The herald., 1921-10-27
The Governors
Hard Fight
By FREDERICK CLARKE

Nobody except the governor knew
that he had a double-not even the
governors wife, who knew him, per-
haps, better than anybody else. The
two men resembled each other 50 com
pletely that il would have been impOs-
sible for their most intimate acquaint-
ances to distinguish them.
From his earliest years Governor
Haines had been engaged in a con-
slant fight against this man.
The executive mansion was totally
unguarded. In that sleepy little capt.
tai town formalities had not come
into favor. The double strOlled quiet
ly across the lawn, entered the man
sion and made his way 10 the gov
ernors office. His secretary, nodding
at his desk, bowed To him, unconscious
that this could be anybody but the
Governor Haines he knew.
mir. SearleS has telephOned that
he will be here in half an hour, sir"
said the secretary. The double nod
ded. passed into the executive chamber
and sat down at his desk.
That he had an intimate knowledge
of all the governors business was evil
dent, for he began scrutInizing papers
and emptying pigeon holes and read
Ing memoranda. But he was await
ing the arrival Of SearleS, the state
boss, with ill-concealed impotence.
The secretary looked in. Mr..
Searles is waiting to see you, sir"
he said.
The state boss entered. You have
called with regard to that railroad
franchise bilI?" he asked.
Searles cleared his throat and nod
ded.
"Now, Governor Haines, we have
threshed this matter out, among 9th
ers. for a long time. l have tried TO
ally you with the better interests of
the state, but l have failed. l have
pointed out to you that--I may speak
plalnly?"
Surely" answered the double, smil-
expression sent new hope into Searles'
heart.
You got my letter, governOr?" he
asked, his lips parting in a wOltish
smile. well, II amounts TO this. II
you don't sign that bill you won't have
the denomination next year. That, Of
course, goes without saying. But I'm
going to do more than that. I'm going
to drive you out Of public life alto
gether. Twenty-Five years ago, when
you were a young man, you were in
VOWED In a scandal. You know what
mean. The people Of this state won't
stand for anything of that kind IN
their chief magistrate. VIII you sign
the bill or will you be exposedY
THE man who was involved in that
scandal was not l. 1t was a double
of mine" thought the double.
LET us come to the point, COVER
nor" Searles said. Its no use shilly-
shallying or beating about the BUSH"
He drew a paper from his pocket bear
ing the governors signature. This is
your obligation for five thousand dol
lars" he said. May tear this into
pieces and throw them into your
waste basket?
vulsion that came over the double. He
stretched out his hand impulsively and
took his pen, and in large letters wrote
at the bottom of the bill vetoed" He
held 1t out toward Searles.
Searles seemed completely non
plussed. For whole minute he
stared at the vetoed bill. Then he
on1 ctratnhnH ant
Governor Haines," he said. Il
think the world of you. You have won
the fight and I'm man enough to rec
ognize IT. You'll have the people on
your side now-and 1 don't kick
against the pricks. You've bested me
and you'll have the entire Searles or
ganization with you when we offer
you the nomination"
He shook Haines by the hand and
walked slowly out of the office, shak-
ing his head.
He must have dozed. for some min
utes later, when he looked up, he saw
him enemy before him. Governor
Haines was looking steadily at him,
but he evinced no surprise.
Lets fight this thing out right
row." he said. I've finished with you.
1 shall never temporize with you
again."
IF you had told me that twenty-five
years ago should never have troubled
you at ALL" answered the double. hum
bly,. rising.
Governor Haines did not answer
him, but watched him leave the room.
Each man has his double, his worse
nature. But when he has conquered
him the double becomes a harmless
wrath, transparent as a breath of
marsh air that is dispersed In the sun
light.