Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/120

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to greatness without making vast mistakes and retrieving them. This moment the way of retrieving my mistake has come to me. I will go to Sanders—no, I will write and keep a certified copy of the letter—saying that I shall withdraw from my engagements with him. I will refuse to accept the appointment as Senator and will contest the election with him before the Legislature. But—but—if only the man who indorsed my notes hadn't been in the combine!"

As suddenly as he had rallied, Crane again sank into dejection.

"You don't know what it is to want money desperately—desperately, I say," he added.

"N-no," replied Constance, slowly. "I think I know the want of everything else almost which is necessary to happiness—except only the want of money."

"Then you have escaped hell itself, Miss Maitland. This American Government, which you think so impeccable, is the most niggardly on the face of the globe. With untold wealth, it pays the men who conduct its affairs a miserable pittance—a bare living. How can a man give his whole mind to