what the situation had developed into. I hadn't the
proper perspective at Washington. Thornton is right. We're on the edge
of an upheaval in this State; I'm afraid Everett would have plunged us
straight into it."

Thornton had made no mistake in his selection of advocates. Colonel
Wadsworth rushed to the chair of his old commander, and Linton, with a
young man's loyal zeal, followed. The lawyer came back to Harlan, his
eyes shining.

"We've got a _man_ to follow now, Mr. Thornton, not a political effigy
nor a howl on two legs! I was down there hiding myself. I hadn't stomach
for either of the others."

There had been a brief silence outside. Then the band struck up _Hail to
the Chief_, and the uproar broke out once more.

"That's our tune, and they don't know it yet!" cried the Senator, gayly.
"Let's have the benefit of that to spice our little celebration, now and
here!" He started for the window to open it, but General Waymouth put
out his hand and checked him. He had stood up to receive their
handclasps.

"One moment, Senator," he entreated. "I have a word to say for myself
now. You have just come from Room 40. Have they finished drafting the
platform?"

"It's in shape--practically so."

"Will you send for it?"

The Duke nodded to Harlan, and the young man arose. "Tell Wasgatt I want
him to come down here with the resolutions," he directed.

And while he was gone there was no conversation in the parlor. It might
have been because the band was playing too loudly; it might have been
because General Waymouth's visage, grave, stern, almost forbidding,
rather dampened the recent cordiality of the gathering.

CHAPTER XVI

THE HANDS ARE DEALT

When Committeeman Wasgatt came into the room in tow of Harlan Thornton
he found silence prevailing there. It was silence that was marked by a
little restraint. The band outside was quiet now. A human voice was
bellowing. It was Arba Spinney's voice--a voice without words.

Wasgatt, short, stout, habitually pop-eyed and nervous, clutched his
papers in one hand and held his eyeglasses at arm's-length in the
other.

The others were in their chairs now, ranged about the sides of the room.
The General, alone, was standing near the table. Wasgatt turned to him
after a rapid scrutiny of the make-up of the party.

"I'd like to have the resolutions read," remarked the General, quietly.

"Go ahead, Wasgatt," commanded Presson; and the committeeman advanced to
the t