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

that it would do me full justice anG
would elevate me to yet higher pedesta
because OF the sacrifice l had made. Blu
she felt that 1t would be better that we
should never see each other again. 1t was
demanded by law, honor and reason alike,
1t was Alicia unchanged. Now that the
storm was turned upon her she fe.t ii not
at all. Her armor of right never failed
weapon could enter. She willingly sacri-
feed every ambition of the world for the
serenity Of the spirit that is only little
below the angels. How poor and mean
felt myself beside her
My friends would have kept from me
most of the things that were said by the
evil-minded about Alicia but they could
not hide all. l knew that her character
was assailed. / knew-and this made me
burn-that Grey had the impudence 10
talk about securing divorce but the PEG
pie around him had sense enough to make
him stop such taIk-he was too vulnerable
himself
When ] first heard Of Greys threat
reioiced. because I should have been glad
for Alicia to come to me even with the
smirch upon her name-I should know
what lie the charge was. but thought
convinced me that she would not come jr
such manner. Catching reflection OF
her own lofty spirit knew that she must
be right. l could never bear that her
name should not be white and clean before
IN the world. and if we were to meet by
that road only ii was better that We never
meet al all.
The legislature met in special session
and my resignation was laid before it with
all the forms prescribed by law. My enc
mics made All attempt TO shove the reslg-
nation aside and have me impeached
which would be greater disgrace. but
they We're defeated and then the question
OF accepting or rejecting the resignation
was taken up and debated.
l. of course, did not go into either house
or senate while the question was up. but
every detail was quickly brought TO me
and I followed them with an overmaster-
ing anxiety. Harrison was there in his old
seat, pale. worn and more cynical thar
ever. He took no part in the debate and
nobody knew how he would vote. Bucks
had come back from the mountains rag
ing against me. and he assdiled me III
numerous and bitter speeches. SparinS nc
epithet that would be allowed on the floor.
Connor also was in the front of the oppo-
stion. and obviously found keen delight
i'm applying to me the term. "eX-cOnVict.
1t was Jimmy Warfield who said inciden-
tally that some men who were not guilty
had been cOnvicts. while some who were
guilty had never been. and after that the
words "eX-convict' were used much less.
Jimmy Warfeld took the floor and made
a powerful speech in my defense. | BLUSH
now at the things he said of me: how
had done for another what not one man in
ten thousand would have done. and how
mad raised lnySel1 DE courage anu energy
from the Lowest depths To the highest
position in the state. / Will not describe
the long debate over myself. 1t Is all
fully told in the newspapers OF the time,
but when the day of the voting came my
friends proved themselves in large ma
jority The resignation was rejected. and
the members poured into the executive
mansion 20 congratulate me
/ was indicated. SO far as The law and
the majority went but | knew that the
trail of it would hang 10 me. and that !
should be lonely man in the chair of
state. 1t was my day of triumph. but j
did not forget these things as the good
friends who had saved me shook my hand.
Harrison came with the others. He had
voted to reject the resignation. and
haughtily declined to give any explanation
OF his vote To me he said:
Il like a good fighter, Mr.. Clarke, and
to me YOU are OF more interest here than
you would be In Obscurity.'
| merely nodded TO him. there was a
faint suggesiio OF patronage in his tone.
and there are few things ] like less than
patronage l did not see him again, as
the special session of the legislature was
adjourned a day later. and he went back
at once to Louisville.