h no middle course or diverging paths, but
now in his extremity he sought some means of evading the direct
issue. He looked for the convenient loophole of technicality--an
irregularity in the trial--but his legal knowledge forbade this
consideration after again going over the testimony and evidence of the
trial. The attorney for the defense had been compelled to admit
that his client had had a square deal. If only the petition might
be brought in the usual way, and presented to the pardon board, it
would not be allowed to reach the governor, as there was nothing in
the case to warrant consideration, but that was evidently not to be
the procedure. Barnabas would come to him and ask for Jud's release,
assuming naturally that his request would be willingly granted.

If he pardoned Jud, all the popularity of the young governor would not
screen him from the public censure. One common sentiment of outrage
had been awakened by the crime, and the criminal had been universally
repudiated, but it was not from public censure or public criticism
that this young man with the strong under jaw shrank, but from the
knowledge that he would be betraying a trust. Gratitude and duty
pointed in different directions this time.

With throbbing brain and racked nerves he made his evening call upon
Carey, who had come to be a clearing house for his troubles and who
was visiting the Bradens. She looked at him to-night with her eyes
full of the adoration a young girl gives to a man who has forged his
way to fame.

He responded to her greeting abstractedly, and then said abruptly:

"Carey, I am troubled to-night!"

"I knew it before you came, David. I read the evening papers."

"What!" he exclaimed in despair. "It's true, then! I have not seen the
papers to-night."

She brought him the two evening papers of opposite politics. In
glowing headlines the Democratic paper told in exaggerated form the
story of his early life, his humble home, his days of struggle, his
start in politics, and his success, due to the father of the hardened
criminal. Would the governor do his duty and see that law and order
were maintained, or would he sacrifice the people to his personal
obligations? David smiled grimly as he reflected that either course
would be equally censured by this same paper.

He took up the other journal, the organ of his party, which stated the
facts very much as the other paper had done, and added that Barnabas
Brumble was en route to t