He did not name the trouble his physician had discovered,but he had been warned that he must retire from active life."The specialist whom I saw in New York,"he went on,"wished me to resign at once,but when Ipointed out to him how unfair this would be to my friends in the state,to my party as a whole--especially in these serious and unsettled times--he agreed that I might with proper care serve out the remainder of my term.I have felt it my duty to write to Barbour and Dickinson and one or two others in order that they might be prepared and that no time may be lost in choosing my successor.It is true that the revolt within the party has never gained much headway in our state,but in these days it is difficult to tell when and where a conflagration may break out,or how far it will go.I have ventured to recommend to them the man who seems to me the best equipped to carry on the work I have been trying to do here--in short,my dear Hugh,yourself.The Senate,as you know,is not a bed of roses just now for those who think as we do;but I have the less hesitancy in making the recommendation because Ibelieve you are not one to shun a fight for the convictions we hold in common,and because you would regard,with me,the election of a senator with the new views as a very real calamity.If sound business men and lawyers should be eliminated from the Senate,I could not contemplate with any peace of mind what might happen to the country.In thus urging you,I know you will believe me when I say that my affection and judgment are equally involved,for it would be a matter of greater pride than Ican express to have you follow me here as you have followed me at home.
And I beg of you seriously to consider it....I understand that Maude and the children are abroad.Remember me to them affectionately when you write.If you can find it convenient to come here,to Maine,to discuss the matter,you may be sure of a welcome.In any case,I expect to be in Washington in September for a meeting of our special committee.
Sincerely and affectionately yours,Theodore Watling."It was characteristic of him that the tone of the letter should be uniformly cheerful,that he should say nothing whatever of the blow this must be to his ambitions and hopes;and my agitation at the new and disturbing prospect thus opened up for me was momentarily swept away by feelings of affection and sorrow.A sharp realization came to me of how much I admired and loved this man,and this was followed by a pang at the thought of the disappointment my refusal would give him.Complications Idid not wish to examine were then in the back of my mind;and while Istill sat holding the letter in my hand the telephone rang,and a message came from Leonard Dickinson begging me to call at the bank at once.
Miller Gorse was there,and Tallant,waving a palm-leaf while sitting under the electric fan.They were all very grave,and they began to talk about the suddenness of Mr.Watling's illness and to speculate upon its nature.Leonard Dickinson was the most moved of the three;but they were all distressed,and showed it--even Tallant,whom I had never credited with any feelings;they spoke about the loss to the state.At length Gorse took a cigar from his pocket and lighted it;the smoke,impelled by the fan,drifted over the panelled partition into the bank.
"I suppose Mr.Watling mentioned to you what he wrote to us,"he said.
"Yes,"I admitted.
"Well,"he asked,"what do you think of it?""I attribute it to Mr.Watling's friendship,"I replied.
"No,"said Gorse,in his businesslike manner,"Watling's right,there's no one else."Considering the number of inhabitants of our state,this remark had its humorous aspect.
"That's true,"Dickinson put in,"there's no one else available who understands the situation as you do,Hugh,no one else we can trust as we trust you.I had a wire from Mr.Barbour this morning--he agrees.We'll miss you here,but now that Watling will be gone we'll need you there.
And he's right--it's something we've got to decide on right away,and get started on soon,we can't afford to wobble and run any chances of a revolt.""It isn't everybody the senatorship comes to on a platter--especially at your age,"said Tallant.
"To tell you the truth,"I answered,addressing Dickinson,"I'm not prepared to talk about it now.I appreciate the honour,but I'm not at all sure I'm the right man.And I've been considerably upset by this news of Mr.Watling.""Naturally you would be,"said the banker,sympathetically,"and we share your feelings.I don't know of any man for whom I have a greater affection than I have for Theodore Wading.We shouldn't have mentioned it now,Hugh,if Watling hadn't started the thing himself,if it weren't important to know where we stand right away.We can't afford to lose the seat.Take your time,but remember you're the man we depend upon."Gorse nodded.I was aware,all the time Dickinson was speaking,of being surrounded by the strange,disquieting gaze of the counsel for the Railroad....
I went back to my office to spend an uneasy morning.My sorrow for Mr.
Watling was genuine,but nevertheless I found myself compelled to consider an honour no man lightly refuses.Had it presented itself at any other time,had it been due to a happier situation than that brought about by the illness of a man whom I loved and admired,I should have thought the prospect dazzling indeed,part and parcel of my amazing luck.
