Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-16
!" The Grip of Evil''

iNslp hhu P'pNiuNu a ltNt ioi WY
orator.
John guessed that the lady was
Mary Temple, daughter Of the presi-
dent OF the Plainfield Steel company,
and rumor, which in this instance was
well founded, had it that she was en-
gagged to Reeves.
As the dinner hour had not yet ex-
PRED, Burton saw no reason why he
should discontinue his speech, but
there could be no doubt that the lat
est and most unexpected addition to
his audience affected him powerfully.
He chose his words with greater care
He spoke earnestly. Halt uncon-
sciously, he began addressing every
phrase to Mary Temple; she, on her
part, was evidently drawn by the
mans magnetic power, because she
advanced closer to the edge of the
crowd and listened with unrestrained
interest.
He was dealing with the advantages
OF democratic control, which, he con-
tended, if fully established in Europe,
would have prevented the war now
50 ruthlessly outraging the Oldest of
civilizations. He was not afraid,
however, to point out that democracy
had its weakness as we'll as its
strength, and instanced the power
welded by trusts in America, which
had been.permitted by the careless
ness of the people to grow into an
octopus.
Mary followed the argument in
tently. Even Mr.. Reeves, the man
ager. discontinued his conversation
with the clergyman and paid close
heed to the enunciation of principles
which he necessarily regarded as
harmful and incendiary.
Now, it is probable that Burton
would not have gone so far had he
not been fascinated, perhaps even
somewhat flattered, by the attention
given him by the presidents daugh-
ter. AS it was, he rather forgot him
self, and handled his Subject in no
measured fashion, though with an
earnestness that commanded respect,
and skill that was distinctly re-
markable in man Of no education.
But the factory whistle broke in
on his thoughts, and incidentally
brought the meeting to an abrupt
close. With rapid transition from
grave to gay, Burton laughed and
jumped down from the box. The
men applauded him for what they
regarded as the greatest speech they
had ever heard him deliver, and hur-
ried back to work, whereupon Mary
Temple turned to Reeves and asked
the name OF the speaker.
That's John Burton" said the
manager, smiling to hide his annoy
ance. HE can talk like book, is
q first-rate worker and the most popu-
lar man in the factory plant"
Mr.. Branton called Mary's atten-
ton to the poster, which she surveyed
with approval, and the girls thoughts
were momentarily taken off the good
looking young workman whom she
had just seen and listened to.
She did not mention him again,
though she sought for him with her
eyes when Reeves brought their ell
derby companion into the factory and
began explaining the operations OF
the various machines. John, too, saw
her, and did not scruple to give her
an admiring glance. She turned her
head away quickly--too quickly, in
fact--and then had some little diff
Guilty in conquering the self-conscious
blush which admitted the fascination
she was exerting over such common
clay as one of the employees in her
fathers works.
When their visitors passed out OF
sight John asked Thompson II he
knew who the girl was.
"Of course / know her." said he.
"Shc is old Temples daughter, one
Of the goody-goody, psalm-singing
sort, too, though she doesn't look Il
with those fine buds OF hers. She's
supporter of Branton, the revival
list. An ardent church worker they
call her. call her thief. walking
around with enough furs and clothes
on her back to pay for years keep
for dozen men like you and me.
And we're the boobs that put up with
1t, more's the pityp'
ooh, stow that rubbish" said
John, good naturedly. "You and
are just worth the figures on the
payroll, Bill. II we had brains and
ability to get other men to work for
US, maybe we would start fine line
Of kids just like that one and rig
them up to beat the band"
Singularly enough the topic crop
ped up again on the following Sat-
urday afternoon, when Bill Thomp-
son and Burton happened to receive
their pay envelopes at the same time,
and turned into the street stimuli
taneously. Each man counted his
money. John slipped his few dollars
carelessly into pocket, but Bill
snapped contemptuous remark as to
the smallness of the amount, wherein
his tall companion agreed with him
in an offhand way. Truth to tell, the
matter did not worry him greatly. At
that moment he had seen across the
street his friend Flora, a somewhat
garishly sattired girl--of the loud
mouthed, slangy. gum-chewing type
who was passing with companion.
Flora smiled and shouted friendly
greeting, which John returned with
his customary cheerfulness.
"Can we come alongl" he cried.
"Surel" giggled Flora. Bring your
friend, too, and then we'll be real
company"
This hearty reception led to an in
vitation to drink; the two couples
entered saloon and seated them
selves at a table, while John signaled
to waiter to bring -four" Burton,
who was out for good time, kissed
Flora. without the least hesitation, a