or given. But it was impossible for
her to fail to see Selma's sensible statement of the actual truth. So,
she said honestly:

"Thank you for coming, Miss Gordon. I am glad of the chance."

They shook hands. Selma, holding her hand, looked up at her, suddenly
kissed her. Jane returned the kiss. David Hull, advancing with his
gaze upon them, stopped short. Selma, without a glance--because
without a thought--in his direction, hastened away.

When David rejoined Jane, she was gazing tenderly after the small,
graceful figure moving toward the distant entrance gates. Said David:

"I think that girl has got you hypnotized."

Jane laughed and sent him home. "I'm busy," she said. "I've got
something to do, at last."

III

Jane knocked at the door of her father's little office. "Are you
there, father?" said she.

"Yes--come in, Jinny." As she entered, he went on, "But you must go
right away again. I've got to 'tend to this strike." He took on an
injured, melancholy tone. "Those fool workingmen! They're certain to
lose. And what'll come of it all? Why, they'll be out their wages and
their jobs, and the company lose so much money that it can't put on the
new cars the public's clamorin' for. The old cars'll have to do for
another year, anyhow--maybe two."

Jane had heard that lugubrious tone from time to time, and she knew
what it meant--an air of sorrow concealing secret joy. So, here was
another benefit the company--she preferred to think of it as the
company rather than as her father--expected to gain from the strike.
It could put off replacing the miserable old cars in which it was
compelling people to ride. Instead of losing money by the strike, it
would make money by it. This was Jane's first glimpse of one of the
most interesting and important truths of modern life--how it is often
to the advantage of business men to have their own business crippled,
hampered, stopped altogether.

"You needn't worry, father," said she cheerfully. "The strike's been
declared off."

"What's that?" cried her father.

"A girl from down town just called. She says the union has called the
strike off and the men have accepted the company's terms."

"But them terms is withdrawn!" cried Hastings, as if his daughter were
the union. He seized the telephone. "I'll call up the office and
order 'em withdrawn."

"It's too late," said she.

Just then the telephone bell rang, and Hastings was soon hearing
confi