The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-07-28

buffers tray and tore 10
open. When he had read the message
he passed It over without word to
Gilman. The private secretary's eyes
widened as he read It. and he exclaim-
ed:
"Iim Lockhart dead"
Eyes. poor Jim"
The governor sank into deep
leather chair. He supported his head
In his hand and gazed into the fire.
Gilman followed, and seating him.
self. likewise fell into a melancholy
reverie. The silence within. and the
wind sweeping the rain back and forth
like a broom without, oppressed him.
He was a young man. Once or twice
he looked at the governor. and then
the silence. the wind and the rain
forced him to speak.
HE seemed to be In perfect health
when he went away Wednesday," he
said.
The silence deepened. The wind
threshed the trees and the rain
drenched the windows anew. Gilman
spoke again. He said:
THE party's lost a good man"
And have lost another friend"
said the governor. He was growing
old.
Without moving. still gazing deeply
into the Goals. after little minute, no
added:
HE was the most generous man
ever knew"
Yes; and I believe. after all, when
the time came. he would have been
with you for the denomination" The
governor stretched out his hand to
stay Gilman's speech.
81 was not thinking Of that, Leon.
ard"
Tie governor did this gently. as he
did all things. Gilman's face Redeemed
for the fire was growing holland
silence fell again between them. GIL
man felt the silence. He flung his
cigarette into the fire. Then he rose.
"Guess I'll go over to the Leland
he said. Some OF the boys may have
particulars"
The governor nodded acqulescence,
but as Gilman reached the door that
leads into the northwest drawing
room, he spoke:
Before you 60 hand me the stat.
utes. II you please. ! suppose have
some duty to perform in an event like
this"
Gilman. who longed only for action
bore with alacrity the three big calf
skin volumes to the library table. and
turned to the index.
I'll find the section for you" Gil
man examined the second volume for
an instant, and then said: Here II
Is"
Read It. please" said the governor
And Gilman read: "'Section six
teen, In case OF the death OF the
treasurer, It shall be the duty Of the
governor to take possession Of the Of
fee Of such treasurer. and cause the
vaults thereof to be closed and Sc
curely locked. and so remain until a
successor Is appointed and qualified;
and at the time such successor takes
possession Of the office, he. together
with the auditor of public accounts and
any OF the bondsmen OF the deceased
treasurer who shall be present. shall
proceed to take an account OF al
moneys. papers, books. records and
other property coming into his pos
session; and the auditor shall take Of
such succeeding treasurer his receipt
AVID hnan ha fta 10
his office There" concluded Gilman
closing the book. and then immediate
ly reopening 1t. that's tits chapter
one hundred and thirty. section six
teen OF the act OF eighteen seventy
three, page twenty.three twenty
seven"
Now turn" said the governor. etc
the chapter on elections. chapter for
ty-six. think It Is. and see what 4
says about the appointment OF sue
cessor."
" Gilman tilted up the first volume
and inspected the red and black label!
on its back: then he turned to chap
ter forty.six. and, running his tingel
down the pages until he found the sec
ton. read hurriedly. mumbling hi
words until he came to the vital sen
tence:
when vacancy shall occur In tn.
y Office Of secretary OF state. auditor o
public accounts yes. here It Is" (h,
accentuated the world treasurer. at
torney.general. superintendent Of pub
lie instruction" (he was reading rap
idly now and running words together
"'or member OF the state board o
equalization. the governor land nov
he raised his voice and read NOR,
slowly and distinctly "the governo
shall fill the same by appointment. ant
the appointee shall hold his office dur
Ing the remainder OF the term, ant
until his successor is elected and quail
fled That's section hundred ant
twenty-eight"
well" said the governor. "I1l nam,
Hillman to fill the vacancy" Hillmal
was the treasurer-elect. chosen by th,
people In November to succeed Lock
hart. He was not OF the party. how
ever. to which the governor belonged
In Illinois. II will be remembered