n Bowker's presence,
even men like Rowan. For some moments his Honor bent over the desk and
carefully examined the signed contract spread out before him; then he
pushed it back, and glanced about the room.

"Is Mr. Crane, the bondsman, present?"

"Mr. Crane has gone West, sir," said Babcock, rising. "I represent Mrs.
Grogan in this matter."

"Did Mr. Crane sign this bond knowing that Mrs. Grogan would haul the
stone?"

"He did; and I can add that all her checks, receipts, and correspondence
are signed in the same way, and have been for years. She is known
everywhere as Tom Grogan. She has never had any other name--in her
business."

"Who else objects to this award?" said the judge calmly.

Rowan sprang to his feet. The judge looked at him.

"Please sit down, Justice Rowan. I said 'who else.' I have heard you."
He knew Rowan.

Dempsey jumped from his chair.

"I'm opposed to it, yer Honor, an' so is all me fri'nds here. This woman
has been invited into the Union, and treats us as if we was dogs. She"--

"Are you a bidder for this work?" asked the judge.

"No, sir; but the Union has rights, and"--

"Please take your seat; only bidders can be heard now."

"But who's to stand up for the rights of the laborin' man if"--

"You can, if you choose; but not here. This is a question of evidence."

"Who's Bowker anyhow?" said Dempsey behind his hand to Quigg. "Ridin'
'round in his carriage and chokin' off free speech?" After some moments
of thought the judge turned to the president of the board, and said in a
measured, deliberate voice:--

"This signature, in my opinion, is a proper one. No fraud is charged,
and under the testimony none was intended. The law gives Mrs. Grogan
the right to use any title she chooses in conducting her business--her
husband's name, or any other. The contract must stand as it is."

Here the judge arose and entered his private office, shutting the door
behind him.

Tom had listened with eyes dilating, every nerve in her body at highest
tension. Her contempt for Rowan in his abuse of her; her anger against
Dempsey at his insults; her gratitude to Babcock as he stood up to
defend her; her fears for the outcome, as she listened to the calm,
judicial voice of the judge,--each producing a different sensation of
heat and cold,--were all forgotten in the wild rush of joy that surged
through her as the judge's words fell upon her ear. She shed no tears,
as other women might have done. Ever