“I mean you must call on the people at large to help you. You have aroused them. Already there is so much discontent against Boss rule that Mr. Conover is troubled. You have no right to abandon the Cause now that you’ve interested others in it. Put yourself in the people’s hands.” “You mean, to——?” “To declare yourself an independent candidate.” “‘Bolt’ the Democratic ticket? It——” “It is against custom, but good men have done it. In this battle, as I understand it, there is no question of party issues. It is the people against the Machine. Can’t you see?” “Yes,” he replied, after a moment of hesitation, “I see. And you are right. But it means only the courting of further defeat. What Conover has already done in muzzling the press and using other crooked tactics, he will continue to do. My speeches won’t be allowed to circulate. My meetings will be broken up. More Conover men will register than can be found on the census list. And on Election Day there will be the usual ballot frauds. All the voting machinery is in Conover’s hands. Even if I won I would be counted out at the polls. No——” “Wait! If I can clear the way for you, if I can insure you a fair chance, if I can prevent any frauds and force Mr. Conover to leave the issue honestly to the people of the Mountain State—if I can do all this, then will you declare yourself an independent candidate, and——?” “But how can _you_—a girl—do all this?” “I’ll explain that to you afterwards. But it won’t be in any unfair or underhand way. You said just now you trusted me. Can’t you trust me in this, too?” “You know I can.” “And you’ll do as I ask?” “Yes.” “Good!” “It’s worth trial. I’ll do it.” “Then I shall be the first to congratulate the future Governor.” “Anice!”—the old-time boyish impetuosity she so well remembered flashing into one of its rare recurrences—“if I win this fight—if I am elected Governor—I shall have something worth while at last to offer you. If I come to you the day I am elected——” “I shall congratulate you only as I would any other friend.” His lips tightened as at a blow. For a moment neither spoke. It was Clive who broke the silence.