“Agree to sign the bill as it now stands if it passes the legislature.”

Lyons rested his head on his hand and his mouth moved tremulously.  “If I am elected governor,” he said, “I wish to serve the people honestly and fearlessly.”

“I am sure of it.  I ask you to point out to me in what manner this bill trenches upon the rights of the people.  You yourself have noted the crucial consequence:  It will lower the price of gas.  If at the same time I am benefited financially, why should I not reap the reasonable reward of my foresight?”

“I will sign the bill, Elton, if it comes to me for signature.  I may be criticised at first, but the improved public service and reduction of the gas bills will be my justification, and show that I have not been unmindful of the interests of the great public whose burdens my party is seeking to lighten.”

“I shall count on you, then,” said Elton, after a pause.  “The failure of the bill at the last stage when I was expecting its passage might affect my affairs seriously.”

“If the legislature does its part, I will do mine,” responded Lyons, augustly.  “I will sign the bill if it comes to me in the present form.”

“I thank you, Governor.”

Lyons looked confused but happy at the appellation.

“By the way,” said Elton, after he had returned the papers to his pocket, “these are trying times for men with financial obligations.  It is my custom to be frank and not to mince matters where important interests are concerned.  A candidate for office in this campaign will need the use of all his faculties if he is to be successful.  I should be very sorry for the sake of my bill to allow your mind to be distracted by solicitude in regard to your private affairs.  Some of the best and most prudent of our business men are pressed to-day for ready money.  I am in a position to give you temporary assistance if you require it.  In justice to my interests you must not let delicacy stand in the way of your accepting my offer.”

Lyons’s bosom swelled with the tide of returning happiness.  He had scarcely been able to believe his ears.  Yet here was a definite, spontaneous proposition to remove the incubus which weighed upon his soul.  Here was an opportunity to redeem the bonds of the Parsons estate and to repair his damaged self-respect.  It seemed to him as though the clouds of adversity which had encompassed him had suddenly been swept away, and that Providence was smiling down at him as her approved and favorite son.  His emotion choked his speech.  His lip trembled and his eyes looked as though they would fill with tears.  After a brief pause he articulated that he was somewhat pressed for ready money.  Some explanation of his affairs followed, the upshot of which was that Elton agreed to indorse Lyons’s promissory notes held by the banks to the amount of $60,000, and to accept as collateral for a personal loan of $40,000 certain securities of new local enterprises which had