Middletown transcript., 1909-01-09
THE GOVERNORS DECISION
BY WALTER HACKErT

WuGu IC UC5 Ill SksS0hAnS ~ 6ll.
Why | have kept silent so long,
God only knows, said Mortimer
in his lifeless way. ] suppose it
was because of Helen. It was
that money that enabled you to
win her from me. / was so poor
| dared not speak, although once
/ thought believed she cared
for me. Had known before you
married her where you had
secured the money, should have
told the truth; but ibid not then.
| did not until it was too late, and
then I held my peace. | am glad
Of ii now. It is very useful to
me.
He ceased. His voice had
never changed from the oddly
impassioned tone. It was as if
he was speaking Of some one
whom he knew only slightly. 1t
was relief when the Governor
replied-a relief felt vaguely by
both men. He spoke in his ac-
customed voice that, despite its
drawl, had an echoing ring-a
ring that had stirred thousands.
during campaigns to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm; in the timbre
of it there was a magnetism which
seemed to grip the hearts of
men.
The money belonged to no
one, he said; it was mine as much
as anyone's else. took It, but
used it wisely. See what l have
done with it! Ihave championed
the peoples cause. | have
brought relief to men and women
| who struggled in darkness with
out hope. My influence, mine
alone, has awakened the public
conscience and blazoned the path
for civic liberty. Without this
money, without the opportunities
4 .
it opened, ! could have done
nothing. You know the man to
whom it belonged died. He left
no heirs. The money would have
reverted to the State. wronged
no one, and as for the State, I
have been its benefaetor.
You say you have wronged no
one, returned Mortimer. What
about Helen and me?
What do you meanP
You made her the wife of a
thief, and you robbed me of any
chance Of happiness-and by the
God that lives above you! unless
you do my bidding l will expose
you to the world and to her!
The Governor looked into the
cold face. There was no mercy
There, and he knew it. So, after
all, he said, nay life is to have
been lived in vain.
Mortimer started to speak, but
there came a knock upon the
door, and he paused. The Cover
nor turned toward it impatiently
Come in! be said.
The door opened and there
entered a womanof thirty two or
three, a graciously beautiful
woman with face of wonderful
purity and truth. She came for
ward, smiling brightly.
James, she said, | have come
to take you flor a drive Oh, /
beg pardon. They did not tell
me you were engaged.
It's Dick Mortimer, said the
Governor. You remember him
OF course, replied his wife,
crossing to Mortimer andshaking
hands. lam not one to forget an
old friend. Then she turned and
walked back to Carleton, laying
her hand upon bis shoulder affec.
tionately.
The gesture cus Mortimer to
the quick, and to hide his feel.
ing he rose and walked to the
, window.
If am interrupting, she said,
> III go along.
The Governor took her hand
2 and started to speak, but Morti.
mer had turned from the win,
D dow, and his voice was the first
! to be heard.
No, he said, do not 60. Your
3 husband-the Governor and I are
facing a serious problem.
] think that you can help us both
The eager interest sent the
E color lesping to her face and The
, light to her eyes. It made hel
! even more beautiful to look npCn
Oddly enough, both men noticed
: this. Oh, she exclaimed, eagerly
!, what is it?
! I will tell you, said Mortimer.
The Governor turned on hin
] with sudden look and then as
Quickly turned away again. Mrs