"The proposed bill may seem drastic to you," he added as he leaned forward the better to look out of the window he had looked out of before--to see the trim little figure he had expected coming up one of the white walks; "but if you fight it, we shall introduce others. The people of this state are pretty well worked up, and are demanding legislation that will curb the power of the railroads--that will make impossible a situation such as existed under the regime of my predecessor. What would you say to a law that would compel you to construct grade crossings at every street intersection along the right-of-way in every city and town in the state through which your railroad passes?" The big man's color fled; he stared at Lawler. "Also," went on Lawler; "there is an insistent demand for electrification of railroads, especially from city governments. Then, too, there is some agitation regarding rates--both freight and passenger. But I want to be fair--to go at these improvements gradually. Still, if your company insists on fighting the bill which is now pending--" He paused and looked at the big man. The latter got up, smiling faintly. "All right, Governor; we'll be good. I never really favored that deal--which almost set the state afire--and made you governor. But my directors----" "They'll be sensible, now, I hope?" The big man grimaced. "They'll have to be sensible." He extended a hand, and Lawler took it. The big man went out. As the door closed behind him Lawler got up and walked to it, standing there, expectantly. The door suddenly opened and Ruth stood in the opening. It was her first visit to the office, and the atmosphere of solemn dignity almost awed her. After a little, when she had seated herself in the governor's chair, from where she looked gayly at the big, smiling man who watched her, she got up and Lawler led her to one of the great windows. "Father is much better, Kane," she said. "In another week he will be able to ride. Your mother sent you her love, and Shorty told me to tell you to take care of yourself. Kane, Shorty actually loves you!" "Shorty is a man, Ruth." "Oh, he is wonderful!" And then, with a direct look at him, she added: "Della Wharton has gone East, Kane." Lawler's eyes narrowed; he was silent. Ruth's voice was tremulous with happiness as she stood close to the man she had come to marry on the morrow, in the big house which was awaiting both of them--the governor's mansion. "Kane," she said; "I used to dream of this day--tomorrow, I mean; but I never thought it would be like this--so terribly, solemnly happy." Lawler drew her closer to him--and nearer the window. "I wonder if you know how lonesome I used to feel as I sat at my desk, there, trying to look out over that great waste of world, stretching between us?"