The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-11-28
out the hand was strain ge, and It was

but the hand was strange, and It was
not signed. "a. =: .E....... :. .,-.;4..
':Well!'": Kirk came suddenly to him
self. and a spasm ~of, disgust. seized
him. : What rotten Inconvenience
he said aloud. But before he had time
to measure the effect Of this new COM
plicatfon the swelling music reminded
him that this dance belonged to Mrs
Cortlandt and that her answer was
due. 49, -
H. She was waiting for him in the gal
lery and motioned him to the chair adj
Joining hers. -. =. .,.'*
II can't two step and talk at the
same time" she said. land here Veil
be quite private" - : -y...
Kirk remained standing '"What Il
have to say won't take long. I've
made up my mind. and l cannot give
up Chiquita.'' =:
"You know what it means?: She
stared at him with hard, level eyes.
I'm not a moderate berson-I can't
do things by halves. No! see you.
are mad over this .Garavel girl. But
you can't get her. Something in his
dazzled. love foolish smile enraged her.
so! you are planning even now.
Well. then. understand l can build,
and can Destroy -> - =.
There's nothing more to say" he
interrupted her quietly. 80 I'd better
excuse myself
Eyes! I would prefer to be alone"
When he had bowed himself away
she crushed the fan In her. hand,
staring out across the lights of the
city below, and it was thus that Cort-
landt found her few moments later.
He dropped into the empty chair be-
side her, saying: -"
Hello! Thought you had this with
Anthony?'' - :"
IL had" ... -. ..,..... =.
What's the trouble?' - ...
There is no trouble" She began to
rock, while he studied. her profile:
then. conscious of his look, she in
quired, Aren't you dancing?" r
:: No Just looking on, as; usual. ~,
prefer to watch. You have, broken
your fan, it seems" He flung his Gig
arctic into the darkness and. reaching
out. took the fan from her hand.e She
saw that his lips were drawn back in
4 peculiar smile. - u. :':s. :
''Well! Is that SO stranger" she an
swe1ed sharply. You SEEM. She
broke of aut.. looked deliberately, way
from him. -.
''Row. eh:" he inquired SOFTLY.
She could barely hold back her hatred
Of the man. He had worked power
fully upon her nerves of late. and she :,
was half hysterical. =: -. y =
why do you take pleasure in an
noying me?' she cried What ails
you these last few weeks? l + can't
stand it'll won't''-. ~.
ooh! Pardon! One quarrel an even
ing is enough. I should have known
better. Too bad you and he don't hit
it of better: he likes me: He's giving
me party after the, dance. a sort Of
gratitude affair. 4 delicate way to &C.
knowledge a debt. eh?''' .....,..>. 4
''You know very well it's Runnels'
doing" she said: ~
'sOh. there are six of them in it alto
gether. but Anthony originated the i
little surprise. It's intended for you,
Of course" .. 49,, I|"
II don't see it,, Are you goingy'..
= Il accepted. Funny spectacle. eh?
, Me the guest of-Anthony?" -, =, e.. :,
There was a trace OF anxiety in her
voice as she answered. and. though
she spoke carelessly: she did not meet
his eyes. x....' 4 !. -. -. !. 81,
I'D rather you'd make an excuse.
I'll have to go home alone. you know"
He raised his brows mockingly. My
dear!<%I' I'm to be the honored guest:
Suit; yourself. of course. -. -svE =!
A marine officer approached. mop
ping his: face, and engaged her IN con:
versation. whereupon Cortlandt rose
langufdly and stroiled away through
the crowd that. came eddving forth !
from the ballroom: u ~ .s.s> 3 8. = =
Meanwhile Kirk had :fonnd Runnels. !
who was looking for him. eager to ex-
press his congratulations ard to dis
cuss their exploit iii detail As5a & :::'s5 ;
Now that he, had some one to whom
Kirk. could talk freely. he let himself /
! 60. and he was deep In conversation
when Stephen Cortlandt strolled up
and stopped for anfinstant to say:
: Quite a lively party. isn't it p.
Kirk noticed how saliow. he had
grownSin the past. few months and
how he hnd fallel Of in, weight: He
looked older too. His cheeks had
sunken In until they outlined his Jaws
SHARPLY. he seemed ,far, from well. u.s.
IA nervous tWi tching of his fingers
a'betOkei1el the strain hs had hepn ~ nm III