"Nothing"—there was a ring of exultation in her voice—"I did it because I had to."
Norton leaned against the oak, placed his hands on his temples and groaned:
"Oh, my God! It's a nightmare——"
Suddenly he asked:
"What did she do when you told her?"
The girl answered with indifference:
"Screamed, called me a liar, jumped on me like a wild-cat, dug her nails in my neck and went into hysterics."
"And you?"
"I picked her up, carried her to bed and sent for the doctor. As quick as he came I ran here to tell you."
The speaker upstairs was again announcing his name as the next Governor and Senator and the crowd were cheering. He felt the waves of Death roll over and engulf him. His knees grew weak and in spite of all effort he sank to a stone that lay against the gnarled trunk of the tree.