to the works, but he gave him such
a look of hatred that he stepped aside and he passed without a word.

Jack was quite unconscious of having done anything to merit such
treatment, but by degrees, as he reviewed the incidents of the past few
weeks, a light broke upon him;--he saw it all. They were rivals.

From that time all intercourse ceased between the two who had been
deemed inseparable. This gave rise to many remarks from their
acquaintances, not a few of whom guessed the cause.

Susy seemed quite unconcerned, and smiled as sweetly as ever. Dick
furtively watched her, and the more he looked, the stronger grew his mad
infatuation and the deeper became his determination to be revenged.

He never again intruded himself on Susy's dinner hour, but he knew that
Jack took every opportunity of seeing her, and the work that he should
have done during the time the machine was standing, he had to hurry over
when it was in motion. It was a hazardous work;--a single slip might
lead to a certain and horrible death. But he was experienced and
cautious, and he felt no fear.

The fire of revenge, always smouldering, was almost daily fanned into
flame by real or fancied causes.

Jack went calmly on his way. He regretted the break in their friendship,
but he could not resign Susy. He hoped all things would come out right
at last.

A day came, when, as the engine began to set in motion the innumerable
shafts and wheels and pulleys, which in turn transmitted their mighty
strength over the hundreds of looms,--Dick stood at the end of the row
of machines that were under his charge. His eyes had a strange light in
them and his face was unnaturally pale, and his hands wandered
unmeaningly over the loom nearest him.

A scream reverberated through the shed, above all the clatter of
shuttles and whirr of wheels, and was repeated again, and again. There
was a rush towards one point. The mighty engine stopped with a groan,
and all the wheels were motionless. All the workers had deserted their
posts,--nay,--not all. Dick stood shivering, grasping an iron bar for
support.

Susy, stood confronting him. The look in her wonderful eyes was one that
he had never before seen. No word was spoken. She passed on to join the
throng, and Dick followed like one in a dream.

"Poor Jack!" "poor lad!" was heard on every hand. The crowd divided, and
four strong men bore the battered and bleeding form into the private
office. Dick saw it,--he followed