United labor bulletin., 1914-01-03

Tom answered with poorly assumed
carelessness: "Over at Rocky Cove"
Then unconsciously he began caress-
ing the other wrist, which also was
discolored and swollen. Van vechten
observed.
Rocky Cove-h.m. What's hap
pened to your wrists?"
Tom flushed and tried to hide the
telltale wrists. but finding this impos-
sible he came suddenly back to earth.
Rudy" he abruptly announced. Il
mean to find a job"
"A laudable ambition" commented
his friend. still eyeing him curiously.
Il never had a Job myself. nor any
desire for one; which. as has been
pointed out to me more than once. is
nothing whatever to my credit. What
do you purpose doing. may ! inquirer"
I'm serious" returned Tom. scowl-
ing. Il mean just what say. in
tend to go to work. Think of all the
years I've squandered in idleness-"
Heaven Forbid" broke in his
friend. Il can imagine only one thing
that could set you to rejecting upon
the desolate. dreary waste of your mis-
spent life. And. mirabile dictu ct visu.
1t has come at lasti Who is this para
gon Of her sex that has quickened
you?"
Tom colored again. "Shucksi" he
growled sulkily. "A fellow might as
well try talking seriously to an idiot"
Believe me-" said Van vechten
earnestly. Il never was in a more
sober mood in my life. Maynt l be
permitted some vent for my stupefac-
ton? You appear here. utterly unlike
the chap | know. and sit for minutes.
about as garrulous as a corpse. then
overwhelm me with the amazing reve-
lation that you are-at last-in love,
Tom. my dear fellow. feel as II I
were participating in a miracle. Tell
me frankly all about her"
She has the tenderest. most mu-
sical voice in the world said Tom
ferventiy.
That's the genuine poetic touch. :"
said his friend. And her hairf-her
eyes7 Is she tall or short-Psyche, or
Diana7 Hebe. or Hippolyta?-
II don't know" stammered Tom.
What"
Tom twisted and squirmed uneasIly
In hts chair
Dash 10 all," blurted he at last I
was an ass for coming here: ! might
have known that you'd screw every
thing out OF me. When ! say l don't
know what she looks like. mean Just
that. but 81 makes me out blooming
lunatic. But l haven't seen her. /
haven't the least idea what she looks
like. Yet want TO ind her worse
than ever / wanted anything in my
life
The others aspect grew grave enough
now. 1t WAS plainly manifest that,
since they had parted Sunday, Tom
had undergone an experience of some
kind. that had affected him profound
ly.
Suppose" said his friend sympa-
thetically. you tell me all about her"
And Tom did. He began with his
day upon the waters OF the sound, con-
cluding this stage OF his adventure
with an account OF the motorboat and
it's occupants.
At mention OF the white-haired ser
want. Van Vechten started violently.
but managed to restrain the ejacuia.
tion that leaped TO the tip of his
tongue. His interest was now doubled.
and he eettled himself 10 harken to
the narrative. which he followed
thenceforward to the end with a con-
ception that inspired Tom to genuine
eloQuence.
At the close OF the recital Van vech-
ten remained long time absorbed in
thought
To think" he said finally. that
you-of all persons-should have blum.
dered Into an adventure like that!
But. Tommy. II is unfortunate that you
pledged yourself not to hunt for the
house suppose IL occurred to you
that these people are the same who
occupied thirteen-thirteen?"
Tom nodded.
Then listen 10 this van Uo,h,an