“I hope you understand my motives in remaining incognito until public opinion calms down enough to hear reason; then I may disclose my identity. At present my secret must remain locked in your breast alone, and I am here to claim the promised favor.” “Name it, my dear friend,” replied the governor, with a slight sinking of the heart as he reflected that all of the “fattest jobs” had already been given out. He had such a big heart for his friends that he wished to do something splendid for this young man whom he esteemed so highly. Doctor Ludington replied quickly: “I have heard that one of the three assistant physicians at the Weston Insane Asylum is going to resign because of ill health. Will you give me the position?” “My dear doctor, those appointments are made by a hospital board of nine directors.” “There is a power behind the throne,” returned Ludington, with a slightly significant smile. “You mean that I may be able to influence them in your favor?” returned the governor, with an uneasy conviction that he had been interviewed on this subject before by several aspiring young physicians. Secretly he thanked his lucky stars that he hadn’t written to the directors in their favor yet. So he said cordially: “I will write to the directors and recommend you for the place. I will also see the member from Alderson personally when he passes through Charleston next week, en route to the next board meeting at Weston. I will certainly secure the place for you if I can!” “A thousand thanks, your excellency. You make me your debtor forever. I would rather have that position at Weston than sit in a senator’s seat at Washington.” “I do not understand your enthusiasm.” “Will you understand it better when I tell you that Eva Somerville is a patient at Weston?” “Insane? Poor girl!” “Yes, driven mad by the scandal that smirched her name, and the awful tragedy for which that cruel old man Groves banished her from home.” “It was cruel. But you--can you take such an interest in the girl, your enemy?” “Through my innocent fault she suffered. I long to be near her, to aid if possible in her restoration. And with my altered looks she will never recognize me.” “But how will you get over your name?” “Will you please recommend me to your friends, the hospital directors, as Doctor Rupert, of Ohio?” “We shall all be scorched by our political foes for appointing an Ohio man at Weston,” lugubriously. Doctor Rupert, rising to take leave, smiled admiringly at the handsome executive, and answered: “You are celebrated all over the country for sticking to your friends through thick and thin.” “Yes, yes. I can never turn my back on a friend. It’s not in my nature. Let the enemy rage. My shoulders are broad enough to bear it,” genially answered the governor, with a cordial parting handshake. CHAPTER IX. UNDER HER SPELL.