ust in a Providence which it takes a good bit of obstinacy to believe
hasn't deserted the state of Alleghenia for good and all. It isn't for
my own sake alone, John, that I pray the Union will give in before my
people begin to think of violence. You remember '94 in Chicago? Well,
we don't want anything like that in Kenton City. It would be the last
straw! Alleghenia has a big enough burden of disgrace to carry, as it
is."

A servant entered, even as he was speaking, to summon him to the
telephone, and with an exclamation of impatience he left the room.
Immediately, Natalie stepped from her post at the window, and came
toward Barclay with outstretched hands.

"Oh, Johnny boy," she said, "I'm _so_ sorry. How you've been hurt, dear,
and disappointed, and cruelly wronged!"

The Lieutenant-Governor's hands clenched again at the sound of sorrow in
her voice, and he strove in vain to control the tremor of his lip.
Tenderly he put his arms about her.

"I'm sorry, too, little girl--sorry you were here to see me make a fool
of myself and then squeal when I got hurt as I deserved. I shouldn't
have done that. But I was so proud--so grateful--I thought I was going
to be able"--

"_Johnny--Johnny!_"

They held to each other rigidly for an instant, her face against his
sleeve, in an agony which no tears came to soothe.

"There!" said Barclay presently. "I'm better already. It does one good
to blow off steam, now and again."

His tone lightened perceptibly.

"And look here," he added, "what's most important, after all, is that I
have news for you, and ought to be delivering it."

As yet, they did not dare to meet each other's eyes, but Natalie took
the cue.

"You can spare yourself the trouble, my lord," she retorted, sweeping
him a curtsy. "I can guess what it is, without your aid. You've found
him!"

"How did you know?"

"I didn't. But you will remember that I asked you to find him. The
inference is as plain as a pikestaff."

"Arrogance! But you're right. I have. He has been at my rooms since last
night. He was frightfully shaky, and utterly despondent, but he's taking
something to settle his nerves, and I've no doubt a week or so of good
food and straight living will bring him around into something like his
old form."

"Boy dear! And you're taking care of him?"

"Oh, just directing the cure, that's all! I'll tell you more when I can
report definite progress. Do you suppose there is a single secluded
corner in