Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-10-31

ours?"
 Pinckney looked up indignantly.
 "Of course not" he exclaimed. "but trust him. think he'd be capable of any dirty trick to have our gun turned down."
 Durant laid his hand on the young managers arm in kindly fashion.
 Now, now, Edward" he said mean ingly. Il like your enthusiasm; it's good for the business. but you must not let ,%2;;r enthusiasm lead you to foolish hatred This young Sommers seems to me to be n very decent sort of young fellow. never saw him be- fore tonight, but was quite favorably impressed Frances also seems to like him very much"
 "So you've noticed that, too, have you?" sneered the manager.
 Frances father looked up sharply.
 "Yes; have youp he asked.
 Again Pinckney hesitated. It was time for careful work now. He could not afford to make an open rupture or say anything about a direct explana- tion, so he began using all his diplo- macy. suggesting by look and gesture rather than by open accusation what he meant.
 "Yes. have noticed it. Mir. Durant" he said 'I hoped was mistaken. would hate to see anything like that, because you know my interest in ey- erythlng that concerns you, and par ticularly in Frances" He hesitated for moment. wondering just how to go on.
 "Yes, I understand your interest" said Durant kindly. "i understand that"
 Thank you, sir" exclaimed Pinck- ney gratefully. You know, then. how hard 1t is for me to see her associated with such fellow as Sommers and what blow it would be if be were to make her fond of him."
 Durant looked at the younger man keenIy.
 Do you mean there's anything against this young fellow" he asked "any reason why Frances should avoid hlmP
 'I-I'd rather not say, Mir. Durant," hesitated Pinckney.
 Durant was a straightforward, old fighter who liked to have people come right out
 If you can't say right out. why do you intimate, EdwardY he demanded sternly. ''I don't like people who beat about the bush. If you have anything on this young fellow, come right out and say so. Be prepared to prove it and don't beat about the bush and suggest all sorts of things against him merely because he's paying attention to Frances"
 Pinckney rose and drew himself up to his full height.
 I'm very sorry, Mir. Durant, that you should think me capable of such a thing" he said with dignity. q thought my interest was too well proved for you to think that I would do anything underhanded. l say noth- ing against this fellow Sommers now, because I'm not prepared to prove it; but, remember this, Mir. Durant, he's no good, and sooner or later you'll find 1t out. only hope 1t won't be too late"
 Durant looked at his young manager keenly. He had no reason to suspect that Pinckney would lie or do any thing maliciously underhanded merely to put rival out of the way. He had known Edward from boy and found him always apparently devoted to the Durant interests. All this made him judge kindly when from another man he would not have tolerated mere baekbiting.
 "All right, Edward" he said kindly. You've proved yourself devoted to me. think this is just little over enthusiasm fin the Durant interests. As general rule, I've found these na- val chaps straightforward, decent young fellows, and I'd hate to believe otherwise. However, we'll watch him and see. Come to me if you get any thing on him. but you know 1 will not stand for mere rumors and suspi- ciOns."
 He stopped abruptly, for the door opened and the man of whom they were speaking. with Frances, came in. The quick eye of the girl caught her fathers angry mood.
 Whats the matter, dadp she asked.
 The old man turned to her, with smile.
 "Nothing at all. little one, except Edwards been saying some things that interest me greatly, and to show him what l think I'm going to ask him to come to the study and continue the conversation. I'll leave you to enter tain Lieutenant Sommers if you'll ex. cuse me-"
 "Mr. Sommers was just golng," said Frances.
 Yes" broke in Sommers, "that bad time when l must say good night has arrived"
 How much longer will you be in Pittsburg, Mir. Sommers?v asked Du-