The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-01-25
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critically. 49,.
III admit that you're larger and
younger than Cecil" she confessed
grudgingly. But they say Mr.. Shaw
Is a giant killer" The duke dropped
his monocle and guhfawed loudly.
"Good!' he cried in the ecstasy of
pride. His worn. dissipated face light
ed up with unwonted interest. II say,
Pen. that's the incest thing you've said
TO me in a week. You've been so
deuced cold Of late. l don't under
stand. I'm not such Il bad lot, you
know"
'Tell that to Mrs De Peyton and
Mrs. Corwith. They're looking for the
good in everything"
by Jove. believe you're jealous!
This is the proudest moment Of my
life"
Don't be silly! And don't try to
make love to me any more. Wait I'M
til I'm married" she added. with
laugh, the irony of which escaped him.
But. hang it all, suppose you
should marry some one else and not
me?'
''Thats what | mean"
"Oh." he said. perplexed. Then. as
IL his stupidity called for an explana-
ton: II had beastly night. Didn't go
TO bed till a. But. say. why can't
have the same privilege as these other
chaps? Corwith makes love to you
and so does Odwell, and, hang it,
they're both married. It's rotten mean
off,
'"Their wives are accountable for
their manners, not l. But, come; will
you 60 to Renwood's with me?"
I'D rather talk to you in that nice
little corner Of the billiard room. at
home If you
But don't need brandy and soda.
OH" This exclamation came with the
discovery Of an approaching horseman.
Its Mr.. Shaw, I'm sure.''
Randolph Shaw, loyal to his feutlal
promise, appeared in the road a couple
OF hundred yards away. He drew rein
and from that distance surveyed the
two who were so near to encroaching
upon his preserves. he sat straight
and forbidding in the saddle. For a
full minute the two factions stared at
each other. Then. without sign of
recognition, Shaw turned and rode rap
idly away.
He rides like a gentleman" CON-
mented Miss Drake, after reflection.
Indian blood in him." remarked her
companion.
LET us go home," said she, whirling
her horse like a flash. The duke had
some difficulty in keeping abreast of
her during the ride. and be lost sight
of her altogether after they dismount-
ed at Bazelhurst Villa.
The momentary glimpse of a real
man set Penelope's opinions on edge
for the remainder Of the day and
night. Shaw, whatever else he might
be, was man. Even while others
addressed her in conversation she was
absentmindedly recalling to memory
certain English gentlemen at home
who could stand comparison with this
handsome fellow across the danger
lfne.::: But to compare any one Of the
men. in Lady Bazelhurst;s house party
-7oh, it was absurd! She looked them
over. Dull eyed, blase. frayed by the
social whirl, worn out. pulseless, all Of
them. They talked automobile, BRIDGE.
women and self in particular. In the
seclusion of tete-a-tete they talked
love with an ardor that lost most of
its danger because it was from force
Of habit. One of the men was even
now admitting in her ear that he had
not spent an evening alone with his
wife in four years.
'"There's always something doing"
he said. "A week or two ago, by Jove,
you wouldn't believe it, but we had an
evening turn up without thing on
hand. Strangest thing ever knew.
Neither of us had thing on. We said
we'd stay at home and go to bed ear
~ just to see how it felt. Well, what
do you think? We sat up and read
till half past 10 o'clock, and then both
of us thought Of it at the same time.
We dressed and went down to Rec
tors and waited for the theaters to
let out. Three O'clock when we got
home. You can't imagine what a
queer experience it is being all alone
with ones wife,"
''Don't you love your wife, Mr.. Od-
well?"
.'"Certainly! But there's always a
crowd" Both of them glanced over
at pretty Mrs. Odwell. She was look
Ing down at her plate demurely while
Reggie Van WORT talked straight into
her pink ear, his eyes cleaning with
the zest Of Invasion. II say, Miss
Drake, you won't mind talking to me
awhile after dinner, will you" went
on Odwell something like relief in his
voice.
After dinner she was obliged to set
him straight in a little matter. They
were sitting on the terrace, and he had
|. thrown away his half smoked ciga-
rette, an act in itself significant She
had been listening: patiently, from
sheer habit and Indifference, to what
he was saying, but at last she revolted.
"Don't! You shall not say such
things to me. am not your kind, I