. +Remember that." + +She felt a sudden tightening about the heart. + +"Yes--what is it?" she asked quietly. + +"Remember, dear, that I don't want to hurt you," he repeated. "It's +about your father's case. You see how certain victory would be if we +only had the evidence to prove what we know?" + +"I see." + +"I don't mean to say one single unkind word about your not having +made--having made--more encouraging progress." He pressed her hand; +his tone was gentle and persuasive. "I'll confess I have secretly felt +some impatience, but I have not pressed the matter because--well, you +see that in this critical situation, with election so near, I'm forced +to speak about it now." + +"What would you like?" she said with an effort. + +"You see we cannot afford any more delays, any more risks. We have got +to have the quickest possible action. We have got to use every measure +that may get results. Now, dear, you would not object, would you, if +at this critical juncture, when every hour is so valuable, we were to +put the whole matter in the hands of my Indianapolis lawyer friend I +spoke to you about?" + +The gaze she held upon his continued steady, but she was pulsing +wildly within and she had to swallow several times before she could +speak. + +"You--you think he can do better than I can?" + +"I do not want to say a single word that will reflect on you, dear. +But we must admit the facts. You have had the case for over four +months, and we have no real evidence as yet." + +"And you think he can get it?" + +"He's very shrewd, very experienced. He'll follow up every clue with +detectives. If any man can succeed in the short time that remains, he +can." + +"Then you--you think I can't succeed?" + +"Come, dear, let's be reasonable!" + +"But I think I can." + +"But, Katherine!" he expostulated. + +She felt what was coming. + +"I'm sure I can--if you will only trust me a little longer!" she said +desperately. + +He dropped her hand. + +"You mean that, though I ask you to give it up, you want to continue +the case?" + +She grew dizzy, his figure swam before her. + +"I--I think I do." + +"Why--why----" He broke off. "I can't tell you how surprised I am!" he +exclaimed. "I have said nothing of late because I was certain that, if +I gave nature a little time in which to work, there would be no need +to argue the matter with you. I was certain that, now that love had +entered your life, your deeper woman's instincts would assert +themselves and you would naturally desire to withdraw from the case. +In fact, I was certain that your wish to practise law, your ambition +for a career outside the home, would sink into insignificance--and +that you would have no desire other than to become a true woman of the +home, where I want my wife to be, where she belongs. Oh, come now, +Katherine," he added with a rush of his dominating confidence, taking +her hand again, "you know that's just what you're going to do!" + +She sat throbbing, choking. She realized that the long-feared battle +was now inevitably at hand. For the moment she did not know whether +she was going to yield or fight. Her love of him, her desire to please +him, her fear of what might be the consequence if she crossed him, all +impelled her toward surrender; her deep-seated, long-clung-to +principles impelled her to make a stand for the life of her dreams. +She was a tumult of counter instincts and emotions. But excited as she +was, she found herself looking on at herself in a curious detachment, +palpitantly wondering which was going to win--the primitive woman in +her, the product of thousands of generations of training to fit man's +desire, or this other woman she contained, shaped by but a few brief +years, who had come ardently to believe that she had the right to be +what she wanted to be, no matter what the man required. + +"Oh, come now, dear," Bruce assured her confidently, yet half +chidingly, "you know you are going to give it all up and be just my +wife!" + +She gazed at his rugged, resolute face, smiling at her now with that +peculiar forgiving tenderness that an older person bestows upon a +child that is about to yield its childish whim. + +"There now, it's all settled," he said, smoothing her hand. "And we'll +say no more about it." + +And then words forced their way up out of her turbulent indecision. + +"I'm afraid it isn't settled." + +His eyebrows rose in surprise. + +"No?" + +"No. I want to be your wife, Arnold. But--but I can't give up the +other." + +"What! You're in earnest?" he cried. + +"I am--with all my heart!" + +He sank back and stared at her. If further answer were needed, her +pale, set face gave it to him. His quick anger began to rise, but he +forced it down. + +"That puts an entirely new face on the matter," he said, trying to +speak calmly. "The question, instead of merely concerning the next few +weeks, concerns our whole lives." + +She tried to summon all her strength, all her faculties, for the shock +of battle. + +"Just so," she answered + +"Then we must go over the matter very fully," he said. His command +over himself grew more easy. He believed that what he had to do was to +be patient, and talk her out of her absurdity. "You must understand, +of course," he went on, smiling at her tenderly, "that I want to +support my wife, and that I am able to support my wife. I want to +protect her--shield her--have her lean upon me. I want her to be the +goddess of my home. The goddess of my home, Katherine! That's what I +want. You understand, dear, don't you?" + +She saw that he confidently expected her to yield to his ideal and +accept it, and she now knew that she could never yield. She paused a +space before she spoke, in a sort of terror of what might be the +consequence of the next few moments. + +"I understand you," she said, duplicating his tone of reason. "But +what shall I do in the home? I dislike housework." + +"There's no need of your doing it," he promptly returned. "I can +afford servants." + +"Then what shall I do in the home?" she repeated. + +"Take things easy. Enjoy yourself." + +"But I don't want to enjoy myself. I want to do things. I want to +work." + +"Come, come, be reasonable," he said, with his tolerant smile. "You +know that's quite out of the question." + +"Since you are going to pay servants," she persisted, "why should I +idle about the house? Why should not I, an able-bodied person, be out +helping in the world's work somehow--and also helping you to earn a +living?" + +"Help me earn a living!" He flushed, but his resentment subsided. +"When I asked you to marry me I implied in that question that I was +able and willing to support you. Really, Katherine, it's quite absurd +for you to talk about it. There is no financial necessity whatever for +you to work." + +"You mean, then, that I should not work because, in you, I have enough +to live upon?" + +"Of course!" + +"Do you know any man, any real man I mean," she returned quickly, "who +stops work in the vigour of his prime merely because he has enough +money to live upon? Would you give up your work to-morrow if some one +were willing to support you?" + +"Now, don't be ridiculous, Katherine! That's quite a different +question. I'm a man, you know." + +"And work is a necessity for you?" + +"Why, of course." + +"And you would not be happy without it?" she eagerly pursued. + +"Certainly not." + +"And you are right there! But what you don't seem to understand is, +that I have the same need, the same love, for work that you have. If +you could only recognize, Arnold, that I have the same feelings in +this matter that you have, then you would understand me. I demand for +myself the right that all men possess as a matter of course--the +right to work!" + +"If you must work," he cried, a little exasperated, "why, of course, +you can help in the housework." + +"But I also demand the right to choose my work. Why should I do work +which I do not like, for which I have no aptitude, and which I should +do poorly, and give up work which interests me, for which I have been +trained, and for which I believe I have an aptitude?" + +"But don't you realize, in doing it, if you are successful, you are +taking the bread out of a man's mouth?" he retorted. + +"Then every man who has a living income, and yet works, is also taking +the bread out of a man's mouth. But does a real man stop work because +of that? Besides, if you use that argument, then in doing my own +housework I'd be taking the bread out of a woman's mouth." + +"Why--why----" he stammered. His face began to redden. "We shouldn't +belittle our love with this kind of talk. It's all so material, so +sordid." + +"It's not sordid to me!" she cried, stretching out a hand to him. +"Don't be angry, Arnold. Try to understand me--please do, please do. +Work is a necessity of life to you. It is also a necessity of life to +me. I'm fighting with you for the right to work. I'm fighting with +you for my life!" + +"Then you place work, your career, above our happiness together?" he +demanded angrily. + +"Not at all," she went on rapidly, pleadingly. "But I see no reason +why there should not be both. Our happiness should be all the greater +because of my work. I've studied myself, Arnold, and I know what I +need. To be thoroughly happy, I need work; useful work, work that +interests me. I tell you we'll be happier, and our happiness will last +longer, if only you let me work. I know! I know!" + +"Dream stuff! You're following a mere will-o'-the-wisp!" + +"That's what women have been following in the past," she returned +breathlessly. "Look among your married friends. How many ideally happy +couples can you count? Very, very few. And why are there so few? One +reason is, because the man finds, after the novelty is worn off, that +his wife is uninteresting, has nothing to talk about; and so his love +cools to a good-natured, passive tolerance of her. Most married men, +when alone with their wives, sit in stupid silence. But see how the +husband livens up if a man joins them! This man has been out in the +interesting world. The wife has been cooped up at home. The man has +something to talk about. The wife has not. Well, I am going to be out +in the interesting world, doing something. I am going to have +something to talk to my husband about. I am going to be interesting to +him, as interesting to him as any man. And I am going to try to hold +his love, Arnold, the love of his heart, the love of his head, to the +very end!" + +He was exasperated by her persistence, but he still held himself in +check. + +"That sounds very plausible to you. But there is one thing in your +argument you forget." + +"And that?" + +"We are grown-up people, you and I. I guess we can talk straight out." + +"Yes. Go on!" + +He gazed at her very steadily for a moment. + +"There are such things as children, you know." + +She returned his steady look. + +"Of course," she said quickly. "Every normal woman wants children. And +I should want them too." + +"There--that settles it," he said with triumph. "You can't combine +children and a profession." + +"But I can!" she cried. "And I should give the children the very best +possible care, too! Of course there are successive periods in which +the mother would have to give her whole attention to the children. But +if she lives till she is sixty-five the sum total of her forty or +forty-five married years that she has to give up wholly to her +children amounts to but a few years. There remains all the balance of +her life that she could give to other work. Do you realize how +tremendously the world is changing, and how women's work is changing +with it?" + +"Oh, let's don't mix in statistics, and history, and economics with +our love!" + +"But we've got to if our love is to last!" she cried. "We're living in +a time when things are changing. We've got to consider the changes. +And the greatest changes are, and are going to be, in woman's work. Up +in our attic are my great-grandmother's wool carders, her spinning +wheel, her loom, all sorts of things; she spun, wove, made all the +clothing, did everything. These things are now done by professional +experts; that sort of work has been taken away from woman. Now all +that's left for the woman to do in the home is to cook, clean, and +care for children. Life is still changing. We are still developing. +Some time these things too will be done, and better done, by +professional experts--though just how, or just when, I can't even +guess. Once there was a strong sentiment against the child being taken +from the mother and being sent to school. Now most intelligent parents +are glad to put their children in charge of trained kindergartners at +four or five. And in the future some new institution, some new variety +of trained specialist, may develop that will take charge of the child +for a part of the day at an even earlier age. That's the way the world +is moving!" + +"Thanks for your lecture on the Rise, Progress and Future of +Civilization," he said ironically, trying to suppress himself. "But +interesting as it was, it has nothing whatever to do with the case. +We're not talking about civilization, and the universe, and evolution, +and the fourth dimension, and who's got the button. We're talking +about you and me. About you and me, and our love." + +"Yes, Arnold, about you and me and our love," she cried eagerly. "I +spoke of these things only because they concern you and me and our +love so very, very much." + +"Of all things for two lovers to talk about!" he exclaimed with +mounting exasperation. + +"They are the things of all things! For our love, our life, hangs upon +them!" + +"Well, anyhow, you haven't got these new institutions, these new +experts," he retorted, brushing the whole matter aside. "You're living +to-day, not in the millennium!" + +"I know, I know. In the meantime, life for us women is in a stage of +transition. Until these better forms develop we are going to have a +hard time. It will be difficult for me to manage, I know. But I'm +certain I can manage it." + +He stood up. His face was very red, and he swallowed once or twice +before the words seemed able to come out. + +"I'm surprised, Katherine--surprised!--that you should be so +persistent in this nonsense. What you say is all against nature. It +won't work." + +"Perhaps not. But at least you'll let me try! That's all I ask of +you--that you let me try!" + +"It would be weak in me, wrong in me, to yield." + +"Then you're not willing to give me a chance?" + +He shook his head. + +She rose and moved before him. + +"But, Arnold, do you realize what you are doing?" she cried with +desperate passion. "Do you realize what it is I'm asking you for? +Work, interesting work--that's what I need to make me happy, to make +you happy! Without it, I shall be miserable, and you will be miserable +in having a miserable wife about you--and all our years together will +be years of misery. So you see what a lot I'm fighting for: work, +development, happiness!--the happiness of all our married years!" + +"That's only a delusion. For your sake, and my sake, I've got to stand +firm." + +"Then you will not let me?" + +"I will not." + +She stared palely at his square, adamantine face. + +"Arnold!" she breathed. "Arnold!--do you know what you're trying to +do?" + +"I am trying to save you from yourself!" + +"You're trying to break my will across yours," she cried a little +wildly. "You're trying to crush me into the iron mould of your idea of +a woman. You're trying to kill me--yes, to kill me." + +"I am trying to save you!" he repeated, his temper breaking its frail +leash. "Your ideas are all wrong--absurd--insane!" + +"Please don't be angry, Arnold!" she pleaded. + +"How can I help it, when you won't listen to reason! When you are so +perversely obstinate!" + +"I'm not obstinate," she cried breathlessly, holding one of his hands +tightly in both her own. "I'm just trying to cling as hard as I can to +life--to our happiness. Please give me a chance, Arnold! Please, +please!" + +"Confound such obstinate wrong-headedness!" he exploded. "No, I tell +you! No! And that settles it!" + +She shrank back. + +"Oh!" she cried. Her breast began to rise and fall tumultuously, and +her cheeks slowly to redden. "Oh!" she cried again. Then her words +leaped hotly out: "Oh, you bigot!" + +"If to stand by what I know is right, and to save you from making a +fool of yourself, is to be a bigot--then I'm a bigot all right, and I +thank the God that made me one!" + +"And you think you are going to save me from myself?" she demanded. + +He stepped nearer, and towering over her, he took hold of her +shoulders in a powerful grasp and looked down upon her dominantly. + +"I know I am! I am going to make you exactly what I want you to be!" + +Her eyes flamed back up into his. + +"Because you are the stronger?" + +"Because I am the stronger--and because I am right," he returned +grimly. + +"I admit that you are the superior brute," she said with fierce +passion. "But you will never break me to your wishes!" + +"And I tell you I will!" + +"And I tell you you will not!" + +There was a strange and new fire in her eyes. + +"What do you mean?" he asked. + +"I mean this," she returned, and the hands that gripped her shoulders +felt her tremble through all her body. "I should not expect you to +marry a woman who was so unreasonable as to demand that you, for her +sake, should give up your loved career. And, for my part, I shall +never marry a man so unreasonable as to make the same demand of me." + +He fell back a pace. + +"You mean----" + +"Was I not plain enough? I mean that you will never have the chance to +crush me into your iron mould, for I will never marry you." + +"What!" And then: "So I'm fired, am I?" he grated out. + +"Yes, for you're as narrow and as conventional as the rest of men," +she rushed on hotly. "You never say a word so long as a woman's work +is unpleasant! It's all right for her to scrub, and wash dishes, and +wear her life away in factories. But as soon as she wants to do any +work that is pleasant and interesting and that will gain her +recognition, you cry out that she's unwomanly, unsexed, that she's +flying in the face of God! Oh, you are perfectly willing that woman, +on the one hand, should be a drudge, or on the other the pampered pet +of your one-woman harem. But I shall be neither, I tell you. Never! +Never! Never!" + +They stared at one another, trembling with passion. + +"And you," he said with all the fierce irony of his soul, "and you, I +suppose, will now go ahead and clear your father, expose Blake, and +perform all those other wonders you've talked so big about!" + +"That's just what I am going to do!" she cried defiantly. + +"And that's just what you are not!" he blazed back. "I may have +admired the woman in you--but, for those things, you have not the +smallest atom of ability. Your father's trial, your failure to get +evidence--hasn't that shown you? You are going to be a failure--a +fizzle--a fiasco! Did you hear that? A pitiable, miserable, humiliated +fiasco! And time will prove it!" + +"We'll see what time will prove!" And she swept furiously past him out +of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A SPECTRE COMES TO TOWN + + +For many an hour Katherine's wrath continued high, and she repeated, +with clinched hands, all her invectives against the bigotry of Bruce. +He was a bully--a boor--a brute--a tyrant. He considered himself the +superman. And in pitiable truth he was only a moral coward--for his +real reason in opposing her had been that he was afraid to have +Westville say that his wife worked. And he had insulted her, for his +parting words to her had been a jeering statement that she had no +ability, only a certain charm of sex. How, oh, how, had she ever +imagined that they two might possibly share a happy life together? + +But after a season her wrath began to subside, and she began to see +that after all Bruce was no very different man from the Bruce she had +loved the last few weeks. He had been thoroughly consistent with +himself. She had known that he was cocksure and domineering. She had +foreseen that the chances were at least equal that he would take the +position he had. She had foreseen and feared this very issue. His +virtues were just as big as on yesterday, when she and he had thought +of marriage, and his faults were no greater. And she realized, after +the first passion of their battle had spent its force, that she still +loved him. + +In the long hours of the night a pang of emptiness, of vast, +irretrievable loss, possessed her. She and Love had touched each other +for a space--then had flung violently apart, and were speeding each in +their eternally separate direction. Life for her might be rich and +full of honour and achievement, but as she looked forward into the +long procession of years, she saw that life was going to have its +dreariness, its vacancies, its dull, unending aches. It was going to +be such a very, very different business from that life of work and +love and home and mutual aid she had daringly dreamed of during the +two weeks she and Bruce had been lovers. + +But she did not regret her decision. She did not falter. Her +resentment of Bruce's attitude stiffened the backbone of her purpose. +She was going straight ahead, bear the bitterness, and live the life +she had planned as best she could. + +But there quickly came other matters to share her mind with a lost +love and a broken dream. First was the uproar created by Bruce's +defiant announcement in the _Express_ of Blind Charlie's threatened +treachery. That sensation reigned for a day or two, then was almost +forgotten in a greater. This second sensation made its initial +appearance quite unobtrusively; it had a bare dozen lines down in a +corner of the same issue of the _Express_ that had contained Bruce's +defiance and Doctor Sherman's departure. The substance of the item was +that two cases of illness had been reported from the negro quarter in +River Court, and that the doctors said the symptoms were similar to +those of typhoid fever. + +Those two cases of fever in that old frame tenement up a narrow, +stenchy alley were the quiet opening of a new act in the drama that +was played that year in Westville. The next day a dozen cases were +reported, and now the doctors unhesitatingly pronounced them typhoid. +The number mounted rapidly. Soon there were a hundred. Soon there was +an epidemic. And the Spectre showed no deference to rank. It not only +stalked into the tenements of River Court and Railroad Alley--and laid +its felling finger on starveling children and drink-shattered men--It +visited the large and airy homes on Elm and Maple Streets and Wabash +Avenue, where those of wealth and place were congregated. + +In Westville was the Reign of Terror. Haggard doctors were ever on the +go, snatching a bite or a moment's sleep when chance allowed. Till +then, modern history had been reckoned in Westville from the town's +invasion by factories, or from that more distant time when lightning +had struck the Court House. But those milestones of time are to-day +forgotten. Local history is now dated, and will be for many a decade, +from the "Days of Fever" and the related events which marked that +epoch. + +In the early days of the epidemic Katherine heard one morning that +Elsie Sherman had just been stricken. She had seen little of Elsie +during the last few weeks; the strain of their relation was too great +to permit the old pleasure in one another's company; but at this news +she hastened to Elsie's bedside. Her arrival was a God-send to the +worn and hurried Doctor Woods, who had just been called in. She +telegraphed to Indianapolis for a nurse; she telegraphed to a sister +of Doctor Sherman to come; and she herself undertook the care of Elsie +until the nurse should arrive. + +"What do you think of her case, Doctor?" she asked anxiously when +Doctor Woods dropped in again later in the day. + +He shook his head. + +"Mrs. Sherman is very frail." + +"Then you think----" + +"I'm afraid it will be a hard fight. I think we'd better send for her +husband." + +Despite her sympathy for Elsie, Katherine thrilled with the +possibility suggested by the doctor's words. Here was a situation that +should bring Doctor Sherman out of his hiding, if anything could bring +him. Once home, and unnerved by the sight of his wife precariously +balanced between life and death, she was certain that he would break +down and confess whatever he might know. + +She asked Elsie for her husband's whereabouts, but Elsie answered that +she had had letters but that he had never given an address. Katherine +at once determined to see Blake, and demand to know where Doctor +Sherman was; and after the nurse arrived on an afternoon train, she +set out for Blake's office. + +But Blake was out, and his return was not expected for an hour. To +fill in the time, Katherine paid a visit to her father in the jail. +She told him of Elsie's illness, and told at greater length than she +had yet had chance to do about the epidemic. In his turn he talked to +her about the fever's causes; and when she left the jail and returned +to Blake's office an idea far greater than merely asking Doctor +Sherman's whereabouts was in her mind. + +This time she was told that Blake was in, but could see no one. +Undeterred by this statement, Katherine walked quickly past the +stenographer and straight for his private door, which she quickly and +quietly opened and closed. + +Blake was sitting at his desk, his head bowed forward in one hand. He +was so deep in thought, and she had entered so quietly, that he had +not heard her. She crossed to his desk, stood opposite him, and for a +moment gazed down upon his head. + +"Mr. Blake," she remarked at length. + +He started up. + +"You here!" he ejaculated. + +"Yes. I came to talk to you." + +He did not speak at once, but stood staring a little wildly at her. +She had not spoken to him since the day of her father's trial, nor +seen him save at a distance. She was now startled at the change this +closer view revealed to her. His eyes were sunken and ringed with +purple, his face seemed worn and thin, and had taken on a tinge of +yellowish-green. + +"I left orders that I could see no one," he said, trying to speak +sharply. + +"I know," she answered quietly. "But you'll see me." + +For an instant he hesitated. + +"Very well--sit down," he said, resuming his chair. "Now what is it +you wish?" + +She seated herself and leaned across the desk toward him. + +"I wish to talk to you about the fever," she said with her former +composure, and looking him very steadily in the eyes. "I suppose you +know what caused it?" + +"I am no doctor. I do not." + +"Then let me tell you. My father has just told me that there must have +been a case of typhoid during the summer somewhere back in the +drainage area of the water-system. That recent big storm carried the +summer's accumulation of germ-laden filth down into the streams. And +since the city was unguarded by a filter, those germs were swept into +the water-mains, we drank them, and the epidemic----" + +"That filter was useless--a complete failure!" Blake broke in rather +huskily. + +"You know, Mr. Blake, and I know," she returned, "that that filter has +been, and still is, in excellent condition. And you know, and I know, +that if it had been in operation, purifying the water, there might +possibly have been a few cases of typhoid, but there would never have +been this epidemic. That's the God's truth, and you know it!" + +He swallowed, but did not answer her. + +"I suppose," she pursued in her steady tone, "you realize who is +responsible for all these scores of sick?" + +"If what you say is true, then your father is guilty, for building +such a filter." + +"You know better. You know that the guilty man is yourself." + +His face grew more yellowish-green. + +"It's not so! No one is more appalled by this disaster than I am!" + +"I know you are appalled by the outcome. You did not plan to murder +citizens. You only planned to defraud the city. But this epidemic is +the direct consequence of your scheme. Every person who is now in a +sick bed, you put that person there. Every person who may later go to +his grave, you will have sent that person there." + +Her steady voice grew more accusing. "What does your conscience say to +you? And what do you think the people will say to you, to the great +public-spirited Mr. Blake, when they learn that you, prompted by the +desire for money and power, have tried to rob the city and have +stricken hundreds with sickness?" + +His yellowish face contorted most horribly, but he did not answer. + +"I see that your conscience has been asking you those same questions," +Katherine pursued. "It is something, at least, that your conscience is +not dead. Those are not pleasant questions to have asked one, are +they?" + +Again his face twisted, but he seemed to gather hold of himself. + +"You are as crazy as ever--that's all rot!" he said huskily, with a +denying sweep of a clinched hand. "But what do you want?" + +"Three things. First, that you have the filter put back in commission. +Let's at least do what we can to prevent any more danger from that +source." + +"The filter is useless. Besides, I am no official, and have nothing to +do with it." + +"It is in perfect condition, and you have everything to do with it," +she returned steadily. + +He swallowed. "I'll suggest it to the mayor." + +"Very well; that is settled. To the next point. Have you heard that +Mrs. Sherman is sick?" + +"Yes." + +"She wants her husband." + +"Well?" + +"My second demand is to know where you have hidden Doctor Sherman." + +"Doctor Sherman? I have nothing to do with Doctor Sherman!" + +"You also have everything to do with Doctor Sherman," she returned +steadily. "He is one of the instruments of your plot. You feared that +he would break down and confess, and so you sent him out of the way. +Where is he?" + +Again his face worked spasmodically. "I tell you once more I have +nothing whatever to do with Doctor Sherman! Now I hope that's all. I +am tired of this. I have other matters to consider. Good day." + +"No, it is not all. For there is my third demand. And that is the most +important of the three. But perhaps I should not say demand. What I +make you is an offer." + +"An offer?" he exclaimed. + +She did not reply to him directly. She leaned a little farther across +his desk and looked at him with an even greater intentness. + +"I do not need to ask you to pause and think upon all the evil you +have done the town," she said slowly. "For you have thought. You were +thinking at the moment I came in. I can see that you are shaken with +horror at the unforeseen results of your scheme. I have come to you to +take sides with your conscience; to join it in asking you, urging you, +to draw back and set things as nearly right as you can. That is my +demand, my offer, my plea--call it what you will." + +He had been gazing at her with wide fixed eyes. When he spoke, his +voice was dry, mechanical. + +"Set things right? How?" + +"Come forward, confess, and straighten out the situation of your own +accord. Westville is in a terrible condition. If you act at once, you +can at least do something to relieve it." + +"By setting things right, as you call it, you of course include the +clearing of your father?" + +"The clearing of my father, of course. And let me say to you, Mr. +Blake--and for this moment I am speaking as your friend--that it will +be better for you to clear this whole matter up voluntarily, at once, +than to be exposed later, as you certainly will be. To clear this +matter at once may have the result of simplifying the fight against +the epidemic--it may save many lives. That is what I am thinking of +first of all just now." + +"You mean to say, then, that it is either confess or be exposed?" + +"There is no use in my beating about the bush with you," she replied +in her same steady tone. "For I know that you know that I am after +you." + +He did not speak at once. He sat gazing fixedly at her, with twitching +face. She met his gaze without blinking, breathlessly awaiting his +reply. + +Suddenly a tremor ran through him and his face set with desperate +decision. + +"Yes, I know you are after me! I know you are having me +followed--spied upon!" There was a biting, contemptuous edge to his +tone. "Even if I were guilty, do you think I would be afraid of +exposure from you? Oh, I know the man you have sleuthing about on my +trail. Elijah Stone! And I once thought you were a clever girl!" + +"You refuse, then?" she said slowly. + +"I do! And I defy you! If your accusations against me are true, go out +and proclaim them to the city. I'm willing to stand for whatever +happens!" + +She regarded his flushed, defiant face. She perceived clearly that she +had failed, that it was useless to try further. + +"Very well," she said slowly. "But I want you to remember in the +future that I have given you this chance; that I have given you your +choice, and you have chosen." + +"And I tell you again that I defy you!" + +"You are a more hardened man, or a more desperate man, than I +thought," said she. + +He did not reply upon the instant, but sat gazing into her searching +eyes. Before he could speak, the telephone at his elbow began to ring. +He picked it up. + +"Hello! Yes, this is Mr. Blake.... Her temperature is the same, you +say?... No, I have not had an answer yet. I expect a telegram any +minute. I'll let you know as soon as it comes. Good-by." + +"Is some one sick?" Katherine asked, as he hung up the receiver. + +"My mother," he returned briefly, his recent defiance all gone. + +Katherine, too, for the moment, forgot their conflict. + +"I did not know it. There are so many cases, you know. Who is +attending her?" + +"Doctor Hunt, temporarily," he answered. "But these Westville +doctors are all amateurs in serious cases. I've telegraphed +for a specialist--the best man I could hear of--Doctor Brenholtz +of Chicago." + +His defiance suddenly returned. + +"If I have seemed to you worn, unnerved, now you know the real cause!" +he said. + +"So," she remarked slowly, "the disaster you have brought on Westville +has struck your own home!" + +His face twitched convulsively. + +"I believe we have finished our conversation. Good afternoon." + +Katherine rose. + +"And if she dies, you know who will have killed her." + +He sprang up. + +"Go! Go!" he cried. + +But she remained in her tracks, looking him steadily in the eyes. +While they stood so, the stenographer entered and handed him a +telegram. He tore it open, glanced it through, and stood staring at it +in a kind of stupor. + +"My God!" he breathed. + +He tore the yellow sheet across, dropped the pieces in the +waste-basket and began to pace his room, on his face a wild, dazed +look. He seemed to have forgotten Katherine's presence. But a turn +brought her into his vision. He stopped short. + +"You still here?" + +"I was waiting to hear if Doctor Brenholtz was coming," she said. + +He stared at her a moment. Then he crossed to his desk, took the two +fragments of the telegram from his waste-basket and held them out to +her. + +"There is what he says." + +She took the telegram and read: + + "No use my coming. Best man on typhoid in West lives in your + own town. See Dr. David West." + +Katherine laid down the yellow pieces and raised her eyes to Blake's +white, strained face. The two gazed at each other for a long moment. + +"Well?" he said huskily. + +"Well?" she quietly returned. + +"Do you think I can get him?" + +"How can you get a man who is serving a sentence in jail?" + +"If I--if I----" He could not get the words out. + +"Yes. If you confess--clear him--get him out of jail--of course he +will treat the case." + +"I didn't mean that! God!" he cried, "is confession of a thing I never +did the fee you exact for saving a life?" + +"What, you still hold out?" + +"I'm not guilty! I tell you, I'm not guilty!" + +"Then you'll not confess?" + +"Never! Never!" + +"Not even to save your mother?" + +"She's sick--very sick. But she's not going to die--I'll not let her +die! Your father does not have to be cleared to get out of jail. In +this emergency I can arrange to get him out for a time on parole. What +do you say?" + +She gazed at the desperate, wildly expectant figure. A little shiver +ran through her. + +"What do you say?" he repeated. + +"There can be but one answer," she replied. "My father is too big a +man to demand any price for his medical skill--even the restoration of +his honest name by the man who stole it. Parole him, and he will go +instantly to Mrs. Blake." + +He dropped into his chair and seized his telephone. + +"Central, give me six-o-four--quick!" There was a moment of waiting. +"This you, Judge Kellog?... This is Harrison Blake. I want you to +arrange the proper papers for the immediate parole of Doctor West. +I'll be responsible for everything. Am coming right over and will +explain." + +He fairly threw the receiver back upon its hook. "Your father will be +free in an hour," he cried. And without waiting for a reply, he seized +his hat and hurried out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +BRUCE TO THE FRONT + + +Katherine came down from Blake's office with many thoughts surging +through her brain: Of her father's release--of Blake's obduracy--of +his mother's illness; but at the forefront of them all, because +demanding immediate action, was the need of finding Doctor Sherman. + +As she stepped forth from the stairway, she saw Arnold Bruce striding +along the Square in her direction. There was a sudden leaping of her +heart, a choking at her throat. But they passed each other with the +short cold nod which had been their manner of greeting during the last +few days when they had chanced to meet. + +The next instant a sudden impulse seized her, and she turned about. + +"Mr. Bruce," she called after him. + +He came back to her. His face was rather pale, but was doggedly +resolute. Her look was not very different from his. + +"Yes, Miss West?" said he. + +For a moment it was hard for her to speak. No word, only that frigid +nod, had passed between them since their quarrel. + +"I want to ask you something--and tell you something," she said +coldly. + +"I am at your service," said he. + +"We cannot talk here. Suppose we cross into the Court House yard?" + +In silence he fell into step beside her. They did not speak until they +were in the yard where passers-by could not overhear them. + +"You know of Mrs. Sherman's illness?" she began in a distant, formal +tone. + +"Yes." + +"It promises to be serious. We must get her husband home if possible. +But no one has his address. An idea for reaching him has been vaguely +in my head. It may not be good, but it now seems the only way." + +"Do you mind telling me what it is?" + +"Doctor Sherman is somewhere in the pine woods of the North. What I +thought about doing was to order some Chicago advertising agency to +insert notices in scores of small dailies and weeklies up North, +announcing to Doctor Sherman his wife's illness and urging him to come +home. My hope is that one of the papers may penetrate whatever remote +spot he may be in and the notice reach his eyes. What I want to ask +you is the name of an agency." + +"Black & Graves are your people," said he. + +"Also I want to know how to go about it to get prompt action on their +part." + +"Write out the notice and send it to them with your instructions. And +since they won't know you, better enclose a draft or money order on +account. No, don't bother about the money; you won't know how much to +send. I know Phil Black, and I'll write him to-day guaranteeing the +account." + +"Thank you," she said. + +"You're perfectly welcome," said he with his cold politeness. "Is +there anything else I can do?" + +"That's all about that. But I have something to tell you--a suggestion +to make for your campaign, if you will not consider it impertinent." + +"Quite otherwise. I shall be very glad to get it." + +"You have been saying in your speeches that the bad water has been due +to intentional mismanagement of the present administration, which is +ruled by Mr. Blake, for the purpose of rendering unpopular the +municipal ownership principle." + +"I have, and it's been very effective." + +"I suggest that you go farther." + +"How?" + +"Make the fever an issue of the campaign. The people, in fact all of +us, have been too excited, too frightened, to understand the relation +between the bad management of the water-works, the bad water, and the +fever. Tell them that relation. Only tell it carefully, by insinuation +if necessary, so that you will avoid the libel law--for you have no +proof as yet. Make them understand that the fever is due to bad water, +which in turn is due to bad management of the water-works, which in +turn is due to the influence of Mr. Blake." + +"Great! Great!" exclaimed Bruce. + +"Oh, the idea is not really mine," she said coldly. "It came to me +from some things my father told me." + +Her tone recalled to him their chilly relationship. + +"It's a regular knock-out idea," he said stiffly. "And I'm much +obliged to you." + +They had turned back and were nearing the gate of the yard. + +"I hope it will really help you--but be careful to avoid giving them +an opening to bring a libel charge. Permit me to say that you have +been making a splendid campaign." + +"Things do seem to be coming my direction. The way I threw Blind +Charlie's threat back into his teeth, that has made a great hit. I +think I have him on the run." + +He hesitated, gave her a sharp look, then added rather defiantly: + +"I might as well tell you that in a few days I expect to have Blake +also on the run--in fact, in a regular gallop. That Indianapolis +lawyer friend of mine, Wilson's his name, is coming here to help me." + +"Oh!" she exclaimed. + +"You'll remember," he continued in his defiant tone, "that I once told +you that your father's case was not your case. It's the city's. I'm +going to put Wilson on it, and I expect him to clear it all up in +short order." + +She could not hold back a sudden uprush of resentment. + +"So then it's to be a battle between us, is it?" she demanded, looking +him straight in the face. + +"A battle? How?" + +"To see which one gets the evidence." + +"We've got to get it--that's all," he answered grimly. + +In an instant she had resumed control of herself. + +"I hope you succeed," she said calmly. "Good afternoon." And with a +crisp nod she turned away. + +Bruce's action in calmly taking the case out of her hands, which was +in effect an iteration of his statement that he had no confidence in +her ability, stung her bitterly and for a space her wrath flamed +high. But there were too many things to be done to give much time to +mere resentment. She wrote the letter to the Chicago advertising +agency, mailed it, then set out to find her father. At the jail she +was told that he had been released and had left for Blake's. There she +found him. He came out into the hall, kissed her warmly, then hurried +back into the bedroom. Katherine, glancing through the open door, saw +him move swiftly about the old gray-haired woman, while Blake stood in +strained silence looking on. + +When her father had done all for Mrs. Blake he could do at that time, +Katherine hurried him away to Elsie Sherman. He replaced the very +willing Doctor Woods, who knew little about typhoid, and assumed +charge of Elsie with all his unerring mastery of what to do. He gave +her his very best skill, and he hovered about her with all the concern +that the illness of his own child might have evoked, for she had been +a warm favourite with him and the charges of her husband had in no +degree lessened his regard. Whatever science and care and love could +do for her, it all was certain to be done. + +Within two hours after Blake had received Doctor Brenholtz's telegram +its contents had flashed about the town. Doctor West was besieged. The +next day found him treating not only as many individual cases as his +strength and the hours of the day allowed, but found him in command of +the Board of Health's fight against the plague, with all the rest of +the city's doctors accepting orders from him. All his long life of +incessant study and experiment, all those long years when he had been +laughed at for a fool and jeered at for a failure--all that time had +been but an unconscious preparation for this great fight to save a +stricken city. And the town, for all its hatred, for all the stain +upon his name, as it watched this slight, white-haired man go so +swiftly and gently and efficiently about his work, began to feel for +him something akin to awe--began dimly to feel that this old figure +whom it had been their habit to scorn for near a generation was +perhaps their greatest man. + +While Katherine watched this fight against the fever with her father +as its central figure, while she awaited in suspense some results of +her advertising campaign, and while she tried to press forward the +other details of her search for evidence, she could but keep her eyes +upon the mayoralty campaign--for it was mounting to an ever higher +climax of excitement. Bruce was fighting like a fury. The sensation +created by his announcement of Blind Charlie's threatened treachery +was a mere nothing compared to the uproar created when he informed the +people, not directly, but by careful insinuation, that Blake was +responsible for the epidemic. + +Blake denied the charge with desperate energy and with all his power +of eloquence; he declared that the epidemic was but another +consequence of that supremest folly of mankind, public ownership. He +was angrily supported by his party, his friends and his followers--but +those followers were not so many as a few short weeks before. Passion +was at its highest--so high that trustworthy forecasts of the election +were impossible. But ten days before election it was freely talked +about the streets, and even privately admitted by some of Blake's best +friends, that nothing but a miracle could save him from defeat. + +In these days of promise Bruce seemed to pour forth an even greater +energy; and in his efforts he was now aided by Mr. Wilson, the +Indianapolis lawyer, who was spending his entire time in Westville. +Katherine caught in Bruce's face, when they passed upon the street, a +gleam of triumph which he could not wholly suppress. She wondered, +with a pang of jealousy, if he and Mr. Wilson were succeeding where +she had failed--if all her efforts were to come to nothing--if her +ambition to demonstrate to Bruce that she could do things was to prove +a mere dream? + +Toward noon one day, as she was walking along the Square homeward +bound from Elsie Sherman's, she passed Bruce and Mr. Wilson headed for +the stairway of the _Express_ Building. Both bowed to her, then +Katherine overheard Bruce say, "I'll be with you in a minute, Wilson," +and the next instant he was at her side. + +"Excuse me, Miss West," he said. "But we have just unearthed something +which I think you should be the first person to learn." + +"I shall be glad to hear it," she said in the cold, polite tone they +reserved for one another. + +"Let's go over into the Court House yard." + +They silently crossed the street and entered the comparative seclusion +of the yard. + +"I suppose it is something very significant?" she asked. + +"So significant," he burst out, "that the minute the _Express_ appears +this afternoon Harrison Blake is a has-been!" + +She looked at him quickly. The triumph she had of late seen gleaming +in his face was now openly blazing there. + +"You mean----" + +"I mean that I've got the goods on him!" + +"You--you have evidence?" + +"The best sort of evidence!" + +"That will clear my father?" + +"Perhaps not directly. Indirectly, yes. But it will smash Blake to +smithereens!" + +She was happy on Bruce's account, on her father's, on the city's, but +for the moment she was sick upon her own. + +"Is the nature of the evidence a secret?" + +"The whole town will know it this afternoon. I asked you over here to +tell you first. I have just secured a full confession from two of +Blake's accomplices." + +"Then you've discovered Doctor Sherman?" she exclaimed. + +"Doctor Sherman?" He stared at her. "I don't know what you mean. The +two men are the assistant superintendent of the water-works and the +engineer at the pumping-plant." + +"How did you get at them?" + +"Wilson and I started out to cross-examine everybody who might be in +the remotest way connected with the case. My suspicion against the two +men was first aroused by their strained behaviour. I went----" + +"Then it was you who made this discovery, not that--that other +lawyer?" + +"Yes, I was the first to tackle the pair, though Wilson has helped me. +He's a great lawyer, Wilson. We've gone at them relentlessly--with +accusation, cross-examination, appeal; with the result that this +morning both of them broke down and confessed that Blake had secretly +paid them to do all that lay within their power to make the +water-works a failure." + +They followed the path in silence for several moments, Katherine's +eyes upon the ground. At length she looked up. In Bruce's face she +plainly read what she had guessed to be an extra motive with him all +along, a glowering determination to crush her, humiliate her, a +determination to cut the ground from beneath her ambition by +overturning Blake and clearing her father without her aid. + +"And so," she breathed, "you have made good all your predictions. You +have succeeded and I have failed." + +For an instant his square face glowed upon her, exultant with triumph. +Then he partially subdued the look. + +"We won't discuss that matter," he said. "It's enough to repeat what I +once said, that Wilson is a crackerjack lawyer." + +"All the same, I congratulate you--and wish you every success," she +said; and as quickly thereafter as she could she made her escape, her +heart full of the bitterness of personal defeat. + +That afternoon the _Express_, in its largest type, in its editor's +highest-powered English, made its exposure of Harrison Blake. And that +afternoon there was pandemonium in Westville. Violence might have been +attempted upon Blake, but, fortunately for him, he had gone the night +before to Indianapolis--on a matter of state politics, it was said. + +Blake, however, was a man to fight to the last ditch. On the morning +after the publication of the _Express's_ charges, the _Clarion_ +printed an indignant denial from him. That same morning Bruce was +arrested on a charge of criminal libel, and that same day--the grand +jury being in session--he was indicted. Blake's attorney demanded +that, since these charges had a very direct bearing upon the +approaching election, the trial should take precedence over other +cases and be heard immediately. To this Bruce eagerly agreed, for he +desired nothing better than to demolish Blake in court, and the trial +was fixed for five days before election. + +Katherine, going about, heard the people jeer at Blake's denial; heard +them say that his demand for a trial was mere bravado to save his face +for a time--that when the trial came he would never show up. She saw +the former favourite of Westville become in an hour an object of +universal abomination. And, on the other hand, she saw Bruce leap up +to the very apex of popularity. + +For Bruce's sake, for every one's sake but her own, she was rejoiced. +But as for herself, she walked in the valley of humiliation, she ate +of the ashes of bitterness. Swept aside by the onrush of events, +feeling herself and her plans suddenly become futile, she decided to +cease all efforts and countermand all orders. But she could not veto +her plan concerning Doctor Sherman, for her money was spent and her +advertisements were broadcast through the North. As for Mr. Manning, +he stated that he had become so interested in the situation that he +was going to stay on in Westville for a time to see how affairs came +out. + +On the day of the trial Katherine and the city had one surprise at the +very start. Contrary to all predictions, Harrison Blake was in the +court-room and at the prosecution's table. Despite all the judge, the +clerk, and the sheriff could do to maintain order, there were cries +and mutterings against him. Not once did he flinch, but sat looking +straight ahead of him, or whispering to his private attorney or to the +public prosecutor, Kennedy. He was a brave man. Katherine had known +that. + +Bruce, all confidence, recited on the witness stand how he had come by +his evidence. Then the assistant superintendent told with most +convincing detail how he had succumbed to Blake's temptation and done +his bidding. Next, the engineer testified to the same effect. + +The crowd lowered at Blake. Certainly matters looked blacker than ever +for the one-time idol of the city. + +But Blake sat unmoved. His calmness begat a sort of uneasiness in +Katherine. When the engineer had completed his direct testimony, +Kennedy arose, and following whispered suggestions from Blake, +cross-questioned the witness searchingly, ever more searchingly, +pursued him in and out, in and out, till at length, snap!--Katherine's +heart stood still, and the crowd leaned forward breathless--snap, and +he had caught the engineer in a contradiction! + +Kennedy went after the engineer with rapid-fire questions that +involved the witness in contradiction on contradiction--that got him +confused, then hopelessly tangled up--that then broke him down +completely and drew from him a shamefaced confession. The fact was, he +said, that Mr. Bruce, wanting campaign material, had privately come to +him and paid him to make his statements. He had had no dealings with +Mr. Blake whatever. He was a poor man--his wife was sick with the +fever--he had needed the money--he hoped the court would be lenient +with him--etc., etc. The other witness, recalled, confessed to the +same story. + +Amid a stunned court room, Bruce sprang to his feet. + +"Lies! Lies!" he cried in a choking fury. "They've been bought off by +Blake!" + +"Silence!" shouted Judge Kellog, pounding his desk with his gavel. + +"I tell you it's trickery! They've been bought off by Blake!" + +"Silence!" thundered the judge, and followed with a dire threat of +contempt of court. + +But already Mr. Wilson and Sheriff Nichols were dragging the +struggling Bruce back into his chair. More shouts and hammering of +gavels by the judge and clerk had partially restored to order the +chaos begotten by this scene, when a bit of paper was slipped from +behind into Bruce's hand. He unfolded it with trembling fingers, and +read in a disguised, back-hand scrawl: + + "There's still enough left of me to know what's happened." + +That was all. But Bruce understood. Here was the handiwork and +vengeance of Blind Charlie Peck. He sprang up again and turned his +ireful face to where, in the crowd, sat the old politician. + +"You--you----" he began. + +But before he got further he was again dragged down into his seat. And +almost before the crowd had had time fairly to regain its breath, the +jury had filed out, had filed back in again, had returned its verdict +of guilty, and Judge Kellog had imposed a sentence of five hundred +dollars fine and sixty days in the county jail. + +In all the crowd that looked bewildered on, Katherine was perhaps the +only one who believed in Bruce's cry of trickery. She saw that Blake, +with Blind Charlie's cunning back of him, had risked his all on one +bold move that for a brief period had made him an object of universal +hatred. She saw that Bruce had fallen into a trap cleverly baited for +him, saw that he was the victim of an astute scheme to discredit him +utterly and remove him from the way. + +As Blake left the Court House Katherine heard a great cheer go up for +him; and within an hour the evidence of eye and ear proved to her that +he was more popular than ever. She saw the town crowd about him to +make amends for the injustice it considered it had done him. And as +for Bruce, as he was led by Sheriff Nichols from the Court House +toward the jail, she heard him pursued by jeers and hisses. + +Katherine walked homeward from the trial, completely dazed by this +sudden capsizing of all of Bruce's hopes--and of her own hopes as +well, for during the last few days she had come to depend on Bruce for +the clearing of her father. That evening, and most of the night, she +spent in casting up accounts. As matters then stood, they looked +desperate indeed. On the one hand, everything pointed to Blake's +election and the certain success of his plans. On the other hand, she +had gained no clue whatever to the whereabouts of Doctor Sherman; +nothing had as yet developed in the scheme she had built about Mr. +Manning; as for Mr. Stone, she had expected nothing from him, and all +he had turned in to her was that he suspected secret relations between +Blake and Peck. Furthermore, the man she loved--for yes, she loved him +still--was in jail, his candidacy collapsed, the cause for which he +stood a ruin. And last of all, the city, to the music of its own +applause, was about to be colossally swindled. + +A dark prospect indeed. But as she sat alone in the night, the cheers +for Blake floating in to her, she desperately determined to renew her +fight. Five days still remained before election, and in five days one +might do much; during those five days her ships might still come home +from sea. She summoned her courage, and gripped it fiercely. "I'll do +my best! I'll do my best!" she kept breathing throughout the night. +And her determination grew in its intensity as she realized the sum of +all the things for which she fought, and fought alone. + +She was fighting to save her father, she was fighting to save the +city, she was fighting to save the man she loved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE LAST STAND + + +The next morning Katherine, incited by the desperate need of action, +was so bold as to request Mr. Manning to meet her at Old Hosie's. She +was fortunate enough to get into the office without being observed. +The old lawyer, in preparation for the conference, had drawn his +wrinkled, once green shade as far down as he dared without giving +cause for suspicion, and before the window had placed a high-backed +chair and thrown upon it a greenish, blackish, brownish veteran of a +fall overcoat--thus balking any glances that might rove lazily upward +to his office. + +Old Hosie raised his lean figure from his chair and shook her hand, at +first silently. He, too, was dazed by the collapse of Bruce's +fortunes. + +"Things certainly do look bad," he said slowly. "I never suspected +that his case would suddenly stand on its head like that." + +"Nor did I--though from the beginning I had an instinctive feeling +that it was too good, too easy, to be true." + +"And to think that after all we know the boy is right!" groaned the +old man. + +"That's what makes the whole affair so tantalizing. We know he is +right--we know my father is innocent--we know the danger the city is +in--we know Mr. Blake's guilt--we know just what his plans are. We +know everything! But we have not one jot of evidence that would be +believed by the public. The irony of it! To think, for all our +knowledge, we can only look helplessly on and watch Mr. Blake succeed +in everything." + +Old Hosie breathed an imprecation that must have made his ancestors, +asleep behind the old Quaker meeting-house down in Buck Creek, gasp in +their grassy, cedar-shaded graves. + +"All the same," Katherine added desperately, "we've got to half kill +ourselves trying between now and election day!" + +They subsided into silence. In nervous impatience Katherine awaited +the appearance of the pseudo-investor in run-down farms. He seemed a +long time in coming, but the delay was all in her suspense, for as the +Court House clock was tolling the appointed hour Mr. Manning, _alias_ +Mr. Hartsell, walked into the office. He was, as Katherine had once +described him to Old Hosie, a quiet, reserved man with that +confidence-inspiring amplitude in the equatorial regions commonly +observable in bank presidents and trusted officials of corporations. + +As he closed the door his subdued but confident dignity dropped from +him and he warmly shook hands with Katherine, for this was their first +meeting since their conference in New York six weeks before. + +"You must know how very, very terrible our situation is," Katherine +rapidly began. "We've simply _got_ to do something!" + +"I certainly haven't done much so far," said Manning, with a rueful +smile. "I'm sorry--but you don't know how tedious my role's been to +me. To act the part of bait, and just lie around before the noses of +the fish you're after, and not get a bite in two whole weeks--that's +not my idea of exciting fishing." + +"I know. But the plan looked a good one." + +"It looked first-class," conceded Manning. "And, perhaps----" + +"With election only four days off, we've simply got to do something!" +Katherine repeated. "If nothing else, let's drop that plan, devise a +new one, and stake our hopes on some wild chance." + +"Wait a minute," said Manning. "I wouldn't drop that plan just yet. +I've gone two weeks without a bite, but--I'm not sure--remember I say +I'm not sure--but I think that at last I may possibly have a nibble." + +"A nibble you say?" cried Katherine, leaning eagerly forward. + +"At least, the cork bobbed under." + +"When?" + +"Last night." + +"Last night? Tell me about it!" + +"Well, of late I've been making my study of the water-works more and +more obvious, and I've half suspected that I've been watched, though I +was too uncertain to risk raising any false hopes by sending you word +about it. But yesterday afternoon Blind Charlie Peck--he's been +growing friendly with me lately--yesterday Blind Charlie invited me to +have supper with him. The supper was in his private dining-room; just +us two. I suspected that the old man was up to some game, and when I +saw the cocktails and whiskey and wine come on, I was pretty sure--for +you know, Miss West, when a crafty old politician of the Peck variety +wants to steal a little information from a man, his regulation scheme +is to get his man so drunk he doesn't know what he's talking about." + +"I know. Go on!" + +"I tried to beg off from the drinking. I told Mr. Peck I did not +drink. I liked it, I said, but I could not carry it. A glass or two +would put me under the table, so the only safe plan for me was to +leave it entirely alone. But he pressed me--and I took one. And he +pressed me again, and I took another--and another--and another--till +I'd had five or----" + +"But you should never have done it!" cried Katherine in alarm. + +Manning smiled at her reassuringly. + +"I'm no drinking man, but I'm so put together that I can swallow a +gallon and then sign the pledge with as steady a hand as the president +of the W. C. T. U. But after the sixth drink I must have looked just +about right to Blind Charlie. He began to put cunning questions at me. +Little by little all my secrets leaked out. The farm lands were only a +blind. My real business in Westville was the water-works. There was a +chance that the city might sell them, and if I could get them I was +going to snap them up. In fact, I was going to make an offer to the +city in a very few days. I had been examining the system closely; it +wasn't really in bad shape at all; it was worth a lot more than the +people said; and I was ready, if I had to, to pay its full value to +get it--even more. I had plenty of money behind me, for I was +representing Mr. Seymour, the big New York capitalist." + +"Good! Good!" cried Katharine breathlessly. "How did he seem to take +it?" + +"I could see that he was stirred up, and I guessed that he was +thinking big thoughts." + +"But did he say anything?" + +"Not a word. Except that it was interesting." + +"Ah!" It was an exclamation of disappointment. Then she instantly +added: "But of course he could not say anything until after he had +talked it over with Mr. Blake. He'll do that this morning--if he did +not do it last night. You may be approached by them to-day." + +She stood up excitedly, and her brown eyes glowed. "After all, +something may come of the plan!" + +"It's at least an opening," said Manning. + +"Yes. And let's use it for all it's worth. Don't you think it would be +best for you to go right back to your hotel, and keep yourself in +sight, so Mr. Peck won't have to lose a second in case he wants to +talk to you again?" + +"That's what I had in mind." + +"And all day I'll be either in my office, or at home, or at Mrs. +Sherman's. And the minute anything develops, send word to Mr. +Hollingsworth and he'll send word to me." + +"I'll not waste a minute," he assured her. + +All day she waited with suppressed excitement for good news from +Manning. But the only news was that there was no news. And so on the +second day. And so on the third. Her hopes, that had flared so high, +sunk by slow degrees to mere embers among the ashes. It appeared that +the nibble, which had seemed but the preliminary to swallowing the +bait, was after all no more than a nibble; that the fish had merely +nosed the worm and swum away. In the meantime, while eaten up by the +suspense of this inaction, she was witness to activity of the most +strenuous variety. Never had she seen a man spring up into favour as +did Harrison Blake. His campaign meetings were resumed the very night +of Bruce's conviction; the city crowded to them; the Blake Marching +Club tramped the streets till midnight, with flaming torches, rousing +the enthusiasm of the people with their shouts and campaign songs; and +wherever Blake appeared upon the platform he was greeted by an uproar, +and even when he appeared by daylight, when men's spirits are more +sedate, his progress through the streets was a series of miniature +ovations. + +As for Bruce, Katherine saw his power and position crumble so swiftly +that she could hardly see them disappear. The structure of a +tremendous future had stood one moment imposingly before her eyes. +Presto, and it was no more! The sentiment he had roused in favour of +public ownership, and against the regime of Blake, was as a thing that +had never been. With him in jail, his candidacy was but the ashes that +are left by a conflagration--though, to be sure, since the ballots +were already printed, it was too late to remove his name. He was a +thing to be cursed at, jeered at. He had suddenly become a little +lower than nobody, a little less than nothing. + +And as for his paper, when Katherine looked at it it made her sick at +heart. Within a day it lost a third in size. Advertisers no longer +dared, perhaps no longer cared, to give it patronage. Its news and +editorial character collapsed. This last she could hardly understand, +for Billy Harper was in charge, and Bruce had often praised him to her +as a marvel of a newspaper man. But one evening, when she was coming +home late from Elsie Sherman's and hurrying through the crowd of Main +Street, Billy Harper lurched against her. The next day, with a little +adroit inquiry, she learned that Harper, freed from Bruce's +restraining influence, and depressed by the general situation, was +drinking constantly. It required no prophetic vision for Katherine to +see that, if things continued as they now were going, on the day Bruce +came out of jail he would find the _Express_, which he had lifted to +power and a promise of prosperity, had sunk into a disrepute and a +decay from which even so great an energy as his could not restore it. + +Since there was so little she could do elsewhere, Katherine was at the +Shermans' several times a day, trying in unobtrusive ways to aid the +nurse and Doctor Sherman's sister. Miss Sherman was a spare, silent +woman of close upon forty, with rather sharp, determined features. +Despite her unloveliness, Katherine respected her deeply, for in other +days Elsie had told her sister-in-law's story. Miss Sherman and her +brother were orphans. To her had been given certain plain virtues, to +him all the graces of mind and body. She was a country school-teacher, +and it had been her hard work, her determination, her penny-counting +economy, that had saved her talented brother from her early hardships +and sent him through college. She had made him what he was; and +beneath her stern exterior she loved him with that intense devotion a +lonely, ingrowing woman feels for the object on which she has spent +her life's thought and effort. + +Whenever Katherine entered the sick chamber--they had moved Elsie's +bed into the sitting-room because of its greater convenience and +better air--her heart would stand still as she saw how white and +wasted was her friend. At such a time she would recall with a choking +keenness all of Elsie's virtues, each virtue increased and +purified--her simplicity, her purity, her loyalty. + +Several times Elsie came back from the brink of the Great Abyss, over +which she so faintly hovered, and smiled at Katherine and spoke a few +words--but only a few, for Doctor West allowed no more. Each time she +asked, with fluttering trepidation, if any word had come from her +husband; and each time at Katherine's choking negative she would try +to smile bravely and hide her disappointment. + +On one of the last days of this period--it was the Sunday before +election--Doctor West had said that either the end or a turn for the +better must be close at hand. Katherine had been sitting long watching +Elsie's pale face and faintly rising bosom, when Elsie slowly opened +her eyes. Elsie pressed her friend's hand with a barely perceptible +pressure and smiled with the faintest shadow of a smile. + +"You here again, Katherine?" she breathed. + +"Yes, dear." + +"Just the same dear Katherine!" + +"Don't speak, Elsie." + +She was silent a space. Then the wistful look Katherine had seen so +often came into the patient's soft gray eyes, and she knew what +Elsie's words were going to be before they passed her lips. + +"Have you heard anything--from him?" + +Katherine slowly shook her head. + +Elsie turned her face away for a moment. A sigh fluttered out. Then +she looked back. + +"But you are still trying to find him?" + +"We have done, and are doing, everything, dear." + +"I'm sure," sighed Elsie, "that he would come if he only knew." + +"Yes--if he only knew." + +"And you will keep on--trying--to get him word?" + +"Yes, dear." + +"Then perhaps--he may come yet." + +"Perhaps," said Katherine, with hopeful lips. But in her heart there +was no hope. + +Elsie closed her eyes, and did not speak again. Presently Katherine +went out into the level, red-gold sunlight of the waning November +afternoon. The church bells, resting between their morning duty and +that of the night, all were silent; over the city there lay a hush--it +was as if the town were gathering strength for its final spasm of +campaign activity on the morrow. There was nothing in that Sabbath +calm to disturb the emotion of Elsie's bedside, and Katherine walked +slowly homeward beneath the barren maples, in that fearful, tremulous, +yearning mood in which she had left the bedside of her friend. + +In this same mood she reached home and entered the empty sitting-room. +She was slowly drawing off her gloves when she perceived, upon the +centre-table, a special delivery letter addressed to herself. She +picked it up in moderate curiosity. The envelope was plain, the +address was typewritten, there was nothing to suggest the identity of +the sender. In the same moderate curiosity she unfolded the inclosure. +Then her curiosity became excitement, for the letter bore the +signature of Mr. Seymour. + +"I have to-day received a letter from Mr. Harrison Blake of +Westville," Mr. Seymour wrote her, "of which the following is the +text: 'We have just learned that there is in our city a Mr. Hartsell +who represents himself to be an agent of yours instructed to purchase +the water-works of Westville. Before entering into any negotiations +with him the city naturally desires to be assured by you that he is a +representative of your firm. As haste is necessary in this matter, we +request you to reply at once and by special delivery." + +"Ah, I understand the delay now!" Katherine exclaimed. "Before making +a deal with Mr. Manning, Mr. Blake and Mr. Peck wanted to be sure +their man was what he said he was!" + +"And now, Miss West," Mr. Seymour wrote on, "since you have kept me in +the dark as to the details of your plan, and as I have never heard of +said Hartsell, I have not known just how to reply to your Mr. Blake. +So I have had recourse to the vague brevity of a busy man, and have +sent the following by the same mail that brings this to you: 'Replying +to your inquiry of the 3rd inst. I beg to inform you that I have a +representative in Westville fully authorized to act for me in the +matter of the water-works.' I hope this reply is all right. Also there +is a second hope, which is strong even if I try to keep it subdued; +and that is that you will have to buy the water-works in for me." + +From that instant Katherine's mind was all upon her scheme. She was +certain that Mr. Seymour's reply was already in the hands of Blake and +Peck, and that they were even then planning, or perhaps had already +planned, what action they should take. At once she called Old Hosie up +by telephone. + +"I think it looks as though the 'nibble' were going to develop into a +bite, and quick," she said rapidly. "Get into communication with Mr. +Manning and tell him to make no final arrangement with those parties +till he sees me. I want to know what they offer." + +It was an hour later, and the early night had already fallen, when +there was a ring at the West door, and Old Hosie entered, alone. +Katharine quickly led the old lawyer into the parlour. + +"Well?" she whispered. + +"Manning has just accepted an invitation for an automobile ride this +evening from Charlie Peck." + +Katherine suddenly gripped his hand. + +"That may be a bite!" + +The old man nodded with suppressed excitement. + +"They were to set out at six. It's five minutes to six now." + +Without a word Katherine crossed swiftly and opened the door an inch, +and stood tensely waiting beside it. Presently, through the calm of +the Sabbath evening, there started up very near the sudden buzzing of +a cranked-up car. Then swiftly the buzzing faded away into the +distance. + +Katherine turned. + +"It's Mr. Blake's car. They'll all be at The Sycamores in half an +hour. It's a bite, certain! Get hold of Mr. Manning as soon as he +comes back, and bring him here. The house will be darkened, but the +front door will be unlocked. Come right in. Come as late as you +please. You'll find me waiting here in the parlour." + +The hours that followed were trying ones for Katherine. She sat about +with her aunt till toward ten o'clock. Then her father returned from +his last call, and soon thereafter they all went to their rooms. +Katherine remained upstairs till she thought her father and aunt were +settled, then slipped down to the parlour, set the front door ajar, +and sat waiting in the darkness. She heard the Court House clock with +judicial slowness count off eleven o'clock--then after a long, long +space, count off twelve. A few minutes later she heard Blake's car +return, and after a time she heard the city clock strike one. + +It was close upon two when soft steps sounded upon the porch and the +front door opened. She silently shook hands with her two vague +visitors. + +"We didn't think it safe to come any sooner," explained Old Hosie in a +whisper. + +"You've been with them out at The Sycamores?" Katherine eagerly +inquired of Manning. + +"Yes. For a four hours' session." + +"Well?" + +"Well, so far it looks O. K." + +In a low voice he detailed to Katherine how they had at first fenced +with one another; how at length he had told them that he had a formal +proposal to the city to buy the water-works all drawn up and that on +the morrow he was going to present it--and that, furthermore, he +would, if necessary, increase the sum he offered in that proposal to +the full value of the plant. Blake and Peck, after a slow approach to +the subject, in which they admitted that they also planned to buy the +system, had suggested that, inasmuch as he was only an agent and there +would be no profit in the purchase to him personally, he abandon his +purpose. If he would do this they would make it richly worth his +while. He had replied that this was such a different plan from that +which he had been considering that he must have time to think it over +and would give them his answer to-morrow. On which understanding the +three had parted. + +"I suppose it would hardly be practicable," said Katherine when he had +finished, "to have a number of witnesses concealed at your place of +meeting and overhear your conversation?" + +"No, it would be mighty difficult to pull that off." + +"And what's more," she commented, "Mr. Blake would deny whatever they +said, and with his present popularity his words would carry more +weight than that of any half dozen witnesses we might get. At the +best, our charges would drag on for months, perhaps years, in the +courts, with in the end the majority of the people believing in him. +With the election so near, we must have instantaneous results. We +must use a means of exposing him that will instantly convince all the +people." + +"That's the way I see it," agreed Manning. + +"When did they offer to pay you, in case you agreed to sell out to +them?" + +"On the day they got control of the water-works. Naturally they didn't +want to pay me before, for fear I might break faith with them and buy +in the system for Mr. Seymour." + +"Can't you make them put their proposition in the form of an +agreement, to be signed by all three of you?" asked Katherine. + +"But mebbe they won't consent to that," put in Old Hosie. + +"Mr. Manning will know how to bring them around. He can say, for +example, that, unless he has such a written agreement, they will be in +a position to drop him when once they've got what they want. He can +say that unless they consent to sign some such agreement he will go on +with his original plan. I think they'll sign." + +"And if they do?" queried Old Hosie. + +"If they do," said Katherine, "we'll have documentary evidence to show +Westville that those two great political enemies, Mr. Blake and Mr. +Peck, are secretly business associates--their business being a +conspiracy to wreck the water-works and defraud the city. I think such +a document would interest Westville." + +"I should say it would!" exclaimed Old Hosie. + +They whispered on, excitedly, hopefully; and when the two men had +departed and Katherine had gone up to her room to try to snatch a few +hours' sleep, she continued to dwell eagerly upon the plan that seemed +so near of consummation. She tossed about her bed, and heard the Court +House clock sound three, and then four. Then the heat of her +excitement began to pass away, and cold doubts began to creep into her +mind. Perhaps Blake and Peck would refuse to sign. And even if they +did sign, she began to see this prospective success as a thing of +lesser magnitude. The agreement would prove the alliance between Blake +and Peck, and would make clear that a conspiracy existed. It was good, +but it was not enough. It fell short by more than half. It would not +clear her father, though his innocence might be inferred, and it would +not prove Blake's responsibility for the epidemic. + +As she lay there staring wide-eyed into the gloom of the night, +listening to the town clock count off the hours of her last day, she +realized that what she needed most of all, far more than Manning's +document even should he get it, was the testimony which she believed +was sealed behind the lips of Doctor Sherman, whose present +whereabouts God only knew. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AT ELSIE'S BEDSIDE + + +The day before election, a day of hope deferred, had dragged slowly by +and night had at length settled upon the city. Doctor West had the +minute before come in from a long, dinnerless day of hastening from +case to case, and now he, Katherine, and her aunt were sitting about +the supper table. To Katherine's eye her father looked very weary and +white and frail. The day-and-night struggle at scores of bedsides was +sorely wearing him down. + +As for Katherine, she was hardly less worn. She scarcely touched the +food before her. The fears that always assail one at a crisis, now +swarmed in upon her. With the election but a few hours distant, with +no word as yet from Mr. Manning, she saw all her high plans coming to +naught and saw herself overwhelmed with utter defeat. From without +there dimly sounded the beginning of the ferment of the campaign's +final evening; it brought to her more keenly that to-morrow the city +was going to give itself over unanimously to be despoiled. Across the +table, her father, pale and worried, was a reminder that, when his +fight of the plague was completed, he must return to jail. Her mind +flashed now and then to Bruce; she saw him in prison; she saw not only +his certain defeat on the morrow, but she saw him crushed and ruined +for life as far as a career in Westville was concerned; and though she +bravely tried to master her feeling, the throbbing anguish with which +she looked upon his fate was affirmation of how poignant and +deep-rooted was her love. + +And yet, despite these flooding fears, she clung with a dizzy +desperation to hope, and to the determination to fight on to the last +second of the last minute. + +While swinging thus between despair and desperate hope, she was +maintaining, at first somewhat mechanically to be sure, a conversation +with her father, whom she had not seen since their early breakfast +together. + +"How does the fever situation seem to-night?" she asked. + +"Much better," said Doctor West. "There were fewer new cases reported +to-day than any day for a week." + +"Then you are getting the epidemic under control?" + +"I think we can at last say we have it thoroughly in hand. The number +of new cases is daily decreasing, and the old cases are doing well. I +don't know of an epidemic of this size on record where the mortality +has been so small." + +She came out of her preoccupation and breathlessly demanded: + +"Tell me, how is Elsie Sherman? I could not get around to see her +to-day." + +He dropped his eyes to his plate and did not answer. + +"You mean she is no better?" + +"She is very low." + +"But she still has a chance?" + +"Yes, she has a chance. But that's about all. The fever is at its +climax. I think to-night will decide which it's to be." + +"You are going to her again to-night?" + +"Right after supper." + +"Then I'll go with you," said Katherine. "Poor Elsie! Poor Elsie!" she +murmured to herself. Then she asked, "Have they had any word from +Doctor Sherman?" + +"I asked his sister this afternoon. She said they had not." + +They fell silent for a moment or two. Doctor West nibbled at his ham +with a troubled air. + +"There is one feature of the case I cannot approve of," he at length +remarked "Of course the Shermans are poor, but I do not think Miss +Sherman should have impaired Elsie's chances, such as they are, from +motives of economy." + +"Impaired Elsie's chances?" queried Katherine. + +"And certainly she should not have done so without consulting me," +continued Doctor West. + +"Done what?" + +"Oh, I forgot I had not had a chance to tell you. When I made my first +call this morning I learned that Miss Sherman had discharged the +nurse." + +"Discharged the nurse?" + +"Yes. During the night." + +"But what for?" + +"Miss Sherman said they could not afford to keep her." + +"But with Elsie so dangerously sick, this is no time to economize!" + +"Exactly what I told her. And I said there were plenty of friends who +would have been happy to supply the necessary money." + +"And what did she say?" + +"Very little. She's a silent, determined woman, you know. She said +that even at such a time they could not accept charity." + +"But did you not insist upon her getting another nurse?" + +"Yes. But she refused to have one." + +"Then who is looking after Elsie?" + +"Miss Sherman." + +"Alone?" + +"Yes, alone. She has even discharged old Mrs. Murphy, who came in for +a few hours a day to clean up." + +"It seems almost incomprehensible!" ejaculated Katherine. "Think of +running such a risk for the sake of a few dollars!" + +"After all, Miss Sherman isn't such a bad nurse," Doctor West's sense +of justice prompted him to admit. "In fact, she is really doing very +well." + +"All the same, it seems incomprehensible!" persisted Katherine. "For +economy's sake----" + +She broke off and was silent a moment. Then suddenly she leaned across +the table. + +"You are sure she gave no other reason?" + +"None." + +"And you believe her?" + +"Why, you don't think she would lie to me, do you?" exclaimed Doctor +West. + +"I don't say that," Katherine returned rapidly. "But she's shrewd and +close-mouthed. She might not have told you the whole truth." + +"But what could have been her real reason then?" + +"Something besides the reason she gave. That's plain." + +"But what is it? Why, Katherine," her father burst out, half rising +from his chair, "what's the matter with you?" + +Her eyes were glowing with excitement. "Wait! Wait!" she said quickly, +lifting a hand. + +She gazed down upon the table, her brow puckered with intense thought. +Her father and her aunt stared at her in gathering amazement, and +waited breathlessly till she should speak. + +After a minute she glanced up at her father. The strange look in her +face had grown more strange. + +"You saw no one else there besides Miss Sherman?" she asked quickly. + +"No." + +"Nor signs of any one?" + +"No," repeated the bewildered old man. "What are you thinking of, +Katherine?" + +"I don't dare say it--I hardly dare think it!" + +She pushed back her chair and arose. She was quivering all over, but +she strove to command her agitation. + +"As soon as you're through supper, father, I'll be ready to go to +Elsie." + +"I'm through now." + +"Come on, then. Let's not lose a minute!" + +They hurried out and entered the carriage which, at the city's +charge, stood always waiting Doctor West's requirements. "To Mrs. +Sherman's--quick!" Katherine ordered the driver, and the horse +clattered away through the crisp November night. + +Already people were streaming toward the centre of the town to share +in the excitement of the campaign's closing night. As the carriage +passed the Square, Katherine saw, built against the Court House and +brilliantly festooned with vari-coloured electric bulbs, the speakers' +stand from which Blake and others of his party were later to address +the final mass-meeting of the campaign. + +The carriage turned past the jail into Wabash Avenue, and a minute +afterward drew up beside the Sherman cottage. Pulsing with the double +suspense of her conjecture and of her concern for Elsie's life, +Katherine followed her father into the sick chamber. As they entered +the hushed room the spare figure of Miss Sherman rose from a rocker +beside the bed, greeted them with a silent nod, and drew back to give +place to Doctor West. + +Katherine moved slowly to the foot of the bed and gazed down. For a +space, one cause of her suspense was swept out of her being, and all +her concern was for the flickering life before her. Elsie lay with +eyes closed, and breathing so faintly that she seemed scarcely to +breathe at all. So pale, so wasted, so almost wraithlike was she as to +suggest that when her spirit fled, if flee it must, nothing could be +left remaining between the sheets. + +As she gazed down upon her friend, hovering uncertainly upon life's +threshold, a tingling chill pervaded Katherine's body. Since her +mother's loss in unremembering childhood, Death had been kind to her; +no one so dear had been thus carried up to the very brink of the +grave. All that had been sweet and strong in her friendship with Elsie +now flooded in upon her in a mighty wave of undefined emotion. She was +immediately conscious only of the wasted figure before her, and its +peril, but back of consciousness were unformed memories of their +girlhood together, of the inseparable intimacy of their young +womanhood, and of that shy and tender time when she had been the +confidante of Elsie's courtship. + +There was a choking at her throat, tears slipped down her cheeks, and +there surged up a wild, wild wish, a rebellious demand, that Elsie +might come safely through her danger. + +But, presently, her mind reverted to the special purpose that had +brought her hither. She studied the face of Miss Sherman, seeking +confirmation of the conjecture that had so aroused her--studying also +for some method of approaching Miss Sherman, of breaking down her +guard, and gaining the information she desired. But she learned +nothing from the expression of those spare, self-contained features; +and she realized that the lips of the Sphinx would be easier to unlock +than those of this loyal sister of a fugitive brother. + +That her conjecture was correct, she became every instant more +convinced. She sensed it in the stilled atmosphere of the house; she +sensed it in the glances of cold and watchful hostility Miss Sherman +now and then stole at her. She was wondering what should be her next +step, when Doctor West, who had felt Elsie's pulse and examined the +temperature chart, drew Miss Sherman back to near where Katherine +stood. + +"Still nothing from Doctor Sherman?" he whispered in grave anxiety. + +"Nothing," said Miss Sherman, looking straight into her questioner's +eyes. + +"Too bad, too bad!" sighed Doctor West. "He ought to be home!" + +Miss Sherman let the first trace of feeling escape from her compressed +being. + +"But still there is a chance?" she asked quickly. + +"A fighting chance. I think we shall know which it's to be within an +hour." + +At these words Katherine heard from behind her ever so faint a sound, +a sound that sent a thrill through all her nerves. A sound like a +stifled groan. For a minute or more she did not move. But when Doctor +West and Miss Sherman had gone back to their places and Doctor West +had begun the final fight for Elsie's life, she slowly turned about. +Before her was a door. Her heart gave a leap. When she had entered she +had searched the room with a quick glance, and that door had then been +closed. It now stood slightly ajar. + +Some one within must have noiselessly opened it to hear Doctor West's +decree upon the patient. + +Swiftly and silently Katherine slipped through the door and locked it +behind her. For a moment she stood in the darkness, striving to master +her throbbing excitement. + +At length she spoke. + +"Will you please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman," she said. + +There was no answer; only a black and breathless silence. + +"Please turn on the light, Doctor Sherman," Katherine repeated. "I +cannot, for I do not know where the electric button is." + +Again there was silence. Then Katherine heard something like a gasp. +There was a click, and then the room, Doctor Sherman's study, burst +suddenly into light. + +Behind the desk, one hand still upon the electric key, stood Doctor +Sherman. He was very thin and very white, and was worn, wild-eyed and +dishevelled. He was breathing heavily and he stared at Katherine with +the defiance of a desperate creature brought at last to bay. + +"What do you want?" he demanded huskily. + +"A little talk with you," replied Katherine, trying to speak calmly. + +"You must excuse me. With Elsie so sick, I cannot talk." + +She stood very straight before him. Her eyes never left his face. + +"We must talk just the same," she returned. "When did you come home?" + +"Last night." + +"Why did you not let your friends know of your return? All day, in +fact for several days, they have been sending telegrams to every place +where they could conceive your being." + +He did not answer. + +"It looks very much as if you were trying to hide." + +Again he did not reply. + +"It looks very much," she steadily pursued, "as if your sister +discharged the nurse and the servant in order that you might hide here +in your own home without risk of discovery." + +Still he did not answer. + +"You need not reply to that question, for the reply is obvious. I +guessed the meaning of the nurse's discharge as soon as I heard of it. +I guessed that you were secretly hovering over Elsie, while all +Westville thought you were hundreds of miles away. But tell me, how +did you learn that Elsie was sick?" + +He hesitated, then swallowed. + +"I saw a notice of it in a little country paper." + +"Ah, I thought so." + +She moved forward and leaned across the desk. Their eyes were no more +than a yard apart. + +"Tell me," she said quietly, "why did you slip into town by night? Why +are you hiding in your own home?" + +A tremor ran through his slender frame. With an effort he tried to +take the upperhand. + +"You must excuse me," he said, with an attempt at sharp dignity. "I +refuse to be cross-examined." + +"Then I will answer for you. The reason, Doctor Sherman, is that you +have a guilty conscience." + +"That is not----" + +"Do not lie," she interrupted quickly. "You realize what you have +done, you are afraid it may become public, you are afraid of the +consequences to yourself--and that is why you slipped back in the dead +of night and lie hidden like a fugitive in your own house." + +A spasm of agony crossed his face. + +"For God's sake, tell me what you want and leave me!" + +"I want you to clear my father." + +"Clear your father?" he cried. "And how, if you please?" + +"By confessing that he is innocent." + +"When he is guilty!" + +"You know he is not." + +"He's guilty--he's guilty, I tell you! Besides," he added, wildly, +"don't you see that if I proclaim him innocent I proclaim myself a +perjured witness?" + +She leaned a little farther across the desk. + +"Is not that exactly what you are, Doctor Sherman?" + +He shrank back as though struck. One hand went tremulously to his chin +and he stared at her. + +"No! No!" he burst out spasmodically. "It's not so! I shall not admit +it! Would you have me ruin myself for all time? Would you have me ruin +Elsie's future! Would you have me kill her love for me?" + +"Then you will not confess?" + +"I tell you there is nothing to confess!" + +She gazed at him steadily a moment. Then she turned back to the door, +softly unlocked and opened it. He started to rush through, but she +raised a hand and stopped him. + +"Just look," she commanded in a whisper. + +He stared through the open door. They could see Elsie's white face +upon the pillow, with the two dark braids beside it; and could see +Doctor West hovering over her. He had not heard them, but Miss Sherman +had, and she directed at Katherine a pale and hostile glance. + +The young husband twisted his hands in agony. + +"Oh, Elsie! Elsie!" he moaned. + +Katherine closed the door, and turned again to Doctor Sherman. + +"You have seen your work," she said. "Do you still persist in your +innocence?" + +He drew a deep, shivering breath and shrank away behind his desk, but +did not answer. + +Katherine followed him. + +"Do you know how sick your wife is?" + +"I heard your father say." + +"She is swinging over eternity by a mere thread." Katherine leaned +across the desk and her eyes gazed with an even greater fixity into +his. "If the thread snaps, do you know who will have broken it?" + +"Don't! Don't!" he begged. + +"Her own husband," Katherine went on relentlessly. + +A cry of agony escaped him. + +"You saw that old man in there bending over her," she pursued, +"trying with all his skill, with all his love, to save her--to save +her from the peril you have plunged her into--and with never a bitter +feeling against you in his heart. If she lives, it will be because of +him. And yet that old man is ruined and has a blackened reputation. I +ask you, do you know who ruined him?" + +"Don't! Don't!" he cried, and he sank a crumpled figure at his desk, +and buried his face in his arms. + +"Look up!" cried Katherine sternly. + +"Wait!" he moaned. "Wait!" + +She passed around the desk and firmly raised his shoulders. + +"Look me in the eyes!" + +He lifted a face that worked convulsively. + +She stood accusingly before him. "Out with the truth!" she commanded +in a rising voice. "In the presence of your wife, perhaps dying, and +dying as the result of your act--in the presence of that old man, whom +you have ruined with your word--do you still dare to maintain your +innocence? Out with the truth, I say!" + +He sprang to his feet. + +"I can stand it no longer!" he gasped in an agony that went to +Katherine's heart. "It's killing me! It's been tearing me apart for +months! What I have suffered--oh, what I have suffered! I'll tell you +all--all! Oh, let me get it off my soul!" + +The desperation of his outburst, the sight of his fine face convulsed +with uttermost agony and repentance, worked a sudden revulsion in +Katherine's heart. All her bitterness, her momentary sternness, rushed +out of her, and there she was, quivering all over, hot tears in her +eyes, gripping the hands of Elsie's husband. + +"I'm so glad--not only for father's sake--but for your sake," she +cried chokingly. + +"Let me tell you at once! Let me get it out of myself!" + +"First sit down," and she gently pressed him back into his chair and +drew one up to face him. "And wait for a moment or two, till you feel +a little calmer." + +He bowed his head into his hands, and for a space breathed deeply and +tremulously. Katherine stood waiting. Through the night sounded the +brassy strains of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Back at the Court House +Blake's party was opening its great mass-meeting. + +"I'm a coward--a coward!" Doctor Sherman groaned at length into his +hands. And in a voice of utmost contrition he went on and told how, to +gain money for the proper care of Elsie, he had been drawn into +gambling in stocks; how he had made use of church funds to save +himself in a falling market, and how this church money had, like his +own, been swallowed down by Wall Street; how Blake had discovered the +embezzlement, for the time had saved him, but later by threat of +exposure had driven him to play the part he had against Doctor West. + +"You must make this statement public, instantly!" Katherine exclaimed +when he had finished. + +He shrank back before that supreme humiliation. "Let me do it +later--please, please!" he besought her. + +"A day's delay will be----" She caught his arm. "Listen!" she +commanded. + +Both held their breath. Through the night came the stirring music of +"The Star Spangled Banner." + +"What is that?" he asked. + +"The great rally of Mr. Blake's party at the Court House." Her next +words drove in. "To-morrow Mr. Blake is going to capture the city, and +be in position to rob it. And all because of your act, Doctor +Sherman!" + +"You are right, you are right!" he breathed. + +She held out a pen to him. + +"You must write your statement at once." + +"Yes, yes," he cried, "only let it be short now. I'll make it in full +later." + +"You need write only a summary." + +He seized the pen and dipped it into the ink and for a moment held it +shaking over a sheet of paper. + +"I cannot shape it--the words won't come." + +"Shall I dictate it then?" + +"Do! Please do!" + +"You are willing to confess everything?" + +"Everything!" + +Katherine stood thinking for a moment at his side. + +"Ready, then. Write, 'I embezzled funds from my church; Mr. Blake +found me out, and replaced what I had taken, with no one being the +wiser. Later, by the threat of exposing me if I refused, he compelled +me to accuse Doctor West of accepting a bribe and still later he +compelled me to testify in court against Doctor West. Mr. Blake's +purpose in so doing was to remove Doctor West from his position, ruin +the water-works, and buy them in at a bargain. I hereby confess and +declare, of my own free will, that I have been guilty of lying and of +perjury.' Do you want to say that?" + +"Yes! Yes!" + +"'And I further confess and declare that Dr. David West is innocent in +every detail of the charges made against him. Signed, Harold +Sherman.'" + +He dropped his pen and sprang up. + +"And now may I go in to Elsie?" + +"You may." + +He hurried noiselessly across the room and through the door. +Katherine, picking up the precious paper she had worked so many months +to gain, followed him. Miss Sherman saw them come in, but remained +silent. Doctor West was bending over Elsie and did not hear their +entrance. + +Doctor Sherman tiptoed to the bedside, and stood gazing down, his +breath held, hardly less pale than the soft-sleeping Elsie herself. +Presently Doctor West straightened up and perceived the young +minister. He started, then held out his hand. + +"Why, Doctor Sherman!" he whispered eagerly. "I'm so glad you've come +at last!" + +The younger man drew back. + +"You won't be willing to shake hands with me--when you know." Then he +took a quick half step forward. "But tell me," he breathed, "is +there--is there any hope?" + +"I dare not speak definitely yet--but I think she is going to live." + +"Thank God!" cried the young man. + +Suddenly he collapsed upon the floor and embraced Doctor West about +the knees, and knelt there sobbing out broken bits of sentences. + +"Why--why," stammered Doctor West in amazement, "what does this mean?" + +Katherine moved forward. Her voice quavered, partly from joy, partly +from pity for the anguished figure upon the floor. + +"It means you are cleared, father! This will explain." And she gave +him Doctor Sherman's confession. + +The old man read it, then passed a bewildered hand across his face. + +"I--I don't understand this!" + +"I'll explain it later," said Katherine. + +"Is--is this true?" It was to the young minister that Doctor West +spoke. + +"Yes. And more. I can't ask you to forgive me!" sobbed Doctor Sherman. +"It's beyond forgiveness! But I want to thank you for saving Elsie. At +least you'll let me thank you for that!" + +"What I have done here has been only my duty as a physician," said +Doctor West gently. "As for the other matter"--he looked the paper +through, still with bewilderment--"as for that, I'm afraid I am not +the chief sufferer," he said slowly, gently. "I have been under a +cloud, it is true, and I won't deny that it has hurt. But I am an old +man, and it doesn't matter much. You are young, just beginning life. +Of us two you are the one most to be pitied." + +"Don't pity me--please!" cried the minister. "I don't deserve it!" + +"I'm sorry--so sorry!" Doctor West shook his head. Apparently he had +forgotten the significance of this confession to himself. "I have +always loved Elsie, and I have always admired you and been proud of +you. So if my forgiveness means anything to you, why I forgive you +with all my heart!" + +A choking sound came from the bowed figure, but no words. His +embracing arms fell away from Doctor West. He knelt there limply, his +head bowed upon his bosom. There was a moment of breathless silence. +In the background Miss Sherman stood looking on, white, tense, +dry-eyed. + +Doctor Sherman turned slowly, fearfully, toward the bed. + +"But, Elsie," he whispered in a dry, lost voice. "It's all bad--but +that's the worst of all. When she knows, she never can forgive me!" + +Katherine laid a hand upon his shoulder. + +"If you think that, then you don't know Elsie. She will be pained, but +she loves you with all her soul; she would forgive you anything so +long as you loved her, and she would follow you through every misery +to the ends of the world." + +"Do you think so?" he breathed; and then he crept to the bed and +buried his face upon it. + +Katherine looked down upon him for a moment. Then her own concerns +began flooding back upon her. She realized that she had not yet won +the fight. She had only gained a weapon. + +"I must go now," she whispered to her father, taking the paper from +his hand. + +Throbbing with returned excitement, she hurried out to the dimly +comprehended, desperate effort that lay before her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +BILLY HARPER WRITES A STORY + + +As Katherine crossed the porch and went down the steps she saw, +entering the yard, a tall, square-hatted apparition. + +"Is that you, Miss Katherine?" it called softly to her. + +"Yes, Mr. Hollingsworth." + +"I was looking for you." He turned and they walked out of the yard +together. "I went to your house, and your aunt told me you were here. +I've got it!" he added excitedly. + +"Got what?" + +"The agreement!" + +She stopped short and seized his arm. + +"You mean between Blake, Peck, and Manning?" + +"Yes. I've got it!" + +"Signed?" + +"All signed!" And he slapped the breast pocket of his old frock-coat. + +"Let me see it! Please!" + +He handed it to her, and by the light of a street lamp she glanced it +through. + +"Oh, it's too good to believe!" she murmured exultantly. "Oh, oh!" She +thrust it into her bosom, where it lay beside Doctor Sherman's +confession. "Come, we must hurry!" she cried. And with her arm through +his they set off in the direction of the Square. + +"When did Mr. Manning get this?" she asked, after a moment. + +"I saw him about an hour ago. He had then just got it." + +"It's splendid! Splendid!" she ejaculated. "But I have something, +too!" + +"Yes?" queried the old man. + +"Something even better." And as they hurried on she told him of Doctor +Sherman's confession. + +Old Hosie burst into excited congratulations, but she quickly checked +him. + +"We've no time now to rejoice," she said. "We must think how we are +going to use these statements--how we are going to get this +information before the people, get it before them at once, and get it +before them so they must believe it." + +They walked on in silent thought. From the moment they had left the +Shermans' gate the two had heard a tremendous cheering from the +direction of the Square, and had seen a steady, up-reaching glow, at +intervals brilliantly bespangled by rockets and roman candles. Now, as +they came into Main Street, they saw that the Court House yard was +jammed with an uproarious multitude. Within the speakers' stand was +throned the Westville Brass Band; enclosing the stand in an imposing +semicircle was massed the Blake Marching Club, in uniforms, their +flaring torches adding to the illumination of the festoons of +incandescent bulbs; and spreading fanwise from this uniformed nucleus +it seemed that all of Westville was assembled--at least all of +Westville that did not watch at fevered bedsides. + +At the moment that Katherine and Old Hosie, walking along the southern +side of Main Street, came opposite the stand, the first speaker +concluded his peroration and resumed his seat. There was an outburst +of "Blake! Blake! Blake!" from the enthusiastic thousands; but the +Westville Brass Band broke in with the chorus of "Marching Through +Georgia." The stirring thunder of the band had hardly died away, when +the thousands of voices again rose in cries of "Blake! Blake! Blake!" + +The chairman with difficulty quieted the crowd, and urged them to have +patience, as all the candidates were going to speak, and Blake was not +to speak till toward the last. Kennedy was the next orator, and he +told the multitude, with much flinging heavenward of loose-jointed +arms, what an unparalleled administration the officers to be elected +on the morrow would give the city, and how first and foremost it would +be their purpose to settle the problem of the water-works in such a +manner as to free the city forever from the dangers of another +epidemic such as they were now experiencing. As supreme climax to his +speech, he lauded the ability, character and public spirit of Blake +till superlatives could mount no higher. + +When he sat down the crowd went well-nigh mad. But amid the cheering +for the city's favourite, some one shouted the name of Doctor West and +with it coupled a vile epithet. At once Doctor West's name swept +through the crowd, hissed, jeered, cursed. This outbreak made clear +one ominous fact. The enthusiasm of the multitude was not just +ordinary, election-time enthusiasm. Beneath it was smouldering a +desire of revenge for the ills they had suffered and were suffering--a +desire which at a moment might flame up into the uncontrollable fury +of a mob. + +Katherine clutched Old Hosie's arm. + +"Did you hear those cries against my father?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I know now what I shall do!" + +He saw that her eyes were afire with decision. + +"What?" + +"I am going across there, watch my chance, slip out upon the speakers' +stand, and expose and denounce Mr. Blake before Mr. Blake's own +audience!" + +The audacity of the plan for a moment caught Old Hosie's breath. Then +its dramatic quality fired his imagination. + +"Gorgeous!" he exclaimed. + +"Come on!" she cried. + +She started across the street, with Old Hosie at her heels. But before +she reached the opposite curb she paused, and turned slowly back. + +"What's the matter?" asked Old Hosie. + +"It won't do. The people on the stand would pull me down before I got +started speaking. And even if I spoke, the people would not believe +me. I have got to put this evidence"--she pressed the documents within +her bosom--"before their very eyes. No, we have got to think of some +other way." + +By this time they were back in the seclusion of the doorway of the +_Express_ Building, where they had previously been standing. For +several moments the hoarse, vehement oratory of a tired throat rasped +upon their heedless ears. Once or twice Old Hosie stole a glance at +Katherine's tensely thoughtful face, then returned to his own +meditation. + +Presently she touched him on the arm. He looked up. + +"I have it this time!" she said, with the quiet of suppressed +excitement. + +"Yes?" + +"We're going to get out an extra!" + +"An extra?" he exclaimed blankly. + +"Yes. Of the _Express_!" + +"An extra of the _Express_?" + +"Yes. Get it out before this crowd scatters, and in it reproductions +of these documents!" + +He stared at her. "Son of Methuselah!" Then he whistled. Then his look +became a bit strange, and there was a strange quality to his voice +when he said: + +"So you are going to give Arnold Bruce's paper the credit of the +exposure?" + +His tone told her the meaning that lay behind his words. He had known +of the engagement, and he knew that it was now broken. She flushed. + +"It's the best way," she said shortly. + +"But you can't do it alone!" + +"Of course not." Her voice began to gather energy. "We've got to get +the _Express_ people here at once--and especially Mr. Harper. +Everything depends on Mr. Harper. He'll have to get the paper out." + +"Yes! Yes!" said Old Hosie, catching her excitement. + +"You look for him here in this crowd--and, also, if you can see to it, +send some one to get the foreman and his people. I'll look for Mr. +Harper at his hotel. We'll meet here at the office." + +With that they hurried away on their respective errands. Arrived at +the National House, where Billy Harper lived, Katherine walked into +the great bare office and straight up to the clerk, whom the +mass-meeting had left as the room's sole occupant. + +"Is Mr. Harper in?" she asked quickly. + +The clerk, one of the most prodigious of local beaux, was startled by +this sudden apparition. + +"I--I believe he is." + +"Please tell him at once that I wish to see him." + +He fumbled the white wall of his lofty collar with an embarrassed +hand. + +"Excuse me, Miss West, but the fact is, I'm afraid he can't see you." + +"Give him my name and tell him I simply _must_ see him." + +The clerk's embarrassment waxed greater. + +"I--I guess I should have said it the other way around," he stammered. +"I'm afraid you won't want to see him." + +"Why not?" + +"The fact is--he's pretty much cut up, you know--and he's been so +worried that--that--well, the plain fact is," he blurted out, "Mr. +Harper has been drinking." + +"To-night?" + +"Yes." + +"Much?" + +"Well--I'm afraid quite a little." + +"But he's here?" + +"He's in the bar-room." + +Katherine's heart had been steadily sinking. + +"I must see him anyhow!" she said desperately. "Please call him out!" + +The clerk hesitated, in even deeper embarrassment. This affair was +quite without precedent in his career. + +"You must call him out--this second! Didn't you hear me?" + +"Certainly, certainly." + +He came hastily from behind his desk and disappeared through a pair of +swinging wicker doors. After a moment he reappeared, alone, and his +manner showed a degree of embarrassment even more acute. + +Katherine crossed eagerly to meet him. + +"You found Mr. Harper?" + +"Yes." + +"Well?" + +"I couldn't make him understand. And even if I could, +he's--he's--well," he added with a painful effort, "he's in no +condition for you to talk to, Miss West." + +Katherine gazed whitely at the clerk for a moment. Then without a word +she stepped by him and passed through the wicker door. With a glance +she took in the garishly lighted room--its rows of bottles, its +glittering mirrors, its white-aproned bartender, its pair of topers +whose loyalty to the bar was stronger than the lure of oratory and +music at the Square. And there at a table, his head upon his arms, sat +the loosely hunched body of him who was the foundation of all her +present hopes. + +She moved swiftly across the sawdusted floor and shook the acting +editor by the shoulder. + +"Mr. Harper!" she called into his ear. + +She shook him again, and again she called his name. + +"Le' me 'lone," he grunted thickly. "Wanter sleep." + +She was conscious that the two topers had paused in mid-drink and were +looking her way with a grinning, alcoholic curiosity. She shook the +editor with all her strength. + +"Mr. Harper!" she called fiercely. + +"G'way!" he mumbled. "'M busy. Wanter sleep." + +Katherine gazed down at the insensate mass in utter hopelessness. +Without him she could do nothing, and the precious minutes were +flying. Through the night came a rumble of applause and fast upon it +the music of another patriotic air. + +In desperation she turned to the bartender. + +"Can't you help me rouse him?" she cried. "I've simply _got_ to speak +to him!" + +That gentleman had often been appealed to by frantic women as against +customers who had bought too liberally. But Katherine was a new +variety in his experience. There was a great deal too much of him +about the waist and also beneath the chin, but there was good-nature +in his eyes, and he came from behind his counter and bore himself +toward Katherine with a clumsy and ornate courtesy. + +"Don't see how you can, Miss. He's been hittin' an awful pace lately. +You see for yourself how far gone he is." + +"But I must speak to him--I must! Surely there is some extreme measure +that would bring him to his senses!" + +"But, excuse me; you see, Miss, Mr. Harper is a reg'lar guest of the +hotel, and I wouldn't dare go to extremes. If I was to make him +mad----" + +"I'll take all the blame!" she cried. "And afterward he'll thank you +for it!" + +The bartender scratched his thin hair. + +"Of course, I want to help you, Miss, and since you put it that way, +all right. You say I can go the limit?" + +"Yes! Yes!" + +The bartender retired behind his bar and returned with a pail of +water. He removed the young editor's hat. + +"Stand back, Miss; it's ice cold," he said; and with a swing of his +pudgy arms he sent the water about Harper's head, neck, and upper +body. + +The young fellow staggered up with a gasping cry. His blinking eyes +saw the bartender, with the empty pail. He reached for the tumbler +before him. + +"Damn you, Murphy!" he growled. "I'll pay you----" + +But Katherine stepped quickly forward and touched his dripping sleeve. + +"Mr. Harper!" she said. + +He slowly turned his head. Then the hand with the upraised tumbler +sank to the table, and he stared at her. + +"Mr. Harper," she said sharply, slowly, trying to drive her words into +his dulled brain, "I've got to speak to you! At once!" + +He continued to blink at her stupidly. At length his lips opened. + +"Miss West," he said thickly. + +She shook him fiercely. + +"Pull yourself together! I've got to speak to you!" + +At this moment Mr. Murphy, who had gone once more behind his bar, +reappeared bearing a glass. This he held out to Harper. + +"Here, Billy, put this down. It'll help straighten you up." + +Harper took the glass in a trembling hand and swallowed its contents. + +"And now, Miss," said the bartender, putting Harper's dry hat on him, +"the thing to do is to get him out in the cold air, and walk him round +a bit. I'd do it for you myself," he added gallantly, "but everybody's +down at the Square and there ain't no one here to relieve me." + +"Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy." + +"It's nothing at all, Miss," said he with a grandiloquent gesture of a +hairy, bediamonded hand. "Glad to do it." + +She slipped her arm through the young editor's. + +"And now, Mr. Harper, we must go." + +Billy Harper vaguely understood the situation and there was a trace of +awakening shame in his husky voice. + +"Are you sure--you want to be seen with me--like this?" + +"I must, whether I want to or not," she said briefly; and she led him +through the side door out into the frosty night. + +The period that succeeded will ever remain in Katherine's mind as +matchless in her life for agonized suspense. She was ever crying out +frantically to herself, why did this man she led have to be in such a +condition at this the time when he was needed most? While she rapidly +walked her drenched and shivering charge through the deserted back +streets, the enthusiasm of Court House Square reverberated maddeningly +in her ears. She realized how rapidly time was flying--and yet, aflame +with desire for action as she was, all she could do was to lead this +brilliant, stupefied creature to and fro, to and fro. She wondered if +she would be able to bring him to his senses in time to be of service. +To her impatience, which made an hour of every moment, it seemed she +never would. But her hope was all on him, and so doggedly she kept him +going. + +Presently he began to lurch against her less heavily and less +frequently; and soon, his head hanging low in humiliation, he started +shiveringly to mumble out an abject apology. She cut him short. + +"We've no time for apologies. There's work to be done. Is your head +clear enough to understand?" + +"I think so," he said humbly, albeit somewhat thickly. + +"Listen then! And listen hard!" + +Briefly and clearly she outlined to him her discoveries and told him +of the documents she had just secured. She did not realize it, but +this recital of hers was, for the purpose of sobering him, better far +than a douche of ice-water, better far than walking in the tingling +air. She was appealing to, stimulating, the most sensitive organ of +the born newspaper man, his sense of news. Before she was through he +had come to a pause beneath a sputtering arc light, and was +interrupting her with short questions, his eyes ablaze with +excitement. + +"God!" he ejaculated when she had finished, "that would make the +greatest newspaper story that ever broke loose in this town!" + +She trembled with an excitement equal to his own. + +"And I want you to make it into the greatest newspaper story that ever +broke loose in this town!" + +"But to-morrow the voting----" + +"There's no to-morrow about it! We've got to act to-night. You must +get out an extra of the _Express_." + +"An extra of the _Express_!" + +"Yes. And it must be on the streets before that mass-meeting breaks +up." + +"Oh, my God, my God!" Billy whispered in awe to himself, forgetting +how cold he was as his mind took in the plan. Then he started away +almost on a run. "We'll do it! But first, we've got to get the +press-room gang." + +"I've seen to that. I think we'll find them waiting at the office." + +"You don't say!" ejaculated Billy. "Miss West, to-morrow, when there's +more time, I'm going to apologize to you, and everybody, for----" + +"If you get out this extra, you won't need to apologize to anybody." + +"But to-night, if you'll let me," continued Billy, "I want you to let +me say that you're a wonder!" + +Katherine let this praise go by unheeded, and as they hurried toward +the Square she gave him details she had omitted in her outline. When +they reached the _Express_ office they found Old Hosie, who told them +that the foreman and the mechanical staff were in the press-room. A +shout from Billy down the stairway brought the foreman running up. + +"Do you know what's doing, Jake?" cried Billy. + +"Yes. Mr. Hollingsworth told me." + +"Everything ready?" + +"Sure, Billy. We're waiting for your copy." + +"Good! First of all get these engraved." He excitedly handed the +foreman Katherine's two documents. "Each of 'em three columns wide. +We'll run 'em on the front page. And, Jake, if you let those get lost, +I'll shoot you so full of holes your wife'll think she's married to a +screen door! Now chase along with you!" + +Billy threw off his drenched coat, slipped into an old one hanging on +a hook, dropped into a chair before a typewriter, ran in a sheet of +paper, and without an instant's hesitation began to rattle off the +story--and Katherine, in a sort of fascination, stood gazing at that +worth-while spectacle, a first-class newspaperman in full action. + +But suddenly he gave a cry of dismay and his arms fell to his sides. + +"My mind sees the story all right," he groaned. "I don't know whether +it's that ice-water or the drink, but my arms are so shaky I can't hit +the keys straight." + +On the instant Katherine had him out of the chair and was in his +place. + +"I studied typewriting along with my law," she said rapidly. "Dictate +it to me on the machine." + +There was not a word of comment. At once Billy began talking, and the +keys began to whir beneath Katherine's hands. The first page finished, +Billy snatched it from her, gave a roar of "Copy!" glanced it through +with a correcting pencil, and thrust it into the hands of an +in-rushing boy. + +As the boy scuttled away, a thunderous cheering arose from the Court +House yard--applause that outsounded a dozen-fold all that had gone +before. + +"What's that?" asked Katherine of Old Hosie, who stood at the window +looking down upon the Square. + +"It's Blake, trying to speak. They're giving him the ovation of his +life!" + +Katherine's face set. "H'm!" said Billy grimly, and plunged again into +his dictation. Now and then the uproar that followed a happy phrase of +Blake almost drowned the voice of Billy, now and then Old Hosie from +his post at the window broke in with a sentence of description of the +tumultuous scene without; but despite these interruptions the story +rattled swiftly on. Again and again Billy ran to the sink at the back +of the office and let the clearing water splash over his head; his +collar was a shapeless rag; he had to keep thrusting his dripping hair +back from his forehead; his slight, chilled body was shivering in +every member; but the story kept coming, coming, coming, a living, +throbbing creation from his thin and twitching lips. + +As Katherine's flying hands set down the words, she thrilled as though +this story were a thing entirely new to her. For Billy Harper, +whatever faults inheritance or habit had fixed upon him, was a +reporter straight from God. His trained mind had instantly seized upon +and mastered all the dramatic values of the complicated story, and his +English, though crude and rough-and-tumble from his haste, was vivid +passionate, rousing. He told how Doctor West was the victim of a plot, +a plot whose great victim was the city and people of Westville, and +this plot he outlined in all its details. He told of Doctor Sherman's +part, at Blake's compulsion. He told of the secret league between +Blake and Peck. He declared the truth of the charges for which Bruce +was then lying in the county jail. And finally--though this he did at +the beginning of his story--he drove home in his most nerve-twanging +words the fact that Blake the benefactor, Blake the applauded, was the +direct cause of the typhoid epidemic. + +As a fresh sheet was being run into the machine toward the end of the +story there was another tremendous outburst from the Square, +surpassing even the one of half an hour before. + +"Blake's just finished his speech," called Old Hosie from the window. +"The crowd wants to carry him on their shoulders." + +"They'd better hurry up; this is one of their last chances!" cried +Billy. + +Then he saw the foreman enter with a look of concern. "Any thing +wrong, Jake?" + +"One of the linotype men has skipped out," was the answer. + +"Well, what of that?" said Harper. "You've got one left." + +"It means that we'll be delayed in getting out the paper. I hadn't +noticed it before, but Grant's been gone some time. We're quite a bit +behind you, and Simmons alone can't begin to handle that copy as fast +as you're sending it down." + +"Do the best you can," said Billy. + +He started at the dictation again. Then he broke off and called +sharply to the foreman: + +"Hold on, Jake. D'you suppose Grant slipped out to give the story +away?" + +"I don't know. But Grant was a Blake man." + +Billy swore under his breath. + +"But he hadn't seen the best part of the story," said the foreman. +"I'd given him only that part about Blake and Peck." + +"Well, anyhow, it's too late for him to hurt us any," said Billy, and +once more plunged into the dictation. + +Fifteen minutes later the story was finished, and Katherine leaned +back in her chair with aching arms, while Billy wrote a lurid headline +across the entire front page. With this he rushed down into the +composing-room to give orders about the make-up. When he returned he +carried a bunch of long strips. + +"These are the proofs of the whole thing, documents and all, except +the last part of the story," he said. "Let's see if they've got it all +straight." + +He laid the proofs on Katherine's desk and was drawing a chair up +beside her, when the telephone rang. + +"Who can want to talk to us at such an hour?" he impatiently +exclaimed, taking up the receiver. + +"Hello! Who's this?... What!... All right. Hold the wire." + +With a surprised look he pushed the telephone toward Katherine. + +"Somebody to talk to you," he said. + +"To talk to me!" exclaimed Katherine. "Who?" + +"Harrison Blake," said Billy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +KATHERINE FACES THE ENEMY + + +Katherine took up the receiver in tremulous hands. + +"Hello! Is this Mr. Blake?" + +"Yes," came a familiar voice over the wire. "Is this Miss West?" + +"Yes. What is it?" + +"I have a matter which I wish to discuss with you immediately." + +"I am engaged for this evening," she returned, as calmly as she could. +"If to-morrow you still desire to see me, I can possibly arrange it +then." + +"I must see you to-night--at once!" he insisted. "It is a matter of +the utmost importance. Not so much to me as to you," he added +meaningly. + +"If it is so important, then suppose you come here," she replied. + +"I cannot possibly do so. I am bound here by a number of affairs. I +have anticipated that you would come, and have sent my car for you. It +will be there in two minutes." + +Katherine put her hand over the mouthpiece, and repeated Blake's +request to Old Hosie and Billy Harper. + +"What shall I do?" she asked. + +"Tell him to go to!" said Billy promptly. "You've got him where you +want him. Don't pay any more attention to him." + +"I'd like to know what he's up to," mused Old Hosie. + +"And so would I," agreed Katherine, thoughtfully. "I can't do anything +more here; he can't hurt me; so I guess I'll go." + +She removed her hand from the mouthpiece and leaned toward it. + +"Where are you, Mr. Blake?" + +"At my home." + +"Very well. I am coming." + +She stood up. + +"Will you come with me?" she asked Old Hosie. + +"Of course," said the old lawyer with alacrity. And then he chuckled. +"I'd like to see how the Senator looks to-night!" + +"I'll just take these proofs along," she said, thrusting them inside +her coat. + +The next instant she and Old Hosie were hurrying down the stairway. As +they came into the street the Westville Brass Band blew the last notes +of "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," out of cornets and trombones; +the great crowd, intoxicated with enthusiasm, responded with +palm-blistering applause; and then the candidate for president of the +city council arose to make his oratorical contribution. He had got no +further than his first period when Blake's automobile glided up before +the _Express_ office, and at once Katherine and Old Hosie stepped into +the tonneau. + +They sped away from this maelstrom of excitement into the quiet +residential streets, Katherine wondering what Blake desired to see her +about, and wondering if there could possibly be some flaw in her plan +that she had overlooked, and if after all Blake still had some weapon +in reserve with which he could defeat her. Five minutes later they +were at Blake's door. They were instantly admitted, and Katherine was +informed that Blake awaited her in his library. + +She had had no idea in what state of mind she would find Blake, but +she had at least expected to find him alone. But instead, when she +entered the library with Old Hosie, a small assembly rose to greet +her. There was Blake, Blind Charlie Peck, Manning, and back in a +shadowy corner a rather rotund gentleman, whom she had observed in +Westville the last few days, and whom she knew to be Mr. Brown of the +National Electric & Water Company. + +Blake's face was pale and set, and his dark eyes gleamed with an +unusual brilliance. But in his compressed features Katherine could +read nothing of what was in his mind. + +"Good evening," he said with cold politeness. + +"Will you please sit down, Miss West. And you also, Mr. +Hollingsworth." + +Katherine thanked him with a nod, and seated herself. She found her +chair so placed that she was the centre of the gaze of the little +assembly. + +"I take it for granted, Miss West," Blake began steadily, formally, +"that you are aware of the reason for my requesting you to come here." + +"On the other hand, I must confess myself entirely ignorant," +Katherine quietly returned. + +"Pardon me if I am forced to believe otherwise. But nevertheless, I +will explain. It has come to me that you are now engaged in getting +out an issue of the _Express_, in which you charge that Mr. Peck and +myself are secretly in collusion to defraud the city. Is that +correct?" + +"Entirely so," said Katherine. + +She felt full command of herself, yet every instant she was straining +to peer ahead and discover, before it fell, the suspected +counter-stroke. + +"Before going further," Blake continued, "I will say that Mr. Peck and +I, though personal and political enemies, must join forces against +such a libel directed at us both. This will explain Mr. Peck's +presence in my house for the first time in his life. Now, to resume +our business. What you are about to publish is a libel. It is for your +sake, chiefly, that I have asked you here." + +"For my sake?" + +"For your sake. To warn you, if you are not already aware of it, of +the danger you are plunging into headlong. But surely you are +acquainted with our libel laws." + +"I am." + +His face, aside from its cold, set look, was still without expression; +his voice was low-pitched and steady. + +"Then of course you understand your risk," he continued. "You have had +a mild illustration of the working of the law in the case of Mr. +Bruce. But the case against him was not really pressed. The court +might not deal so leniently with you. I believe you get my meaning?" + +"Perfectly," said Katherine. + +There was a silence. Katherine was determined not to speak first, but +to force Blake to take the lead. + +"Well?" said he. + +"I was waiting to hear what else you had to say," she replied. + +"Well, you are aware that what you purpose printing is a most +dangerous libel?" + +"I am aware that you seem to think it so." + +"There is no thinking about it; it _is_ libel!" he returned. For the +first time there was a little sharpness in his voice. "And now, what +are you going to do?" + +"What do you want me to do?" + +"Suppress the paper." + +"Is that advice, or a wish, or a command?" + +"Suppose I say all three." + +Her eyes did not leave his pale, intent face. She was instantly more +certain that he had some weapon in reserve. But still she failed to +guess what it might be. + +"Well, what are you going to do?" he repeated. + +"I am going to print the paper," said Katherine. + +An instant of stupefied silence followed her quiet answer. + +"You are, are you?" cried Blind Charlie, springing up. "Well, let +me----" + +"Sit down, Peck!" Blake ordered sharply + +"Come, give me a chance at her!" + +"Sit down! I'm handling this!" Blake cried with sudden harshness. + +"Well, then, show her where she's at!" grumbled Blind Charlie, +subsiding into his chair. + +Blake turned back to Katherine. His face was again impassive. + +"And so it is your intention to commit this monstrous libel?" he +asked in his former composed tone. + +"Perhaps it is not libel," said Katherine. + +"You mean that you think you have proofs?" + +"No. That is not my meaning." + +"What then do you mean?" + +"I mean that I _have_ proofs." + +"Ah, at last we are coming to the crux of the matter. Since you have +proofs for your statements, you think there is no libel?" + +"I believe that is sound law," said Katherine. + +"It is sound enough law," he said. He leaned toward her, and there was +now the glint of triumph in his eyes. "But suppose the proofs were not +sound?" + +Katherine started. + +"The proofs not sound?" + +"Yes. I suppose your article is based upon testimony?" + +"Of course." + +His next words were spoken slowly, that each might sink deeply in. + +"Well, suppose your witnesses had found they were mistaken and had +repudiated their testimony? What then?" + +She sank back in her chair. At last the expected blow had fallen. She +sat dazed, thinking wildly. Had they got to Doctor Sherman since she +had seen him, and forced him to recant? Had Manning, offered the world +by them in this crisis, somehow sold her out? She searched the +latter's face with consternation. But he wore a rather stolid look +that told her nothing. + +Blake read the effect of his words in her white face and dismayed +manner. + +"Suppose they have repudiated their statements? What then?" he +crushingly persisted. + +She caught desperately at her courage and her vanishing triumph. + +"But they have not repudiated." + +"You think not? You shall see!" + +He turned to Blind Charlie. "Tell him to step in." + +Blind Charlie moved quickly to a side door. Katherine leaned forward +and stared after him, breathless, her heart stilled. She expected the +following moment to see the slender figure of Doctor Sherman enter the +room, and hear his pallid lips deny he had ever made the confession of +a few hours before. + +Blind Charlie opened the door. + +"They're ready for you," he called. + +It was all Katherine could do to keep from springing up and letting +out a sob of relief. For it was not Doctor Sherman who entered. It was +the broad and sumptuous presence of Elijah Stone, detective. He +crossed and stood before Blake. + +"Mr. Stone," said Blake, sharply, "I want you to answer a few +questions for the benefit of Miss West. First of all, you were +employed by Miss West on a piece of detective work, were you not?" + +"I was," said Mr. Stone, avoiding Katherine's eye. + +"And the nature of your employment was to try to discover evidence of +an alleged conspiracy against the city on my part?" + +"It was." + +"And you made to her certain reports?" + +"I did." + +"Let me inform you that she has used those reports as the basis of a +libellous story which she is about to print. Now answer me, did you +give her any real evidence that would stand the test of a court room?" + +Mr. Stone gazed at the ceiling. + +"My statements to her were mere surmises," he said with the glibness +of a rehearsed answer. "Nothing but conjecture--no evidence at all." + +"What is your present belief concerning these conjectures?" + +"I have since discovered that my conjectures were all mistakes." + +"That will do, Mr. Stone!" + +Blake turned quickly upon Katherine. "Well, now what have you got to +say?" he demanded. + +She could have laughed in her joy. + +"First of all," she called to the withdrawing detective, "I have this +to say to you, Mr. Stone. When you sold out to these people, I hope +you made them pay you well." + +The detective flushed, but he had no chance to reply. + +"This is no time for levity, Miss West!" Blake said sharply. "Now you +see your predicament. Now you see what sort of testimony your libel is +built upon." + +"But my libel is not built upon that testimony." + +"Not built----" He now first observed that Katherine was smiling. +"What do you mean?" + +"Just what I said. That my story is not based on Mr. Stone's +testimony." + +There were exclamations from Mr. Brown and Blind Charlie. + +"Eh--what?" said Blake. "But you hired Stone as a detective?" + +"And he was eminently successful in carrying out the purpose for which +I hired him. That purpose was to be watched, and bought off, by you." + +Blake sank back and stared at her. + +"Then your story is based----" + +"Partly on the testimony of Doctor Sherman," she said. + +Blake came slowly up to his feet. + +"Doctor Sherman?" he breathed. + +"Yes, of Doctor Sherman." + +Blind Charlie moved quickly forward. + +"What's that?" he cried. + +"It's not true!" burst from Blake's lips. "Doctor Sherman is in +Canada!" + +"When I saw him two hours ago he was at his wife's bedside." + +"It's not true!" Blake huskily repeated. + +"And I might add, Mr. Blake," Katherine pursued, "that he made a full +statement of everything--everything!--and that he gave me a signed +confession." + +Blake stared at her blankly. A sickly pallor was creeping over his +face. + +Katherine stood up. + +"And I might furthermore add, gentlemen," she went on, now also +addressing Blind Charlie, "that I know all about the water-works deal, +and the secret agreement among you." + +"Hold on! You're going too far!" the old politician cried savagely. +"You've got no evidence against me!" + +"I could hardly help having it, since I was present at your +proceedings." + +"You?" + +"Personally and by proxy. I am the agent of Mr. Seymour of New York. +Mr. Hartsell here, otherwise Mr. Manning, has represented me, and has +turned over to me the agreement you signed to-day." + +They whirled about upon Manning, who continued unperturbed in his +chair. + +"What she says is straight, gentlemen," he said. "I have only been +acting for Miss West." + +A horrible curse fell from the thick, loose lips of Blind Charlie +Peck. Blake, his sickly pallor deepening, stared from Manning to +Katherine. + +"It isn't so! It can't be so!" he breathed wildly. + +"If you want to see just what I've got, here it is," said Katherine, +and she tossed the bundle of proofs upon the desk. + +Blake seized the sheets in feverish hands. Blind Charlie stepped to +his side, and Mr. Brown slipped forward out of his corner and peered +over their shoulders. First they saw the two facsimiles, then their +eyes swept in the leading points of Billy Harper's fiery story. Then a +low cry escaped from Blake. He had come upon Billy Harper's great +page-wide headline: + + "BLAKE CONSPIRES TO SWINDLE WESTVILLE; + DIRECT CAUSE OF CITY'S SICK AND DEAD." + +At that Blake collapsed into his chair and gazed with ashen face at +the black, accusing letters. This relentless summary of the situation +appalled them all into a moment's silence. + +Blind Charlie was the first to speak. + +"That paper must never come out!" he shouted. + +Blake raised his gray-hued face. + +"How are you going to stop it?" + +"Here's how," cried Peck, his one eye ablaze with fierce energy. "That +crowd at the Square is still all for you, Blake. Don't let the girl +out of the house! I'll rush to the Square, rouse the mob properly, and +they'll raid the office, rip up the presses, plates, paper, every +damned thing!" + +"No--no--I'll not stand for that!" Blake burst out. + +But Blind Charlie had already started quickly away. Not so quickly, +however, but that the very sufficient hand of Manning was about his +wrist before he reached the door. + +"I guess we won't be doing that to-night, Mr. Peck," Manning said +quietly. + +The old politician stood shaking with rage and erupting profanity. But +presently this subsided, and he stood, as did the others, gazing down +at Blake. Blake sat in his chair, silent, motionless, with scarcely a +breath, his eyes fixed on the headline. His look was as ghastly as a +dead man's, a look of utter ruin, of ruin so terrible and complete +that his dazed mind could hardly comprehend it. + +There was a space of profound silence in the room. But after a time +Blind Charlie's face grew malignantly, revengefully jocose. + +"Well, Blake," said he, "I guess this won't hurt me much after all. I +guess I haven't much reputation to lose. But as for you, who started +this business--you the pure, moral, high-minded reformer----" + +He interrupted himself by raising a hand. + +"Listen!" + +Faintly, from the direction of the Square, came the dim roar of +cheering, and then the outburst of the band. Blind Charlie, with a +cynical laugh, clapped a hand upon Blake's shoulder. + +"Don't you hear 'em, Blake? Brace up! The people still are for you!" + +Blake did not reply. The old man bent down, his face now wholly hard. + +"And anyhow, Blake, I'm getting this satisfaction out of the business. +I've had it in for you for a dozen years, and now you're going to get +it good and plenty! Good night and to hell with you!" + +Blake did not look up. Manning slipped an arm through the old man's. + +"I'll go along with you for a little while," said Manning quietly. +"Just to see that you don't start any trouble." + +As the pair were going out Mr. Brown, who had thus far not said a +single word, bent his fatherly figure over Blake. + +"Of course, you realize, Mr. Blake, that our relations are necessarily +at an end," he said in a low voice. + +"Of course," Blake said dully. + +"I'm very sorry we cannot help you, but of course you realize we +cannot afford to be involved in a mess like this. Good night." And he +followed the others out, Old Hosie behind him. + +For a space Katherine stood alone, gazing down upon Blake's bowed and +silent figure. Now that it was all over, now that his allies had all +deserted him, to see this man whom she had known as so proud, so +strong, so admired, with such a boundless future--who had once been +her own ideal of a great man--who had once declared himself her +lover--to see this man now brought so low, stirred in her a strange +emotion, in which there was something of pity, something of sympathy, +and a tugging remembrance of the love he long ago had offered. + +But the noise of the front door closing upon the men recalled her to +herself, and very softly, so as not to disturb him, she started away. +Her hand was on the knob, when there sounded a dry and husky voice +from behind her. + +"Wait, Katherine! Wait!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AN IDOL'S FALL + + +She turned. Blake had risen from his chair. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +He came up to her, the proofs still in his hands. He was unsteady upon +his feet, like a man dizzy from a heavy blow. The face which she had +been accustomed to see only as full of poise and strength and dignity +was now supremely haggard. When he spoke he spoke in uttermost +despair--huskily, chokingly, yet with an effort at control. + +"Do you know what this is going to do to me?" he asked, holding out +the proof-sheets. + +"Yes," she said. + +"It is going to ruin me--reputation, fortune, future! Everything!" + +She did not answer him. + +"Yes, that is going to be the result," he continued in his slow, husky +voice. "Only one thing can save me." + +"And that?" + +He stared at her for a moment with wildly burning eyes. Then he wet +his dry lips. + +"That is for you to countermand this extra." + +"You ask me to do that?" + +"It is my only chance. I do." + +"I believe you are out of your mind!" she cried. + +"I believe I am!" he said hoarsely. + +"Think just a moment, and you will see that what you ask is quite +impossible. Just think a moment." + +He was silent for a time. A tremor ran through him, his body +stiffened. + +"No, I do not ask it," he said. "I am not trying to excuse myself now, +but when a thing falls so unexpectedly, so suddenly----" A choking at +the throat stopped him. "If I have seemed to whimper, I take it back. +You have beaten me, Katherine. But I hope I can take defeat like a +man." + +She did not answer. + +They continued gazing at one another. In the silence of the great +house they could hear each other's agitated breathing. Into his dark +face, now turned so gray, there crept a strange, drawn look--a look +that sent a tingling through all her body. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +"To think," he exclaimed in a low, far-away voice, almost to himself, +"that I have lost everything through you! Through you, through whom I +might have gained everything!" + +"Gained everything? Through me?" she repeated. "How?" + +"I am sure I would have kept out of such things--as this--if, five +years ago, you had said 'yes' instead of 'no'." + +"Said yes?" she breathed. + +"I think you would have kept me in the straight road. For I would not +have dared to fall below your standards. For I"--he drew a deep, +convulsive breath--"for I loved you, Katherine, better than anything +in all the world!" + +She trembled at the intensity of his voice. + +"You loved me--like that?" + +"Yes. And since I have lost you, and lost everything, there is perhaps +no harm in my telling you something else. Only on that one night did I +open my lips about love to you--but I have loved you through all the +years since then. And ... and I still love you." + +"You still love me?" she whispered. + +"I still love you." + +She stared at him. + +"And yet all these months you have fought against me!" + +"I have not fought against _you_," he said. "Somehow, I got started +in this way, and I have fought to win--have fought against exposure, +against defeat." + +"And you still love me?" she murmured, still amazed. + +As she gazed at him there shot into her a poignant pang of pity for +this splendid figure, tottering on the edge of the abyss. For an +instant she thought only of him. + +"You asked me a moment ago to suppress the paper," she cried +impulsively. "Shall I do it?" + +"I now ask nothing," said he. + +"No--no--I can't suppress the paper!" she said in anguish. "That would +be to leave father disgraced, and Mr. Bruce disgraced, and the +city----But what are you going to do?" + +"I do not know. This has come so suddenly. I have had no time to +think." + +"You must at least have time to think! If you had an hour--two hours?" + +There was a momentary flash of hope in his eyes. + +"If I had an hour----" + +"Then we'll delay the paper!" she cried. + +She sprang excitedly to the telephone upon Blake's desk. The next +instant she had Billy Harper on the wire, Blake watching her, +motionless in his tracks. + +"Mr. Harper," she said, "it is now half-past ten. I want you to hold +the paper back till eleven-thirty.... What's that?" + +She listened for a moment, then slowly hung up the receiver. She did +not at once turn round, but when she did her face was very white. + +"Well?" Blake asked. + +"I'm sorry," she said, barely above a whisper. "The paper has been +upon the street for ten minutes." + +They gazed at one another for several moments, both motionless, both +without a word. Then thin, sharp cries penetrated the room. Blake's +lips parted. + +"What is that?" he asked mechanically. + +Katherine crossed and raised a window. Through it came shrill, boyish +voices: + +"Extry! Extry! All about the great Blake conspiracy!" + +These avant couriers of Blake's disgrace sped onward down the avenue. +Katherine turned slowly back to Blake. He still stood in the same +posture, leaning heavily upon an arm that rested on his mahogany desk. +He did not speak. Nor was there anything that Katherine could say. + +It was for but a moment or two that they stood in this strained +silence. Then a dim outcry sounded from the centre of the town. In +but a second, it seemed, this outcry had mounted to a roar. + +"It is the crowd--at the Square," said Blake, in a dry whisper. + +"Yes." + +"The extra--they have seen it." + +The roar rose louder--louder. It was like the thunder of an on-rushing +flood that has burst its dam. It began to separate into distinct +cries, and the shuffle of running feet. + +"They are coming this way," said Blake in his same dry, mechanical +tone. + +There was no need for Katherine to reply. The fact was too apparent. +She moved to the open window, and stood there waiting. The roar grew +nearer--nearer. In but a moment, it seemed to her, the front of this +human flood appeared just beyond her own house. The next moment the +crowd began to pour into Blake's wide lawn--by the hundreds--by the +thousands. Many of them still carried in clenched hands crumpled +copies of the _Express_. Here and there, luridly illuminating the wild +scene, blazed a smoking torch of a member of the Blake Marching Club. +And out of the mouths of this great mob, which less than a short hour +before had lauded him to the stars--out of the mouths of these his +erewhile idolaters, came the most fearful imprecations, the most +fearful cries for vengeance. + +Katherine became aware that Blake was standing behind her gazing down +upon this human storm. She turned, and in his pallid face she plainly +read the passionate regret that was surging through his being. His had +been the chance to serve these people, and serve them with honour to +himself--honour that hardly had a limit. And now he had lost them, +lost them utterly and forever, and with them had lost everything! + +Some one below saw his face at the window and swore shriekingly to +have his life. Blake drew quickly back and stood again beside his +desk. He was white--living flesh could not be more white--but he still +maintained that calm control which had succeeded his first desperate +consternation. + +"What are you going to do?" Katherine asked. + +He very quietly drew out a drawer of his desk and picked up a pistol. + +"What!" she cried. "You are not going to fight them off!" + +"No. I have injured enough of them already," he replied in his +measured tone. "Keep all this from my mother as long as you can--at +least till she is stronger." + +As she saw his intention Katherine sprang forward and caught the +weapon he was turning upon himself. + +"No! No! You must not do that!" + +"But I must," he returned quietly. "Listen!" + +The cries without had grown more violent. The heavy front door was +resounding with blows. + +"Don't you see that this is the only thing that's left?" he asked. + +"And don't you see," she said rapidly, "its effect upon your mother? +In her weakened condition, your death will be her death. You just said +you had injured enough already. Do you want to kill one more? And +besides, and in spite of all," she added with a sudden fire, "there's +a big man in you! Face it like that man!" + +He hesitated. Then he relaxed his hold upon the pistol, still without +speaking. Katherine returned it to its place and closed the drawer. + +At this instant Old Hosie, who had been awaiting Katherine below, +rushed excitedly into the library. + +"Don't you know hell's broke loose?" he cried to Katherine. "They'll +have that front door down in a minute! Come on!" + +But Katherine could not take her gaze from Blake's pale, set face. + +"What are you going to do?" she asked again. + +"What is he going to do?" exclaimed Old Hosie. "Better ask what that +mob is going to do. Listen to them!" + +A raging cry for Blake's life ascended, almost deafening their ears. + +"No, no--they must not do that!" exclaimed Katherine, and breathlessly +she darted from the room. + +Old Hosie looked grimly at Blake. + +"You deserve it, Blake. But I'm against mob law. Quick, slip out the +back way. You can just catch the eleven o'clock express and get out of +the State." + +Without waiting to see the effect of his advice Old Hosie hurried +after Katherine. She had reached the bottom of the stairway just as +cooperated shoulders crashed against the door and made it shiver on +its hinges. Her intention was to go out and speak to the crowd, but to +open the front door was to admit and be overwhelmed by the maddened +mob. She knew the house almost as well as she knew her own, and she +recalled that the dining-room had a French window which opened upon +the piazza on the side away from the crowd. She ran back through the +darkened rooms, swung open this window and ran about the piazza to the +front door. As she reached it, the human battering-ram drew back for +another infuriated lunge. + +She sprang between the men and the door. + +"Stop! Stop!" she cried. + +"What the hell's this!" ejaculated the leader of the assault. + +"Say, if it ain't a woman!" cried a member of the battering-ram. + +"Out of the way with you!" roared the leader in a fury. + +But she placed her back against the door. + +"Stop--men! Give me just one word!" + +"Better stop this, boys!" gasped a man at the foot of the steps, +struggling in half a dozen pairs of arms. "I warn you! It's against +the law!" + +"Shut up, Jim Nichols; this is our business!" cried the leader to the +helpless sheriff. "And now, you"--turning again to Katherine--"out of +the way!" + +The seething, torch-lit mob on the lawn below repeated his cry. The +leader, his wrath increasing, seized Katherine roughly by the arm and +jerked her aside: + +"Now, all together, boys!" he shouted. + +But at that instant upon the front of the mob there fell a tall, lean +fury with a raging voice and a furiously swinging cane. It was Old +Hosie. Before this fierce chastisement, falling so suddenly upon their +heads, the battering-ram for a moment pressed backward. + +"You fools! You idiots!" the old man cried, and his high, sharp voice +cut through all the noises of the mob. "Is that the way you treat the +woman that saved you!" + +"Saved us?" some one shouted incredulously. "Her save us?" + +"Yes, saved you!" Old Hosie cried in a rising voice down upon the +heads of the crowd. His cane had ceased its flailing; the crowd had +partially ceased its uproar. "Do you know who that woman is? She's +Katherine West!" + +"Oh, the lady lawyer!" rose several jeering voices. + +For the moment Old Hosie's tall figure, with his cane outstretched, +had the wrathful majesty of a prophet of old, denouncing his foolish +and reprobate people. + +"Go on, all of you, laugh at her to-night!" he shouted. "But after +to-night you'll all slink around Westville, ashamed to look anything +in the face higher than a dog! For half a year you've been sneering at +Katherine West. And see how she's paid you back! It was she that found +out your enemy. It was she that dug up all the facts and evidence +you've read in those papers there. It was she that's saved you from +being robbed. And now----" + +"She done all that?" exclaimed a voice from the now stilled mob. + +"Yes, she done all that!" shouted Old Hosie. "And what's more, she got +out that paper in your hands. While you've been sneering at her, she's +been working for you. And now, after all this, you're not even willing +to listen to a word from her!" His voice rose in its contemptuous +wrath still one note higher. "And now listen to me! I'm going to tell +you exactly what you are! You are all----" + +But Westville never learned exactly what it was. Just then Old Hosie +was firmly pulled back by the tails of his Prince Albert coat and +found himself in the possession of the panting, dishevelled sheriff of +Galloway County. + +"You've made your point, Hosie," said Jim Nichols. "They'll listen to +her now." + +Katherine stepped forward into the space Old Hosie had involuntarily +vacated. With the torchlights flaring up into her face she stood there +breathing deeply, awed into momentary silence by the great crowd and +by the responsibility that weighed upon her. + +"If, as Mr. Hollingsworth has said," she began in a tremulous but +clear voice that carried to the farthest confines of the lawn, "you +owe me anything, all I ask in return is that you refrain from mob +violence;" and she went on to urge upon them the lawful course. The +crowd, taken aback by the accusations and revelations Old Hosie had +flung so hotly into their faces, strangely held by her impassioned +woman's figure pedestalled above them on the porch, listened to her +with an attention and respect which they as yet were far from +understanding. + +She felt that she had won her audience, that she had turned them +back to lawful measures, when suddenly there was a roar of "Blake! +Blake!"--the stilled crowd became again a mob--and she saw that the +focus of their gaze had shifted from her to a point behind her. +Looking about, she saw that the door had opened, and that Blake, +pale and erect, was standing in the doorway. The crowd tried to +surge forward, but the front ranks, out of their new and but +half-comprehended respect for Katherine, stood like a wall against the +charge that would have overwhelmed her. + +Blake moved forward to her side. + +"I should like to speak to them, if I can," he said quietly. + +Katherine held up her hand for silence. The mob hissed and cursed him, +and tried to break through the human fortification of the front ranks. +Through it all Blake stood silent, pale, without motion. Katherine, +her hand still upraised, continued to cry out for silence; and after a +time the uproar began in a measure to diminish. + +Katherine took quick advantage of the lull. + +"Gentlemen," she called out, "won't you please give Mr. Blake just a +word!" + +Cries that they should give him a chance to speak ran through +the crowd, and thus abjured by its own members the mob quieted +yet further. While they were subsiding into order Blake looked +steadily out upon this sea of hostile faces. Katherine watched him +breathlessly, wondering what he was about to say. It swept in upon +her, with a sudden catching of the throat, that he made a fine figure +standing there so straight, so white, with so little sign of fear; and +despite what the man had done, again some of her old admiration for +him thrilled through her, and with it an infinite pang of regret for +what he might have been. + +At length there was moderate order, and Blake began to speak. +"Gentlemen, I do not wish to plead for myself," he said quietly, yet +in his far-carrying voice. "What I have done is beyond your +forgiveness. I merely desire to say that I am guilty; to say that I am +here to give myself into your hands. Do with me as you think best. If +you prefer immediate action, I shall go with you without resistance. +If you wish to let the law take its course, then"--here he made a +slight gesture toward Jim Nichols, who stood beside him--"then I shall +give myself into the hands of the sheriff. I await your choice." + +With that he paused. A perfect hush had fallen on the crowd. This man +who had dominated them in the days of his glory, dominated them for at +least a flickering moment in this the hour of his fall. For that brief +moment all were under the spell of their habit to honour him, the +spell of his natural dignity, the spell of his direct words. + +Then the spell was over. The storm broke loose again. There were cries +for immediate action, and counter cries in favour of the law. The two +cries battled with each other. For a space there was doubt as to which +was the stronger. Then that for the law rose louder and louder and +drowned the other out. + +Sheriff Nichols slipped his arm through Blake's. + +"I guess you're going to come with me," he said. + +"I am ready," was Blake's response. + +He turned about to Katherine. + +"You deserved to win," he said quietly. "Thank you. Good-by." + +"Good-by," said she. + +The sheriff drew him away. Katherine, panting, leaning heavily against +a pillar of the porch, watched the pair go down the steps--watched the +great crowd part before them--watched them march through this human +alley-way, lighted by smoking campaign torches--watched them till they +had passed into the darkness in the direction of the jail. Then she +dizzily reached out and caught Old Hosie's arm. + +"Help me home," she said weakly. "I--I feel sick." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE END OF THE BEGINNING + + +It was the following night, and the hour was nine. Old Hosie stood in +the sheriff's office in Galloway County jail, while Jim Nichols +scrutinized a formal looking document his visitor had just delivered +into his hands. + +"It's all right, isn't it?" said the old lawyer. + +"Yep." The sheriff thrust the paper into a drawer. "I'll fetch him +right down." + +"Remember, don't give him a hint!" Old Hosie warned again. "You're +sure," he added anxiously, "he hasn't got on to anything?" + +"How many more times have I got to tell you," returned the sheriff, a +little irritated, "that I ain't said a word to him--just as you told +me! He heard some of the racket last night, sure. But he thought it +was just part of the regular campaign row." + +"All right! All right! Hurry him along then!" + +Left alone, Old Hosie walked excitedly up and down the dingy room, +whose sole pretension in an aesthetic way was the breeze-blown +"yachting girl" of a soap company's calendar, sailing her bounding +craft above the office cuspidor. + +The old man grinned widely, rubbed his bony hands together, and a +concatenation of low chuckles issued from his lean throat. But when +Sheriff Nichols reappeared, ushering in Arnold Bruce, all these +outward manifestations of satisfaction abruptly terminated, and his +manner became his usual dry and sarcastic one with his nephew. + +"Hello, Arn!" he said. "H'are you?" + +"Hello!" Bruce returned, rather gruffly, shaking the hand his uncle +held out. "What's this the sheriff has just told me about a new +trial?" + +"It's all right," returned Old Hosie. "We've fought on till we've made +'em give it to us." + +"What's the use of it?" Bruce growled. "The cards will be stacked the +same as at the other trial." + +"Well, whatever happens, you're free till then. I've got you out on +bail, and I'm here to take you home with me. So come along with you." + +Old Hosie pushed him out and down the jail steps and into a closed +carriage that was waiting at the curb. Bruce was in a glowering, +embittered mood, as was but natural in a man who keenly feels that he +has suffered without justice and has lost all for which he fought. + +"You know I appreciate your working for the new trial," he remarked +dully, as the carriage rattled slowly on. "How did you manage it?" + +"It's too long a story for now. I'll tell you when we get home." + +Bruce was gloomily silent for a moment. + +"Of course the Blake crowd swept everything at the election to-day?" + +"Well, on the whole, their majority wasn't as big as they'd counted +on," returned Old Hosie. + +They rode on, Bruce sunk in his bitter, rebellious dejection. The +carriage turned into the street that ran behind the Court House, then +after rattling over the brick pavement for a few moments came to a +pause. Hosie opened the door and stepped out. + +"Hello! what are we stopping here for?" demanded Bruce. "This is the +Court House. I thought you said we were going home?" + +"So we are, so we are," Old Hosie rapidly returned, an agitation in +his manner that he could not wholly repress. "But first we've got to +go into the Court House. Judge Kellog is waiting for us; there's a +little formality or two about your release we've got to settle with +him. Come along." And taking his arm Old Hosie hurried him into the +Court House yard, allowing no time for questioning the plausibility of +this explanation. + +But suddenly Bruce stopped short. + +"Look at that, won't you!" he cried in amazement. "See how the front +of the yard is lighted up, and see how it's jammed with people! And +there goes the band! What the dickens----" + +At that moment some one on the outskirts of the crowd sighted the +pair. "There's Bruce!" he shouted. + +Immediately there was an uproar. "Hurrah for Bruce! Hurrah for Bruce!" +yelled the crowd, and began to rush to the rear of the yard, cheering +as they ran. + +Bruce gripped Old Hosie's arm. + +"What's this mean?" + +"It means we've got to run for it!" And so saying the old man, with a +surprising burst of speed left over from his younger years, dragged +his nephew up the walk and through the rear door of the Court House, +which he quickly locked upon their clamorous pursuers. + +Bruce stared at his uncle in bewilderment. + +"Hosie--Hosie--what's this mean?" + +The old man's leathery face was twitching in a manner remarkable to +behold. + +"Drat it," he grumbled, with a quaver in his voice, "why don't you +read the _Express_ and keep up with the news!" + +"What's this mean?" demanded Bruce. + +"Well, here's a copy of your old rag. Read it and see for yourself." + +Bruce seized the _Express_ the old man held out to him. Up in one +corner were the words "_Election Extra_," and across the top of the +page ran the great headline: + + "BRUCE TICKET SWEEPS CITY" + +Bruce looked slowly up, stupefied, and steadied himself with a hand +against the door. + +"Is--is that true?" + +"For my part," declared Old Hosie, the quaver in his voice growing +more prominent, "I don't believe more'n half I see in that dirty +sheet!" + +"Then--it's true?" + +"Don't you hear them wild Indians yelling for Mayor Bruce?" + +Bruce was too dazed to speak for a moment. + +"Tell me--how did it happen?" + +"Oh, read your old rag and see!" + +"For God's sake, Hosie, don't fool with me!" he cried. "How did it +happen? Somebody has been at work. Who did it?" + +"Eh! You really want to know that?" + +"Yes, yes! Who did it?" + +"It was done," said Old Hosie, looking at him very straight and +blinking his eyes, "by a party that I understand you thought couldn't +do much of anything." + +"But who? Who?" + +"If you really want to know, the party's name is Miss Katherine West." + +Bruce's stupefaction outdid itself. + +"Katherine West!" he repeated. + +Old Hosie could maintain his role no longer. + +"Yes, Katherine West!" he burst out in triumphant joy, his words +tumbling over one another. "She did it all--every bit of it! And that +mob out in front is there to celebrate your election. We knew how +things were going to turn out, so we were safe in getting this thing +ready in advance. And I don't mind telling you, young fellow, that +this celebration is just as much for her as it is for you. The town +has simply gone crazy about her and is looking for a chance to kiss +her feet. She said she wouldn't come to-night, but we all insisted. I +promised to bring her, and I've got to be off. So good-by!" + +Bruce caught his arm. + +"Wait, Hosie! Tell me what she did! Tell me the rest!" + +"Read that paper I gave you! And here, I brought this for you, too." +He took from his inside pocket a copy of the extra Katherine and Billy +Harper had got out the night before. "Those two papers will tell you +all there is to tell. And now," he continued, opening a door and +pushing Bruce through it, "you just wait in there so I'll know where +to find you when I want you. I've got to hustle for a while, for I'm +master of ceremonies of this show. How's that for your old uncle? It's +the first time I've ever been connected with a popular movement in my +life except to throw bricks at it, and I ain't so sure I can stand +popularity for one whole night." + +With that he was gone. Bruce recognized the room into which he had +been thrust as the court room in which he had been tried and +sentenced, in which Katherine had pleaded her father's case. Over the +judge's desk, as though in expectation of his coming, a green-shaded +drop lamp shed its cone of light. Bruce stumbled forward to the desk, +sank into the judge's chair, and began feverishly to devour the two +copies of his paper. + +Billy Harper, penitently sober and sworn to sobriety for all his days, +had outdone himself on that day's issue. He told how the voters +crowded to the polls in their eagerness to vote for Bruce, and he gave +with a tremendous exultation an estimate of Bruce's majority, which +was so great as to be an almost unanimous election. Also he told how +Blind Charlie Peck had prudently caught last night's eleven o'clock +express and was now believed to be repairing his health down at Hot +Springs, Arkansas. Also he gave a deal of inside history: told how +the extra had been gotten out the night before, with the Blake +mass-meeting going on beneath the _Express's_ windows; told of the +scene at the home of Blake, and Blake's strange march to jail; and, +freed from the restraint of Katherine's presence, who would have +forbidden him, he told with a world of praise the story of how she had +worked up the case. + +The election extra finished, Bruce spread open the extra of the night +before, the paper that had transferred him from a prison cell to the +mayor's office, and read the mass of Katherine's evidence that Billy +had so stirringly set forth. Then the head of the editor of the +_Express_, of the mayor of Westville, sank forward into his folded +arms and he sat bowed, motionless, upon the judge's desk. + +A great outburst of cheering from the crowd, though louder far than +those that had preceded it, did not disturb him; and he did not look +up until he heard the door of the court room open. Then he saw that +Old Hosie had entered, and with him Katherine. + +"I'll just leave you two for a minute," Old Hosie said rapidly, "while +I go out and start things going by introducing the Honourable Hiram +Cogshell." + +With that the old man took the arm of Katherine's father, who had been +standing just behind, slipped through the door and was gone. A moment +later, from in front, there arose a succession of cheers for Doctor +West. + +Bruce came slowly down from behind the railing of Judge Kellog's desk +and paused before Katherine. She was very white, her breath came with +a tremulous irregularity, and she looked at him with wide, wondering, +half-fearful eyes. + +At first Bruce could not get out a word, such a choking was there in +his throat, such a throbbing and whirling through all his being. He +dizzily supported himself with a hand upon the back of a bench, and +stood and gazed at her. + +It was she that broke the silence. + +"Mr. Hollingsworth did not tell me--you were here. I'd better go." And +she started for the door. + +"No--no--don't!" he said. He drew a step nearer her. "I've just +read"--holding up the two papers--"what you have done." + +"Mr. Harper has--has exaggerated it very much," she returned. Her +voice seemed to come with as great a difficulty as his own. + +"And I have read," he continued, "how much I owe you." + +"It's--it's----" She did not finish in words, but a gesture disclaimed +all credit. + +"It has made me. And I want to thank you, and I do thank you. And I do +thank you," he repeated lamely. + +She acknowledged his gratitude with an inclination of her head. +Motions came easier than words. + +"And since I owe it all to you, since I owe nothing to any political +party, I want to tell you that I am going to try to make the very best +mayor that I can!" + +"I am sure of that," she said. + +"I realize that it's not going to be easy," he went on. "The people +seem to be with me now, thanks to you--but as soon as I try to carry +out my ideas, I know that both parties will rise up and unite against +me. The big fight is still ahead. But since--since you have done it +all--I want you to know that I am going to fight straight ahead for +the people, no matter what happens to me." + +"I know," she said. + +"My eyes have been opened to many things about politics," he added. + +She did not speak. + +Silence fell between them; the room was infiltered by a multitudinous +hum from without. Presently the thought, and with it the fear, that +had been rising up stronger and stronger in Bruce for the last half +hour, forced itself through his lips. + +"I suppose that now--you'll be going back to New York?" + +"No. I have had several cases offered me to-day. I am going to stay in +Westville." + +"Oh!" he said--and was conscious of a dizzy relief. Then, "I wish you +success." + +"Thank you." + +Again there was a brief silence, both standing and looking in +constraint at one another. + +"This celebration is very trying, isn't it?" she said. "I suppose we +might sit down while we wait." + +"Yes." + +They each took the end of a different bench, and rather stiffly sat +gazing into the shadowy severity of the big room. Sounding from the +front of the Court House they heard rather vaguely the deep-chested, +sonorous rhetoric of the Honourable Hiram. + +But they heard it for but an instant. Suddenly the court room door +flew open and Old Hosie marched straight up before them. + +"You're the dad-blastedest pair of idiots I ever saw!" he burst out, +with an exasperation that was not an entire success, for it was +betrayed by a little quaver. + +They stood up. + +"What's the matter?" stammered Bruce. + +"Matter?" cried Old Hosie. "What d'you suppose I left you two people +here together for?" + +"You said you had to start----" + +"Well, couldn't I have another and a bigger reason? I've been +listening outside the door here, and the way you people have acted! +See here, you two know you love one another, and yet you act toward +each other like a pair of tame icebergs that have just been +introduced!" + +He turned in a fury upon his nephew, blinking to keep the moisture +from his eyes. + +"Don't you love her?" he demanded, pointing to Katherine, who had +suddenly grown yet more pale. + +"Why--yes--yes----" + +"Then why in the name of God don't you tell her so?" + +"I'm--I'm afraid she won't care to hear it," stammered Bruce, not +daring to look at Katherine. + +"Tell her so, and see what she says," shouted Old Hosie. "How else are +you going to find out? Tell her what a fool you've been. Tell her +she's proved to you you're all wrong about what you thought she ought +to do. Tell her unless you get some one of sense to help run you, +you're going to make an all-fired mess of this mayor's job. Tell +her"--there was a choking in his voice--"oh, boy, just tell her what +you feel! + +"And now," he added quickly, and again sharply, "that mob outside +won't listen to the Honourable Hiram much longer. They want you folks. +I give you just two minutes to fix things up. Two minutes--no more!" + +And pulling his high hat down upon his forehead, Old Hosie turned +abruptly and again left the room. + +Bruce looked slowly about upon Katherine. His rugged, powerful face +was working with emotion. + +"What Uncle Hosie has said is all true," he stammered fearfully. "You +know I love you, Katherine. And there isn't anything you'll want to do +that I'll not be glad to have you do. Won't you forget, Katherine, and +won't you--won't you----" + +He stretched out his arms to her. "Oh, Katherine!" he cried. "I love +you! I want you! I need you!" + +While he spoke her face had grown radiant. "And I--and I"--she +choked, then her voice went on with an uprush of happiness--"and +I--oh, Arnold, I need you!" + + * * * * * + +When Old Hosie reentered a minute later and saw what there was to be +seen, he let out a little cry of joy and swooped down upon them. + +"Look out, Katherine," he warned, quaveringly, "for I'm going to kiss +you!" But despite this warning the old man succeeded in his +enterprise. "This is great!--great!" he cried, shaking a hand of each. +"But we'll have to cut this hallelujah business short till that little +picnic outside is over. I just pulled the Honourable Hiram down--and, +say, just listen to that roar!" + +A roar it was indeed. Of a bursting brass band, of thousands of eager +people. + +"And who do you suppose they're shouting for?" inquired the joyous +Hosie. + +Katherine smiled a tear-bright smile at Bruce. + +"For the new mayor," she said. + +"No, no! All for you!" said he. + +"Well, come on and we'll see who it's for!" cried Old Hosie. + +And taking an arm of each he led them out to face the cheering +multitude. + + THE END + + THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS + GARDEN CITY. N. Y. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: + +Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the +author's words and intent. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Counsel for the Defense, by Leroy Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE *** + +***** This file should be named 28820.txt or 28820.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/8/2/28820/ + +Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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