"It's been settled for some time," he went on enthusiastically, "but we thought best not to make the announcement so soon after your wife's death. I reckon you can guess my secret?"
"I give it up," was the listless answer.
"The Committee has voted unanimously to make you the next Governor. Your nomination with such backing is a mere formality. Your election is a certainty——"
The Chairman sprang to his feet and extended his big hand:
"I salute the Governor of the Commonwealth—the youngest man in the history of the state to hold such high office——"
"You mean it?" Norton asked in a stupor.
"Mean it? Of course I mean it! Why don't you give me your hand? What's the matter?"
"You see, I've sort of lost my bearings in politics lately."
The Chairman's voice was lowered:
"Of course, major, I understand. Well, this is the medicine you need now to brace you up. For the first time in my memory a name will go before our convention without a rival. There'll be just one ballot and that will be a single shout that'll raise the roof——"