The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-27

All sense of discipline and fear of consequences was gone from him. Then, besides, down in his heart he knew that Pinckney needed him and would scarcely dare to discharge him at this time. Instead of replying he heaved himself. over until he stood face to face with the general manager. Do you think Pm afraid of you?" he demanded drunkenly. Pinckney paid no attention to him, but turned and pressed the bell When he spoke it was to the assistant. What are you doing here, O'Leary?" Nothing, sir.''
 ''Then get to work" ordered Pinck- ney sharply.
 O'Leary hesitated. T can't leave Lucy with him." he said, jerking his head toward Smith Pinckney nodded.
 Il understand, but that's all right. You go back to work. I'll look after her.''
 "Yes. Joe, please go when he tells you.' urged Lucy. O'Leary nodded. ..All right; I'm going" he said. He reached the door, then turned and spoke threateningly to the drunken foreman, See here. Smith, if you touch that girl I'll kill you, and don't you forget itv' Before Lucy's father could reply he turned and slammed the door after him.
 Smith whirled, lurched toward Lucy with his hand upraised. but Pinckney stepped in front of him.
 Here. here, Smithw commanded the manager sharply. You've got no time for fooling. Remember, put you in charge of the Sommers gun.''
 Smith strengthened and leered with drunken assumption of sarcasm.
 What if you did? Amt it being done to suit you?'
 ed, have I?"
 The foreman thrust his own face against that of the general manager
 You'd better not complainr he sneered threateningly. '1 guess know what's wanted of me.'
 Pfnckney nodded.
 'T'm sure you do, Smith," he said blandly. "I have every confidence in you; now go and look. out for that gun, and, remember, until that jobs out of the way you're boss. Don't let any body interfere with you!" s
 The foreman shook one of his big arms.
 eff any one interferes with me you know what they'll get" he roared "You can bet your life on that, and one of them is going to get it quick"
 Still muttering threats, he turned and staggered out of the works. Pinckney I looked sharply atLucy @
 "You go home and stay there" he said. se
 The girl hesitated. Fear of what might happen with her father drunk and in charge of such important work gave her unusual courage.
 Excuse me, Mr. Pinckney, but father isn't himself. Do you think 1t safe to have him in charge tonight?"
 The manager drowned so savagely that Lucy trembled.
 "Oh, that's what brought you here, was it? You came over to manage the works. did your" he sneered.
 T was afraid-that gum repeated the girl.
 Pinckney broke in on her savagely.
 "Well, the next time you keep your fears home. When need you to look out for the works here I'll send for you. Now get out"
 He turned from the frightened girl to the office boy. who at last had an- swered his ring.
 "Send Marsh to my private ofice."
 And without another look at the l Azghtened girl the manager strode 1 into his private office and slammed l the door. Lucy. crushed and beaten. fearful that she had only made mat ters worse by coming, was hurryfng | out when the door from the works l again opened, and Joe O'Leary, blood | streaming down his face, staggered l Aeross the threshold and fell into a chsrir, gasping:
 ssHe got me.'
 CHAPTER VIII.