THE BEST MAN WINS
Before Socola could purchase his ticket for the South, Senator Barton
laid his heavy hand on his shoulder.
"I just ran down, sir, to ask you to wait and go in Senator Davis'
party. He has been threatened with arrest by the cowards who are at the
present moment in charge of the Government. He can't afford to leave
town while there's a chance that so fortunate an event may be pulled
off. I have decided to stay until Lincoln's inauguration. My wife and
daughter will make you welcome at Fairview. And you'll meet my three
boys. I'm sorry I can't be with you."
Socola's masked face showed no trace of disappointment. He merely asked
politely:
"And the party of Senator Davis will start?"
"A week from to-day, sir--and my wife and daughter will accompany
them--unless--of course--"
He laughed heartily.
"Unless the great Attorney General, Edwin M. Stanton, decides to arrest
him--if he'll only do it!"
Socola nodded carelessly.
"I understand, Senator. A week from to-day. The same hour--the same
train."
In a moment he had disappeared in the crowd and hurried to the office of
the Secretary of War.
Holt received his announcement with a smile about the corners of his
strong, crooked mouth.
"That's lucky. I'd rather you were with Davis ten to one. Amuse yourself
for the week by getting all the information possible of their junta
here--"
"Barton will stay until the inauguration--"
"Of course--a spy in the camp of the enemy. He could be arrested, but
it's not wise under the circumstances--"
"You will not arrest Senator Davis?"
"Nonsense. Stanton's a fool. Nothing would please them better. I've
convinced him of that. A wrangle in the courts now over such an issue
would postpone its settlement indefinitely. The Supreme Court of the
United States has sustained the South on every issue that has been
raised. The North is leading a revolution. The South is entrenched
behind the law. They can't be ousted by law. It can only be done by the
bayonet--"
Holt paused and looked thoughtfully across the Potomac.
"Report to me daily--"
Socola silently saluted and left the office with his first feeling of
suspicion and repulsion for his Chief. He didn't like the blunt, brutal
way this Southern Democrat talked. He couldn't believe in his honesty.
Beneath those bushy eyebrows burned a wolf's hunger for office and
power. On the surface he was loyal to the Union. He wondered if he were
not in reality playing a desperate waiting game, ready at the moment of
the crisis to throw his information to either side? The air of
Washington reeked with suspicion and double dealing.
"Oh, my Country," he murmured bitterly, "if ever true men were needed!"
He strolled through the street on which Senator Davis and Barton lived
directly opposite each other. He would call on Jennie and express his
regret that their party had been postponed. At the door he changed his
mind. Too much attention at this stage of the game would not be wise. He
passed on, glancing at the distinguished-looking group of men who were
emerging from the Davis door.
He wondered what was going on in that home? It seemed impossible that
Davis should be the leader of a Southern rebellion. Clay or Toombs,
yes--but this man with his blood-marked history of devotion to the
Union--this man with his proud record of constructive statesmanship as
Senator and Secretary of War--it seemed preposterous!
Could he have heard the counsel Davis was giving at that moment to the
excited men who made his unpretentious house their Mecca, he would have
been still more astonished. For six days and nights with but a few hours
snatched for sleep, he implored the excited leaders of Southern opinion
to avoid violence, and be patient. The one note of hopefulness in his
voice came with the mention of the new President-elect, Abraham Lincoln.
"Mr. Lincoln is a man of friendly, moderate opinions personally," he
persistently advised. "He may he able to surround himself with a council
of conservative men who will use their power to hold the radical wing of
his party in check until by delay we can call a convention of all the
States and in this national assembly find a solution short of bloodshed.
We must try. We must exhaust every resource before we dream of war. We
must accept war only when it is forced upon us by our enemies."
By telegrams and letters to every Southern leader he knew he urged
delay, moderation, postponement of all action.
The week passed and the Cabinet of Buchanan had not dared accept the
Southern leader's challenge to arrest and trial.
The Davis party had found their seats in the train for the South. Socola
strolled the platform alone, waiting without sign of interest for the
hour of departure.
Dick Welford arrived five minutes before the train left and extended his
hand to Jennie.
"Forgive me, Jennie!"
With a bright smile she clasped his hand.
"Of course, Dick--I took your silly ravings too seriously."
"No--I was a fool. I'll make up for it. I'll go over now and shake hands
with the reptile if you say so--"
"Nonsense--you'll not do anything of the sort. He's nothing to me. He's
the guest of the South--that's all."
"Honest now, Jennie--you don't care for any other fellow?"
"Nor for you, either!" she laughed.
"Of course, I know that--but I can keep on trying, can't I?"
"I don't see how I can prevent it!"
Dick grinned good-naturedly and Jennie laughed again.
"You're in for a siege with me, I'll tell you right now."
"It's a free fight, Dick. I'm indifferent to the results."
"Then you don't _mind_ if I win?"
"Not in the least. At the present moment I'm a curious spectator--that's
all."
"Lord, I wish I were going with you--"
"I wish so, too--"
"Honest, Jennie?"
"Cross my heart--"
Dick laughed aloud.
"Say--I tell you what I'm going to do!"
"Yes?"
"If Virginia don't secede in ten days--I will. I'll resign my job here
with old Hunter and join the Confederacy. I don't like this new
clerkship business anyhow--expect me in ten days--"
Before Jennie could answer he turned suddenly and left the car.
At the end of the platform he ran squarely into Socola. He was about to
pass without recognition, stopped on an impulse, and extended his hand:
"Fine day, Signor!"
"Beautiful, M'sieur," was the smooth answer.
Dick hesitated.
"I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?"
"No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford--"
"Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton--"
"I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed.
"Well, I've been speculating about you--"
"Indeed?"
"Yes--and I'm going to be honest with you--I don't like you--we're
enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man
wins--"
The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white
teeth flashed.
"The best man wins, M'sieur!"