Until Clara's supervision, Maud grew to become a delightful and refined young lady. Her love and care for Zintka was strong. Clara came to love her new governess.

In December of 1892, Maud Miller disappeared from the Colby's house in Washington. Clara was distraught. Had she met with a horrible fate? Was she in trouble? Or perhaps her conditions at the Colby's house were too demanding, with not enough pay?

That dark evening, Clara hired a hackney to search for Maud in the streets of Washington. Hours later, on a tip from a carriage driver, Clara entered a quiet boarding house near the Capitol building. She knocked on the door, but Maud refused to open it.

Eventually, Maud relented. Clara offered more money, more compassion, more support. Why had Maud escaped? Maud revealed only a part of the mystery: she was pregnant. It happened under Clara's eyes, back in Nebraska that summer. Maud's shame prevented her from announcing the vagabond who had gotten her pregnant.

Clara's soul cried for her governess. There must be a solution to the scandal. Maud could stay in Philadelphia, in a boarding house of Clara's friend. In the summer, Maud could join Clara at the Chicago Exposition. There was word to spread about Votes for Women. There was a newspaper that needed extra hands. Together, Clara and Maud could raise Zintka and Maud's new baby.

Maud agreed to the plan.

In February 1893, the expectant Maud disappeared again. This time, Maud hid well. Several months passed with no word. Clara often worried alone. Leonard Colby was pursuing more legislative scams in the West.

In June, a cryptic letter arrived at the Colby's house. It was placed in Zintka's hands, now 3 years old. The letter was from Mrs. Annie Skinner in Baltimore, Maryland, who ran a boarding house. There was a new boarder with a little baby, one with a mystery Annie couldn't bear. Did Clara know the answer?

Clara rushed to Baltimore, fearing the worst. The horror was confirmed when Maud opens her door. In the room sat Maud, her new baby born that April, and the baby's father - Leonard Colby!

Clara made no scene. She ordered Leonard to return home. He swore that he would never stray again.

One can imagine that Colby saw Clara, Maud and Zintka as the greatest game he played in his life, a challenge greater than war, practicing law or Washington politics. And in every game, there are losers.