rhetorical effect. The promoters of the Griggs Bill
began to wonder, but concluded he was saving all his figures of speech
to sugarcoat their obnoxious measure. It occurred to them, too, that
if by chance he should oppose them his bare-handed way of dealing with
subterfuges and his clear presentation of facts would work harm. They
counted, however, on being able to convince him that his future status
in the life political depended upon his cooperation with them in
pushing this bill through.

Finally he was approached, and then the bomb was thrown. He quietly
and emphatically told them he should fight the bill, single handed if
necessary. Recriminations, arguments, threats, and inducements--all
were of no avail.

"Let him hang himself if he wants to," growled one of the committee.
"He hasn't influence enough to knock us out. We've got the
majority."

The measure was one that would radically affect the future interests
of the state, and was being watched and studied by the people, who had
not, as yet, however, realized its significance or its far-reaching
power. The intent of the promoters of the Griggs Bill was to leave the
people unenlightened until it should have become a law.

"Dunne won't do us any harm," argued the father of the bill on the
eventful day. "He's been saving all his skyrockets for this
celebration. He'll get lots of applause from the women folks," looking
up at the solidly packed gallery, "and his speech will be copied in
all the papers, and that'll be the reward he's looking for."

When David arose to speak against the Griggs Bill he didn't look the
youngster he had been pictured. His tall, lithe, compelling figure was
drawn to its full height. His eyes darkened to intensity with the
gravity of the task before him; the stern lines of his mouth bespoke
a master of the situation and compelled confidence in his knowledge
and ability.

The speech delivered in his masterful voice was not so much in
opposition to the bill as it was an exposure of it. He bared it
ruthlessly and thoroughly, but he didn't use his youthful hypnotic
periods of persuasive eloquence that had been wont to sway juries and
to creep into campaign speeches. His wits had been sharpened in the
last few months, and his keen-edged thrusts, hurled rapier-like,
brought a wince to even the most hardened of veteran members. It was a
complete enlightenment in plain words to a plain people--a concise and
convincing protest.

When he f