Evening star., 1901-08-10

vice 1 think he should have 1t. Trusting
you will give this matter your prompt at
tention. l remain,
Yours truly,
"F. B. GORHAM.'
Hinchman laid down the letters with the
thought:
Well. why in the name of Sam Hill
don't the r. P. do something for him,
then?"
But the next breath brought realiza-
tion that the r. P. would demand the re-
instatement Of it's old employe, and due
reparation for his inconvenience and hu
initiation. And Hinchman was the man
who would have to make it. Then he won
dered angrily why Dingley had not ex-
stead Of leaving it for his superiors to in
fer. And to that question conscience gave
quick reply. Dingley had not been encour-
aged to explain.
regular Saturday half holiday was in force
and the office was deserted. He touched
button and ten minutes later messenger
boy was sauntering in the direction of an
ly to the heart Of commercial turmoil-just
such place as one might expect Dingley
to select. And half an hour later Hinch-
man looked up from his desk to see a wo-
man at the counter. She held a slip of
yellow paper and she spoke with quiet
distinctneSs.
"Mr. Hinchman?'
Mr.. Hinchman bowed. The scowl faded.
II have here telegram which you sent
my husband, stating that you wished to
see him Immediately. AS Mr.. Dingley is
sleeping well for the first time in thirty-six
hours and his physician states that sleep
Is his salvation just now, I came down to
see whether l could save him the trip
Il am sorry to learn that Mr.. Dingley
has been H.
Mrs. Dingleys face plainly expressed
that she doubted Mr.. Hinchman's sincerity.
but she entered the railing gate which Mr..
Hinchman held open in his most courteous
a crro full
of the chair he offered the excursion. man
ager caught himself wondering how Ding
ley. the quiet, unpretentious, awkward
Dingey, had ever won such a uueenlv
looking woman. Other people had openly
expressed this same wonder-not to Mrs
Dingley but to each other-when the mar
riage had been announced. But then
neither they nor Hinchman really knew
Dingley-as Mrs Dingley did
She raised her eyes. trifie impatiently,
to Hinchman's face and he shifted in his
chair His mouth felt parched and the
words came hard.
1T seems, Mrs. DingIey, that there was
some mistake about Mr.. Dingley's resigna-
ton"
Hinchman hesitated.
Il think not, Mr.. Hinchman We wrote
that resignation - together" Her voice
sounded strangely harsh, coming from be-
tween such tender lips.
Hinchman tapped the lock in his desk
with pencil.
Il mean-that there was some mistake
about the acceptance of the resigna-
ton"
Why didn't she say something instead of
staring at him with those great, question:
ing eyes?
at seems-er-that the company has de-
cided not to accept it. In fact, I'd like to
know how soon you think your husband
Would-feel-feel-well enough to-resume
his duties?"
strange light glowed in Mrs Dingley.s
eyes, and the heavy lids dropped suddenly
But the hand on her parasol did not
culver, though from under the long lashes
sne caught glimpse OF the uncompromis-
Ing typewriter characters on the letters
from headquarters lying on Hinchmnn's
desk.
II really don't see how 1t can be ar
ranged, Mr.. Hinchman. II we had known
two days since, 1t might have been adjust
ed, but now We leave next week for 4
month at the shore. (Hinchman Rasped
inwardly. A man out of position and
Mr.. Dingiey goes to the p. and o. as as
sistant passenger agent My cousin, Mr..
Bailey - perhaps you've heard of him I
(Hinchman was groaning inwardly Who
hadn't heard OF President Bailey Of the p
and on My cousin has been wanting
Mr. Dingiey to make the change for some
time, but Mr.. Dingiey had some quixotio
notion Of rounding out the quarter CEN
tury with the r. p, and OF course the
| Golden Gate system is really the RI p. in
his estimation. (Hinchman failed to see the
malicious light OF triumph that cleaned for
e second in Mrs. Dinsley's eyes) Tll tell
MI: Dingiey. OF course. directly he awalxes,
drop down to see you."
Mrs. Dins1ey was rising now. and the
| condescension In voice and attitude brought
duli. purplish nush 10 Hinchman's D