.

The night before he had wept because the peace and good name of Clare
Kavanagh were threatened and he could only beat the ugly phantom of
scandal helplessly.

Now suddenly he found work for his hands--and his hands had always been
his means of expressing his soul in toil, achievement, and in passion.

He hurried down the stairs into the State House rotunda where the
throngs were. The hearing before the committee was adjourned. The band
was playing. He thrust himself through the press of the women. Maids and
matrons stared after him. His face was pale, his lips made a
straight-edge and his eyes swept every group with eagerness that was
almost wild. It was search that was distracting. There were women,
women. There were so many faces to scan! Chance led him to her--good
fortune and the sudden thought that she would probably be found near
some object of interest, were she escorted by a teacher. He saw the
group near the great case that held the State's battle-flags. He caught
her arm and her startled face was turned up to his.

"Come," he whispered, hoarsely. "Come! Do not ask me why. Only come.
Hurry!"

With the trustfulness she had always shown in him she did not hesitate.
She did not even offer excuses to the tall woman who stepped forward to
inquire the intentions of this abrupt young man. She went, as she went
in the north country when he called to her. Clinging to his arm she
hurried up the broad marble stairway.

She did not ask why. Her faith was complete. But his demeanor frightened
her.

"I was sorry after I got here," she gasped, as they hurried on. "But the
others came from the school, and I thought it would be such a great
place here that no one would notice me. I thought you would not see me,
Harlan. But I wanted to learn about--about what you did--what the
lawmakers did, so that--so that--"

"Hurry," he urged her. He feared that they would be gone.

This brusqueness, his haste, his sternness troubled her more and more.
They were alone in the corridor that led to the committee-room. She
stopped, holding him back with her strong young arms. He had hardly
looked at her till then. She had changed in the months since he had seen
her. Womanly dignity was mingled with the high spirit that had inspired
the child. Her garb, her new mien made her beauty brilliant.

"I never lied to you yet, Big Boy," she cried. "I came here because I
was hungry for a sight of you. Then I would go back to my work
comfor