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ever gets away from Lanesburg—we're either too rich or too poor."

Abner began to smile. "Maybe they can when the railroad is built?"

"Yes, yes, no doubt—well, run along and build it. Good-bye."

Abner observed for the first time that the motor had stopped.

"Do I get out here?"

"Of course, silly, this is the old Coltrane place. The camp's right over that hill past the house." She pointed and Abner climbed out of the car.

"Now, don't let the strikers get you," she cautioned, leaning over and touching one of his hands on the door.

On the impulse she moved to him quickly. "Kiss me, after all," she said, lifting her face and holding out her arms to him.

Abner put his arms about her and kissed her lips. He caught the faint fragrance of her face powder, and his arms were about furs which felt exquisitely soft and warm. The curve of her torso seduced an extra heartbeat, and he would have lifted her against his chest, but this was Adelaide Jones, and the open country and chill October sun forbade. He stepped back from the car.

"I'll watch out for the strikers."

Adelaide looked up the road and whispered, "Look—that man saw us guzzling."

Abner laughed. "What he saw was all right."

Adelaide gave a little shrug. "It was more than all right, it was positively virtuous. You know the great virtue in this county, Abner, is iciness to the opposite sex—well, come to see me when you get back to Lanesburg," and laughing at her own irony, she sent her car forward at gathering speed.