By five in the afternoon the messages begin to announce the forecast in
the extreme Eastern states.
"Rhode Island has polled the largest vote in its history. The
Independence Party claims the state by fifteen thousand." Harvey reads
this with an incredulous smile.
"We can hardly hope to carry Rhode Island," he declares frankly.
"You told me only yesterday that Fall River is going wild over the
biograph pictures," Ethel protests.
"The rural vote in Maine is believed to have caused the state to go to
the Independents," is the next message that causes Harvey to doubt his
senses.
"New Jersey washes its hands of trusts. Trueman carries Newark, Trenton,
and Jersey City by overwhelming majorities."
Thus the story of state after state is wired to Wilkes-Barre.
"Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio are claimed to have voted for the people's
candidate. The Plutocrats ridicule the assertion, yet have no figures to
quote."
At nine o'clock the returns by election districts in the populous
cities, begin to arrive.
"In 1238 districts, Greater New York, Trueman leads by a clear majority
of 75,000." Harvey reads without comment.
Ten minutes later, this message is received: "Total of 2200 election
districts, Greater New York, Trueman's majority 180,000. This makes the
state Independent by a safe margin of 100,000."
Harvey Trueman feels for the first time since his nomination that he
will be elected.
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