"Where in thunder does that hydrate come from—South America or
Russia? How much off on the tariff on the creature do we want?
Come over to the committee room, where I am, right away. Say it's
an urgent message and get in with a tip."
The secretary looked up, with a laugh.
"You win, Norton. I'm off. Good-by." And he started on a run to the
Senator's aid.
Norton turned angrily on the girl as the door closed.
"See here, Carolina," he cried, "what do you mean by letting that fellow make love to you?"
Carolina Langdon would not permit rebuke, even from the man she cared for. She tossed back her head and said, coolly:
"Why shouldn't I let him make love to me if I choose?"
"You know why," exclaimed Norton, his dark face flushing sullenly. "Because I love you and you love me!" And he seized her and pressed her to him. "That is why!" he cried, and he kissed her again and again.
"Yes, I love you, Charlie; you know that," Carolina said, simply. She was conquered by the Southerner's masterfulness.
"Then why do you stand for that whippersnapper's talk?" asked Norton, perplexedly.