"My death, like those of the committee who have already fulfilled their
pledge, is not suicide, but part of the inevitable price of liberty."
The pistol is raised to his temple. Then a thought flashes upon him.
"Your death will come as an ante-climax to the election. It may be the
means of defeating the Independents."
This thought causes him to lower the pistol.
"To-morrow," he mutters.
At daybreak Nevins is at the headquarters and remains near the chief
operator, eager for every detail of the election.
"What is the weather prediction?" he inquires.
"Generally clear; light local rains on Pacific seaboard."
"I am most intensely interested in the result of the election," Nevins
confided to the operator, to explain his presence at headquarters. "I
have come all the way from San Francisco to congratulate Trueman on his
election."
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Mr. Trueman is at his home in
Wilkes-Barre."
"Well, I shall telegraph him my congratulations. I want to be the first
man in the United States to send him an authoritative message confirming
his election. If you can arrange to let me have the news first, when it
comes in, and will send my message, I shall be glad to pay you for the
service."
"I have the wire that will send him the news," the operator states as he
pats a transmitter on the desk before him.
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