With stern straightforwardness the _Whig_ bulletin over the way had promptly set forth the corrected result, and the crowd, now swollen by more deserters from the tame gatherings in the little theatre and the court-house, was clamoring for a sight of the victor whom everybody knew was within hearing. Shelby's jubilant companions were puzzled at his reluctance to comply with the popular demand. He declined to show himself, however, till the arrival of a serenading brass band compelled an acknowledgment, when he stepped from a window to a little balcony and spoke a few grave words: he had never doubted their support, they had repaid his trust, he was grateful; as he had championed their lesser interests in the smaller field, so should he strive to further their greater concerns in the national lists to which he was to pass their chosen knight. Within the law office preparations were rife for adjourning to the Tuscarora House as a less restricted arena for the celebration which the fitness of things demanded. Shelby begged them to go before him, promising to follow. "I need a few minutes to myself, boys," he said. "It's been a strain, you know." They caroused away. Bowers the most jocund bacchanal of all; the operator boxed over his instrument against harm and slipped out; and Shelby was left solitary with the litter and the lees. One by one he extinguished the lights, and in darkness, at length, halted at the window from which he had so often marked the goings and comings of Ruth Temple. The old house was brilliantly alight in its lower rooms; lit, he dared hope, in honor of his triumph and his anticipated return. He turned and left his office with elastic step. Fumbling with the lock in the dim light of the hall, he was spied from below by a newsboy who came bounding up the stairs. "Extry! Extry 'dition of th' _Whig_, Mr. Shelby," he called. "Read all about yer 'lection an' th' drowndin' accident!" "Drowning accident!" Shelby started and seized a paper. "Who is drowned?" The lad did not know. He had not read beyond the headline which seemed to promise salability. But in the obscurity of the landing Shelby came upon the particulars swiftly enough. Skimming the brief despatch, here a sentence, there a sentence seared itself into his memory. "Missed his train at Centreport--conscientious citizen, valuing his vote--hired a naphtha launch--collision--hampered by clothing--leaves a sorrowing widow--" "Th' extry 'dition is two cents," reminded the urchin. BOOK III CHAPTER I