But Buck was unsmiling. The muscles of his jaw were tense.

"I won't let you go. Understand that! I won't allow it!"

"Tut, tut, T. A.! What is this? Cave-man stuff?"

"Emma, I tell you it's dangerous. It isn't worth the risk, no
matter what it brings us."

Emma McChesney struck an attitude, hand on heart. " `Heaven
will protect the working girrul,' " she sang.

Buck grabbed his hat.

"I'm going to wire Jock."

"All right! That'll save me fifty cents. Do you know what
he'll wire back? `Go to it. Get the tango on its native
tairn'--or words to that effect."

"Emma, use a little logic and common sense!"

There was a note in Buck's voice that brought a quick response
from Mrs. McChesney. She dropped her little air of gayety. The
pain in his voice, and the hurt in his eyes, and the pleading in
his whole attitude banished the smile from her face. It had not
been much of a smile, anyway. T. A. knew her genuine smiles well
enough to recognize a counterfeit at sight. And Emma McChesney
knew that he knew. She came over and laid a hand lightly on his