Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-28
XVI-Continued.

"For-for trying to be hateful" 1t was
a humber thing than any she had ever
said to man. but the raw sincerity OF
time and place and association was be-
ginning to get into her blood.
IF it comes to that. there were two of
u.s." he rejoined. matching her frankness.
And as you remarked a while back. I
was certainly the aggressor. Shall we
call it truce for the present."
.'If you will be generous enough"
"Oh. I am generosity itself under ordi-
nary conditions. but just now I'll admit
that 1 am fearfully and wonderfully in
hospitable. 1 can't help wishing most
fervently that something had happened
to prevent your uncle's coming"
lis 1t uncle who is in the way?-or the
pleasure party?"
I'VE are negligible she said. meaning
the pleasurers.
NO. you are not. and neither is your
Uncle Sidney
as he still formidable to your" she
laughed.
He is. indeed. But worse than that.
he is likely to prove very considerable
disturbing element II l can't keep him
from plunging in upon us"
She let half of the remaining distance
to the end of the steep grade go under
foot before she said: Il like to help
people. sometimes; but I don't like to do
1t In the dark"
He would have explained instantly to a
man for the sake of gaining an ally. But
he could not bring himself to the point of
telling her the story of graft and mis-
rule in which the MacMorroghs were the
principals. and North-and her uncle. by
implication-the hackers.
So he said: st is rather long story
and you would scarcely understand it.
We have been having constant trouble
with the MacMorrOghs, the contractors,
and there is bad state of affairs In the
grading camps. 1t has come to point
where l shall have to fight the MacMor-
roghs to some sort Of a finish. and-well.
to put 1t very BADLY. don't want to have
to fight the MacMorroghs and the presi-
dent in the same round"
"Why should Uncle Sidney take the part
of these men, if they are bad men. Mr..
Ford?"
Because he has always distrusted my
judgment and because he is loyal to Mr..
North, whom he has made my superior.
Mr. North tells him that l am to blame.
But it must be a very dreadful condi-
ton of things, If what Mr.. Frisbie said is
all true
"Frisbie spoke Of only one little Incl
dent Trouble like this we're having to-
day is constantly arising. No money
making graft is too petty or too immoral
for the MacMorroghs to conntve at. They
rob and starve their laborers. and cheat
the company with bad work I've got 70
have a free hand in dealing with them,
Or
He stopped abruptly. realizing that he
was talking to her as he might have
talked to a specialist in his own profess
sion. Hence he was not disappointed
| when she said:
you go too fast for me. But think
understand now why our coming is in
opportune. And it's comforting to know
that the reason is a business reason"
He put shame to the wall and blurted
out. suddenly: 1T is only one Of the
rea sons Miss Adair. The-the camps are
no fit place for a party with women. You
you'll have to be blind and deaf II your
uncle persists in taking you with him"
It was said. and he was glad of 1t.
though he was wiping the perspiration
from his face when the thing was done.
She was silent until they were standing at
the steps Of the side-tracked private car.
THANK you,'' she said. simply. 'Of
course. I'll do what I can to keep Uncle
Sidney from going-and taking us. What
shall you say to him?''
Il am going to tell him that our track
isn't safe for the Nadia-which is true
VERY we'll. I'll tell Aunt Hetty and
Mrs. Van Bruce-which may be more to
the point. But don't be encouraged by
that have reason to believe that Uncle
Sidney will have his way in spite Of any
or all of u.s.