The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-10-29
illustrated By
Henrietta McCaig Starrett

Rod went to New York foi the mills
ue tried a case in washington Won ~
cot his name and picture Ia many
40 mars He was dabbling in politics LOO
q Republicanl The Yankee virus was
IN his blood now. He was going places
doine things He even talked IN
clipped. swift way, as II there was noC
enough time in life TO accomplish an
the things that had to be done
And he had very little time for Betn
now when she complained he sald:
aDarling, you want me to oe successful
don't your You want to be proud q me-
don't you?"
~Yes," said Beth. '.but I'm worn ouc
INST being In the same State with you
and Cabot Long and all the rest, AH
this energy Is worthy of a better cause.
You'll all drop dead before you're 4u
from being just out Of breathl"
That's better than dying Of sleeping
sickness" said Rod evenly.
Meaning" said Beth, why don't !
wake I'D and get i'm the swim?'
DOD grinned. Something like that.
LII And then: Il notice the nlonoe
doesn't come down from New YORK any
more to see Cabot. Southern girl Will
get him as sure as guns iron.
TITS a close race now. | think De-
tween Patsy Keith and Emma Troy.
he's with one one night he's with the
other the next. He took Patsy boating
or Monday and Emma on Tuesday, ne
took Patsy to the club for golf on
wednesday and Emma on THURSDAY.
Let's place bet. Say $50. I'm putting
my money on Patsy"
They were sitting in Beth's garden
with the moonlight f1ltering through
the lacy fringe of q weeping willow
above them Everything was deathly
still save for the croaking of the frogs
and the shrill chirps Of the crickets.
Il wouldn't risk the money on either
one of them" said Beth, softly. Ten
cents, maybe-but not s5ol' And she
thought: HES not out with either Of
them tonight. It's Saturday, and on
Saturday nights he inspects the mills.
A noise that sounded like the pre-
lude to the very ending of the world
broke over the town. giant explosion
blasted against Beths ears. It shook
the earth 1t sent her tumbling into
Rods arms, her pink ruffles billowtng
out around her ankles. Rods dark eyes
looked sick. he cried "That couldn't
h hs4f %t.a list
an explosion!"
Beth's heart began to pound. She
cried out In her mind: "Caboti Oh-h,
Cabot" And then, without realizing
&C. she was running out of the garden,
down the street. her sandals beating
wild hysterical tattoo on the sidewalks,
Rod beside her. She kept saying: Rod.
you don't suppose Cabot's hurt, do youl"
She didn't know It, but there was agony
in her voice.
Everything was confusion at the mill.
sThere were caYed-in walls, there we're
blackened ruins and somewhere deep
In the bowels Of the factory fire was
raging. The whole town was there,
milling up and down the sidewalks.
Patsy Keith, with her face white and
her mouth drawn, was saying: "Cabot's
In there. With four men On inspee-
tion. / was waiting la the car-and
then--this happenedw
Beth heard that and her heart welled
up In her throat In q sick fear Cabot"
she yelled at the top Of her lungs
Cabot" And tears streamed down her
face and she wrung her hands and
screamed again, Cabot Cabotln Patsy
wasn't looking at the ruined building
now. Nor was Rod They we've both
staring at Beth There was d puzzled
look In Patsy's eyes-and one Of misery
In Rods
When she started into the building
Rod grabbed her by one arm. He said:
Beth, the rest of that place may give
IN any minute. It's taking your life In
your hands to go In there The Fire De-
partment's here. We can't do any
thing!"
And then Cabot came out, the four
men and the rescue squad with him.
He went straight to Beth and took her
80 AA1S "AAiio eA1 iISda IlSl NEIy GlDSe.
But now Beth changed completely.
Terror went out Of her face and sorne-
thing else came into it. With a swirl
OF her pink skirts she was out OF his
embrace turning. But she didn't run
away. For Cabot drew her back. He
said, in a whisper: Don't go on being
a stubborn little Rebel all your life
Jim Reed in the rescue squad, told me
you were out here screaming your lungs
out for me! You love me and you know
it, I've known 1t all along. I'VE been
wondering what would bring about the
surrender. 1t has cost me about $780,
000'--he grnned little-"and damned
If don't think is was worth it!'
pETH had to smile despite herself. mo
Southern gentleman would be caught
dead making love to girl like that.
she said. haughtily
Sugar" said Cabot, laughing a little
will you-all marry me?"
Then he laughed hard, whirled her
up In his arms. carried her through
the crowd to his car AS he bundled her
III Patsy, her face very white, touched
! Rods arm. Her eyes we're stricken
and SO were Rod 's--but she said-alnost
t gayly:
sryJts.