Three years passed, during which time few partisans in the political arena could hardly believe what had transpired. Senate President H. Henry Harrison called the legislative session to order, having announced in July that he would not seek reelection to the Senate. Given his age, the announcement was not entirely unexpected.

Although Governor Warren Chambers had not publicly announced his immediate political plans, most party leaders expected he would not seek reelection. His infamous affair with his secretary Olivia Newsome, discovered when Mrs. Chambers found him in bed with Olivia at the Marriott just before Thanksgiving Day, had left him in the midst of a nasty divorce and tons of ghastly media coverage. His support among Democratic Party leaders had quickly eroded. Whether or not Mrs. Chambers had been tipped off by columnist Maggie McGriffen was a matter of conjecture. Noble felt that McGriffen and Newsome had planned the caper to demoralize the Democratic Party.

Upon hearing of Chamberss troubles, Senator Orlando Julian announced that he would be a candidate for governor in the May Democratic primary. It was widely anticipated that Attorney General Stowers would be the standard-bearer for the Republican Party.

Noble was being prominently mentioned as a Democratic candidate. Several party leaders, including State Democratic Chairman Ray Douglas, were urging him to run.

Although he was relieved that the attorney generals visit to his room had not found the front page of every newspaper in the state, he knew that someone with the information might well be waiting to reveal it at a more opportune time.

It was a night he wished hadnt happened and a night he had tried to forget for three years, but it had happened and nothing could change it.

He hadnt realized until after her visit that she had taken an apartment at the Downtowner, three doors down from hisa convenient location if one had plans for hanky-panky.

She had obviously left the party at the Marriott earlier so she would have ample time to spin her silken web.

I came for a good-night kiss, she had said, as she pressed against him. Her scent was pleasing. Her lips were pleasing. Her body pressed against him was pleasing. In less than a moment he had fallen head first into the magnificent web that had trapped men from Julius Caesar to Bill Clinton to Governor Warren Chambers.

When the alarm clock woke him at six, the thought of losing Jewel was overwhelming. He covered his face with a pillow to hide from himself and the world. There was no excuse except weakness, lack of resolve, and plain old unadulterated lust. He had made a terrible mistake and wondered what the penalty would be for such a gross misdeed of character.

He had been depressed for six months after the incident, and many times he had thought about confessing and begging Jewels forgiveness. He always decided against it. It was only a foolish mistake that would never happen again. Why cause unnecessary pain and anguish to those you love? He knew he was no better than Chambers, but Chambers had been caught. There was no reason to destroy a marriage and a family for a single indiscretion.

He wanted to run for governor, but no matter how much he rationalized, the feeling of guilt would not go away. He would have to make the decision without the benefit of a clear conscience.

It was difficult to explain his indecision to Roy and Joe Adair. Joe was chomping at the bit to get started and had already formulated what he called a sure-fire plan to the Governors Mansion.

It was not at all flattering when Noble realized hed been had. She had been the chasor, and he had been the chasee. The guilt was bad enough, but coupled with the Ive been had factor left a man with a mean, angry resolve to get even. But how do you get even? Turn her down the next time she knocks? Why not just jump out the fifth-story window of the Downtowner?

The morning after Summers visit, he forced himself to get up and take a shower. As he showered he smiled at himself. Poor victim. He was glad he didnt love her. If he never had her again it would be just fine. Still, he had to admit that it had been exquisite.

The depression set in later in the day and lingered for six months or so. He went about his Senate duties with renewed vigor. He was sure that everyone in the Senate knew what had happened.

Now, three years later, it was apparent that the incident had gone unnoticed. No one knew. Why not run for governor and beat her?

Having made his decision, the following day he called Party Chairman Ray Douglas and told him he would be a candidate for governor and would announce the following Monday in the capitol rotunda. He called Joe Adair and told him to call the McPherson agency in Washington, D.C. and arrange a meeting. This time his TV ads would work. The die was cast. The race was on.

Although Governor Chambers had made no announcement of his plans, Noble announced the following Monday in the capitol rotunda. A fairly large crowd of supporters, senators, staffers, and media were present. Jewel had come with him on Sunday and would drive back to Williamstown the next morning. With Sarah and Jane in college, only Millie and Half Pint were home now. Millie was spending the night with Aunt Anna, with whom she had become quite attached.

Nobles announcement was brief:

Hubert H. Humphrey once remarked, It was once said that the moral test of government is how the government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped. That is what I will base my campaign upon.

I come into the race for governor with no animosity for any other candidate of either party. Those who are in the race are honorable people as well as those who are speculating on entering the race.