Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1916-12-07
CHAPTER XII.
That Woods Rat.

D ETWEEN Dexter Allison's monopoly
~ Of his time and the persistence with
which Miriam Burrell clung 10 Stephen
O'Mara. Barbara Allison had opportunity
Tor little more than u perfunctory word or
two of greeting that afternoon during the
ride on the flat car which trundled them
to the head OF operations.
For q time Allison was content TO stroll
along with the rc~t-content with his face
tious mme on Elliott'S explanation Of
thi. matter or that. Yet vhenever his eyes
strayed toward Miriam and that other fig
IRE whom 4 week or two before he had
designated a. my man O'Nlara' his j%oyial-
ity faltered 4 little. his manner crew rest
i've. After 4 time he. too, detached him.
self and sauntcred in the direction Of
that wholly preoccupied pair.
Don't flatter Yourself that ! haven't
noted your covetous glances," Marian
flashed at Allison. 1--WE been talking very
fast because knew this interruption was
coming. But we've finished. thank YOU,
so I'll leave Won too bore him nowr'
She turned zach toward O'Mara. "And
thank YOU" she murmurcd not very audi
bly,. Thank you more than ! ever thank
cd anybody before in my life. You've made
me very very happy
No one could have missed the depth Of
real thankfulness in those last words.
Even Allison stood astonished al it, mouth
open. following her rapid withdrawal to-
ward the group fifty yards away.
"fIuh-h-h." he snorted. "lluh-h-h. \
mighty strange GIRL" And then. as alb
ruptly a. he had interrupted their low con
versation: well. how doos IL go, chiefl
How does it look to YOU a. far a YOU have
gomez"
Not too bad Steve answered. "Not
too bad" lie swept the ground before
them with i short gesture. You are not
beginning To worry. too. are you2"
"Worry!" Allison's frown was barely
~perceptible. 'Why should j? ] never let
anything worry me-. Who j. beginning ~
fret! You aren't. are youl You don't
look-much disturbed"
Not 4 particIcr' Steve still smiled Il
iNtAff no. flAffi' hiti'- - TNAAt Att4At-
worth while to make me-. | Just though
perhaps YOU might have contracted il from
Mr. Elliott. Hes been bothered, Yen see.
by the way some of the men are acting.
We're short a lot of labor this week
The big man wheeled and ~qintcd ut the
droves Of men sweating under the un~ea-
sonahly hot sun. lie peercd keenlv II each
clamp 1T lahcrcr-. some If them scarcely
~di~tinruishable knots If humanity III the
distance.
Not very short" ~ stated comfort
ably. IL don't claim to be a wholly comre-
tent Judge. hut it looks 10 me n though
they would he in one another'S Way II there
were any more of them. What's wrong =
The chief engineers answer was drawl-
ing in It's deliberation.
Il wish / knew" he replied. IL wish ]
could be positive. And there aren't toe
many of them: they are altogether too few.
rlWe're going 10 need them. and more. too-
before we finish. Mr.. Allison Perhaps Id
better figure on-perhapS IT they continue
To ouit On a.. BY twn~ and threeS- n they
have in the last week Till have To-
lis pause seemed almost an invita-
Ition that the other suggest D remedy. and
whether II VA cr not Dexter Allison wa
louack to seize the opening. IIi~ suggested
lSolutlon wa- heartily bluff.
.Impori some more" he said. "Nhef.
lyon'ye employed these men a long IS !
lhave-the type Of man who has worked all