etimes I
almost--yes, sometimes I wholly despair. I love this state, Mr.
Rathbawne, as I love nothing else on earth--not even my girl there, not
even Natalie. You two are the only ones in the world who can understand
what it means when I say that. It has always been so, ever since I was
big enough to know what Alleghenia meant, and more than ever since I
have come to understand her shame, and her vital peril, and her dire
need. I've never tried to explain the feeling; I've never found any one
who seemed to share it with me. I hear other men talk of national
patriotism, and the flag, and all that, and I understand it, and honor
them for it. But--while it may be only a fancy of mine--for me Kenton
City comes even before Washington, and even before these United States
of America the sovereign state of Alleghenia! I would have her courts
incorruptibility itself, her government the perfect commingling of
equity and mercy; her press the vehicle of verity, intelligence, and
watchfulness; her public servants the faithful exponents of loyalty and
diligence; her people, one and all, whatever is best in our
interpretation of the word American--and then, something
more!--Alleghenians!--citizens, not only of the Republic, but of the
state which I would have shine brightest in the field of stars, and be
quoted, from Maine to California, and from Florida to Washington, as the
synonym for law and order, truth, integrity, and justice. You know how
far the dream is from the reality. We are held up to ridicule and
contempt as law-breakers, time-servers, and bribe-takers--and we deserve
it! I can't see help on any hand. I don't believe our people, as a
class, are actually vicious and corrupt--only callous and indifferent,
accustomed so long to the spectacle of political chicanery and depravity
that they have lost their ability to appreciate its significance. But,
so far as results are concerned, it all amounts to the same thing. Once,
I hoped I should be able to do something. But now--I'm a nonentity, Mr.
Rathbawne, as you know, and not only that, but a man who has taken a
false step, from which he can never recover. I'm dead, politically
speaking--as dead as Benjamin Butler!"

He paused, drawing a deep breath.

"We were speaking of your interview," he added, more evenly. "What was
the result?"

"Nothing, beyond what I've told you," answered Rathbawne, shaking his
head. "All I can do is to keep my mouth shut, await developments, and
tr