man, keen, clear-headed,
far-sighted, had already some practical knowledge of politics, having
served a term as assistant district attorney, and even at the present
moment occupying the position of sheriff's attorney. More than all, he
was the son of Magnus Derrick; he could be relied upon, could be trusted
implicitly to remain loyal to the ranchers' cause.

The campaign for Railroad Commissioner had been very interesting. At
the very outset Magnus's committee found itself involved in corrupt
politics. The primaries had to be captured at all costs and by any
means, and when the convention assembled it was found necessary to buy
outright the votes of certain delegates. The campaign fund raised by
contributions from Magnus, Annixter, Broderson, and Osterman was drawn
upon to the extent of five thousand dollars.

Only the committee knew of this corruption. The League, ignoring
ways and means, supposed as a matter of course that the campaign was
honorably conducted.

For a whole week after the consummation of this part of the deal, Magnus
had kept to his house, refusing to be seen, alleging that he was
ill, which was not far from the truth. The shame of the business, the
loathing of what he had done, were to him things unspeakable. He could
no longer look Harran in the face. He began a course of deception
with his wife. More than once, he had resolved to break with the whole
affair, resigning his position, allowing the others to proceed without
him. But now it was too late. He was pledged. He had joined the League.
He was its chief, and his defection might mean its disintegration at the
very time when it needed all its strength to fight the land cases. More
than a mere deal in bad politics was involved. There was the land grab.
His withdrawal from an unholy cause would mean the weakening, perhaps
the collapse, of another cause that he believed to be righteous as truth
itself. He was hopelessly caught in the mesh. Wrong seemed indissolubly
knitted into the texture of Right. He was blinded, dizzied, overwhelmed,
caught in the current of events, and hurried along he knew not where. He
resigned himself.

In the end, and after much ostentatious opposition on the part of the
railroad heelers, Lyman was nominated and subsequently elected.

When this consummation was reached Magnus, Osterman, Broderson, and
Annixter stared at each other. Their wildest hopes had not dared to fix
themselves upon so easy a victory as this. It wa