The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-07-08

With a new strength born OF his mo-
mentary respite, Karl gathered hlm-
self together for a spring, and muir
muring a prayer for safety, he hurled
himself fiercely from the swiftly
moving trolley and landed on top OF
a towering lumber pile. As he lay |
winded and painting on top OF the
rude skyscraper. he saw Jake car
ried swiftly past him on the dashlng
trolley. shaking his fist at his escaped
quarry in impotent rage
Slowly, his fingers gripping des-
perately at the projecting boards. his
feet unsteady and his head swim
ming. Hurd climbed down the side
OF the lumber pile that had been his
temporary haven. 1t seemed ages
before he reached the ground.
And then he came face to face with
Snyder.
Like wild beasts the men glared at
each other
Slowly. cautiously they approached.
Snyders attitude was eager. expect
ant. Hurds was desperate. Snyder
swung his rude weapon easily hold
ing it ready. Hurd's fists were
doubled. The two men closed.
SNYDER. his intended blow blocked
for the moment. found himself borne
backward by the fierce rush OF the
other. He struggled with a determine
ton worthy OF better cause. And
his superior strength soon told.
Straining and painting he slowly
forced Hurd to release his grip. and
showing his opponent from him, he
suddenly. with the swiftness of man
trained to such warfare, raised his
club and sent 1t crashing down upon
the skull OF the underfed and poorly
nourished stevedore.
Hurd dropped like a stone. He was
done.
Wait until my birthday. Perry-its
only four months-and then per
| haps-"
Laura Powers had gently withdrawn
| her soft white hand from the more
masculine ones OF Perry Travis and
had gazed dreamily out across the
we'll trimmed lawns and beautiful gar
| dens
She was happy and pampered and
| INDUCED. She had reveled in fathers
| love-a love that amounted almost to
| worship. And now she knew that she
had gained another mans love - the
love Of a man who was worthy and
had her fathers approval
Small wonder that the days had
flown swiftly. Small wonder that time
had taken unto itself wings. And now
her birthday was here. Already the
guests were assembling. Already Per-
ry was at the house. eager and impa-
tient for his answer. And even yet
Laura sometimes wondered just what
that answer would be.
And Laura, while entering into the
gayety about her. yet found her mind
frequently wandering away from her
surroundings: found herself constant
" trying to concentrate on the answer
she was so soon to give Perry.
And then he came to greet her. Long
and fondly he gazed into her eyes and
unconscious OF her surroundings she
let him hold her hand longer thar
was strictly necessary.
Quietly her father stepped up tc
where they stood.
Friends" he said, Il wish to an
nounce the engagement OF my daugh
ter Laura to Perry Travis"
The confused laugh and the pretty
bushes that mantled her cheek, chas
ing themselves in telltale profusion vi
to the very roots OF her wavy hair
were enough to tell those present tina
her fathers words had not displease'
her Perry had his answer.
Just then, as II the fates were lott
that happiness should reign supreme
there came an interruption. While tn
guests were crowding up and abou
| Laura, the women kissing her and tn,
men showering congratulations upol
her. the servants were trying to kee
{ a committee OF workmen from enter
ing at the gate.
Tim Shand was at their head-Tir
j the fiery-Tim the eloquent Fo
weeks now the men had been o
/" strike. For weeks there had been tut
p MOL and strife. For weeks there ha
been starvation In the homes OF tn
, strikers and restitution among tn
children OF the workingmen. Eve
since the trouble between Snyder an
Hurd the discomfort Of the men ha
. grown. And then had come the las
!, straw-the order given by Powers an
;, enforced by Snyder-an order, worl
A ing the men an hour longer each da
> and all day Sunday without extra pa.
Even Snyder. tyrannical as he wa
10 known to be. had protested slight
y at the latest outrage.
i. THE menll never stand IT," he hs
Ia said
n Times are hard and II must /
II DONE" Powers had answered.
e THE men will strike" Snyder Ia
a ventured.
d Then we will get Others" the M
g. lionaire had answered
Ie And so, going from group to grou
t. Snyder had driven them harder. ha
"a shouted the new orders at them, hs
x sought to coerce them into submissic
X by a volley OF filthy oaths.
is Even the worm will turn. they ga
y and hungry, underpaid stevedores a.
NJ | leas natIent than tho earth-prlI hhir