The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-02-07

she answered quickly, with a
smile. But / can hardly realize
it yet. That was-let me see
yes, eleven years ago. Eleven
years! And in that time you have
risen from a common workman to
the great political leader-or boss.
| knew in general way, OF
course, that you had risen from
nence, but | never quite realized
what it meant. 1t is really re-
markable. l congratulated you"
She regarded him with a new re-
spect; a respect which Bob, re-
Numbering the girl who had flout-
ed him as of a lower order of Gre
alton, resented.
I'm no more than / was then.
Ihave more, but am no more"
Yes, that is true. What you
are now was in you then. You
have only grown, bigger and
stronger, but not different. More's
the pity" she added .mockingly.
"-Perhaps?" To which Bob made
no answer.
A detail of the scene in the mills
required to her. All l remem-
Der that | forgot to thank you for
saving my life.- That was very
ungrateful. | suppose / should do
so now. 1t really was very good of
you"
You needn't thank me. Be-
Sides" he added grimly, "it was
unintentional, assure you. Pure
/ INN I hnl
Well" he hesitated. Not
always-quite."
She laughed uncertainty. What
do you mean by that, l wonder?-
But ] must revise my estimate of
the situation. 1t is quite wonder
! ful-more so than your rapid rise
our meeting again in this way.
And now that l seem to interfere
with your plans, you are quite ca
lpable of sweeping me aside-or
Mr.. Remington either-withou
thought of what it means, to us.
| You are relentless!
Then will you keep out of my
way?"
Don't, please. Threats aren't
nice. You're quite sure there is
no peaceable solution?"
Quite"
And you refuse absolutely to
consider me in the matter?"
1T amounts to that, / sup
pose"
She twisted and UNFINISHED her
handkerchief for a moment, star
ing reflectively at the operation.
Then she turned to face him again.
Suppose she asked slowly,
suppose / were to send him away,
would you take it as a mark of
gratitude for saving my life, as
favor to your"
Bob hesitated. After all, it was
the easiest solution; and some
times concession is victory.
And she was very beau
tiful, very allnring, so far out of
his reach. With a pang he
realized that the promise of the
girl in the mills had borne fruit,
that this fair woman, child of priv
ilege as she was, possessed a fine
courage and self-reliance against
which his own crude strength
might hurl itself in vain-and that
he could never beat her at the
game he proposed. He yielded to
her reluctant admiration.
With an effort he re-
called his resentment against her
and the old prideful belief in his
. self-suffieiency.
1. mo! You owe me nothing, and
want no favors from you"
Cant you see," she urged al
luringly. I'm holding out the
olive branch? Haven't you enough
Ienemies, Mr.. McAdoo? Remem-
Der that one more than enough
is as strong as an army"
NO, l don't want peace with
you"
They both rose, Mrs. Gilbert
facing him with a laugh in her
eyes.
so be it!' she said pleasantly.
Il must accept your hostility! You
pay me a fine compliment, Mr..
McAdoo. And do you realize what
a weapon you have placed in my
hands? Pm not deceived by your
unnatural philosophy, nor are you
now, | think. The truth is, you're
Jealous, Jealous as schoolgirl,
Mr.. McAdoo. And afraid-of me.
can be a very dangerous enemy
If l choose. If l should choose
to accept your challenge and to
take away from you your dearest
possession-your happiness, Mr..
McAdoo-you would be helpless to
prevent it. You have no weapons
to fight me. And you know it!
Else, why are you here today?"
, She laughed.
Il wish to God," he cried bitter
ly, Il had let you die in the mills, /"
: Smiling, she watched him turn
and leave her. Then she sat down
before the fire, looking into it's
flames with amused eyes. The
CLEAN of amusement faded into re-
flectiveness, reflectiveness inta
wistfulness. She sighed.
CONTINUED Tomorrow.