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It was not destined that Jeff should hear a word of that stirring
peroration。 His eye fell by chance upon a young woman seated in a box
beside an elderly man whom he recognized as Peter C。 Frome。 From that
instant he was lost to all sense perception that did not focus upon her。 For
he was looking at the dryad who had come upon him out of the ferns three
years before。 She would never know it； but Alice Frome had saved him
from the weakness that might have destroyed him。 From that day he had
been a total abstainer。 Now as he looked at her the vivid irregular beauty
of the girl flowed through him like music。 Her charm for him lay deeper
than the golden gleams of imprisoned sunlight woven in her hair； than the
gallant poise of the little head above the slender figure。 Though these set
his heart beating wildly； a sure instinct told him of the fine and exquisite
spirit that found its home in her body。
She was leaning forward in her chair； her eyes fixed on James almost
as if she were fascinated by his oratory。 Her father watched her； a trifle
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THE VISION SPLENDID
amused at her eagerness。 In her admiration she was frank as a boy。 When
Farnum's last period was rounded out and he made to leave the stage her
gloved hands beat together in excited applause。
After the ceremonies were over James came straight to her。 Jeff missed
no detail of their meeting。 The young lawyer was swimming on a tide of
triumph； but it was easy to see that Alice Frome's approval was the thing
he most desired。 His cousin had never seen him so gay； so handsome； so
altogether irresistible。 For the first time a little spasm of envy shot through
Jeff； That the girl liked James was plain enough。 How could any girl help
liking him？
The orator was so much the center of attention that Jeff postponed his
congratulations till evening。 He called on his cousin after midnight at his
rooms。 James had just returned from a class banquet where he had been
the toastmaster。 He was still riding the big wave。
〃It's been a great day for me； Jeff；〃 he broke out after his cousin had
congratulated him。 〃I've earned it； too。 For seven years I've worked toward
this day as a climax。 Did you see me talking to P。 C。 Frome and his
daughter？ I'm going to be accepted socially in the best houses of the city。
I'll make them all open to me。〃
〃I don't doubt it。〃
〃And the best of it is that I've made my own success。〃
〃Yes； you've worked hard；〃 Jeff admitted with a little gleam of humor
in his eyes。 He would not remind his cousin that he had lent him most of
the money to see him through law school。
〃Oh； worked！〃 James was striding up and down the room to get rid of
some of his nervous energy。 〃I've done more than work。 I've made
opportunities 。 。 。 grabbed them coming and going。 Young as I am Verden
expects big things of me。 And I'll deliver the goods； too。〃
〃What's the program？〃 Jeff asked； much amused。
〃Don't know yet。 I'm going into politics and I mean to get ahead。 I'll
make a big splash and keep in the public eye。〃
His cousin could not help laughing。 〃You always were a pretty good
press agent for J。 K。 Farnum。〃
〃Why shouldn't I be？〃
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〃I don't know why you shouldn't。 A man who gets ahead puts himself
in a position where he can bring about reforms。〃
〃That's it exactly。 I mean to make myself a power。〃
〃Get hold of one good practical reform and back it。 Pound away on it
until the people identify you with it。 Take direct legislation as your text；
say。 There's going to be a strong drift that way in the next ten years。
Machines and bosses are going to be swept to the junk heap。〃
〃How do you know？〃
Jeff could give no adequate justification for the faith that was in him。 It
would be no answer to tell James that he knew the plain people of the state
better than the politicians did。 However； he mentioned a few facts。
〃It's all very well for you to be a radical； but I have to conserve my
influence；〃 James objected。 〃I've got to be practical。 If I were just going to
be a reporter it would be different。〃
〃Don't be too practical； James。 You've got to have some vision if you're
going to lead the people。 Nobody is so blind to the future as practical
politicians and business men。〃 He stopped； smiling quizzically。 〃But
you're the orator of the family。 I don't want to infringe on your copyright。
Only you have the personality to be a real leader。 Get started right。
Remember that America faces forward； and that we're going to move with
seven league boots to better conditions。〃
James mused out loud。 〃If a man could be a Lincoln to save the people
from industrial slavery it would be worth while。〃
Jeff did not laugh at his conceit。 〃Go to it。 I'll promise you the backing
of the _World_。〃
〃What have you to do with the _World_？〃
〃Beginning with next Monday I'm to be managing editor。〃
〃You！〃
〃Even so。 Captain Chunn has bought the paper。〃
〃Chunn； the man who made millions in a lucky strike in Alaska？〃
〃Same man。〃
James was still incredulous。 〃How did Chunn happen to pick you for
the editor？〃
〃He's an old friend of mine。 'Member the day I had the fight with Ned
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Merrill。 Captain Chunn was the man who stood up for me。〃
〃And you've known him ever since？〃
〃I've always corresponded with him。〃
〃Well； I'll be hanged。 Talk about luck。〃 James looked his cousin over
with increased respect。 He always took off his hat to success； but he had
been so long accustomed to thinking of Jeff as a failure that he could not
adjust his mind to the situation。 〃Why； you can't run a paper。 Can you？〃
Jeff smiled。 〃I told Captain Chunn he was taking a big chance。〃
〃If he's as rich as they say he is he can afford to lose some money。〃
James took the news of his cousin's good fortune a little peevishly。 He
did not grudge Jeff's advancement； but he resented that it had befallen him
to…day of all days。 The promotion of the reporter took the edge off his own
achievements。
PART 2
As James understood his own genius； it was as a statesman that he was
fitted preeminently to shine。 He had the urbanity； the large impassive
manner； and the magnetic eloquence of the