Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

light of the winters day he looked more
gaunt, more lean and raw boned than ever, but
about the striking shoulders there was 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, 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-
the least | intend to appoint legislative com
mittee to investigate the conduct of the railroad
companies of the State"
The Governor raised his hand for silence. Don't
let us go into it any more he drawled You know
well as 1 that they have defed the laws of this
State for years. They have refused to pay their
taxes they have plaged the public purse, they have
debauched the legislature, they have even dared to
bride the judiciary. Their conduct has been in
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 a hardness, GOODNESS, about
it, and he knew it. 1t not as favor that 1
asked you to refrain from appointing the commit
tee he said. The words were simple enough yet
as 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
Surely 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 and carefully examining
tin the name of justice, he repeated, and,
pausng significantly, added delayed Justice
just that
The Governor eyed him sharply. What do you
mean?" he asked. For he spoke without his
drawl.
You said just that arguments which I
could summon would change you in your course, y
replied Mortimer in his cold, even voice. "There is
which think may
What is it," asked the Governor. A subtle
change had come him. He no longer leaned
back in his chair. His attitude somehow suggested
the expectation of bitter blow-a blow that he had
waited for always.
when you were the district attorney of this
county, went Mortimer-he once raised
his eyes from the pen in his hands-a certain trust
fund was placed secretly in your keeping. The
person who placed it there died and you, believing
that there way of detection appropriated it
to your own use. 1 knew of the facts at the time
and obtained proofs of them. | have kept
those proofs all these years" ~
You charge me with being thief"
said the Governor slowly in passionless
voice.
replied ID M ltsta; and nd he raised
"but | will charge you with being one,
publicly, if you do not send a 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, as struggling
young lawyers, in politics Both had loved
only woman, the same woman. And
always the Governor had been the