Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-06

pressed closely together and she stared at Mr. Barker
in sort of fascinated horror Then her gaze turned
and aghast she looked at Whitney, who was looking
up at her. his face expressing much the same emotons
Mr. Barker spoke on his speech increasing alike in
beauty and power he not only thrilled his audience, but
thrilled himself as we'll and ne grew IN connaence anu
strength By and by he turned his eyes from the speaker
to the audience about him and behind him. He saw the
white stricken face Of Whitney, and pang OF remorse
shot through him. Them despite himself he glanced up
into the balcony and behed the face OF Evelyn Carter
also white and stricken.
he reoutey turned his face all the while to the speaker
te reforse was gone and ii its place came defiance
that held him to his task he went with undiminished
power TO the end saying the whole speech every word
Of II and delivering such terrible blow to the bill that
nothing seemed left of that unhappy measure
Mr. Barker sat down, white and trembling from m ms
effort but triumphant He knew that he had swept the
House off its feet he knew it in the GREATNESS silence
that followed as it had preceded his great effort and
then the blood surged his head, in wild burst OF
exutation as the cheers came deep rolling following IN
upon each other like waves OF the sea- Mr. Barker
was forced to rise and bow more than once 1t was
minutes before the applause died. and then he sat with
his head modestly bent over his desk He would not
meet the looks of those two faces agalnat least not
yet. . 4,,1
figure 1t was Whitney, and he, too, recognized by
the speaker Mr.. Barker glanced quickly at him, and
despite himself he trembled. He had never before seen
Whitney look so stern and also strong His features
seemed somehow be drawn together, as II his whole
beinp were powerfully concentrated purpose; it
was the lion about to spring. But what could he doz
If he proclaimed the truth all men would laugh at MN
and say he the widest of romancers: NO. such
declaration was impossible, and Mr.. Barker, steadyng
himself awaited the event with curiosity that literally
burned HIM =,
Whitney began to speak in low at first but full
of music and beauty and the great assembly listened IN
enchaned attention Gradually his voice rose and all
bent forward in interest and delight But over desk
not far away face suddenly turned white, and down
in an obscure the same wh1teness overSPread
Whitney was speaking for the bill And he was
fo~Ca nO1yPr ND
charm that endowed the measure with the very breath
of ife and made it the most necessary thing IN
all the world to the state kvey9oay fr why
passage All the effect of Barkers great effort was
swept away and people knew now that the bill
would pass, that it ought to pass.
Whitney demolished Barkers argument clause by
clause and point by point Barker shuddered HE, too
was convinced The arguments that had seemed
good TO him were thin and hollow At last he stole
look at the balcony, and there he saw flushed and
happy face and brilliant eyes gazing down IN love tri,
unph and admiration at Whitney. Lower sank the head
of Mr. Barker and he did not move again until the
orator was done.
When Whitney sat down the applause burst forth in
a mighty roar, and it lasted much longer than that for
Mr. Barker Other speeches made, but they were
after the Climax and when the vote taken that after
noon the bill passed-as all the world knew through
Whitnevs magnificent speech in favor of it-and was
passed by the Senate the following day. becoming
a law with the Governors signature a week later.
Whitney was sitting that evening i'll the paror at the
house of the Leutenant-Governor. He had asked the
great question and he had received the right answer
pride and JOY Evelyn shy, blushng and lovelier than
ever was him. and Mr.. Carter had Just come int
express his approval of his future son-n-law.
While the Lieutenant-G Governor was speaking a
servant brought in card, and before they could say
anything the owner of the card followed.
1t was Mr. Barker his face white, but with new
strength and resolve in his eyes, Whitney and Evelyn
gazed each other in astonshment but Mr. Barker was
the first to speak.
trtsion and an rnpertinence he said God knows that
you have a right to think that and worse Of me- Don't
ney 1 was tempted, sorely tempted and you, In your
strength do not know what terrible temptations can
come to weak man like me-.
There was a pause The Lieutenant Governor, yet
understanding nothing, looked amazed. Whitney and
Evelyn, touched already in some strange manner moved
LITTLE closer lose tt to each other Mr. BaFkers face worked
a. was in the Court of Appeals that afternoon
YOU made your speech to Miss Carter and heard every
word of it. l how strong it was, and it filled me
with envy. Then you went away forgetting the manu-
script it there the desk; but at first did not
to steal it, on my oath did not took 1t, and
then the terrible temptation that too strong
for me. yielded, confess it. The speech that made
to-day yours, and you publish the fact to the
world if you will. Why you spoke afterward on the
other side and why you did it so we'll, the moment,
do not understand, but have told you the truth,
you know, and | have no more to say
He stood before them self-immoated, in eXpiation,
but now without certain pride 1t is to his infinite
credit that he said nothing about Harlins casting
no blame upon him, but taking it all to himself. The
three stood in silence for little while and then the
girl out of a great heart, spoke.
You did great wrong, Mr.. Barker she said but
you have done what few would do to undo it. You
a very brave man."
A small warm hand was laid lightly upon his for a
moment and then, in a sudden gush, tears rose to his
eyes With a quick movement he bent and kissed the
hand that soothed his wound.
She stepped back and put her hand in Whitneys.
:" Tell him. Bob" she said
Whitneys fine face cleared.
"Its come out right, Barker" he said. After all,
you gave me my great opportunity. Whenever | am
going make a speech important question, write
out the best speech that the other side and
then undertake to answer it forestall it. find it
splendid plan, because then have located my enemy
and | meet his weapons with my own. And, Barker
old man-the speech you took the suppostous one
that credited to the other side. Don't you see what
chance you gave me- because had my ready for
every point in that address
He came little nearer and put his hand lightly on
Mr. Barker's shoulder
Barker old man" he said @ the Governor gives one
of his receptions tonight 1t is the duty of all to
look in, for at least few minutes. Won't you come
along with u.s.?