New-York tribune., 1906-10-28

hight OF the winters day, he looked
gaunt, lean and boned than ever but
about the striking shoulders there an air of
determination that brought comfort TO Nor
timer, who sat watching him. Before he turned
Mortimer knew that the Governor had decided, and
that the decision against him. His face, there
fore was quite impassive as the Governor turned
and walked back to his seat.
It's no use Mortimer" he said in his slow
drawing speech. I've made up my mind absO-
lutey. Your arguments have not shaken me in
the least. | intend to appoint a legislative com
mlttce to investigate the conduct of the railroad
companies of the State"
But. Governor began Mortimer
The Governor raised his hand for silence Don't
let go into it any more he drawled. You know
we'll as that they have defied the laws of this
State for years. They have refused to pay their
taxes they have pillaged the public purse they have
debauched the legislature. they have dared to
bribe the judiciary. Their conduct has been in
famous, and they must stand the consequences.
must appoint the committee, m sorry, he added,
with good humored smile very sorry, because
I'd like to do you a favor. Mortimer"
The latter returned the smile but despite his most
earnest effort he could not make it good
natured. There was a hardness, coldness, about
asked YOU refrain from appointing the commit
tee he said. The words were simple enough, yet
he uttered them they seemed to convey note of
challenge.
The Governor felt this. for he stiffened involun-
tarily and gazed at the corporation attorney keenly
Surelv' he said with slow sarcasm which was
nevertheless incisive and penetrating surely
YOU were not asking me in the name Of Justice"
Yes, in the name of justice retorted Mortimer.
taking pen from the desk ana carefully examining
It-'in the name OF justice, he repeated and,
pausing significantly, added" delayed justice
Just that.
The Governor eyed him sharply, What do YOU
mean" he asked. For once he spoke without his
draw 49,. .-...-,o.,.- .,,.;.,,
could summon would change you in your course
replied Mortimer in his cold. voice. There is
one which think may"
change had come over him. He no longer leaned
back in his chair His attitude somehow suggested
the expectation Of a bitter blow blow that he had
waited for always.
When you were the district attorney of this
county," went on Mortimer-he once raised
his ewes from the pen in his hands-a certain trust
fund was placed secretly in your keeping. The
person who placed II there died and YOU believing
that there was no way of detection appropriated it
to your own use l knew OF the facts at the time
and obtained proofs OF them. L have kept
those proofs all these years.
You charge me with being thief" ~
said the Governor slowly IN a passloness !
No. replied Mortimer, and he l. raised
but | will charge you with being one, ---
publicly if YOU do not send message to
the Senate tonight refusing to appoint
the committee they have asked for.
He ceased speaking, and the two men sat
steadily looking at each other. They had
been rivals always; at school, struggling
Young lawyers, in politics. Both had loved
only woman, the same woman. And
always the Governor had been the
CeSsful one. He had never failed TO SurpaSS
the other, he had all the prizes the
woman was his wife Never, until this
1nent had his supremacy been threatened.
Now il came with added bitterness.
lust as he was to strike the blow that
would make him the benefactOr of his State
for all time he beaten.
An these things were in his mind as he