The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-17
CHAPTER XXI

One day = wave Of heat struck
the town that was like air from IN
oven. The Rutledge factory had
not been modernized since Philip
inherited it from his father. The
room where Caroline worked was .
sweltering inferno. The electric
fans ordered installed by . health
commissioner were not operating.
An electrician was put to work on
them but they were not repaired
until the middle Of the afternoon.
A girl working near Caroline
tainted. Caroline helped carry her
to . window. Someone brought
water. And then Caroline heard
Malcolm's voice, protesting, angry.
She heard him say to the forewoman
that If the girls were not to be
thought Of, the cold cream had bet
ter be considered. He demanded that
the work be stopped, the workers
dismissed for the rest Of the day.
Caroline, with the bitter twist In
her heart reflected ON her lips, won
dered II he would not ruin his
chances for promotion under the
Dunsworths through his humane
tartan impulses.
She waited for him until closing
time ct the shady side Of the build
ing. sThose fans should have been
put IN commission . week ago." he
said when he came striding up to
her. II spoke about It but the order
didn't come through. They're sure
watching the pennies around this
place. Wen have to get IN order
Tor . drink Of water il they tighten
up much more. How do you feel
pretty limp?"
"Pretty limp, but not . total loss,
thanks TO the value Of cold cream.
Was the heat really bad for it,"
II don't know, but I made the boss
think 20. By the way, he gave me
y piece Of news. The big Chief
SON, young Howard Dunsworth. got
married today"
Here res say. that heat did get you
They had been walking toward
the parking space while Malcolm
talked. Caroline had reeled. fallen
against him. She was Is white as
the girl who had tainted.
"come back into the shade and
sit down." he urged. "l1l get you
. glass Of water, or something"
mo, no." she Strengthened up,
stood alone. Its sone-just : touch
Malcolm looked worried. "We'd
better wait . while" he said. cts
too hot to 60 tumbling OF . motor
cycle. The pavement would burn
you up"
Caroline smiled weakly. REALLY
I'm III right" she insisted. 'but I'll
feel better when can get > shower
bath and rest . little"
Lets stop down at the corner
and have . lemonade. The sun
won't Be- quite 80 hot in = few min
utes."
The store where they got their
refreshing drinks was in . small
wooden building, but it was shaded
by old naples and they were allowed
to take their glasses and sit under
the trees.
Malcolm saw that Caroline's
hands trembled as she lifted the
drink to her lips, but after Q bit she
declared herself steady enough ia
be safe on the motorcycle and he
gave in to her wish to start for
home. The rush Of air against their
faces was gratefully cooling and
when Il had dried their moist, sticky
garments 90 that they no longer
chung to their overheated bodies II
brought them . blessed relief.
When Caroline reached her home
she went straight to her room. Ar
she opened the door, wave Of con.
fined air surged. over her like Z
smothsring blanket.
The night before she had worked
long after midnight in . crude lab
oratory she had erected in the base
ment-a laboratory that had cost
her the jade bracelet-rare old Chi.
neso jade-that alone Of her pre-.
cious possessions had been salvaged
from the Rutledge financial ruin
That morning she had oversight
had hurried away to work, without
stopping to put the day time screen
in her window which 1t night she
took out for the sake Of more air
The sun was high when she awoke