Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/136

 *jection to Thorndyke's remaining and the Senator feebly agreeing to it, Thorndyke sat down again to enjoy the scrap. As it was not in his own party, he was a perfectly disinterested listener.

"Mr. Crane," began Senator Bicknell, in a dulcet voice, "I hardly think you realise what it means to our State organisation to introduce discord into it at this time."

It was less than fourteen months before a national convention and the rainbow of a Presidential nomination had arisen upon Senator Bicknell's political horizon. This had happened more than once, but the Senator had never been able, heretofore, to catch the rainbow by the tail—yet, hope springs eternal in the human breast.

To this Crane replied, firmly:

"I desire, Senator, to do everything I can to promote harmony in the State organisation. It is Governor Sanders who is making trouble, and I shall defend myself from him, and die in the last ditch, if necessary."

Crane was by nature a gladiator, and the prospect of a fight by no means discomposed him.

Senator Bicknell sighed. He had already on his