"Thatcrazymangivesmethecreeps，"hegroaned。"He’salwayswakingmeup，andlookingatmeasthoughhewasgoingtoeatme。"
"Shutyourhead，"saidthesteward。"He’sabettermancrazythanyou’lleverbewiththelittlesenseyou’vegot。AndhehastwoMauserholesinhim。Crazy，eh？It’sadamnedgoodthingforyouthattherewasaboutfourthousandofusregularsjustascrazyashim，oryou’dneverseenthetopofthehill。"
Onemorningtherewasagreatcommotionondeck，andalltheconvalescentsbalancedthemselvesontherail，shiveringintheirpajamas，andpointedoneway。Thetransportwasmovingswiftlyandsmoothlythroughwaterasflatasalake，andmakingagreatnoisewithhersteam-whistle。Thenoisewasechoedbymanymoresteam-whistles;andtheghostsofout-boundshipsandtugsandexcursionsteamersranpastheroutofthemistanddisappeared，salutingjoyously。Alloftheexcursionsteamershadaheavylisttothesidenearestthetransport，andtheghostsonthemcrowdedtothatrailandwavedhandkerchiefsandcheered。Thefogliftedsuddenly，andbetweentheironrailstheLieutenantsawhighgreenhillsoneithersideofagreatharbor。
Housesandtreesandthousandsofmastssweptpastlikeapanorama;andbeyondwasamirageofthreecities，withcurlingsmoke-wreathsandsky-reachingbuildings，andagreatswingingbridge，andagiantstatueofawomanwavingawelcomehome。
TheLieutenantsurveyedthespectaclewithcynicaldisbelief。Hewasfartoowiseandfartoocunningtobebewitchedbyit。Inhishearthepitiedthemenabouthim，wholaughedwildly，andshouted，andclimbedrecklesslytotherailsandratlines。Hehadbeendeceivedtoooftennottoknowthatitwasnotreal。Heknewfromcruelexperiencethatinafewmomentsthetallbuildingswouldcrumbleaway，thethousandsofcolumnsofwhitesmokethatflashedlikesnowinthesun，thebusy，shriekingtug-
boats，andthegreatstatuewouldvanishintothesea，leavingitgrayandbare。Heclosedhiseyesandshutthevisionout。Itwassobeautifulthatittemptedhim;buthewouldnotbemocked，andheburiedhisfaceinhishands。Theywerecarryingthefarcetoofar，hethought。Itwasreallytooabsurd;fornowtheywereatawharfwhichwassorealthat，hadhenotknownbyprevioussuffering，hewouldhavebeenutterlydeceivedbyit。
Andthereweregreatcrowdsofsmiling，cheeringpeople，andawaitingguardofhonorinfreshuniforms，androwsofpolicepushingthepeoplethiswayandthat;andthesemenabouthimweretakingitallquiteseriously，andmakingreadytodisembark，carryingtheirblanket-rollsandrifleswiththem。
Abandwasplayingjoyously，andthemaninthenextcot，whowasbeingliftedtoastretcher，said，"There’stheGovernorandhisstaff;that’shiminthehighhat。"Itwasreallyverywelldone。TheCustom-houseandtheElevatedRailroadandCastleGardenwereasliketolifeasaphotograph，andthecrowdwasaswellhandledasamobinaplay。Hisheartachedforitsothathecouldnotbearthepain，andheturnedhisbackonit。Itwascrueltokeepitupsolong。Hiskeeperliftedhiminhisarms，andpulledhimintoadirtyuniformwhichhadbelonged，apparently，toamuchlargerman——amanwhohadbeenkilledprobably，forthereweredark-brownmarksofbloodonthetunicandbreeches。Whenhetriedtostandonhisfeet，CastleGardenandtheBatterydisappearedinablackcloudofnight，justasheknewtheywould;butwhenheopenedhiseyesfromthestretcher，theyhadreturnedagain。Itwasamostremarkablyvividvision。Theykeptitupsowell。NowtheyoungDoctorandthehospitalstewardwerepretendingtocarryhimdownagang-
plankandintoanopenspace;andhesawquiteclosetohimalonglineofpolicemen，andbehindthemthousandsoffaces，someofthemwomen’sfaces——womenwhopointedathimandthenshooktheirheadsandcried，andpressedtheirhandstotheircheeks，stilllookingathim。Hewonderedwhytheycried。Hedidnotknowthem，nordidtheyknowhim。Nooneknewhim;thesepeoplewereonlyghosts。
Therewasaquickpartinginthecrowd。Amanhehadonceknownshovedtwoofthepolicementooneside，andheheardagirl’svoicespeakinghisname，likeasob;andShecamerunningoutacrosstheopenspaceandfellonherkneesbesidethestretcher，andbentdownoverhim，andhewasclaspedintwoyoung，firmarms。
"Ofcourseitisnotreal，ofcourseitisnotShe，"heassuredhimself。"BecauseShewouldnotdosuchathing。BeforeallthesepeopleShewouldnotdoit。"
Buthetrembledandhisheartthrobbedsocruellythathecouldnotbearthepain。
Shewaspretendingtocry。
"TheywiredusyouhadstartedforTampaonthehospitalship，"
Shewassaying，"andAuntandIwentallthewaytherebeforeweheardyouhadbeensentNorth。Wehavebeenonthecarsaweek。
ThatiswhyImissedyou。Doyouunderstand？Itwasnotmyfault。Itriedtocome。Indeed，Itriedtocome。"
SheturnedherheadandlookedupfearfullyattheyoungDoctor。
"Tellme，whydoeshelookatmelikethat？"sheasked。"Hedoesn’tknowme。Isheveryill？Tellmethetruth。"Shedrewinherbreathquickly。"Ofcourseyouwilltellmethetruth。"
Whensheaskedthequestionhefeltherarmsdrawtightabouthisshoulders。Itwasasthoughshewasholdinghimtoherself，andfromsomeonewhohadreachedoutforhim。Inhistroubleheturnedtohisoldfriendandkeeper。Hisvoicewashoarseandverylow。
"Isthisthesameyoungladywhowasonthetransport——theoneyouusedtodriveaway？"
Inhisembarrassment，thehospitalstewardblushedunderhistan，andstammered。
"Ofcourseit’sthesameyounglady，"theDoctoransweredbriskly。"AndIwon’tletthemdriveheraway。"Heturnedtoher，smilinggravely。"Ithinkhisconditionhasceasedtobedangerous，madam，"hesaid。
Peoplewhoinaformerexistencehadbeenhisfriends，andHerbrother，gatheredabouthisstretcherandborehimthroughthecrowdandliftedhimintoacarriagefilledwithcushions，amongwhichhesanklowerandlower。ThenShesatbesidehim，andheheardHerbrothersaytothecoachman，"Home，anddriveslowlyandkeepontheasphalt。"
Thecarriagemovedforward，andSheputherarmabouthimandhisheadfellonhershoulder，andneitherofthemspoke。Thevisionhadlastedsolongnowthathewastornwiththejoythatafterallitmightbereal。Buthecouldnotbeartheawakeningifitwerenot，soheraisedhisheadfearfullyandlookedupintothebeautifuleyesabovehim。Hisbrowswereknit，andhestruggledwithagreatdoubtandanawfuljoy。
"Dearest，"hesaid，"isitreal？"
"Isitreal？"sherepeated。
Evenasadream，itwassowonderfullybeautifulthathewassatisfiedifitcouldonlycontinueso，ifbutforalittlewhile。
"Doyouthink，"hebeggedagain，trembling，"thatitisgoingtolastmuchlonger？"
Shesmiled，and，bendingherheadslowly，kissedhim。
"Itisgoingtolast——always，"shesaid。
THEMANWITHONETALENT
Themass-meetingintheMadisonSquareGardenwhichwastohelpsetCubafreewasfinished，andthepeoplewerepushingtheirwayoutoftheoverheatedbuildingintothesnowandsleetofthestreets。Theyhadbeengreatlystirredandthespellofthelastspeakerstillhungsoheavilyuponthemthatastheypresseddownthelongcorridortheywerestillspeakingloudlyinhispraise。
Ayoungmanmovedeagerlyamongstthem，andpushedhiswaytowhereveravoicewasraisedabovetherest。Hestrainedforward，listeningopenly，asthoughhetriedtojudgetheeffectofthemeetingbytheverdictofthoseabouthim。
Butthewordsheoverheardseemedtoclashwithwhathewishedthemtobe，andtheeagerlookonhisfacechangedtooneofdoubtandofgravedisappointment。Whenhehadreachedthesidewalkhestoppedandstoodlookingbackalternatelyintothelightedhallandatthehurryingcrowdswhichweredispersingrapidly。Hemadeamovementasthoughhewouldrecallthem，asthoughhefelttheywerestillunconvinced，asthoughtherewasmuchstillleftunsaid。
Afatstrangerhaltedathiselbowtolighthiscigar，andglancingupnoddedhisheadapprovingly。
"Finespeaker，SenatorStanton，ain’the？"hesaid。
Theyoungmanansweredeagerly。"Yes，"heassented，"heisagreatorator，buthowcouldhehelpbutspeakwellwithsuchasubject？"
"Oh，yououghttohaveheardhimlastNovemberatTammanyHall，"
thefatstrangeranswered。"Hewasn’tquiteuptohimselfto-
night。Hewasn’tsointerested。ThoseCubansareforeigners，yousee，butyououghttoheardhimlastSt。Patrick’sdayonHomeRuleforIreland。Thenhewastalking！ThatspeechmadehimaUnitedStatessenator，Iguess。Idon’tjustseehowheexpectstowinoutonthisCubagame。TheCubanshaven’tgotnovotes。"
Theyoungmanopenedhiseyesinsomebewilderment。
"HespeaksforthegoodofCuba，forthesakeofhumanity，"heventured。
"What？"inquiredthefatstranger。"Oh，yes，ofcourse。Well，I
mustbegettingon。Good-night，sir。"
Thestrangermovedonhisway，buttheyoungmanstilllingereduncertainlyinthesnow-sweptcorridorshiveringviolentlywiththecoldandstampinghisfeetforgreatercomfort。Hisfacewasburnedtoadeepred，whichseemedtohavecomefromsomelongexposuretoatropicalsun，butwhichheldnosignofhealth。
Hischeekswerehollowandhiseyeswerelightedwiththefireoffeverandfromtimetotimehewasshakenbyviolentburstsofcoughingwhichcausedhimtoreachtowardoneofthepillarsforsupport。
AsthelastofthelightswentoutintheGarden，thespeakeroftheeveningandthreeofhisfriendscamelaughingandtalkingdownthelongcorridor。SenatorStantonwasaconspicuousfigureatanytime，andeveninthoseplaceswherehisportraitshadnotpenetratedhewasatoncerecognizedasapersonage。
Somethinginhiserectcarriageandanunusualgraceofmovement，andthepowerandsuccessinhisface，madementurntolookathim。HehadbeentoldthatheresembledtheearlyportraitsofHenryClay，andhehadneverquiteforgottenthecoincidence。
Thesenatorwaswrappingthecollarofhisfurcoataroundhisthroatandpuffingcontentedlyatafreshcigar，andashepassed，thenightwatchmanandtheushersbowedtothegreatmanandstoodlookingafterhimwiththehalf-humorous，half-enviousdeferencethattheAmericanvoterpaystothesuccessfulpolitician。Atthesidewalk，thepolicemenhurriedtoopenthedoorofhiscarriageandintheireagernessmadeadoubleline，throughwhichhepassednoddingtothemgravely。Theyoungmanwhohadstoodsolonginwaitingpushedhiswaythroughthelinetohisside。
"SenatorStanton，"hebegantimidly，"mightIspeaktoyouamoment？MynameisArkwright;IamjustbackfromCuba，andIwanttothankyouforyourspeech。IamanAmerican，andI
thankGodthatIamsinceyouaretoo，sir。Noonehassaidanythingsincethewarbeganthatcompareswithwhatyousaidto-
night。Youputitnobly，andIknow，forI’vebeenthereforthreeyears，onlyIcan’tmakeotherpeopleunderstandit，andI
amthankfulthatsomeonecan。You’llforgivemystoppingyou，sir，butIwantedtothankyou。Ifeelitverymuch。"
SenatorStanton’sfriendshadalreadyseatedthemselvesinhiscarriageandwerelookingoutofthedoorandsmilingwithmockpatience。Butthesenatormadenomovetofollowthem。Thoughtheywerehisadmirerstheyweresometimesskeptical，andhewasnotsorrythattheyshouldhearthisuninvitedtribute。Sohemadeapretenceofbuttoninghislongcoatabouthim，andnoddedencouraginglytoArkwrighttocontinue。"I’mgladyoulikedit，sir，"hesaidwiththepleasant，gracioussmilethathadwonhimafriendwhereverithadwonhimavote。"ItisverysatisfactorytoknowfromonewhoiswellinformedonthesubjectthatwhatIhavesaidiscorrect。Thesituationthereistrulyterrible。Youhavejustreturned，yousay？Wherewereyou——inHavana？"
"No，intheotherprovinces，sir，"Arkwrightanswered。"Ihavebeenallovertheisland，Iamacivilengineer。ThetruthhasnotbeenhalftoldaboutCuba，Iassureyou，sir。Itismassacrethere，notwar。Itispartlysothroughignorance，butneverthelessitismassacre。Andwhatmakesitworseis，thatitisthemassacreoftheinnocents。ThatiswhatIlikedbestofwhatyousaidinthatgreatspeech，thepartaboutthewomenandchildren。"
Hereachedouthishandsdetainingly，andthendrewbackasthoughinapologyforhavingalreadykeptthegreatmansolongwaitinginthecold。"IwishIcouldtellyousomeoftheterriblethingsIhaveseen，"hebeganagain，eagerlyasStantonmadenomovementtodepart。"Theyaremuchworsethanthoseyouinstancedto-night，andyoucouldmakesomuchbetteruseofthemthananyoneelse。Ihaveseenstarvingwomennursingdeadbabies，andsometimesstarvingbabiessuckingtheirdeadmother’sbreasts;Ihaveseenmencutdownintheopenroadsandwhiledigginginthefields——andtwohundredwomenimprisonedinoneroomwithoutfoodandeatenwithsmall-pox，andhutsburnedwhilethepeopleinthemslept——"
Theyoungmanhadbeenspeakingimpetuously，buthestoppedassuddenly，forthesenatorwasnotlisteningtohim。HehadloweredhiseyesandwaslookingwithaglanceofmingledfascinationanddisgustatArkwright’shands。Inhisearnestnesstheyoungmanhadstretchedthemout，andastheyshowedbehindthelineofhisraggedsleevestheotherscouldsee，evenintheblurredlightandfallingsnow，thatthewristsofeachhandweregashedandcutindark-brownlinesliketheskinofamulatto，andinplaceswerearawred，wherethefreshskinhadbutjustclosedover。Theyoungmanpausedandstoodshivering，stillholdinghishandsoutrigidlybeforehim。
Thesenatorraisedhiseyesslowlyanddrewaway。
"Whatisthat？"hesaidinalowvoice，pointingwithaglovedfingerattheblacklinesonthewrists。
Asergeantinthegroupofpolicemenwhohadclosedaroundthespeakersansweredhimpromptlyfromhisprofoundfundofprofessionalknowledge。
"That’shandcuffs，senator，"hesaidimportantly，andglancedatStantonasthoughtosignifythatatawordfromhimhewouldtakethissuspiciouscharacterintocustody。Theyoungmanpulledthefrayedcuffsofhisshirtoverhiswristsandtuckedhishands，whichthecoldhadfrozenintoanashyblue，underhisarmpitstowarmthem。
"No，theydon’tusehandcuffsinthefield，"hesaidinthesamelow，eagertone;"theyuseropesandleatherthongs;theyfastenedmebehindahorseandwhenhestumbledgoingdownthetrailitjerkedmeforwardandthecordswouldtightenandteartheflesh。Buttheyhavehadalongtimetohealnow。Ihavebeeneightmonthsinprison。"
Theyoungmenatthecarriagewindowhadceasedsmilingandwerelisteningintently。Oneofthemsteppedoutandstoodbesidethecarriagedoorlookingdownattheshiveringfigurebeforehimwithacloseandcuriousscrutiny。
"Eightmonthsinprison！"echoedthepolicesergeantwithanoteoftriumph;"whatdidItellyou？"
"Holdyourtongue！"saidtheyoungmanatthecarriagedoor。
Therewassilenceforamoment，whilethemenlookedatthesenator，asthoughwaitingforhimtospeak。
"Wherewereyouinprison，Mr。Arkwright？"heasked。
"FirstinthecalabooseatSantaClarafortwomonths，andtheninCabanas。TheCubanswhoweretakenwhenIwas，wereshotbythefusilladeondifferentdaysduringthislastmonth。Twoofthem，theEzetas，werefatherandson，andtheVolunteerbandplayedallthetimetheexecutionwasgoingon，sothattheotherprisonersmightnothearthemcry’CubaLibre’whentheordercametofire。Butweheardthem。"
Thesenatorshiveredslightlyandpulledhisfurcollarupfartheraroundhisface。"I’dliketotalkwithyou，"hesaid，"ifyouhavenothingtodoto-morrow。I’dliketogointothisthingthoroughly。Congressmustbemadetotakesomeaction。"
Theyoungmanclaspedhishandseagerly。"Ah，Mr。Stanton，ifyouwould，"hecried，"ifyouwouldonlygivemeanhour！I
couldtellyousomuchthatyoucoulduse。AndyoucanbelievewhatIsay，sir——itisnotnecessarytolie——Godknowsthetruthisbadenough。IcangiveyounamesanddatesforeverythingI
say。OrIcandobetterthanthat，sir。Icantakeyouthereyourself——inthreemonthsIcanshowyouallyouneedtosee，withoutdangertoyouinanyway。Andtheywouldnotknowme，nowthatIhavegrownabeard，andIamaskeletontowhatIwas。
Icanspeakthelanguagewell，andIknowjustwhatyoushouldsee，andthenyoucouldcomebackasonespeakingwithauthorityandnothavetosay，’Ihaveread，’or’havebeentold，’butyoucansay，’ThesearethethingsIhaveseen’——andyoucouldfreeCuba。"
Thesenatorcoughedandputthequestionasideforthemomentwithawaveofthehandthatheldhiscigar。"Wewilltalkofthatto-morrowalso。Cometolunchwithmeatone。MyapartmentsareintheBerkeleyonFifthAvenue。Butaren’tyouafraidtogobackthere？"heaskedcuriously。"Ishouldthinkyou’dhadenoughofit。Andyou’vegotatouchoffever，haven’tyou？"Heleanedforwardandpeeredintotheother’seyes。
"Itisonlytheprisonfever，"theyoungmananswered;"foodandthiscoldwilldrivethatoutofme。AndImustgoback。Thereissomuchtodothere，"headded。"Ah，ifIcouldtellthem，asyoucantellthem，whatIfeelhere。"Hestruckhischestsharplywithhishand，andontheinstantfellintoafitofcoughingsoviolentthattheyoungmanatthecarriagedoorcaughthimaroundthewaist，andoneofthepolicemensupportedhimfromtheotherside。
"Youneedadoctor，"saidthesenatorkindly。"I’llaskminetohavealookatyou。Don’tforget，then，atoneo’clockto-
morrow。Wewillgointothisthingthoroughly。"HeshookArkwrightwarmlybythehandandstoopingsteppedintothecarriage。Theyoungmanwhohadstoodatthedoorfollowedhimandcrowdedbackluxuriouslyagainstthecushions。Thefootmanswunghimselfupbesidethedriver，andsaid"UptownDelmonico’s，"ashewrappedthefurrugaroundhislegs，andwithasalutefromthepolicemenandascrapingofhoofsontheslipperyasphaltthegreatmanwasgone。
"Thatpoorfellowneedsadoctor，"hesaidasthecarriagerolleduptheavenue，"andheneedsanovercoat，andheneedsfood。Heneedsaboutalmosteverything，bythelooksofhim。"
Butthevoiceoftheyoungmaninthecornerofthecarriageobjecteddrowsily——
"Onthecontrary，"hesaid，"itseemedtomethathehadtheonethingneedful。"
Byoneo’clockofthedayfollowing，SenatorStanton，havingreadthereportsofhisspeechinthemorningpapers，punctuatedwith"Cheers，""Tremendousenthusiasm"andmore"Cheers，"wasstillinawillingframeofmindtowardCubaandherself-appointedenvoy，youngMr。Arkwright。
Overnighthehadhaddoubtsbutthattheyoungman’senthusiasmwouldborehimonthemorrow，butMr。Arkwright，whenheappeared，developed，onthecontrary，apracticalturnofmindwhichrenderedhissuggestionsbothflatteringandfeasible。Hewasstillterriblyinearnest，buthewascleverenoughorseriousenoughtoseethatthemotiveswhichappealedtohimmightnothavesufficientforcetomoveasuccessfulstatesmanintoaction。Soheplacedbeforethesenatoronlythoseargumentsandreasonswhichheguessedwerethebestadaptedtosecurehisinterestandhishelp。Hisproposalashesetitforthwassimplicityitself。
"Hereisamapoftheisland，"hesaid;"onitIhavemarkedtheplacesyoucanvisitinsafety，andwhereyouwillmeetthepeopleyououghttosee。IfyouleaveNewYorkatmidnightyoucanreachTampaonthesecondday。FromTampawecrossinanotherdaytoHavana。ThereyoucanvisittheAmericansimprisonedinMorroandCabanas，andinthestreetsyoucanseethestarvingpacificos。FromHavanaIshalltakeyoubyrailtoJucaro，Matanzas，SantaClaraandCienfuegos。Youwillnotbeabletoseetheinsurgentsinthefields——itisnotnecessarythatyoushould——butyoucanvisitoneofthesugarplantationsandsomeoftheinsurgentchiefswillrunthefortsbynightandcomeintotalkwithyou。Iwillshowyouburningfieldsandhouses，andstarvingmenandwomenbythethousands，andmenandwomendyingoffevers。YoucanseeCubanprisonersshotbyafiringsquadandyoucannotehowtheserebelsmeetdeath。YoucanseeallthisinthreeweeksandbebackinNewYorkinamonth，asanyonecanseeitwhowishestolearnthetruth。Why，EnglishmembersofParliamentgoallthewaytoIndiaandBritishColumbiatoinformthemselvesaboutthosecountries，theytravelthousandsofmiles，butonlyonememberofeitherofourhousesofCongresshastakenthetroubletocrosstheseeightymilesofwaterthatliebetweenusandCuba。Youcaneithergoquietlyandincognito，asitwere，oryoucanadvertisethefactofyourgoing，whichwouldbebetter。Andfromthemomentyoustarttheinterestinyourvisitwillgrowandincreaseuntiltherewillbenotopicdiscussedinanyofourpapersexceptyourself，andwhatyouaredoingandwhatyoumeantodo。
"Bythetimeyoureturnthepeoplewillbewaiting，readyandeagertohearwhateveryoumayhavetosay。Yourwordwillbethelastwordforthem。Itisnotasthoughyouweresomedemagogueseekingnotoriety，orahotelpiazzacorrespondentatKeyWestorJacksonville。Youaretheonlystatesmanwehave，theonlyoratorAmericanswilllistento，andItellyouthatwhenyoucomebeforethemandbringhometothemasonlyyoucanthehorrorsofthiswar，youwillbetheonlymaninthiscountry。YouwillbethePatrickHenryofCuba;youcangodowntohistoryasthemanwhoaddedthemostbeautifulislandintheseastotheterritoryoftheUnitedStates，whosavedthousandsofinnocentchildrenandwomen，andwhodaredtodowhatnootherpoliticianhasdaredtodo——togoandseeforhimselfandtocomebackandspeakthetruth。Itonlymeansamonthoutofyourlife，amonth’stroubleanddiscomfort，butwithnorisk。Whatisamonthoutofalifetime，whenthatmonthmeansimmortalitytoyouandlifetothousands？Inamonthyouwouldmakeahalfdozenafter-dinnerspeechesandcauseyourfriendstolaughandapplaud。Whynotwringtheirheartsinstead，andholdthisthingupbeforethemasitis，andshakeitintheirfaces？Showittotheminallitshorror——bleeding，diseasedandnaked，anoffencetoourhumanity，andtoourpratedloveofliberty，andtoourGod。"
Theyoungmanthrewhimselfeagerlyforwardandbeatthemapwithhisopenpalm。Butthesenatorsatapparentlyunmovedgazingthoughtfullyintotheopenfire，andshookhishead。
WhiletheluncheonwasinprogresstheyounggentlemanwhothenightbeforehadleftthecarriageandstoodatArkwright’sside，hadenteredtheroomandwaslisteningintently。Hehadinvitedhimselftosomefreshcoffee，andhadthenrelapsedintoanattentivesilence，followingwhattheotherssaidwithanamusedandinterestedcountenance。StantonhadintroducedhimasMr。
Livingstone，andappearedtotakeitforgrantedthatArkwrightwouldknowwhohewas。HeseemedtoregardhimwithacertaindeferencewhichArkwrightjudgedwasduetosomefixedpositiontheyoungmanheld，eitherofsocialorofpoliticalvalue。
"Idonotknow，"saidStantonwithconsideration，"thatIampreparedtoadvocatetheannexationoftheisland。Itisaseriousproblem。"
"Iamnoturgingthat，"Arkwrightinterruptedanxiously;"theCubansthemselvesdonotagreeastothat，andinanyeventitisanafterthought。Ourobjectnowshouldbetopreventfurtherbloodshed。Ifyouseeamanbeatingaboytodeath，youfirstsavetheboy’slifeanddecideafterwardwhereheistogotoschool。Iftherewereanyoneelse，senator，"Arkwrightcontinuedearnestly，"Iwouldnottroubleyou。Butweallknowyourstrengthinthiscountry。Youareindependentandfearless，andmenofbothpartieslistentoyou。Surely，Godhasgivenyouthisgreatgiftoforatory，ifyouwillforgivemyspeakingso，touseonlyinagreatcause。Agrandorganinacathedralisplacedtheretoliftmen’sthoughtstohighresolvesandpurposes，nottomakepeopledance。Astreetorgancandothat。
Now，hereisacauseworthyofyourgreattalents，worthyofaDanielWebster，ofaHenryClay。"
Thesenatorfrownedatthefireandshookhisheaddoubtfully。
"IftheyknewwhatIwasdowntherefor，"heasked，"wouldn’ttheyputmeinprisontoo？"
Arkwrightlaughedincredulously。
"Certainlynot，"hesaid;"youwouldgothereasaprivatecitizen，asatouristtolookonandobserve。Spainisnotseekingcomplicationsofthatsort。ShehastroublesenoughwithoutimprisoningUnitedStatessenators。"
"Yes;butthesefeversnow，"persistedStanton，"they’renorespecterofpersons，Iimagine。AUnitedStatessenatorisnotabovesmallpoxorcholera。"
Arkwrightshookhisheadimpatientlyandsighed。
"Itisdifficulttomakeitcleartoonewhohasnotbeenthere，"
hesaid。"Thesepeopleandsoldiersaredyingoffeverbecausetheyareforcedtolivelikepigs，andtheyarealreadysickwithstarvation。AhealthymanlikeyourselfwouldbeinnomoredangerthanyouwouldbeinwalkingthroughthewardsofaNewYorkhospital。"
SenatorStantonturnedinhisarmchair，andhelduphishandimpressively。
"IfIweretotellthemthethingsyouhavetoldme，"hesaidwarningly，"ifIweretosayIhaveseensuchthings——Americanpropertyinflames，Americaninterestsruined，andthatfivetimesasmanywomenandchildrenhavediedoffeverandstarvationinthreemonthsinCubaastheSultanhasmassacredinArmeniainthreeyears——itwouldmeanwarwithSpain。"
"Well？"saidArkwright。
Stantonshruggedhisshouldersandsankbackagaininhischair。
"Itwouldeithermeanwar，"Arkwrightwenton，"oritmightmeanthesendingoftheRedCrossarmytoCuba。ItwenttoConstantinople，fivethousandmilesaway，tohelptheArmenianChristians——whyhasitwaitedthreeyearstogoeightymilestofeedandclothetheCubanwomenandchildren？ItislikesendinghelptoahungrypeasantinRussiawhileamandiesonyourdoorstep。"
"Well，"saidthesenator，rising，"Iwillletyouknowto-morrow。
Ifitistherightthingtodo，andifIcandoit，ofcourseitmustbedone。WestartfromTampa，yousay？Iknowthepresidentsofallofthoseroadsandthey’llprobablygivemeaprivatecarforthetripdown。Shallwetakeanynewspapermenwithus，orshallIwaituntilIgetbackandbeinterviewed？
Whatdoyouthink？"
"Iwouldwaituntilmyreturn，"Arkwrightanswered，hiseyesglowingwiththehopethesenator’swordshadinspired，"andthenspeaktoamass-meetinghereandinBostonandinChicago。Threespeecheswillbeenough。BeforeyouhavefinishedyourlastonetheAmericanwarshipswillbeintheharborofHavana。"
"Ah，youth，youth！"saidthesenator，smilinggravely，"itisnolightresponsibilitytourgeacountryintowar。"
"Itisnolightresponsibility，"Arkwrightanswered，"toknowyouhavethechancetosavethelivesofthousandsoflittlechildrenandhelplesswomenandtoletthechancepass。"
"Quiteso，thatisquitetrue，"saidthesenator。"Well，good-
morning。Ishallletyouknowto-morrow。"
YoungLivingstonewentdownintheelevatorwithArkwright，andwhentheyhadreachedthesidewalkstoodregardinghimforamomentinsilence。
"Youmustn’tcounttoomuchonStanton，youknow，"hesaidkindly;"hehasawayofdisappointingpeople。"
"Ah，hecanneverdisappointme，"Arkwrightansweredconfidently，"nomatterhowmuchIexpected。Besides，Ihavealreadyheardhimspeak。"
"Idon’tmeanthat，Idon’tmeanheisdisappointingasaspeaker。Stantonisagreatorator，Ithink。MostofthoseSouthernersare，andhe’stheonlyrealoratorIeverheard。ButwhatImeanis，thathedoesn’tgointothingsimpulsively;hefirstconsidershimself，andthenheconsiderseveryothersideofthequestionbeforehecommitshimselftoit。Beforehelaunchesoutonapopularwavehetriestofindoutwhereitisgoingtolandhim。Helikesthesortofpopularwavethatcarrieshimalongwithitwhereeveryonecanseehim;hedoesn’tfancybeinghurleduponthebeachwithhismouthfullofsand。"
"Youaresayingthatheisselfish，self-seeking？"Arkwrightdemandedwithachallengeinhisvoice。"Ithoughtyouwerehisfriend。"
"Yes，heisselfish，andyes，Iamhisfriend，"theyoungmananswered，smiling;"atleast，heseemswillingtobemine。IamsayingnothingagainsthimthatIhavenotsaidtohim。Ifyou’llcomebackwithmeuptheelevatorI’lltellhimhe’saself-seekerandselfish，andwithnothoughtabovehisowninterests。Hewon’tmind。He’dsayIcannotcomprehendhismotives。Why，you’veonlytolookathisrecord。WhentheVenezuelanmessagecameoutheattackedthePresidentanddeclaredhewastryingtomakepoliticalcapitalandtodragusintowar，andthatwhatwewantedwasarbitration;butwhenthePresidentbroughtouttheArbitrationTreatyheattackedthattoointheSenateanddestroyedit。Why？Notbecausehehadconvictions，butbecausethePresidenthadrefusedaforeignappointmenttoafriendofhisintheSouth。Hehasbeenafreesilvermanforthelasttenyears，hecomesfromafreesilverstate，andthemembersofthelegislaturethatelectedhimwereallforsilver，butthislastelectionhisWallStreetfriendsgotholdofhimandworkedonhisfeelings，andherepudiatedhisparty，hisstate，andhisconstituentsandcameoutforgold。"
"Well，butsurely，"Arkwrightobjected，"thattookcourage？Toownthatfortenyearsyouhadbeenwrong，andtocomeoutfortherightatthelast。"
Livingstonestaredandshruggedhisshoulders。"It’sallaquestionofmotives，"hesaidindifferently。"Idon’twanttoshatteryouridol;Ionlywanttosaveyoufromcountingtoomuchonhim。"
WhenArkwrightcalledonthemorrowSenatorStantonwasnotathome，andthedayfollowinghewasbusy，andcouldgivehimonlyabriefinterview。Therewerepreviousengagementsandotherdifficultiesinthewayofhisgoingwhichhehadnotforeseen，hesaid，andhefearedheshouldhavetopostponehisvisittoCubaindefinitely。HeaskedifMr。Arkwrightwouldbesokindastocallagainwithinaweek;hewouldthenbebetterabletogivehimadefiniteanswer。
Arkwrightlefttheapartmentwithasensationofsuchkeendisappointmentthatitturnedhimillanddizzy。Hefeltthatthegreatpurposeofhislifewasbeingplayedwithandputaside。Buthehadnotselfishresentmentonhisownaccount;hewasonlythemoredeterminedtopersevere。Heconsiderednewargumentsandframednewappeals;andonemomentblamedhimselfbitterlyforhavingfoolishlydiscouragedthestatesmanbytoovividpicturesofthehorrorshemightencounter，andthenext，questionedifhehadnotbeentoopracticalandsofailedbecausehehadnotmadetheterribleneedofimmediatehelphissoleargument。Everyhourwastedindelaymeant，asheknew，thesacrificeofmanylives，andtherewereother，moresordidandmorepractical，reasonsforspeedyaction。ForhissupplyofmoneywasrunninglowandtherewasnowbarelyenoughremainingtocarryhimthroughthemonthoftravelhehadplannedtotakeatStanton’sside。Whatwouldhappentohimwhenthatmomentoustripwasoverwasofnoconsequence。Hewouldhavedonetheworkasfarashissmallshareinitlay，hewouldhavesetinmotionagreatpowerthatwastomoveCongressandthepeopleoftheUnitedStatestoaction。Ifhecouldbutdothat，whatbecameofhimcountedfornothing。
Butattheendoftheweekhisfearsandmisgivingswerescatteredgloriouslyandasinglelinefromthesenatorsethisheartleapingandbroughthimtohiskneesingratitudeandthanksgiving。Onreturningoneafternoontothemeanlodgingintowhichhehadmovedtosavehismoney，hefoundatelegramfromStantonandhetoreitopentremblingbetweenhopeandfear。
"HavearrangedtoleaveforTampawithyouMonday，atmidnight"
itread。"Callformeatteno’clocksameevening。——STANTON。"
Arkwrightreadthemessagethreetimes。Therewasaheavy，suffocatingpressureathisheartasthoughithadceasedbeating。Hesankbacklimplyupontheedgeofhisbedandclutchingthepieceofpaperinhistwohandsspokethewordsaloudtriumphantlyasthoughtoassurehimselfthattheyweretrue。Thenafloodofunspeakablerelief，ofhappinessandgratitude，sweptoverhim，andheturnedandslippedtothefloor，buryinghisfaceinthepillow，andweptouthisthanksuponhisknees。
AmansodeeplyimmersedinpublicaffairsaswasStantonandwithsuchamultiplicityofpersonalinterests，couldnotpreparetoabsenthimselfforamonthwithouthisintentionbecomingknown，andonthedaywhenhewastostartforTampathemorningnewspapersproclaimedthefactthathewasabouttovisitCuba。
TheygavetohismissionalltheimportanceanddisplaythatArkwrighthadforetold。SomeofthenewspapersstatedthathewasgoingasaspecialcommissionerofthePresidenttostudyandreport;othersthathewasactinginbehalfoftheCubanlegationinWashingtonandhadplenipotentiarypowers。Oppositionorganssuggestedthathewasactingintheinterestsofthesugartrust，andhisownparticularorgandeclaredthatitwashisintentiontofreeCubaattheriskofhisownfreedom，safety，andevenlife。
TheSpanishministerinWashingtonsentacableforpublicationtoMadrid，statingthatadistinguishedAmericanstatesmanwasabouttovisitCuba，toinvestigate，and，later，todenythetruthofthedisgracefullibelspublishedconcerningtheSpanishofficialsontheislandbythepapersoftheUnitedStates。Atthesametimehecabledinciphertothecaptain-
generalinHavanatoseethatthedistinguishedstatesmanwascloselyspieduponfromthemomentofhisarrivaluntilhisdeparture，andtoplaceonthe"suspect"listallAmericansandCubanswhoventuredtogivehimanyinformation。
Theafternoonpapersenlargedontheimportanceofthevisitandonthegoodthatwouldsurelycomeofit。TheytoldthatSenatorStantonhadrefusedtobeinterviewedortodisclosetheobjectofhisjourney。Butitwasenough，theysaid，thatsomeoneinauthoritywasatlasttoseekoutthetruth，andaddedthatnoonewouldbelistenedtowithgreaterrespectthanwouldtheSouthernsenator。Onthisalltheeditorialwriterswereagreed。
ThedaypasseddrearilyforArkwright。Earlyinthemorninghepackedhisvaliseandpaidhislandlord，andfortheremainderofthedaywalkedthestreetsorsatinthehotelcorridorwaitingimpatientlyforeachfresheditionofthepapers。Inthemhereadthesignsofthegreatupheavalofpopularfeelingthatwastorestorepeaceandhealthandplentytotheislandforwhichhehadgivenhislastthreeyearsofenergyandlife。
Hewastremblingwithexcitement，aswellaswiththecold，whenatteno’clockpreciselyhestoodatSenatorStanton’sdoor。Hehadforgottentoeathisdinner，andthewarmthofthedimlylithallandtheodorofrichfoodwhichwaswaftedfromaninnerroomtouchedhissenseswithtantalizingcomfort。
"Thesenatorsaysyouaretocomethisway，sir，"theservantdirected。HetookArkwright’svalisefromhishandandpartedtheheavycurtainsthathidthedining-room，andArkwrightsteppedinbetweenthemandthenstoppedinsomeembarrassment。
Hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofanumberofgentlemenseatedatalongdinner-table，whoturnedtheirheadsasheenteredandpeeredathimthroughthesmokethatfloatedinlightlayersabovethewhitecloth。Thedinnerhadbeenserved，butthesenator’sguestsstillsatwiththeirchairspushedbackfromatablelightedbycandlesunderyellowshades，andcoveredwithbeautifulflowersandwithbottlesofvariedsizesinstandsofquaintandintricatedesign。SenatorStanton’stallfigureshoweddimlythroughthesmoke，andhisdeepvoicehailedArkwrightcheerilyfromthefartherendoftheroom。"Thisway，Mr。Arkwright，"hesaid。"Ihaveachairwaitingforyouhere。"
HegraspedArkwright’shandwarmlyandpulledhimintothevacantplaceathisside。AnelderlygentlemanonArkwright’sothersidemovedtomakemoreroomforhimandshovedaliqueurglasstowardhimwithafriendlynodandpointedatanopenboxofcigars。Hewasafine-lookingman，andArkwrightnoticedthathewasregardinghimwithaglanceofthekeenestinterest。AllofthoseatthetableweremenoftwiceArkwright’sage，exceptLivingstone，whomherecognizedandwhonoddedtohimpleasantlyandatthesametimegaveanordertoaservant，pointingatArkwrightashedidso。Someofthegentlemenworetheirbusinesssuits，andoneoppositeArkwrightwasstillinhisovercoat，andheldhishatinhishand。Theselatterseemedtohavearrivedafterthedinnerhadbegun，fortheyformedasecondlinebackofthosewhohadplacesatthetable;theyallseemedtoknowoneanotherandweretalkingwithmuchvivacityandinterest。
StantondidnotattempttointroduceArkwrighttohisguestsindividually，butsaid："Gentlemen，thisisMr。Arkwright，ofwhomIhavebeentellingyou，theyounggentlemanwhohasdonesuchmagnificentworkforthecauseofCuba。"ThosewhocaughtArkwright’seyenoddedtohim，andothersraisedtheirglassesathim，butwithasmilethathecouldnotunderstand。Itwasasthoughtheyallknewsomethingconcerninghimofwhichhewasignorant。Henotedthatthefacesofsomewerestrangelyfamiliar，andhedecidedthathemusthaveseentheirportraitsinthepublicprints。AfterhehadintroducedArkwright，thesenatordrewhischairslightlyawayfromhimandturnedinwhatseemedembarrassmenttothemanonhisotherside。TheelderlygentlemannexttoArkwrightfilledhisglass，aservantplacedasmallcupofcoffeeathiselbow，andhelitacigarandlookedabouthim。
"Youmustfindthisweatherverytryingafterthetropics，"hisneighborsaid。
Arkwrightassentedcordially。Thebrandywasflowingthroughhisveinsandwarminghim;heforgotthathewashungry，andthekind，interestedglancesofthoseabouthimsethimathisease。
Itwasapropitiousstart，hethought，apleasantleave-takingforthesenatorandhimself，fullofgoodwillandgoodwishes。
HeturnedtowardStantonandwaiteduntilhehadceasedspeaking。
"Thepapershavebegunwell，haven’tthey？"heasked，eagerly。
Hehadspokeninalowvoice，almostinawhisper，butthoseaboutthetableseemedtohaveheardhim，fortherewassilenceinstantlyandwhenheglanceduphesawtheeyesofallturneduponhimandhenoticedontheirfacesthesamesmilehehadseentherewhenheentered。
"Yes，"Stantonansweredconstrainedly。"Yes，I——"heloweredhisvoice，butthesilencestillcontinued。Stantonhadhiseyesfixedonthetable，butnowhefrownedandhalfrosefromhischair。
"Iwanttospeakwithyou，Arkwright，"hesaid。"Supposewegointothenextroom。I’llbebackinamoment，"headded，noddingtotheothers。
Butthemanonhisrightremovedhiscigarfromhislipsandsaidinanundertone，"No，sitdown，staywhereyouare;"andtheelderlygentlemanatArkwright’ssidelaidhishanddetaininglyonhisarm。"Oh，youwon’ttakeMr。Arkwrightawayfromus，Stanton？"heasked，smiling。
Stantonshruggedhisshouldersandsatdownagain，andtherewasamoment’spause。Itwasbrokenbythemanintheovercoat，wholaughed。
"He’spayingyouacompliment，Mr。Arkwright，"hesaid。HepointedwithhiscigartothegentlemanatArkwright’sside。
"Idon’tunderstand，"Arkwrightanswereddoubtfully。
"It’sacomplimenttoyoureloquence——he’safraidtoleaveyoualonewiththesenator。Livingstone’sbeentellingusthatyouareabettertalkerthanStanton。"Arkwrightturnedatroubledcountenancetowardthemenaboutthetable，andthentowardLivingstone，butthatyoungmanhadhiseyesfixedgravelyontheglassesbeforehimanddidnotraisethem。
Arkwrightfeltasudden，unreasonablefearofthecircleofstrong-featured，sereneandconfidentmenabouthim。Theyseemedtobemakinghimthesubjectofajest，tobeenjoyingsomethingamongthemselvesofwhichhewasinignorance，butwhichconcernedhimclosely。HeturnedawhitefacetowardStanton。
"Youdon’tmean，"hebeganpiteously，"that——thatyouarenotgoing？Isthatit——tellme——isthatwhatyouwantedtosay？"
Stantonshiftedinhischairandmutteredsomewordsbetweenhislips，thenturnedtowardArkwrightandspokequiteclearlyanddistinctly。
"Iamverysorry，Mr。Arkwright，"hesaid，"butIamafraidI’llhavetodisappointyou。ReasonsIcannotnowexplainhavearisenwhichmakemygoingimpossible——quiteimpossible，"headdedfirmly——"notonlynow，butlater，"hewentonquickly，asArkwrightwasabouttointerrupthim。
Arkwrightmadenosecondattempttospeak。Hefeltthemusclesofhisfaceworkingandthetearscomingtohiseyes，andtohidehisweaknesshetwistedinhischairandsatstaringaheadofhimwithhisbackturnedtothetable。HeheardLivingstone’svoicebreakthesilencewithsomehurriedquestion，andimmediatelyhisembarrassmentwashiddeninamurmurofanswersandthemovingofglassesasthemenshiftedintheirchairsandthelaughterandtalkwentonasbrisklyasbefore。Arkwrightsawasideboardbeforehimandaservantarrangingsomesilverononeoftheshelves。Hewatchedthemandothiswithaconcentratedinterestasthoughthedull，numbedfeelinginhisbraincaughtatthetrifleinordertoputoff，aslongaspossible，theconsiderationofthetruth。
Andthenbeyondthesideboardandthetapestryonthewallaboveit，hesawthesunshiningdownupontheislandofCuba，hesawtheroyalpalmswavingandbending，thedustycolumnsofSpanishinfantrycrawlingalongthewhiteroadsandleavingblazinghutsandsmokingcane-fieldsintheirwake;hesawskeletonsofmenandwomenseekingforfoodamongtherefuseofthestreet;heheardtheordergiventothefiringsquad，thesplashofthebulletsastheyscatteredtheplasterontheprisonwall，andhesawakneelingfigurepitchforwardonitsface，withauselessbandagetiedacrossitssightlesseyes。
SenatorStantonbroughthimbackwithasharpshakeoftheshoulder。Hehadalsoturnedhisbackontheothers，andwasleaningforwardwithhiselbowsonhisknees。Hespokerapidly，andinavoiceonlyslightlyraisedaboveawhisper。
"Iammorethansorry，Arkwright，"hesaidearnestly。"Youmustn’tblamemealtogether。Ihavehadahardtimeofitthisafternoon。Iwantedtogo。Ireallywantedtogo。Thethingappealedtome，ittouchedme，itseemedasifIowedittomyselftodoit。Buttheyweretoomanyforme，"headdedwithabackwardtossofhisheadtowardthemenaroundhistable。
"IfthepapershadnottoldonmeIcouldhavegotwellaway，"hewentoninaneagertone，"butassoonastheyreadofit，theycameherestraightfromtheiroffices。Youknowwhotheyare，don’tyou？"heasked，andeveninhisearnestnesstherewasanaddedtouchofimportanceinhistoneashespokethenameofhisparty’sleader，ofmenwhostoodprominentlyinWallStreetandwhowereattheheadofgreattrusts。
"Youseehowitis，"hesaidwithashrugofhisshoulders。
"Theyhaveenormousinterestsatstake。TheysaidIwoulddragthemintowar，thatIwoulddisturbvalues，thatthebusinessinterestsofthecountrywouldsuffer。I’munderobligationstomostofthem，theyhaveadvisedmeinfinancialmatters，andtheythreatened——theythreatenedtomakeitunpleasantforme。"Hisvoicehardenedandhedrewinhisbreathquickly，andlaughed。
"Youwouldn’tunderstandifIweretotellyou。It’sratherinvolved。Andafterall，theymayberight，agitationmaybebadforthecountry。Andyourpartyleaderafterallisyourpartyleader，isn’the，andifhesays’no’whatareyoutodo？
Mysympathiesarejustaskeenforthesepoorwomenandchildrenasever，butasthesemensay，’charitybeginsathome，’andwemustn’tdoanythingtobringonwarpricesagain，ortosendstockstumblingaboutourheads，mustwe？"Heleanedbackinhischairagainandsighed。"Sympathyisanexpensiveluxury，I
find，"headded。
ArkwrightrosestifflyandpushedStantonawayfromhimwithhishand。Hemovedlikeamancomingoutofadream。
"Don’ttalktomelikethat，"hesaidinalowvoice。Thenoiseaboutthetableendedontheinstant，butArkwrightdidnotnoticethatithadceased。"YouknowIdon’tunderstandthat，"
hewenton;"whatdoesitmattertome！"Heputhishanduptothesideofhisfaceandhelditthere，lookingdownatStanton。
Hehadthedull，heavylookinhiseyesofamanwhohasjustcomethroughanoperationundersomeheavydrug。"’WallStreet，’
’trusts，’’partyleaders，’"herepeated，"whataretheytome？
Thewordsdon’treachme，theyhavelosttheirmeaning，itisalanguageIhaveforgotten，thankGod！"headded。Heturnedandmovedhiseyesaroundthetable，scanningthefacesofthemenbeforehim。
"Yes，youaretwelvetoone，"hesaidatlast，stillspeakingdullyandinalowvoice，asthoughheweretalkingtohimself。
"Youhavewonanoblevictory，gentlemen。Icongratulateyou。
ButIdonotblameyou，weareallselfishandself-seeking。I
thoughtIwasworkingonlyforCuba，butIwasworkingformyself，justasyouare。IwantedtofeelthatitwasIwhohadhelpedtobringrelieftothatplague-spot，thatitwasthroughmyeffortsthehelphadcome。Yes，ifhehaddoneasIasked，I
supposeIwouldhavetakenthecredit。"
Heswayedslightly，andtosteadyhimselfcaughtatthebackofhischair。Butatthesamemomenthiseyesglowedfiercelyandheheldhimselferectagain。Hepointedwithhisfingeratthecircleofgreatmenwhosatlookingupathimincurioussilence。
"Youarelikearingofgamblersaroundagamingtable，"hecriedwildly，"whoseenothingbutthegreenclothandthewheelandthepilesofmoneybeforethem，whoforgetinwatchingthemoneyriseandfall，thatoutsidethesunisshining，thathumanbeingsaresickandsuffering，thatmenaregivingtheirlivesforanidea，forasentiment，foraflag。Youarethemoney-
changersinthetempleofthisgreatrepublicandthedaywillcome，IpraytoGod，whenyouwillbescourgedanddrivenoutwithwhips。Doyouthinkyoucanformcombinesanddealsthatwillcheatyouintoheaven？Canyour’trusts’saveyoursouls——
is’WallStreet’thestraitandnarrowroadtosalvation？"
ThemenaboutthetableleanedbackandstaredatArkwrightinasgreatamazementasthoughhehadviolentlyattemptedanassaultupontheirpockets，orhadsuddenlygonemadintheirpresence。
Someofthemfrowned，andothersappearednottohaveheard，andotherssmiledgrimlyandwaitedforhimtocontinueasthoughtheywerespectatorsataplay。
ThepoliticalleaderbrokethesilencewithalowasidetoStanton。"DoesthegentlemanbelongtotheSalvationArmy？"heasked。
Arkwrightwhirledaboutandturneduponhimfiercely。
"Oldgodsgivewaytonewgods，"hecried。"Hereisyourbrother。Iamspeakingforhim。Doyoueverthinkofhim？Howdareyousneeratme？"hecried。"Youcancrackyourwhipoverthatman’sheadandturnhimfromwhatinhisheartandconscienceheknowsisright;youcancrackyourwhipoverthemenwhocallthemselvesfree-bornAmericancitizensandwhohavemadeyoutheirboss——sneeratthemifyoulike，butyouhavenocollaronmyneck。Ifyouarealeader，whydon’tyouleadyourpeopletowhatisgoodandnoble？WhydoyoustopthismanintheworkGodsenthimheretodo？Youwouldmakeapartyhackofhim，apoliticalprostitute，somethinglowerthanthewomanwhowalksthestreets。Shesellsherbody——thismanissellinghissoul。"
Heturned，tremblingandquivering，andshookhisfingerabovetheupturnedfaceofthesenator。
"Whathaveyoudonewithyourtalents，Stanton？"hecried。"Whathaveyoudonewithyourtalents？"
Themanintheovercoatstruckthetablebeforehimwithhisfistsothattheglassesrang。
"ByGod，"helaughed，"IcallhimabetterspeakerthanStanton！
Livingstone’sright，heISbetterthanStanton——buthelacksStanton’sknackofmakinghimselfpopular，"headded。Helookedaroundthetableinvitingapprobationwithasmile，butnoonenoticedhim，norspoketobreakthesilence。
Arkwrightheardthewordsdullyandfeltthathewasbeingmocked。Hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandstoodbreathingbrokenly;hisbodywasstilltremblingwithanexcitementhecouldnotmaster。
Stantonrosefromhischairandshookhimbytheshoulder。"Areyoumad，Arkwright？"hecried。"Youhavenorighttoinsultmyguestsorme。Becalm——controlyourself。"
"WhatdoesitmatterwhatIsay？"Arkwrightwentondesperately。
"Iammad。Yes，thatisit，Iammad。TheyhavewonandIhavelost，anditdrovemebesidemyself。Icountedonyou。Iknewthatnooneelsecouldletmypeoplego。ButI’llnottroubleyouagain。Iwishyougood-night，sir，andgood-bye。IfIhavebeenunjust，youmustforgetit。"
Heturnedsharply，butStantonplacedadetaininghandonhisshoulder。"Wait，"hecommandedquerulously;"whereareyougoing？Willyou，still——？"
Arkwrightbowedhishead。"Yes，"heanswered。"Ihavebutjusttimenowtocatchourtrain——mytrain，Imean。"
HelookedupatStantonandtakinghishandinbothofhis，drewthemantowardhim。Allthewildnessandintoleranceinhismannerhadpassed，andasheraisedhiseyestheywerefullofafirmresolve。
"Come，"hesaidsimply;"thereisyettime。Leavethesepeoplebehindyou。Whatcanyouanswerwhentheyaskwhathaveyoudonewithyourtalents？"
"GoodGod，Arkwright，"thesenatorexclaimedangrily，pullinghishandaway;"don’ttalklikeahymn-book，anddon’tmakeanotherscene。Whatyouaskisimpossible。TellmewhatIcandotohelpyouinanyotherway，and——"
"Come，"repeatedtheyoungmanfirmly。
"Theworldmayjudgeyoubywhatyoudoto-night。"
Stantonlookedattheboyforabriefmomentwithastrainedandeagerscrutiny，andthenturnedawayabruptlyandshookhisheadinsilence，andArkwrightpassedaroundthetableandonoutoftheroom。
Amonthlater，astheSouthernsenatorwaspassingthroughthereading-roomoftheUnionClub，Livingstonebeckonedtohim，andhandinghimanafternoonpaperpointedataparagraphinsilence。
TheparagraphwasdatedSagualaGrande，andread：
"ThebodyofHenryArkwright，anAmericancivilengineer，wasbroughtintoSaguato-daybyaSpanishcolumn。Itwasfoundlyinginaroadthreemilesbeyondthelineofforts。Arkwrightwassurprisedbyaguerillaforcewhileattemptingtomakehiswaytotheinsurgentcamp，andonresistingwasshot。ThebodyhasbeenhandedovertotheAmericanconsulforinterment。Itisbadlymutilated。"
Stantonloweredthepaperandstoodstaringoutofthewindowatthefallingsnowandthecheerylightsandbustlingenergyoftheavenue。
"Poorfellow，"hesaid，"hewantedsomuchtohelpthem。Andhedidn’taccomplishanything，didhe？"
Livingstonestaredattheoldermanandlaughedshortly。
"Well，Idon’tknow，"hesaid。"Hedied。Someofusonlylive。"
THEVAGRANT
HisExcellencySirCharlesGreville，K。CM。G。，GovernoroftheWindlessIslands，stoodupontheverandaofGovernmentHousesurveyingthenewdaywithcriticalandsearchingeyes。SirCharleshadbeensolongabsolutemonarchoftheWindlessIslesthathehadassumedunconsciouslyamentalattitudeofsuzeraintyovereventheglitteringwatersoftheCaribbeanSea，andthecoralreefsunderthewaters，andtherainbowskiesthatfloatedabovethem。ButonthisparticularmorningnoteventhecriticaleyeoftheGovernorcoulddistinguishasingleflawinthetropicallandscapebeforehim。
Thelawnathisfeetrandowntomeetthedazzlingwatersofthebay，thebluewatersofthebayrantomeetagreatstretchofabsinthegreen，thegreenjoinedafairyskyofpinkandgoldandsaffron。Islandsofcoralfloatedontheseaofabsinthe，andderelictcloudsofmother-of-pearlswunglowabovethem，startingfromnowhereandgoingnowhere，butdriftingbeautifully，likegiantsoap-bubblesoflightandcolor。Wherethelawntouchedthewatersofthebaythecocoanut-palmsreachedtheircrookedlengthsfarupintothesunshine，andasthesea-
breezestirredtheirfrondstheyfilledthehotairwithwhispersandmurmursliketheflutteringofmanyfans。NaturesmiledboldlyupontheGovernor，confidentinherbountifulbeauty，asthoughshesaid，"Surelyyoucannotbutbepleasedwithmeto-
day。"And，asthoughinanswer，thecriticalandsearchingglanceofSirCharlesrelaxed。
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