Middletown transcript., 1909-01-09

nlm-puSuSO DaCh uts SsAua4 At -
the table and walked to the win
dow. Silhouted against the fad
ing 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 no comfort to Mortimer,
who sat watching him. Before
be turned Mortimer knew that
the Governor had decided, and
that the decision was against
him. His face, therefore, 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.
Your arguments have not shaken
me in the least. / intend to ap.
point a legislative committee to
Investigate the conduct OF the
railroad companies of the State.
But, Governor-began Morti-
mer.
The Governor raised bis hand
for silence. Don't let US go into
it any more, he drawled. You
know as we'll as ! that they have
defed the laws of this State for
years. They have refused to pay
their taxes, they have pillaged
the public purse, they have de-
bauched the legislature, they
have even dared to bribe the ju-
dietary. Their conduct has been
infamous, and they must stand
the consequences. Imust appoint
the committee. I'm sorry, he
added, with a good humored
smile-very sorry, because I'D
like to do you favor, Mortimer.
The latter returned the smile,
but despite his most earnest
effort he could not make it seem
good natured. There was a
hardness, coldness, about il,
and he knew it. 1t was not as a
favor that | asked you to refrain
from appointing the committee,
he said. The words were simple
enough, yet as he uttered them
they scenes to convey noie Of
challenge.
The Governor felt this, for be
stifened involuntarily and gazed
at the corporation attorney keen
". Surely, he said with a 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 per
from the desk and carefully ex
amining it-in She name of justice,
he repeated, and pausing signiti
cantly, he added delayed justice
just that.
The Governor eyed him sharp
ly. What do you meang he
asked. For once he spoke with
out his draWl.
You said just know that nt
arguments which Icould summol
would change you in your course
replied Mortimer in his cold
even voice. There is one which
I think may.
What is it? asked the Governor
a subtle change had come oyel
him. He no longer leaned bacl
in his chair. His attitude some
how suggested the expectation
of a bitter blow-a blow that h.
had waited for always.
When you were the distric
attorney Of this county. went OF
Mortimer-he never once RAISED
his eyes from the pen in BIZ
hands-a certain trust fund wa
placed secretly in your keeping
The person who placed it ther,
died. and you, believing tha
there was no way of detection
appropriated it for your own use
I knew Of the facts at the tim
and obtained proofs Of them.
have kept those proofs all thes
years.
You charge me with being
thief? said the Governor slowl
in a passionless voice.
No, replied Mortimer, and b
raised his eyes and gazed steadil
at the Governor but wi
q
charge you with being one, pub
licly, if you do not send a messag
to the Senate tonight refusing
to appoint the committee the.
have asked for.
He ceased speaking, and th
two men sat steadily looking d
each other. They had been rival
always; at school, as strugglini
young lawyers. Both had love,
onlx- oyn vvNnlan. the Same rnrnar