Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-17
West Wind Drift
BY GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
Oopyricht, 1870. 6v George Barr MoC.tohson

EDGaK
from experience. Once let a man think
ne Is monarch Of all he surveys and he
becomes the most humble Of subjects. As
| ! nave said before. we may all be here
80. say, we must pat our men on the
BACK ana tell rem what great. wise,
strong fellows they are--and how good
ana an gallant too. Then they will fight for
for us like the ass and the oxen, be-
cause man he enjoys to be applauded
srsatly A man likes to have his hair
dubbed r.,, gently, with the finger tips. He
knew how he would purr like the cat.
BUT, my dear, he do not like TO have his
hair pulled. Eat is something for you
70 remember-you and all your deter
mined women, as you call them"
of course you understand, Madame
Obosky. land the other women--arc
thinking thinking only of Betty Cruise in this
From what have been told, all these
men out here stayed awake half tho
night thinking about her. Miss clinton
Ihey behave like 20 many distracted
Fathers waiting for news from the bed
chamber. Bless their hearts. you might
think from their actions that the whole
two--three hundred of them consider
themselves the consolidated father Of
II must be getting back to my work."
said Ruth abruptly. Her eyes wers
shining, her voice was soft and strangely
thick; But" she went on bravely, after
clearing her throat, we intend to flgh,
Obosky."
Olga went to the door with her.
You mean you intend to fight II out
with Mr.. Percivail---you yourself, chr"
let me remind you once more Ho 10 their
| leader. He dominates them. He ts the
force that holds them together. Thats
And you would render that force i'm.
potent; eh? I see. How wise you won.
Ruth stopped short struck BY the re-
mark. Say that again, please"
Olga repeated the words slowly, sig
have a worse leader, Miss clinton"
At another time, Ruth Clinton would
nave been deeply impressed by the un-
| words. But she was at the mercy Of q
| stubborn, rebellious pride. She chose to
ignore the warning that lay In Obosky'r
She felt herself beaten. and she was
Defiant 1t was too late to bark now to
the mild, temperate voice Of reason.
something ranked deep down In her
soul. something she was ashamed to ac-
EhoWIedge even to herself. 1t was the
disagreeable conviotion that Percival as
cr!bed her activities to nothing more
stao!e than feminine pervereity--in fact,
she had the uncomfortable feeling that
to spitefulness. Something In his voice
and manner. as he left her that morning,
suggested the kindly chiding Of will
tui child. Well, he should see
Il don't care what IL all comes to, Ma
dame Obosky," she said. a red spot In
each cheek. He shall not name that
baby"
The Russian smiled "Forgive me for
saying that you will not feel 30 bitterly
| toward him when the time comes for him
| to name your baby"
Ruths lips fell apart She stared for
| q moment In sheer astonishment. Then
to her full height. she asked:
Are you deliberately trying TO make
| me despise you?"
by no means" replied tho other quite
something to think about, Eat Ia all"
Rubbish" was all that Ruth flung
over her shoulder as she walked away
CHAPTER xv
II was the noon hour. Scores Of men
were resting In the shade Of the huts as
che strode briskly past. They all smiled
mockery in their smiles. Here and there
cxcitedly.
Abel Landoyer was leaning in his
eyes CLEANED. She was very beautiful,
she was very desirable. She had been in
his mind for months-this fine, strong,
thoroughbred daughter Of a thorough,
up. his throat was bare; his strong
deeply lined face was as brown as q
berry II anything his cold gray eyes
were harder and more penetrating than
In the days when they looked out from
q whittier countenance. He was O. strong.
dominant figure despite the estate to
which he had fallen-a silent, sinister
scribed as THE Thinker" For he was
always thinking
IT understand you tackled the boss
this morning, Ruth" he said as she
II daresay the news is all over the
island by this time" she replied, still
WAS 1t worth while?" he inquired. a
trace Of derislon In his voice.
She was on the point Of replying rather
emphatically in the negative. when sud
denly she recalled the look In Percivars
eyes and the first words he spoke to her.
She caught her breath. Her eyes spark
Yves. Mr.. Landover, it was worth
WHILE" she said. and went on, leaving
him to reflections that were rs per-
picking as they were unanticipated.
shs %er al snSt sps n oS
with her. She did not need Olga Obosky
to tell her that. She could see, she
could feel for herself: A certain glee
possessed her-ndeed. as, she. after
sation, It bordered decidedly ON malice. |
She had 1t In her power to make him
miserable and unhappy. She would en-
Joy seeing him unhappy!
The meanness Of the woman who longs
to injure the man who loves her,
whether loved or unloved, revealed itself
for the moment in this fair minded, |
generous girl (It is q common trait,
admitted by many fair-minded and gen.
erous women.) But even as she cod
died and encouraged tho little sprout Of |
rushed Sd up and bIighted It i0" S'""e
She had a sickening impression that
Percival would fail to play the part
according to her conception. In fact |
he was quite capable Of not playing II |
at oil. He would pursue the even tenor |
of his way-she actually made use Of
tion--and' she would get small satis-
faction out OF that.
Moreover. there was Olga Obosky to |
be reckoned with. She was conscious |
of a hot. swiftly passing sense Of sur |
location as the thought of Olga rushed |
only--and then came the reaction: n |
queer chill that raced over her body |
from head to foot. What part would |
olga Obosky play in the game?
The women congregated on the for
longer dlgnifled by the. word dinner
The sky was inky black: not a star
fickered in the vault above, There were
low, far-off mutteringS OF thunder. The
rail lanterns--few and far between
threw their pallid beams down into the
rippling basin In a sickly effort to pene-
trato the gloom.
Captain Trigger and Mr.. Mott, smok-
ing their pipes on tho makeshift bridge.
studied the throng OF women In dour