THE IMPERIAL ENGINEER by Judith B. Glad

girl joined them.
    "Hello Lulu," he said. "Miss Hathaway, have you met Miss King?" He merely
nodded at Mr. Newell.
    The girl's eyes widened. "Oh, you're that 'Votes for Women' person. How brave
you are, speaking out as you do."
    "I hope what I said struck a chord, Miss Hathaway. I'm delighted to meet
you."
    "Oh, yes, me too. I mean, I'm pleased to meet you, Miss King." She recited the
polite words in a soft little voice, ending with a giggle.
    Lulu looked to Tony and lifted her brows in question. How old is this
child? she wanted to say. Instead she compensated for his bad manners. "Mr. Newell,
may I present Miss Hathaway?"
    "Charmed, I'm sure."
    With a great show of eyelash fluttering and another soft giggle, Miss Hathaway
allowed Mr. Newell to kiss her hand.
    Lulu noticed Tony was not pleased. Was he truly smitten with this child? She
hoped not. He deserved better.
    Is that a bit of the green-eyed monster speaking? Of course it wasn't. She
didn't want Tony for herself, so why should she resent his interest in other women?
    Mr. Newell gave Miss Hathaway a far more charming smile than any he'd wasted
on Lulu. "Are you engaged for the next dance?"
    When the girl accepted, Mr. Newell said to Lulu, "Since you and Mr. Dewitt are
old friends, I trust I can leave you safely in his care?" Without waiting for a reply, he led
Miss Hathaway to the dance floor.
    "Well, I guess he put me in my place," Lulu said, more amused than insulted at his
discourtesy. She glanced at Tony, inviting him to share her amusement.
    His scowl showed her how unfunny he found Mr. Newell's behavior. "Somebody
needs to teach him some manners," he muttered.
    "Oh, come now. Miss Hathaway is the prettiest girl here. He's probably
smitten."
    "That's no excuse." He stared at the couple, who had walked across the floor and
were standing by the stage. Newell was speaking to the orchestra leader. "I suppose we
could dance too," he said, without looking at Lulu.
    "Don't do me any favors. It's not as if there aren't a dozen men here who'd enjoy
dancing with me."
    "Oh, hell, Lulu, you know I'd enjoy dancing with you. But you told me to go
away, so I didn't reckon you'd want to."
    "I don't, particularly, but I'll be darned if I want to stand here without a partner."
Mr. Correy had disappeared, and joining the line of chaperones and wallflowers didn't
appeal to her one bit. "I'll dance with you," she said, knowing her reluctance was plain in
her tone.
    He gave her his arm and led her to the dance floor just as the first bars of music
were played.
    Oh, no! It's a waltz!
    His hand on her back was warm. As he swung her in a circle, she realized he was a
graceful dancer, sure and strong. Her eyes were at the level of his shoulders, and she
concentrated on the decorative stitching of his lapel. It was far less distracting than
thinking about the faint, spicy scent of him, so different from the bay rum Mr. Correy had
anointed himself with.
    "What made you come with Frank Correy tonight? He's way too young for
you."
    She pulled back so she could look up at him. "Too young? Nonsense. He's
     twenty-three."
    "And you've just turned twenty-eight. Does he know?"
    "Tony, I'm not going to marry the man, for heaven's sake. He invited me to the
dance, and I came. That's all." He dipped and spun, catching Lulu by surprise. For a brief
instant their bodies were pressed closely together. Lulu's breath seemed to catch in her
chest.
    To hide her reaction, she said, "I have to admit I'm disappointed in him. I'd
thought he was more open-minded, from his remarks last summer. Now I realize his
notions about a woman's place are every bit as old-fashioned and short-sighted as yours.
But he is a good dancer, and I've enjoyed myself."
    They danced in silence for several minutes. "I'm not old-fashioned. Women should
have the vote."
    Once again she pulled back to look at him. His jaw was set and his mouth firm.
But his eyes, as they looked down into hers, were warm and friendly. "They should? I
mean you