Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/262

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make the temporary organization permanent. D'Ormand was Underwood's candidate. And Muldoon won. Underwood had lost the first round.

The candidates for senator were to be placed in nomination first. Underwood stood in the crowded doorway and heard Conway's name presented. Then, in the cheering, with his heart in his sanded throat, he heard the chairman say:

"Are there any other nominations?"

There was a momentary stillness, and then he heard a thick, strong voice:

"Misther Chairman!"

"The gentleman from the First Ward."

"Misther Chairman," the thick, strong voice said, "I roise to place in nomynation the name of wan—"

It was the voice of Malachi Nolan, and Underwood suddenly remembered that Nolan was to place his name before the convention. He listened an instant, but could not endure it long. He could not endure that men should see him in the hour when his name was being thus laid naked to the world. Reporters were writing it down, perhaps the crowd would laugh or whistle or hiss. Besides, candidates do not remain in the convention hall; they await the