The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-18
Our Daily $bcrt Story

depths of her dark eyes with the pene- trating glance which marked his most powerful moments. You may set the date as soon after April 20 as you please 1.-the sooner the better. The Legisla- ture elects on the 20th, and l will be the man"
 You are confident" she said, smiling, | faintly.
 T have gotten what I wanted in this world thus far by paying the price," he answered calmly; whether the price was l expressed in dollars, sacrifice or work. never wanted anything one-tenth as much as want you. I will pay the price," He left her abruptly
 1 The campaign was short, sharp and de- cisive. The vigor with which both Cham berlain and Morton took hold of it soon l drove all competitors from the field. But even the desperate energy which Cham l beriain threw into it his aspirations and the full exercise of his splendid powers 1 were overshadowed and nullified by the tremendous force displayed by Morton Morton had dominant hold on the party organization and a familiarity with men and methods and details beside which Chamberlain proved mere infant. Nor | ton knew the weakness, the strength, the associations and the relationships of ev- cry man in the Legislature. He knew how to reach the inner motives of every man of them-and he left no stone un- 1 turned. While Chamberlain gave much | of his time to the rallying of public | sentiment, Morton went only after legis- lative votes It was openly talked in po- litical circles that Morton was mortgag- Ing his future in every way in his fight, l that every interest in the State that i might want any favors from the Federal Government was receiving substantial as- | surances of his cooperation in case of | his election in exchange for present help. l But what puzzled the wise ones was 1 the access to money which Morton seem I ed suddenly to have acquired. The sums | spent in his behalf approached those at- tributed to the mining kings of the Vest ern staes when they decided to buy a Senatorship. And the puzzling part of 1t was that Morton was known to be man of small means. He had always beer eager for political power and not at all thrifty in money matters-wanting only money enough to supply his per l sonal reeds and willing ever to sacrifice i pecuniary rewards In politics and else | where in order to attain greater political power.
 At any rate, money by the barrel was spent in his behalf: every exertion was l made bys those in charge of special inter- l csts with a weather eye on Washington. and nearly every efficient politician Hi the State was active in his behalf. 1 The result was foreshadowed. Morton l was elected by an overwhelming vote,
 It was the greatest scandal the Senate ever encountered. Grave and reverend Senators were nearly in tears about 1t. i Senator Morton was charged in criminal proceedings with prostituting his high office for a money price. It was charged that he had represented an illegitimate concern in an illegitimate transaction be- fore a department of the Government for money fee.
 The trial dragged .wearily at first. but become more exciting as 1t progressed. Finally it was shown that Senator Nor ter had made it a business of represent ing questionable interests in their ef- forts to slide under departmental regu- I lations, before the heads of governmental offices and that he had received money fees therefor. He was found guilty, sent enced to a short term in the penitentiary,
 which involved the loss of his right to
 hold office and the further loss of his
 citizenship. ... Alter the sentence had been prohounc- ed and Morton had returned to his hotel
 under bonds, he was visited by a wo- man heavily veiled-Helen Winston. The Interview was short.
 
 said to her in the same cold clear voice
 he had ever used T played for high
 stakes and lost. Only one thing I have
 to ask of you-believe that through 1t all have loved you honestly and unselflsh- ly. What I did I would have done for no other reason than. my love for you.
 It was made the price for your hand that I become Senator. l became Sena-
 tor and paid the price-but the load as- I in vii
 lost not only you but all else. I do not
 regret it. If had 1t to do over again
 would do the same-but you are not in- terested in this: good bye"
 That night Chamberlain called upon her and made a last plea. You were dag zled with the glamour of apparent suc- cess" said he. Now you see the futil- ity of success won at the price of honor. love you, Helen. Forget all that has happened and come with me. We will travel the safe and the happy road-and it will not be without success and honor"
 She turned away her head and said: ''No, not now. Wait for a few months"
 On the day Morton was released from l hls imprisonment three months later he found a carriage waiting. Inside the car rage was a woman-Helen Winston. He started in surprise.
 What, you?" he gasped.
 | les, oedr, SHe sdlu' SlHlpiy' anu lhiS l is our wedding day. I palliate nothing of your dishonesty-but you did it for love of me- Greater love hath no man. I will go to the end of the world with you"
 He looked at her keenly out of his keen, gray eyes. Then the tears welled up-for perhaps the first time in his life.
 "The world well lost he said, as he gathered her in his arms
 The following day Morton and his wife l departed for South America.