"You need a library of your own and a chance to work where you won't be
disturbed. I'll do the consulting business and leave you the business
in court." For a time Bradley was interested and occupied in moving
into the new office and in getting in some new books and arranging the
shelves.

But the narrowness, the quiet, the mental stagnation of the life of
Rock River settled down on him at last. There were days when he walked
the floor of the office, wild with dismay over his prospect. How could
he settle down again to this life of the country lawyer? The honors and
ease that accompanied his office, the larger horizon of Washington, had
ruined him for life in Rock River. Love might have enabled him to bear
it, but he had given up the thought of marriage and he longed for the
larger life he had left.

There was a sorrowful scene when the Judge read for the first time
Bradley's letter of withdrawal from the canvass. The Judge was deeply
hurt because he had not been consulted, and was depressed by Bradley's
despair. He tried to reason with him, but Bradley was in no mood to
reason.

"I'm out of it, Judge; it's of no use to go on; I'm beaten; that's all
there is about it; we'd only get a minority vote, and show how weak we
are; I'm a failure as a politician, and every other way. I give it up."

The Judge sat staring at him without words to express his terrible
disappointment and alarm, for the condition into which his lieutenant
had sunk alarmed him and he communicated his fear to Mrs. Brown.

They discussed the matter that night in bed. Bradley heard their voices
still mumbling on when he sank to sleep.

"You don't suppose, Mrs. Brown," the Judge said a little timidly, "it
can't be possible it's a woman"--

"If it had been, Mr. Brown, he would have told me," she said
convincingly. "It's just the heat, and then his defeat has told on him
more than you admit."

"If I felt sure of that, Mrs. Brown," the Judge said in answer, "but I
don't. All ambition seems to have gone out of him. I hate to
acknowledge myself mistaken in the man. I've believed in Brad. I am
alarmed about him. He isn't right; I've a good mind to send him down to
St. Louis and Kansas City on some collection cases."

"I think he'd better do that, Mr. Brown, if he will go."

"Oh, he'll go; he wants to get away from the campaign; it seems to wear
upon him some way; he avoids everybody, and won't speak of it at all if
he can help it."

Bradley was v