Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-31
CHAPTER XX-Continued.

The newspapers the next day contained
varying comments. the opposition making
the most of the revelation, demanding my
instant retirement from the governor $
chair that l had disgraced, while the 9TH
ers seemed to be puzzled, willing to wait
opportunity for the operation known
feeling the public pulse. 1t is need
less for me to say that they overlooked
with descriptions of the scene at the hall
Alicia's name was handled gently, and
the records of my trial and conviction
were printed. ] could see that the proba-
billties were my side. II was well
known that i was rich and had always
been so, with no temptation to burglary.
but that very fact merely deepened the
shadow on Alicia's name, and what
ever l might do. [ could not help it
Under the wells lazed politeness of the
public prints and of conventional life
| knew that mighty whispering was
going on. and that it formed coil
around Alicia and myself.
On the second day / took an early
morning train for Frankfort. leaving
without warning. and thus escaping any
attention, whether hostile or otherwise.
II the railroad station. | also had the
ldyantage Of arriving at the capital I'M
der the same circumstances. and / was
at the executive mansion before the
Town knew of my coming.
1t was Seth who opened the door for
lne. and II may seem curious thing,
bat | was nervous about the kind of
greeting this simple lad would give
itc. Just now / cared more for his
good opinion than for that OF many able
men. But his face shone only with
joyous welcome. and his eyes expressed
new and warm feeling of comrade-
ship.
And to think that you were Charlie
after all. he exclaimed I'd a never
dreampt II, But Charlie was good
man, ] knowed all the time. an Some
times I've been right sick cause / be-
leved never see him again, an now
! see him every day
shook Seths hand until he WINGED
Here, indeed was faith pure. simple and
incorruptiblc, and it was like oil on Il
burn. 1t never occurred TO his mind
that any disgrace attached to me be-
cause I had been in prison. To loyal
Seth j WAS merely lost Charlie John
son returned. and hence doubIv a friend
l ate early luncheon and then walked
10 the capitol Frankfort still unaware
Of my return. and | still wondering how
the little city that | loved would take
me. The good opinion Of its ten thou
sand people was very dear to my heart,
and even now, when my story was pro
claimed to the whole world, | was not
willing To sacrifice it. | had imagined
for few moments after the revelation
to all things. that the Hoods might roll
over me as they would but i soon found
that il was not with me. There was
Still wide difference between cloud
and sunshine, and | yet felt within me
the capacity TO fight. increased, rather
than diminished by the crisis through
which ! had gone.
| looked from my window upon the
lawn, in the center OF which stood the
capitol. and idly watched the sparrOws
hopping over the brown grass. 1t was
all familiar. intimate. endeared by asso-
cations and | did not wish to give il
up; above all. / did not wish to quit In
disgrace
4 knock at my door Seth announced
Judge Wharton. and the old gentleman
came in fast upon the announcement,
his fine face flushed by rapid walking
and his eyes bright. He held out both
hands, and never was a welcome more
grateful TO n man than his to me. ]
seized his two hands in mine, and for
a few moments l could not speak. When
! released them he patted me on the
shoulder as father would child, and
there was emotion in his own voice
when he said:
you've done the right thing. Mr..