His face paled, his eyes glowed, and a thrill ran over him.

At this moment--if he had not made the sacrifice--he might have been sitting in the governor's office, listening to Caldwell, or Sigmund, or others from his own section,--perhaps from other sections of the state--advising them, seeking to help them.

For one thing, Morgan Hatfield would not have been his railroad commissioner! As it was, he was going to enter the governor's office as a mere petitioner, not sure of his reception--for Perry Haughton had beaten Falkner, and owed Lawler nothing.

Indeed, after his election, Haughton had referred sarcastically to Lawler.
When Lawler found himself in the presence of the governor he was in a grimly humorous mood.

For despite the sarcastic flings he had directed at Lawler, the governor ponderously arose from a big chair at his desk and advanced to meet him, a hand outstretched.
"Hello, Lawler!" he said; "glad to see you.