Through it all Gaston sat silent behind the group of the majority of the platform committee, with eyes devouring a beautiful face bending toward him from the gallery. She was softly weeping with love and pride too deep for words. While the tumult was still raging, before he was conscious of his presence, General Worth’s stalwart figure was bending over him, and grasping his hand. “My boy, I give it up. You have beaten me. I’m proud of you. I forgive everything for that speech. You can have my girl. The date you’ve fixed for the marriage suits me. Let us forget the past.” Gaston pressed his hand muttering brokenly his thanks, and his soul sank within him at the thought of this proud old iron-willed warrior’s anger if he discovered their secret marriage. The General turned toward the side of the platform; for he had seen the flash of Sallie’s dress on the stairs of the balcony leading to the stage. He knew her keen eye had seen his surrender and his heart was hungry for the kiss of reconciliation that would restore their old perfect love. He met her at the foot of the stairs and she threw her arms impulsively around his neck. “Oh! Papa, dear! I am the happiest girl in the world. The two men of all men--the only two I love--are mine forever!” While the applause was still echoing and reëchoing over the sea of surging men, and thousands of excited people were crowding the windows from the outside and blocking the streets in every direction clamouring for admittance, a tall man with grey beard and stentorian voice, sprang on the platform. It was General Worth’s candidate for Governor. He had not consulted the General but he had an important motion to make. The crowd was stilled at last and his deep voice rang through the building, “Gentlemen, I move that the minority report offered by Charles Gaston”--again a thunder peal of applause--“be adopted as the platform by acclamation!” A storm of “ayes” burst from the throats of the delegates in a single breath like the crash of an explosion of dynamite. “And now that our eyes have seen the glory of the Lord, as we heard His messenger anointed to lead His people, I move that this convention nominate by acclamation for Governor--_Charles Gaston!_” Again two thousand men were on their feet shouting, cheering, shaking hands, hugging one another and weeping and yelling like maniacs. A speech had been made that changed the current of history, and fixed the status of life for millions of people. CHAPTER XIV--THE RED SHIRTS AS soon as Gaston could leave the throngs of friends who were congratulating him on his remarkable speech and his certainty of election, he hastened to find Sallie. “My lover, my king!” she cried impulsively as he clasped her in his arms. “Your eyes kindled the fire in my soul and gave me the power to mould that crowd to my will!” he softly told her. “It is sweet to hear you say that!”