The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-09-12
'CHAPTER XVIII,
A Challenge and a Confession

S'NF ! En- NVttts
A Challenge and cqnfession.
@Y T was very trying to be the
XXI ! target of so many glances.
|6f676I Instead Of resuming their
&2ex2J conversation the entire as
semblage Of Garavels waited calmly
for their caller to begin, and he real
lied in panic that he was expected
to make conversation. He cast about
madly for topic.
His host helped him to get started,
and he did fairly well. until one of
the Misses Garavel began to translate
his remarks to the old lady and the
ferocious cousin from Guatemala As
their replies were not rendered into
English, he was left stranded. He
knew that his whole salvation lay in
properly impressing his auditors, so
he began again and Volunteered through
a painful naonologue.
The night suddenly tstged OF swell
teringly hot, pefspiaatlST began to
trickle down his brow, his collar be
came a tourniduet, and he cast ap
pealing glances At the .sillentt, figure hid
den demurely behind the RUSTY old
lady in the black *hafhASs.: The look
of mingled pity odd Understanding she
ing spirit, and he deetfzsttm1ned to stick
it out until The family were ready to
retire and allow him word with. her
alone. But idle hope! Gradually it
dawned upon him that they had, no
such intention.
BY now his collar had given up the
struggle and la4n zHtnf4y down TO rest
The whole expehenee was htdeous,
yet he understood quite we'll that these
people were not making sport of :hfiu.
All this was only part OF: their for
eign customs. They were geptlefolk,
reared to different code from his
that was all-and since he had elected
to come among them he could only suf-
fer and be strong
What he ever talked about during
that evening he never quite remem-
bered. When it came time to leave
he expected at least to be allowed Il
farewell word or two with Gertrudis
but instead he was bowed out as cere-
moniously as he had been bowed in
and, finding himself at last in the
open, sighed with relief. He felt like
a paroled prisoner, but he thought of
the girls glance Of sym patty and was
instantly consoled. He crossed slowly
to the plaza, pausing moment for
good night look at the house, then, as
he turned, he caught a glimpse Of a
figure Sinking into the shadows of the
side street and smiled indulgently.
Evidently Allan had been unable to re-
sist the temptation to follow him. But
when he had reached his quarters he
was surprised to find the boy there
ahead Of him.
How did you beat me homer" he in
CURED s." :~-
Il have been waiting h'impatiently
ever since you went out To be sure,
I have had one little dream
Didn't you follow me to the Cara
vels'?''
ooh, boss! Never would do such"
Seeing that the negro was honest,
Kirk decided that somebody had been
spying upon him, but the matter was
of so little consequence that he dis
missed it from his mind.
Although Runnels had spoken with
confidence Of the coming shakeup in
the railroad organization, it was not
without certain surprise that he
nwnk0 In IND ~
lively in charge of the entire system.
He lost no time in sending for Kirk.
who took the news of their joint adj
vancement with characteristic equa-
nimity.
Nov, there is nothing cinched yet.
understand" the acting superintend-
ont cautioned him. "We're all on pro-
baton, but If we make good I think
We'll stick
"1'll do my best to AL your shoes"
"And have the inside track on
Blakeley, in spite Of Colonel Jolson, 10
|, I'm not alarmed. The break came
sooner than I expected, and now that
we chaps are in control it's the, chance
Of our hfetimes." :.
Kirk nodded. you're entitled to all
you get, but I've never quite under
stood how managed to forge ahead
so fast. I've been mighty lucky"
You don't really call 1T luck, do
YOUR Runpels looked at him curl.
ously. - '>*''*:' o.. ~.
I'm not conceited enough to think
I'm q downright genius"
WHY, the: Cortlandts engineered ev-
erything. It was they who arranged
your promotion to the Once in the first
place. and they're behind this last at
fair. They have stood back Of you at
ezery stec and incl sntally, back Of
q &.